The Day Observed #2

In this part of the sermon: Martin defends the Puritan view by appealing to common sense, arguing that special days (like holidays) intuitively call for special preparation, and thus, God's holy day warrants…

The example of preparing for Christmas days or weeks in advance (buying presents, shopping for dinner) illustrates how common sense dictates special preparation for special days, even those not commanded by God.

Special days require special preparation. We intuitively, instinctively recognize that. And the more special the day is, then the more the need is, the more common sense tells us we need to prepare ahead of time so that when that special day comes, everything possible is in readiness. For example, when Christians, is approaching, our common sense tells us that we must begin preparing for the arrival of that special day, that day that for many of us is held in some honor and esteem, our common sense tells us we must begin preparing for that day not on Christmas morning,

10:34 - 11:23 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If our common sense tells us that a holiday not commanded by the word of God, if our common sense tells us that a holiday not commanded by God's word if that requires special preparation, how much more then does common s…

Martin shares how his wife intuitively prepares the Christmas dinner ahead of time, demonstrating that the need for pre-preparation for special days is often self-evident and not a matter of debate.

Now, we have a Christmas dinner in our home. But you know, I don't ever recall that Colleen and I ever sat down and decided, you know, we need to prepare that the day before. I don't recall ever having that discussion. And I think the reason we've never had that discussion because it was intuitive.

12:42 - 13:04 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But the flesh does hate the law of God.

The example of men lining up to buy Valentine's Day cards the day before is used to show that people don't object to pre-preparation for other special days, highlighting the flesh's unique resistance to Sabbath preparation.

The day that we go down and slug it out in the mall, shopping for our wife or our husbands or our children's Christmas presents, we don't say, well, we've got two Christmas days, let's throw the whole thing out. Let's make no preparation because we've got two Christmas days now.

17:51 - 18:06 Read in full sermon

The point: Dispense with some hygiene matters on Saturday night, such as children's baths, to avoid rushing on Sunday morning.

The suggestion to bathe children on Saturday night instead of Sunday morning illustrates how practical preparations can prevent distractions and smooth the Lord's Day morning routine.

For example, it may be possible and usually is possible for most to dispense with some hygiene matters on Saturday night. Except in unusual circumstances, ordinarily, at least in our home, we found this is the best time for the children to have their baths. Now I don't set that as a rule. It's just a suggestion.

32:40 - 33:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Avoid doing non-essential tasks like haircuts on Sunday morning, as it distracts from the proper use of the day.

The scenario of asking one's wife for a haircut on Sunday morning is used to show how neglecting practical preparations can distract from the proper use of the Lord's Day and burden others.

A Sunday morning is not a good time to finally notice that you need a trim.

33:34 - 33:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Prepare all articles of clothing on Saturday night, including shining shoes, washing/pressing clothes, and making outfit choices, for the entire family.

A brief mention of Pastor Martin's story about eating a garlic clove is used to humorously underscore the point that some personal hygiene is necessary, but many things can be done ahead.

The Bible understands that. There's some things necessary. Please don't think it's unlawful to brush your teeth on the Lord's Day. We heard Pastor Martin in the tape this morning talk about the incident in which he ate a clove of garlic and paid for it for a week.

35:41 - 35:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Prepare all articles of clothing on Saturday night, including shining shoes, washing/pressing clothes, and making outfit choices, for the entire family.

The common experience of being late for church due to rummaging for clothes (for children or oneself) illustrates how simple practical preparations like laying out clothes can prevent distractions and bad tempers.

But how many of us have been late for church because we had to rummage through a child's closet looking for a shirt or looking for a shoe?

37:58 - 38:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Gentlemen, do not expect your wife to prepare a labor-intensive 'classical Sunday dinner' on God's Day, as it may hinder her Sabbath rest.

Martin recounts his mother's elaborate Sunday dinners, which she called 'the fatted calf,' to illustrate how labor-intensive meals on the Sabbath can hinder a wife's ability to sanctify the day.

That's what my mom used to call Sunday dinner. And I can remember every Sunday morning for years that she would get up at the crack of dawn and we had the same thing for Sunday dinner for probably ten years. A big roast, an eye-round roast, mashed potatoes, none of this instant stuff, cooked, hand-mashed, green beans, biscuits, nice dessert, the whole thing. It took hours for her to prepare all this.

40:04 - 40:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Have a plan for how you intend to spend the Lord's Day to derive maximum spiritual profit, including what books to read, activities with children, or works of mercy.

Martin's detailed planning for his honeymoon to Canadian parks is used as an analogy for the need to plan the Lord's Day to maximize spiritual profit, lest the hours slip away unprofitably.

Now, I remember that when Colleen and I were going on our honeymoon,

55:24 - 55:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin urges believers to plan their Sabbath day activities to maximize spiritual profit, citing examples like reading Christian biography, and to seek God earnestly in prayer for…

Martin shares his personal habit of dedicating one hour on Sunday evening to reading Christian biography, demonstrating how a planned commitment can lead to significant spiritual growth over time.

Years ago, I recall, I don't do it so much anymore and that's probably to my shame. Years ago, I set apart one hour on the Lord's Day evening to read Christian biography.

56:52 - 57:06 Read in full sermon

The point: Seek God earnestly in prayer for His blessing on the day, for your soul, for loved ones, for brethren, for visitors, for teachers, and for preachers.

The anecdote of Pastor Al Martin reading all 16 volumes of John Owen's works one hour at a time illustrates the power of consistent, planned spiritual discipline.

In the same way, my dear friend Pastor Al Martin read the entirety of the 16 volumes of John Owen's works. Just one hour at a time with a commitment, a plan. I'm going to do this. This is going to be good for my soul.

58:12 - 58:28 Read in full sermon