Truth; Motives; Methods

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the first negative from 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 'not of error,' explaining that true ministry is founded on objective, revealed truth, not deviation from it. He…

The analogy of a sheep wandering from its shepherd's path is used to explain the root meaning of 'error' as leaving the proper, marked-out way.

In Matthew 18, verses 12 and 13, it's used of the sheep that goes astray. Now when a sheep goes astray, what does he do? Well, he moves out of the path marked out for him by his shepherd. Now the root of the word then has that concept of leaving the beaten track, leaving the proper path.

6:50 - 7:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the first negative from 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 'not of error,' explaining that true ministry is founded on objective, revealed truth, not deviation from it. He…

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, is cited as an example of someone who suffered opposition and was bold, yet did not preach truth, demonstrating that these two marks alone are insufficient for a true ministry.

Joseph Smith suffered great opposition. That's the leader of Mormonism. He was martyred. And he certainly was very bold.

7:55 - 8:07 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The apostle Paul would say no. For the simple reason that what you believe may damn your soul if you believe error.

Judge Rutherford and Charles Taze Russell, founders of the Jehovah's Witnesses, are used to further illustrate that boldness and opposition do not guarantee a true ministry, as their movement was built on error.

He's the Mormon. Judge Rutherford and Charles Taze Russell. The founders of the Jehovah's Witness. They certainly were bold.

8:22 - 8:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Strive to become 'theologians' in the pew, understanding core doctrines to preserve the truth of God in the church.

The analogy of making every person in the pew a 'theologian' (not seminary-level, but understanding core doctrines like justification and sanctification) is used to stress the importance of lay theological literacy for discerning truth.

The only sure way to preserve the truth of God in the church is by the grace of God to make theologians out of everybody sitting in the pew. Not theologians in the sense that they could move into Westminster Seminary next week or into some other seminary and take over the chair of theology. I don't mean theologians in the sense that they understand all of the technical terms and all the refined aspects of theology. But when they hear a statement like justification, they know what it means.

11:50 - 12:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Know the marks of a true ministry so you might never receive, or encourage, anything other than a true ministry.

The historical example of denominations succumbing to liberalism by changing words and thoughts is used to warn against the dangers of theological ignorance in the pews.

Do you know that whole denominations have gone down the drain of liberalism and this very morning are putting lies in the hands of people who in the name of truth and people are taking it, assimilating it into their very bloodstream and are being damned and poisoned with lies. Why? Because people who sat in the pew figured, well, only the preacher needs to know theological distinction. It's not important for me.

13:42 - 14:08 Read in full sermon

Driving home: It will not only be a proclamation of truth, but a proclamation of truth which leads to purity and godliness of life.

The practice of heathen temples being filled with prostitutes and immoral acts as part of worship is used to explain why Paul's statement 'not of uncleanness' would resonate with the Thessalonians, contrasting pagan gods with the holy God.

Chapter 1 in verse 9 says, Paul spoke of their turning to God from idols. They were idol worshippers. And one of the marks of many of the heathen idols in the day in which Paul lived in the Roman government under Roman rule, in these heathen temples, the deities, the gods who were worshipped, were notorious for their sexual exescapades. In fact, many of the gods had little gods by illicit relationship with other goddesses.

15:47 - 16:22 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He demonstrates through Scripture (Revelation 2, Jude) and historical examples (Joseph Smith, 'new morality') how error inevitably leads to immoral and unclean living, reinforcing…

Joseph Smith's 'revelation' allowing multiple wives is used as a historical example of how error (claiming divine inspiration) provides justification for uncleanness (sexual immorality).

Now notice how history bears out this principle. Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet, didn't he? And he claimed to have special gifts to interpret and to read these golden plates that were buried up there near Palmyra. But wonder of wonders, when he reads these plates, he finds that it's all right for a man to have a bunch of wives.

21:06 - 21:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He demonstrates through Scripture (Revelation 2, Jude) and historical examples (Joseph Smith, 'new morality') how error inevitably leads to immoral and unclean living, reinforcing…

The 'new morality' spawned by religious leaders is cited as a modern example of how error (liberating from moral codes) leads to uncleanness (premarital/extramarital sex, disrespect for government).

The uncleanness of the flesh was inseparably joined to the error that he proclaimed. Now, more recently, in the name of truth and in the name of Christianity, some smart young so-called theologians, I wouldn't give them the privilege of calling them that, I call them philosophers, if they even deserve that term, have come up and said, well, you know, the church has been laboring for too long under this rigid set of rules expressed in the Ten Commandments and other moral codes, and we have come in the name of truth and godliness to liberate this generation from all the mores and standards and r...

21:41 - 22:25 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third negative, 'nor in guile,' is defined as crafty or deceitful conduct. Using the 'wily fox' illustration, Martin explains that true ministry, rooted in truth and purity…

A story about a fox playing dead to escape a chicken coop after feasting is used to vividly illustrate the meaning of 'guile' as deliberate, planned deceit and craftiness.

There was a little fox, and foxes are known for their wily, guile-y ways. And he sneaked into Mrs. Jones' chicken coop one night by a little hole that he just about barely could squeeze himself through in the corner of the chicken coop. Well, he got in and he just had him the best feast on chicken, nice plump chicken.

23:30 - 23:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Strive to say at the hour of death that your ministry (to neighbors, children, etc.) was rooted in truth, motivated by purity, and carried out with honesty.

The method of a Jehovah's Witness spouting scripture verses like a machine gun is used as an example of 'guile' – giving the impression of truth while aiming to spread lies.

None of the arts and crafts of the false teacher. When you read in 2 Corinthians 11 about false teachers, and this very word is used about the false teachers, that they are marked by their cunning craftiness and by their guile and their deceit. This is the mark of the Jehovah's Witness who comes to your door, spouting scripture verses like a machine gun spitting out bullets. But what's behind it?

26:53 - 27:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Raise children in a context where they learn to move on the basis of principle, right, and truth, not sentimentality.

A story about a child who believes that if he 'hollers loud enough and long enough I'll get it' is used to illustrate the failure of sentimental parenting and the lack of principled upbringing.

that kind of principle my son came home recently telling one of the kids in the neighborhood wanted something and his parents said no and he says i know if i holler loud enough and long enough i'll get it it's a matter of time and i'm going to get it and i'm going to get it and i'm going to get it and it's a matter of time and i'm going to get it something and it's a matter of time and in my heart they expect to hear oldie and as long as they can stand by me just battering down their resistance with my whimpers did your children say that of you you parents who are here if they whimper loud eno...

42:39 - 43:24 Read in full sermon