The Day Observed #4

The point: Make conscience of ceasing completely on God's day from the works by which you earn your living.

Martin quotes John Quentin's prophecy from 1848, detailing how greed, selfishness, sensuality, unbelief, and public companies would erode Sabbath observance, illustrating the historical and ongoing societal hostility to Sabbatarian convictions.

Writing in 1848, 150 years ago, John Quentin made a prophecy that sadly has come to pass in our day, and I'd like to read his words to you. He says, We need not be surprised that the Sabbath, an institution crossing fallen man's self-interest as such a variety of points, an institution that is tolerant of none of the grosser or more groveling predilections of the masses, we should not be surprised that the Sabbath should come in for its full share of hostility and repudiation.

13:30 - 14:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin directly confronts the temptation to compromise Sabbath convictions due to job loss or financial cost. He argues that the Fourth Commandment is a moral law, no different…

Martin uses the hypothetical example of an employer requiring an employee to lie or steal to highlight that Christians would never compromise these commandments, thereby arguing that the Fourth Commandment should be treated with the same non-negotiable conviction.

If, for example, your employer was to require you to break the ninth commandment and lie in the course of your work, what would you do?

23:25 - 23:38 Read in full sermon

The point: As a last resort, you may need to refuse to come in, accepting potential ramifications like poor performance reports or dismissal, as the price of a good conscience.

Martin shares his personal story of losing a seminary professorship due to standing for truth and conscience, illustrating the potential high cost of obedience and his understanding of the sacrifices believers might face.

I do know what the potential cost could be. Many years ago, brethren, following the clear path of truth and conscience cost me a professorship in one of the most prestigious seminaries in our land. Standing for the truth I knew was going to cost me dear. My conscience was bound by the word of God.

38:03 - 38:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin offers practical advice for breadwinners: the self-employed should factor Sabbath rest into their business decisions, even if it means financial sacrifice. Employees are…

Martin references the biblical accounts of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel, who risked their lives rather than disobey God, serving as examples of courage and faith in the face of severe consequences for obedience.

Are we the only generation who have been freed from that call? We read in our Bibles of the example of Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego who willingly risked not just their positions, they risked their lives rather than violate the first commandment and to bow down to the idol that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. We read of the example of Daniel. Who refused to obey the king's decree, who refused to obey the command that came down, stop praying. These men risked not just their positions, they risked their lives rather than to disobey God. They knew that their refusal was leading to a fiery furnace ...

40:02 - 41:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Husbands should do all they can to help their wives on the Lord's Day with chores and necessities to free them for Sabbath rest.

Martin uses the analogy of a husband acting like 'King Tut' by expecting his wife to do everything on Sunday, to illustrate how a husband's inaction can prevent his wife from truly experiencing Sabbath rest.

I don't know what chores you ordinarily do around the house but I hope you do some. I hope husband that you don't sit around like King Tut expecting your wife to do everything. And I urge you to do all you can to help your wife on the Lord's day in those times of emergency. Or in works of necessity. You see your willingness to pitch in your willingness to bring the children alongside, to pitch in with such things as making the sandwiches for Sunday lunch, clearing the table afterwards. Your willingness to pitch in other like things necessary to the proper ordering of the house on God's day. Th...

56:27 - 57:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Diligently use the other six days for school work, and commit to honoring God's day by putting books away to nurture your soul, trusting God to multiply your fruitfulness.

Martin shares his personal academic history, stating that in 25 years of schooling, he was never forced to study on Sunday due to instructor fault, but always due to his own poor planning, illustrating that Sunday study is not a necessity.

Either you've planned poorly or you've acted irresponsibly. I have completed 12 years of elementary and secondary education 13 years of college and post graduate studies. In 25 years of schooling not once was I forced to study on Sunday because of the poor planning or irresponsibility of my instructors. It was always my fault. Not once.

59:45 - 60:21 Read in full sermon

Driving home: No man ever yet suffered loss by a conscientious attachment to his duty to God. A marvelous principle. Do we have faith to believe that?

Martin quotes Adam Clark's commentary on Exodus 34:21, which describes farmers breaking the Sabbath during harvest due to 'bad weather' and 'goodness of the day' as a sign from providence, illustrating the temptation to prioritize secular interests over God's command and the lack of benefit from such compromise.

You see perhaps we need more of the faith that this text requires. The faith that would make us more faithful in keeping God's day. I would like to read just a very very brief paragraph. It's quoted in Bush's commentary on Exodus but the words are those of Adam Clark.

65:01 - 65:23 Read in full sermon