Christian Fellowship (7) What is Love? (4)

Driving home: And if a man who has asked that question as the jailer did is given the right answer and embraces that answer from the heart, then there is a second question, second only in order of importance to that first question, wh…

The story of the Philippian jailer asking 'What must I do to be saved?' is used to establish the most important question, leading to the second most important: 'How shall I live now that I am saved?'

Amen. I have had occasion at least a half a dozen times over the course of the years of ministry among you to say that the most important question that anyone can ever ask is a question that was asked by a, a Roman jailer in the city of Philippi almost 2,000 years ago, who in great distress of soul and trembling for fear cried out, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And if a man who has asked that question as the jailer did is given the right answer and embraces that answer from the heart, then there is a second question, second only in order of importance to that first question, what must I do...

3:22 - 4:47 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces Jonathan Edwards' progression of thought, linking not envying others' possessions to not glorying in one's own. He then meticulously defines 'vaunts not itself'…

A quote from Jonathan Edwards is used to beautifully demonstrate the logical progression from not envying others' possessions to not glorying in one's own, connecting the previous sermon's point to the current one.

Now, Jonathan Edwards has beautifully demonstrated the progression of thought in the Apostle's mind when he wrote as follows, As, on the one hand, love prevents us from envying others for that which they possess, so, on the other, it helps us from glorying in what we possess ourselves. See the progression of thought? Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does not envy what God confers upon us, Love does n...

15:11 - 16:35 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Love will never move a man or woman to speak of his own gifts, possessions or accomplishments in any area, so as to draw attention to himself or, or to promote himself.

The metaphor of 'ecclesiastical blowfish' is used to describe proud, inflated individuals in the church who are full of words but lack spiritual power, illustrating the emptiness of being 'puffed up'.

They are inflated with a sense of their own importance and influence upon the church. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and I will know not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. You see, these puffed up, inflated, ecclesiastical blowfish is what I call them.

25:41 - 26:07 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Love knows that the greatest among men is not he who can command the greatest measure of the strength of others to serve him, but he who can take upon his own shoulders the largest measure of other men's weakness.

The sun, Rocky Mountains, and the sea are used as analogies for 'great things' that do not need to attract attention to themselves, illustrating that true greatness (like true love) does not indulge in boastful bragging.

Several of the authors, and I don't know which one was quoting from the other, but as I was doing my reading and scratching and praying and searching for light on this matter, several made the observation that it's only little things that need to attract attention to themselves. Did you ever see the sun making any effort to attract attention to itself? Did you ever hear of the Rocky Mountains going into a furor because someone drove by and didn't notice them? Did you ever see the sea write a formal complaint to the star ledger that it was ignored for a week?

56:45 - 57:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be enamored with your physical appearance or intellect; recognize that all gifts come from God and pride is a curse.

Examples of young ladies enamored with their faces and young men strutting due to physical development are used to illustrate the early manifestations of pride in physical appearance.

My unconverted friend. Young people. I see some of you young ladies and I tell you, my heart grieves because it's obvious. It's obvious to anyone who's got eyes that you are really enamored with your face and your form. And I'm going to look at the beads so no parent thinks I'm picking on his or her daughter. I see some of you young men and you've begun to get a little bump and lump here or there on a phony arm or back. And you strut around like you were Arnold. And some of you, God's given you good news. And some of you, God's given you good news. And some of you, God's given you good news. A...

62:02 - 63:06 Read in full sermon

The point: Bow to the God who made you, believe on His Son, turn from your sin, and give up running your own life, for refusing to do so is the essence of horrible pride.

A quote from Jonathan Edwards is used to explain that even if one doesn't outwardly boast, refusing to submit to God is the essence of a proud spirit, defying God's sovereignty.

is a proud spirit, though you may not seem to carry yourself very proudly amongst men, you're lifting up yourself against God in refusing to submit your heart and life to Him. In doing this, you're disregarding or defying God's sovereignty and daring to contend with your Maker, though He dreadfully threatens those who do this. You see, you don't need to go around bragging all the time and making it appear to everyone that you're proud, but the very fact that you will not bow to the God who made you and the God who commands you to believe on His Son and turn from your sin and give up running yo...

63:06 - 64:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Bow to the God who made you, believe on His Son, turn from your sin, and give up running your own life, for refusing to do so is the essence of horrible pride.

The vivid example of a sin-scarred paralytic asking for hope is used to illustrate the humbling conditions of salvation, where a 'fresh-faced, unscarred youth' must stand on the same ground, acknowledging their own sinfulness and need for Christ.

is a proud spirit, though you may not seem to carry yourself very proudly amongst men, you're lifting up yourself against God in refusing to submit your heart and life to Him. In doing this, you're disregarding or defying God's sovereignty and daring to contend with your Maker, though He dreadfully threatens those who do this. You see, you don't need to go around bragging all the time and making it appear to everyone that you're proud, but the very fact that you will not bow to the God who made you and the God who commands you to believe on His Son and turn from your sin and give up running yo...

63:06 - 64:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Walk carefully before God, knowing that excessive beauty or handsomeness can be a liability to your sanctification.

Martin shares a personal anecdote of him and his wife praying that their children would not be unusually attractive, illustrating a desire to spare them the 'curse of excessive beauty or handsomeness' and the pride it can foster.

Before any of my children were ever conceived, my wife and I prayed, Oh God, if it please you, don't give us unusually attracted children. Make them reasonably attracted so they'll not have deep emotional problems with what they look like, but oh God, spare them the curse of excessive beauty or handsomeness. We prayed that. Before they were conceived.

66:02 - 66:26 Read in full sermon