A Word of Explanation, Clarification & Amplification

The point: Examine your life to see if it is marked by an increasing nonconformity to and separation from the world; if not, you have no biblical warrant to say you are on the road that leads to life.

Worldliness is described as a 'Trojan horse' within the church, implying that if allowed to remain, it will ultimately lead to destruction, highlighting its deceptive and dangerous nature.

And the reason I've done that is that there has been a growing burden in this area, and I wasn't sure how that burden would find expression in the pulpit ministry, but when I began to expound this passage, it's as though the Lord said, I didn't hear any voices, it's as though the Lord said, Son, here's the place to unburden yourself about this matter. For I am deeply persuaded, not as the conviction of a few days, but as the growing conviction of the past several years, that the Trojan horse, the Trojan horse, the Trojan horse, the Trojan horse, in this church and in our circles, that which, i...

9:19 - 10:44 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He reviews key biblical texts that mandate separation from the world, including Jesus' description of disciples as 'not of this world,' Paul's command not to be conformed, John's…

True disciples are described as dancing to a different tune and marching to the beat of a different drum, the 'kingdom orchestra' and 'kingdom drum,' illustrating their radical separation from worldly influences.

That is our Lord's description of his own. So utterly and radically separated from it at the gate and increasingly separated from it along the way that he can say of his own, they are not of this world. Yes, they are still in it and therefore he prays they shall be kept from the evil of it. But he says they are not of this world. They dance in every area of life to a different tune.

14:24 - 14:54 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I'm to be a Bible preacher. I must not only state the principles and root them in a responsible exposition of the word. But I must take the principle and dress it up in specific clothing because that's how our Bible c…

Martin mentions specific 'innocuous' magazines (Family Circle, Woman's Day) and movies (Pride and Prejudice, Spiderman) to illustrate how he applies biblical principles to concrete, everyday examples of worldly influence.

Innocuous innocent. Family magazines. I think I said. Family circle.

29:52 - 29:57 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I'm to be a Bible preacher. I must not only state the principles and root them in a responsible exposition of the word. But I must take the principle and dress it up in specific clothing because that's how our Bible c…

He mentions 'medical practices in conjunction with emotional and psychological problems dealings with anxiety and depression and tension' as another area where worldly influence needs to be addressed specifically.

And then I mentioned some. Medical practices in conjunction with emotional and psychological problems dealings with anxiety and depression and tension now why did I descend from the exposition which clearly teaches Christ died to take us out of the molding influence of this world and why did I get specific and name magazines and some movies and some medical practices well for the simple reason that this is precisely the way the profits. Our Lord and the apostles deal with ethical matters. If I'm to be a Bible preacher.

30:12 - 30:55 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I'm to be a Bible preacher. I must not only state the principles and root them in a responsible exposition of the word. But I must take the principle and dress it up in specific clothing because that's how our Bible c…

Jesus' specific examples of 'Raka' and 'you fool' in Matthew 5:22 are used to demonstrate how the Lord clothed the generic principle of 'you shall not kill' in concrete, relatable terms.

Matthew Chapter five right here in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is correcting the truncated view which the Pharisees had perpetuated concerning God's law. Verse twenty one you have heard that it was said to them of old time you shall not kill whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. The Lord is going to tell them the true intention of that commandment you shall not commit murder.

31:15 - 31:43 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He transitions to explaining and justifying his use of specific, concrete applications and illustrations in previous sermons, arguing that this approach is mandated by the Bible…

Jesus' specific examples of turning the other cheek, giving up a cloak, and going two miles in Matthew 5:39-41 are used to demonstrate how the Lord clothed the generic principle of yieldedness over personal vengeance in concrete, relatable terms.

He clothes it in specific things. Look at it. But whosoever smacks you on the right cheek turn to him the other. And if a man would go to law with you and take away your coat let him have your cloak whosoever shall compel you to go one mile which a Roman soldier could do in Israel at that time go within two.

34:13 - 34:37 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He transitions to explaining and justifying his use of specific, concrete applications and illustrations in previous sermons, arguing that this approach is mandated by the Bible…

Paul's list of specific 'works of the flesh' in Galatians 5:19-21 (fornication, idolatry, enmity, etc.) is used to demonstrate the biblical practice of giving concrete examples of sin, followed by 'and such like'.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest and you all know what they are or the works of the flesh are manifest. Pray that the Holy Spirit put his finger on the no the works of the flesh are manifest which are these fornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry sorcery enmity strife jealousies rats factions divisions parties. What is the flesh. What is the flesh.

35:22 - 35:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He transitions to explaining and justifying his use of specific, concrete applications and illustrations in previous sermons, arguing that this approach is mandated by the Bible…

Paul's list of specific lawbreakers in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (murderers, fornicators, liars, etc.) is used to demonstrate the biblical practice of giving concrete examples of sin, followed by 'if there be any other thing contrary to sound doctrine'.

And now that I've got you going thinking in terms of the specific manifestations of the works of the flesh. Think through and think out the others that ought to be in this list and such like and such like Paul. Lake. upon those Galatians and anyone preaching to the Galatians the legitimacy of filling in some of the such likes. Likewise, in 1 Timothy chapter 1, you have a similar evidence or a similar example of this in the apostle. You have these people abusing the law. And Paul says in 1 Timothy 1.8, We know the law is good if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, the law is not made for a ...

36:01 - 37:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't watch 'Pride and Prejudice' mindlessly; critically discern its worldly philosophy of romantic love.

