Preaching as a Means of Grace (4)

The point: Affirm prayers with a vocal, enthusiastic 'Amen' that reflects vital religion, not a mumbled or silent one.

Martin uses the analogy of a 'mumbled amen that hardly a well-tuned ant sitting on our shoulder could hear' versus an 'amen that shares something of the enthusiasm of vital religion' to illustrate the need for conscious, heartfelt affirmation in corporate worship.

And by the way, I will be preaching two sermons soon on the amen in the public worship of God because it's well nigh been lost among us, and I think our consciences need to be honed afresh that this is part of the will of God, that we affirm that what those who lead us in prayer have expressed is the expression of our hearts, and we do it not by silence, or by a mumbled amen that hardly a well-tuned ant sitting on our shoulder could hear, but by an amen that shares something of the enthusiasm of vital religion. But that will come, God willing, as we get into the fall ministry. I read in your h...

3:15 - 4:38 Read in full sermon

The point: Affirm prayers with a vocal, enthusiastic 'Amen' that reflects vital religion, not a mumbled or silent one.

Martin uses the metaphor that 'today's errors and heresies are nothing more than the errors and heresies of past days dressed in contemporary clothing' to illustrate the recurring nature of false teaching, linking it to Solomon's observation that 'there is no new thing under the sun.'

to the issues of right and wrong, of truth and of error. And the errors comprised of aberrations and defections from the word and ways of God are in reality repeated generation after generation. It has been wisely and accurately stated that today's errors and heresies are nothing more than the errors and heresies of past days dressed in contemporary clothing. And it is because of this sad fact that God can warn new covenant believers in the first century to avoid the very sins which plagued the ancient old covenant community centuries before. Therefore, even as Paul so clearly did in 1 Corinth...

4:38 - 6:02 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin reiterates the ongoing series' focus on God-appointed means of grace, particularly corporate means. He introduces the third strand of biblical evidence for the centrality…

Martin uses the analogy of two twisted strands becoming a braid with the addition of a third, to illustrate how the three lines of biblical evidence for the centrality of preaching (Christ's commission, apostolic practice, apostolic instruction) are woven together to form an unbreakable argument.

as a central issue in seeking to bring the churches to maturity in Christ. Now today, our two strands that have been twisted together will become a braid. I didn't know until I looked up the word braid to see that I could use it as a verb that you don't have a braid unless you have at least three strands. I didn't know that until my preparation for today.

11:37 - 12:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds 1 Corinthians 12-14 as the New Testament's most crucial treatment of spiritual gifts. He demonstrates Paul's argument for the primacy of prophecy over tongues…

Martin uses the examples of 1 Corinthians 15 for bodily resurrection and 1 Corinthians 5 or 2 Thessalonians 3 for church discipline to help the congregation identify 1 Corinthians 12-14 as the most crucial treatment of spiritual gifts.

in the apostolic instruction. Now, if I were to say to you, what is the most crucial chapter in the New Testament concerning the doctrine of the bodily resurrection from the dead, I hope that the vast majority of you would say, well, that's 1 Corinthians chapter 15. And if I were to ask you, what is the chapter which contains the most crucial treatment on church discipline in the New Testament, I would hope that you would say either 1 Corinthians 5 or possibly 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. Well, the moment I say the most crucial treatment of spiritual gifts in the New Testament, your mind ought i...

14:03 - 15:26 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And without the grace of love, one may have all kinds of spiritual gifts and be utterly devoid of the grace of God.

Martin contrasts the 'mindless overpowering of the human spirit by demonic spirits' in pagan religious experiences with the conscious, rational exercise of true God-given spiritual gifts, to highlight the nature of genuine spiritual manifestations.

So the subject of spiritual gifts is very explicitly introduced by the apostle. And then after giving two very vital principles, one with respect to the nature of how these gifts, operate in contrast to their pagan religious experiences, in which there was a mindless overpowering of the human spirit by demonic spirits. In the exercise of true God-given spiritual gifts, there will not be mindless ecstasy, will less jumping into the realm of subjective mystical experiences, in which the mindless, overpowering of the human spirit, He says, no, when you were Gentiles, you were led away unto those ...

15:47 - 17:12 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And without the grace of love, one may have all kinds of spiritual gifts and be utterly devoid of the grace of God.

Martin uses the analogy of the human body, where the differing functions of the hand and ear do not fracture the organism, to illustrate the unity and interdependence of diverse spiritual gifts within the church body.

Then in verses 12 through to the end of the chapter, he emphasizes the unity and interdependence of the various members of the body with their diversity of gifts. So after introducing the subject, giving these two major principles, he concentrates upon the fact that where these gifts appear, they are made. They are manifestations of the sovereign will of God implemented by the executive ministry of the Holy Spirit within the church. However, this diversity which is of God and an expression of his sovereignty is not meant to fracture the body any more than the differing function of the hand and...

