Holy, Just, Blameless

Driving home: We must always remember that no matter how faithful or pure or zealous or devoted the servant is to God. The servant of God is all blessing must come from the living God so that when he works all the praise and the honor…

Martin uses the metaphor of chapter 1 (God's sovereignty) as a 'hammock' to illustrate how some might rest in it contentedly, drawing comfort from a lack of fruitfulness, if not balanced with chapter 2 (human responsibility and holy living).

We must always remember that no matter how faithful or pure or zealous or devoted the servant is to God. The servant of God is all blessing must come from the living God so that when he works all the praise and the honor is brought back to him. But if you simply hold chapter 1 without chapter 2 you will be lopsided and without much concern as to whether or not your life and your ministry as a father, a mother, as a neighbor, as a work companion, as a student, whatever your ministry is and the circle of that ministry is. If you don't come to grips with chapter 2 you will be making the truth of ...

2:35 - 3:46 Read in full sermon

Driving home: There must be this inseparable relationship always found in true holiness where not only do men bear witness to our conduct but the living god can bear witness to the purity of our motives and our thoughts

The example of the Pharisees' prayers, giving, and fasting in Matthew 6 is used to show how outwardly righteous deeds become an abomination to God when motivated by a desire to be seen by men.

Because the thing that motivates him is not the glory of God, but his own selfish ends. God says a right deed is an abomination because the motive is wrong. That's the whole truth of the first 19 verses of Matthew 6. Sure, the Pharisees pray, and they give, and they fast.

11:47 - 12:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Husbands and wives, address arguments and unbridled temper with apology and corporate cleansing, ensuring your children witness genuine holiness.

An extended anecdote from John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' about Christian's family not joining him on pilgrimage is used to illustrate how a 'vain life' can dampen the persuasive power of words, prompting self-examination for parents.

One of the most searching passages in all of the pilgrim's progress is that one where he's in the house, beautiful, and he's questioned as to the state of his family. And they ask him if he has children and a wife, and he said, yes. And they say, why have they not come on pilgrimage with you? And he said, well, I've pled with them, but they wouldn't come.

19:24 - 19:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine if you can call God to witness to the genuineness of your holiness, particularly regarding purity of thought, rooting out anger, and cultivating humility, not just external conduct.

The analogy from Ecclesiastes 10 about 'flies that stink in the apothecary's ointment' is used to explain how small follies or inconsistencies in a believer's life can bring reproach and nullify their witness.

if you've wronged your children, you're not quick to ask forgiveness when you've wronged yourself. If you have been wronged and they ask forgiveness of you, you're not quick to grant forgiveness. Beloved, these are the flies that stink in the apothecary's ointment spoken of in Ecclesiastes 10. As a few flies in the ointment of the pharmacist maketh it to stink, so a little folly among him that is reputed to be in wisdom. Beloved, I preach these things and have to.

23:24 - 23:57 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Using the analogy of vessels of honor and dishonor from 2 Timothy 2:21, Martin illustrates that God uses pure, sanctified vessels for His choicest purposes. He quotes Robert…

The analogy of a master choosing a clean, polished crystal vessel over a chewed plastic cup for his choicest wine illustrates how God uses pure, sanctified lives ('vessels of honor') to pour out the gospel of life.

He's going to do it through holy lives. And holy living means in those circles of everyday experience being able to say, I walked holily, justly, and unblameably before those who saw me. We read this morning in second Timothy chapter two that in a certain house there are vessels of honor and dishonor. And then Paul says to Timothy in verse twenty-one, if a man therefore purge himself from these, the vessels of dishonor, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and what's the next phrase, meet, fit, equipped, prepared for the master's use.

42:28 - 43:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.

A quotation from Robert Murray McShane about a cavalry officer keeping his saber clean and sharp is used to emphasize that God blesses likeness to Jesus more than great talents, highlighting the importance of purity for being God's instrument.

He's going to take the pure vessel. To quote some of the most famous words of Robert Murray McShane, some of you perhaps have heard them before. They're quoted in many places, and the reason they are is they're worth quoting, and so I make no apology for quoting them this morning. Listen as I read.

44:20 - 44:38 Read in full sermon

The point: Students, do not let other kids know you have the same standards for social life or snicker at the same jokes, or your witness about the Savior will be nullified.

The example of 'Elmer,' a man whose holy life on a construction crew convinced his cursing, joking coworkers of the transforming power of Christianity, is used to illustrate the impact of a blameless life on unbelievers.

At work, with our neighbors, the truth will have no power unless it comes through the Holy Spirit. Unless it comes through the Holy Light. We mentioned Elmer last week, the instrument in Ernie's life. Remember when Ernie spoke on the faithful witness taking the principles from Elmer's life?

47:31 - 47:50 Read in full sermon