The beauty of autumn foliage, which can be absorbed 'with no filter,' is contrasted with watching 'Pride and Prejudice,' which requires critical discernment due to its worldly philosophy, illustrating the difference between God's creation and man's fallen productions.

That would be legalism. That would be heavy-handed shepherding. What I was saying was, don't watch Pride and Prejudice mindlessly. Don't watch Pride and Prejudice the way you looked, I hope you looked, and drank in our foliage this fall. Dorothy and I have been oohing and aahing more in the last two weeks. Every time you go somewhere, I mean I haven't seen such brilliant and changing colors in years. You turn a corner, we had two days up in the Poconos, and we were just constantly going, we were taking our breath away. And what can you do with God's handiwork, unspoiled by man?

38:29 - 39:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Men, do not watch immodest clothing in movies and expect to keep a pure mind.

The 'push-up dresses with the top half of their breasts staring you in the face' in 'Pride and Prejudice' are cited as a specific example of immodesty, challenging the notion that such period styles are neutral or innocent.

Pride and prejudice is produced by the world. And in God's common grace, there are some good and noble character traits in some of the characters. If you're a man, you can't be watching their push-up dresses with the top half of their breasts staring you in the face and keep a pure mind. You can.

40:03 - 40:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin clarifies his comments on movies like 'Pride and Prejudice,' emphasizing that the issue is not legalistic prohibition but rather mindless consumption that allows worldly…

Martin explains why he wears a tie and formal attire in the pulpit, citing the expectations of his elders and church, and connecting it to the broader principle of resisting the 'casual egalitarianism' of the world.

Then there's the front and the back of the tie plus some stiff... I'd love to appear before you in an open neck casual shirt.

42:49 - 43:00 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be pathetically naive about the pervasive influence of the world.

The example of appearing before Pharaoh is used to illustrate how one's attire reflects one's estimation of the person being addressed, connecting dress to respect and resisting worldly casualness.

Pharaoh... I'm going in before Pharaoh.

43:54 - 44:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He amplifies his point by reading a newspaper article about a popular musician, John Legend, whose 'engaging cheating songs' make 'breaking a commandment seem worth considering,'…

Martin reads an article from the Star Ledger about musician John Legend, highlighting how his 'engaging cheating songs' make 'breaking a commandment seem worth considering,' to illustrate the subtle, seductive power of worldly entertainment.

Now, I'm going to do something else. I've never done before. I'm going to hold up a piece from the October 30, 06 Star Legend.

47:11 - 47:20 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin cites Bishop Ryle's specific condemnations of worldly amusements and novel reading, and then extensively quotes the Westminster Larger Catechism's detailed answers on the…

Martin quotes Bishop Ryle's specific condemnations of 'questionable amusements,' 'racecourse,' 'opera,' and 'novel reading' as examples of how a respected historical figure applied biblical principles to specific worldly practices.

Jesus said, it's easy to build tombs to the dead prophets and kill the living ones. You get specific like I did last week and like I am this morning. Would you call Bishop Ryle a leaker? His works continue to be reprinted generation after generation.

51:11 - 51:32 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not approach anything birthed by this world as ethically and morally neutral and automatically wholesome for your soul.

Martin extensively quotes the Westminster Larger Catechism's detailed answers on the duties required and sins forbidden by the Seventh Commandment, including 'immodest apparel,' 'lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays,' to demonstrate the historical Reformed tradition of specific ethical application.

Because he knew that much of novel writing in that day was like ours. And he dared dress it head on. They're laboring to persuade that to mix with a little worldly company on their ground does good. Yet in their case, it does no good. It only causes. What about those catechisms that we so admire? Have you ever read the larger catechism and its answers to the questions on the Ten Commandments? What are the duties required in the Seventh Commandment? The duties required in the Seventh Commandment are chastity and body, mind, affections, words, and behavior. And the preservation

54:54 - 55:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not let the world rob you of engagement with God that would expand and deepen your fellowship with Christ and knowledge of his good.

Martin shares a letter from a brother whose heart was smitten by the previous week's sermon, leading to repentance for 'surfing his TV and letting his eyes rest upon things they shouldn't,' illustrating the power of specific application.

am saying is don't approach anything that is birthed by this world as ethically and morally neutral and automatically wholesome for your soul. That's to be out of touch with reality. Furthermore, I made comment last week not only about visual things. I think I may have said something about television. In fact, I know I did. I got a letter from one brother that God smote his heart and he's had repentance this week and he's asked me to keep him accountable that he has sinned by surfing his TV and letting his eyes rest upon things they shouldn't. And he's nailed it before God and it was the speci...

58:58 - 60:07 Read in full sermon

The point: Develop a sensitivity to the 'carbon monoxide' of this world – the subtle, deadly forms of worldliness.

Worldliness is likened to 'carbon monoxide' – tasteless, odorless, but deadly – to illustrate its insidious and subtle nature, contrasting it with 'black smoke' (obvious sin) that causes immediate recoil.

one o'clock. I hope, dear people, this rather chopped-up attempt to explain to you what I'm trying to do here, I hope, that you'll be able to explain, qualify, amplify things said last week. This attempt to get out this burden concerning the creeping, insidious worldliness. You see, some forms of worldliness are like black smoke. You can see the carbon, smell it, you recoil. Some forms of worldliness are like carbon dioxide. No taste, no smell, but deadly. God help us to develop a sensitivity. To the carbon monoxide of this world. Let's pray.

66:08 - 66:54 Read in full sermon