17:40 - 18:53 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds 1 Corinthians 12-14 as the New Testament's most crucial treatment of spiritual gifts. He demonstrates Paul's argument for the primacy of prophecy over tongues…

Martin uses the humorous analogy of someone 'merely repeating the alphabet backwards in some unknown language' and a listener saying 'Amen' to illustrate the folly and irreverence of affirming something unintelligible in worship, emphasizing the need for intelligent understanding.

He may sense that you're caught up in great spiritual fervency and worshiping and praising and supplicating God, but he doesn't know what you're saying. You could be merely repeating the alphabet backwards in some unknown language, and he says, Amen. He may be affirming your folly and your stupidity and your irreverence. The Amen must be said in faith.

26:22 - 26:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Structure public gatherings with the centrality of the reading, teaching, and preaching of the Word of God.

Martin uses the example of someone claiming to be 'edified' by Amy Grant's singing to challenge the subjective, feeling-based definition of edification, contrasting it with the biblical definition rooted in the intelligent communication of God's Word.

These are words of prophecy. They are called that in the book of the Revelation. It is when this prophecy, this word of the living God is communicated in a way that is, in the book of Revelation, in a known language by men equipped by the Spirit of God for that task, that optimum edification is imparted to the people of God. You see, it is not a matter of us saying, well, I'm really edified when someone sings with a torchy throat ethos, oh, how I love Jesus.

32:59 - 33:43 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin turns to 1 Timothy, one of the pastoral epistles, to show the centrality of teaching and preaching in establishing church order. He highlights Paul's directives to Timothy…

Martin describes Timothy and Titus as 'apostolic representatives' and 'alter ego of the apostles' to explain their unique role in implementing apostolic mind and will as the church transitioned into its steady state configuration.

Well, I hope what are called the pastoral epistles come to your mind. First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Titus. And they're called the pastoral epistles not because Timothy and Titus were pastors in the strict sense that we now use that term and that it is found in the scriptures. They were apostolic representatives they had a direct link with living apostles and were, in a sense, the alter ego of the apostles in implementation their mind and their will, however, the directives coming when they come to the close of the apostolic age. When the Church is being brought into her steady state confi...

36:02 - 37:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin turns to 1 Timothy, one of the pastoral epistles, to show the centrality of teaching and preaching in establishing church order. He highlights Paul's directives to Timothy…

Martin uses the metaphor of 'ordering, shaping, fashioning the contours of the churches' to describe the work of Timothy and Titus in Ephesus and Crete, highlighting the foundational importance of the pastoral epistles for church structure.

You're concerned about the church in successive generations, should the Lord delay his return. And Paul had successive spiritual generations in mind, where he said, things you've heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Well, you see, those epistles there, which are written to men, who are ordering, who are shaping, who are fashioning the contours of the churches, both at Ephesus and in Crete, are of tremendous importance. Now I want us to turn and see what that emphasis is.

37:49 - 38:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Be a good minister by putting brethren in mind of sound doctrine and nourishing yourself in the words of faith.

Martin uses the metaphor 'it struck me with a ton of bricks' to convey the powerful impact of realizing the apostle's assumption that instruction is a dominant element when the church gathers, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

Now I must confess that I missed that for years. And it was only in reading through these epistles, in preparation for this ministry, that it struck me with a ton of bricks. Of all the things the apostle could have emphasized, he says, these women who come to the public assembly with their outward demeanor and clothes, moving, reflecting, true inward godliness, let these women learn.

41:43 - 42:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Be a good minister by putting brethren in mind of sound doctrine and nourishing yourself in the words of faith.

Martin contrasts being a 'good minister' with being a 'clever stroker of people' or a 'PR man,' to emphasize that Timothy's task is to teach the Word of God, not to manipulate feelings or impressions.

and of the good doctrine that you have followed until now. Timothy, if you want to be a good minister, then this is what you're to do. You're not to learn the unholy art of being a clever stroker of people, to make everyone feel good. You're not to learn the unholy art of being a PR man, who can always make a good impression.

43:38 - 44:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Command and teach the things imparted by the apostles, without sorting through them for palatability or fear of offense.

Martin uses the hypothetical example of Timothy avoiding the topic of women's modesty to avoid offending 'wealthy widows who are a bit showy' to illustrate the temptation to compromise biblical teaching for fear of offending influential members.

Timothy, what are you to do with the things I've imparted to you? Are you to simply sort through them and say, well, this will be palatable and this will be a bit unpalatable, and we've got some rather wealthy widows who are a bit showy and had quite a wardrobe before they were converted, and so I don't want to emphasize this business of women addressing in modesty and with a sense of holy reserve in the assembly, lest they distract from the worship of God that would offend these wealthy widows, and we can, no, no, he says, you take these things and command them and teach them. They are the wo...

45:30 - 46:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Put people in remembrance of central, substantial issues of God's revealed Word, charging them not to strive about words to no profit.

Martin uses the metaphor of 'cutting a straight course in the word of truth' to describe the diligence required of a workman who needs not to be ashamed, emphasizing faithful, uncompromised teaching of Scripture.

