Scripture Shall Mold Our Faith and Practice, Part 2

Driving home: And the first plank, as it were, in our manifesto is the declaration that we are determined that Jesus Christ shall have his rightful place in this congregation, his rightful place as the exclusive foundation, the sole s…

Martin contrasts the 'rigmarole' of some liturgical Easter celebrations with the simplicity of Joseph's empty tomb, highlighting practices that he believes are not pleasing to God.

As one beholds the so-called Eastern celebrations in some of the liturgical churches, one wonders what all of that rigmarole has to do with Joseph's empty tomb. However, we as a church were privileged to have this day. Many Easter Sundays from late June through August of 1990, and then again in December of 1990, as we concluded our studies in the Gospel of Mark, I was preaching through the resurrection chapter in Mark's Gospel, chapter 16. Now, in the light of this fact, and in the light of the fact that Scripture mandates no other special remembrance of the resurrection, of our Lord Jesus, ex...

1:14 - 2:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Never relinquish the truth once purchased, no matter what is offered for it.

He quotes Bunyan's description of Christian and Faithful entering Vanity Fair, where they are mocked for their different attire, speech, and disinterest in the wares, illustrating the world's reaction to those who seek only truth.

Buy the truth and sell it not. Those of you who are familiar with Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress will remember that when Christian and faithful enter into Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair being an imagery of this present world system, they enter in and they are looked upon rather strangely. They are clothed with such kind of raiment as was different from the raiment of any that traded in that fair. The people therefore of the fair made a great gazing upon them.

15:53 - 16:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Take time to read your own Bible, pray over publicly taught truths, and engage with rich theological books to obtain first-hand convictions.

He compares a congregation living on second-hand truth to a dead body whose soul has departed; it doesn't stink immediately but eventually the stench will fill the area, illustrating the inevitable decay of religion without vital, first-hand convictions.

And my friend, the step from, from maintaining orthodox externals with dead internals is the step then to giving up even the orthodox externals. The soul of vital religion dies when a congregation is living on second-hand truth. And then it's only a while before the carcass will stink.

33:12 - 33:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Be prepared to adjust your doctrinal confession when God gives further light from His Word, even if it means being uncomfortable.

He describes true learning as a 'mental birthing process' with contractions and birth pangs, followed by joy when a fresh understanding of truth is gained, akin to a mother forgetting her travail when holding her child. This illustrates the discomfort and reward of moving beyond carnal comfort in traditions.

It's one of the most painful and agonizing processes.

51:33 - 51:36 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He provides two illustrations: the rejection of the altar call tradition and the potential for altering the order of worship. These examples demonstrate the need for holy…

He uses the church's rejection of the evangelical altar call or invitation system as an example of altering practice based on biblical warrant, demonstrating a willingness to move away from tradition when it lacks scriptural support and is fraught with evils.

We receive a lot of raised eyebrows in certain circles. Because when we preach to the unconverted in an unusually focused way. We don't ask them to get up and walk down an aisle. And shake our hand or go into a room and pray.

57:52 - 58:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He provides two illustrations: the rejection of the altar call tradition and the potential for altering the order of worship. These examples demonstrate the need for holy…

He proposes a hypothetical scenario of moving the offering to the beginning of the service as a 'first tangible expression of worship,' illustrating that even helpful traditions in corporate worship can be flexible if they remain within biblical principles and do not become an 'eighth sacrament'.

Suppose next Sunday morning. I should begin the morning service by a call to worship. And then read an appropriate passage on the bringing of our tithes and offerings. And say the ushers will now receive our offering.

60:22 - 60:37 Read in full sermon