Introduction; the Tasks of Missionaries, Part 1

In this part of the sermon: The second point details the historical development of the church's missions policy, tracing it back to 1967, highlighting its organic growth through scriptural study and…

Martin uses the analogy of policy not dropping from heaven or being copied from other churches to emphasize that Trinity Baptist Church's missions policy developed organically from its own scriptural study and experience.

Now, the present elder on the eldership of Trinity Baptist Church who makes any such claim, if he did, he would soon be shorn of his office, I assure you. And we would have him in a place where we've ministered for a number of years there on the border of Verona and Cedar Grove on Fairview Avenue. And the members of Trinity Baptist Church know the institution to which I refer, know the origins of our policy as articulated in this study. did not drop down to us out of heaven nor have we looked out around us and tried to see, well, what does this church do and what does this church do and this c...

6:31 - 7:15 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second point details the historical development of the church's missions policy, tracing it back to 1967, highlighting its organic growth through scriptural study and…

He uses the analogy of 'flying by the seat of your pants' (pilots flying by instinct rather than instruments) to describe the church's early, less structured approach to missionary policy before 1987, highlighting their gradual learning and adaptation.

And I had the joy a couple of months ago of going and preaching at the 20th anniversary of that church, which was the first fruits of our missionary endeavor. So, right along in the life, and history, and experience of Trinity Church, there has been an emerging missionary policy and practice. But for a number of years, it was sort of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation. Now, you all know what that terminology means, or am I dating myself again?

9:18 - 9:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Embrace and wholeheartedly support the missionary policy of Trinity Baptist Church only if convinced it is rooted in Scripture, not merely because it is the church's policy.

Martin uses the example of the Old Testament command not to muzzle an ox treading out corn, as applied by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9, to illustrate how biblical principles can be 'necessarily contained' in Scripture even if not 'expressly set down,' specifically regarding the support of gospel laborers.

necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down, that is, you'll find an explicit statement, or necessarily contained in the Holy Scriptures. Some things are not stated, Thou shalt do this. But if we understand what is in a text, we will see contained in it the principle we need. For example, when Paul says, Proverbs 5, 1-10, and Paul is proving that elders who labor in the Word and in Doctrine and do it well, should be remunerated, he says,

17:58 - 18:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Read through the book of Acts with a pencil, circling every word that describes the activities of those involved in missions to ascertain their primary tasks.

Martin uses the analogy of distinguishing a square from a circle to emphasize the need for careful listening and clear distinctions when discussing the primary tasks of missionaries, anticipating potential misinterpretations of his points.

of an individual doctor who goes to a hospital in some foreign country, a hospital that may have been originally a Christian hospital, but who goes to a hospital in some foreign country, a hospital that may have been originally a Christian hospital, but who goes to a hospital in some foreign country, a hospital that may have been originally a Christian hospital, but who goes to a hospital in some foreign country, a hospital that may have been originally built by a mission board and uses his medical skills. We are not dealing with the question of what an individual Christian may do as a Christi...

37:16 - 37:55 Read in full sermon