Then lest Timothy grow careless and forget some of his earlier exhortations. Notice what he says in verses 14 and 15. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words to no profit to the subverting of them that hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, literally cutting a straight course in the word of truth.

50:03 - 50:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, cutting a straight course in the word of truth, teaching and preaching without shame.

Martin uses the metaphor 'pinch the raw nerves of his pride and love of sin' to describe the effect of faithfully preached truth that humbles man, contrasting it with manipulating or glossing over difficult scriptures.

And furthermore, Timothy, you keep giving diligence. That very vigorous Greek word, spoudazo, give yourself with great energy and vigor to present yourself a workman who stands in the presence of the God who's commissioned him and has no just grounds for shame, that you've cleverly manipulated the scriptures, glossed over the parts that might bite and sting, bypass the truths that humble man and pinch the raw nerves of his pride and love of sin. No, Timothy, give diligence. Be a workman who can stand unashamed in the presence of God because you've cut a straight course in the word of truth. Yo...

51:20 - 52:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate on the sobering reality of the day of judgment and respond with seriousness, not yawning or tittering.

Martin refers to 2 Timothy 4 as Paul's 'spirit-inspired swan song' to convey the solemnity and finality of Paul's charge to Timothy, knowing his departure is at hand.

And then you come to chapter 4. Here is the apostle's spirit-inspired swan song. He knows he's on his way out. He's already being poured out as an offering in the language of verse 6.

52:36 - 52:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate on the sobering reality of the day of judgment and respond with seriousness, not yawning or tittering.

Martin challenges the congregation to 'try for ten minutes to concentrate on what the day of judgment will be like' to underscore the sobering reality of God's judgment and the seriousness of spiritual matters.

Have you ever tried for ten minutes to concentrate on what the day of judgment will be like? To just say for the next ten minutes I'm going to think of one thing, the day of judgment. The millions who have lived and died and gone to their graves, all resurrected, all standing before God. Eternal faith about to be righteously pronounced, eternally fixed.

54:04 - 54:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Younger generation, hear the warning that a time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine.

Martin uses the metaphor 'Action on fire. And fire. Being kindled by the solid well-cured logs of truth' to illustrate the Pauline emphasis on combining urgency in preaching with solid, well-taught doctrine.

Action on fire. And fire. Being kindled by the solid well-cured logs of truth. And do it with longsuffering and with teaching.

57:02 - 57:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Younger generation, hear the warning that a time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine.

Martin uses the vivid metaphor of 'this chronic, horrible, incurable disease of itching ears' to describe the spiritual condition of those who will not endure sound doctrine but seek teachers to satisfy their own lusts.

That's everything of the apostolic body of truth found within the pages of our Bibles. I'm telling you. The time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine. But having itching ears, all of their attachment to the church and involvement of the church is an expression of this chronic, horrible, incurable disease of itching ears.

58:07 - 58:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Younger generation, hear the warning that a time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine.

Martin uses the graphic language 'they will heap to themselves teachers' to illustrate the self-serving and unbiblical way people will choose spiritual leaders based on their own desires rather than God's Word.

And the only place they get relief is to come into church and hear teachers that they have heaped up. Look at the language. It's graphic. They will heap to themselves teachers.

58:37 - 58:52 Read in full sermon

The point: Refuse to be arrogant and assume that truth will just go on being preached without diligent effort.

Martin uses the phrase 'demonic art of tickling and relieving the itch of the ears' to describe the manipulative and ungodly methods of teachers who cater to people's lusts rather than preaching sound doctrine.

You see, they were inveterately religious, but their lusts were not mortified. Can you be religious? You've got to heap up teachers who have learned the demonic art of tickling and relieving the itch of the ears of these kind of people. Their message has just enough of God, of Christ, and of the Bible to satisfy the sense, Oh, I've been religious.

59:07 - 59:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Speak, exhort, and reprove with all authority, not in a simpering, whimpering, or apologetic manner.

Martin contrasts preaching with authority with doing it in a 'simpering, whimpering, apologetic manner' to emphasize the need for boldness and conviction in delivering God's Word.

These things, read the context, practical instruction concerning all kinds of people, ending up with great gospel truths concerning Christ's death on behalf of sinners and the purpose of that death. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise them. Titus, here to give yourself to speaking these things, exhorting, reproving, not doing it in a simpering, whimpering, apologetic manner.

61:41 - 62:18 Read in full sermon

The point: Put people in mind of specific ethical and moral instruction as to Christian conduct.

Martin contrasts sneaking truth in 'on the tail end of belly laughter while you play the clown' with speaking with authority, to condemn frivolous or manipulative approaches to preaching.

No, no. No timidity. No tentativeness. No simpering, whimpering, sneaking a little bit of truth in here or there on the tail end of belly laughter while you play the clown.

62:39 - 62:54 Read in full sermon