Pursuing the Biblical Standards

The point: Obey the Scriptures in recognizing church officers, even when it is hard or unpopular.

Martin recounts the difficult, early decision to reject a man for eldership who had sacrificed much for the church but did not meet the biblical qualifications (e.g., temper, ruling his house). This illustrates the church's commitment to biblical standards over personal affection or past service, even at great cost.

A man who had been at the vanguard of leaving the denomination toward the end of 1966. A man who had paid a tremendous price in many ways, personally and in terms of family relationships and social relationships to leave that denomination. Who had been most fervent that we establish a new work built upon the word of God and be prepared to go wherever the hell we go. Wherever the hand of Scripture would lead us.

13:43 - 14:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second proof is the church's present practice, mandated by its constitution. This includes the ongoing nominating committee, the four-year confirmation process for officers…

Martin compares a tenured professor, who cannot be removed despite poor performance, to the concept of tenured elders or deacons. This analogy highlights why Trinity Baptist Church implemented a periodic confirmation process to prevent complacency and ensure ongoing accountability to biblical standards.

But we have general principles. And we who were there at the beginning of the work of this church were determined not to have a framework where anyone could be a tenured elder or deacon. You know what a tenured professor is?

21:52 - 22:07 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second proof is the church's present practice, mandated by its constitution. This includes the ongoing nominating committee, the four-year confirmation process for officers…

Martin tells of a young man seeking a pastoral job who was deterred by the lack of 'guarantees' and the four-year re-evaluation process for elders. This story illustrates the rigorous, non-tenured nature of leadership in Reformed Baptist churches and the commitment required to serve under biblical accountability.

I talked to a young man recently. He said he wanted to become a pastor in a Reformed Baptist church. He said, look, how do I go about it? I said, well, we don't have a denominational headquarters.

22:27 - 22:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Act with conscience before God in secret ballot, without social pressure, when recognizing church officers.

The example of Jimmy Swaggart, found in sordid moral situations yet claiming divine sanction to continue preaching, serves as a stark warning against leaders who override accountability and biblical standards, emphasizing the danger of unbiblical leadership.

May the good Lord spare us of young reverends who want a job or old reverends who want a job or anything in between. And anyone who is not willing to be recognized as a gift of Christ according to biblical principles and continue to live circumspectly under the light of Holy Spirit. But think of the abominations of a Jimmy Swaggart. Able to be found in the most sordid moral situations and yet override everybody and anybody else and say, God told me.

23:49 - 24:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Wait upon God for leaders who fit the biblical picture, rather than setting your own standard or making your own 'Ishmaels'.

Martin quotes J.W. Tozer's analogy of Christ as a monarch in a constitutional monarchy, kept for show but without real decision-making power in church boardrooms. This quotation powerfully illustrates the danger of professing Christ's Lordship while disregarding His will for church governance.

I don't want your words of adulation. I've crowned him with many crowns, except in the congregational meeting where we're going to pick a deacon. And then King Jesus is nothing but a monarch in a constitutional monarchy, as J.W. Tozer said in the last essay he wrote

45:19 - 45:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Wait upon God for leaders who fit the biblical picture, rather than setting your own standard or making your own 'Ishmaels'.

Martin uses the biblical story of Isaac and Ishmael to illustrate the difference between waiting for God's chosen, biblically qualified leaders (Isaacs) and creating one's own leaders based on human preference (Ishmaels). This metaphor underscores the importance of divine provision and adherence to God's standards.

Don't ever mock the Lord Jesus by having an installation service and thanking Christ for something that isn't his gift. It's not his Isaac. It's not his Isaac. It's not his Isaac.

47:30 - 47:40 Read in full sermon