Gleanings from the Olivet Discourse, Part 1

Driving home: I desired that we should grasp the basic structure and major thrust of the chapter, since this whole subject of the Olivet Discourse and the issues of the Second Coming have been made issues of such confusion in our day.

Martin uses the Old Testament law of gleaning (Leviticus 19:10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22, Ruth) as an analogy for returning to Mark 13 to pick up vital truths not fully expounded in the initial harvest of preaching.

a chapter which brings us into the events leading to and surrounding the betrayal and the trial of our Lord, I want us to return to Mark chapter 13 one more time. And if I were to be under pressure to give a title to this morning's sermon, the title I would give it would be this, Important Gleanings from the Olivet Discourse. Important Gleanings from the Olivet Discourse. Now, you children, you know what gleanings are, don't you?

3:09 - 3:50 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides a concise review of Mark 13's structure, likening it to a sandwich with an introduction, three main themes (inter-advental period, destruction of Jerusalem…

To help the congregation remember the structure of Mark 13, Martin likens it to a sandwich with an introduction (top bread), conclusion (bottom bread), and three main themes (three slices of luncheon meat) in between.

To help you in nailing down the structure of the chapter, think of it as a discourse that has on the front end an introduction, verses 1 to 4, a practical conclusion, verses 31 to the end of the chapter, I'm not sorry, verse 28, to the end of the chapter, and in between, three main headings. So you have an introduction, three points, and a conclusion. Sounds like good homiletics to me. Or, to change the imagery, for some of you who may be hungry, and you can't think of discourses, but you can think of a sandwich, the top slice of bread is the introduction, verses 1 to 4.

5:50 - 6:32 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be paralyzed into non-activity by fear of events around us (e.g., militant Islam, Roman Catholicism, political shifts).

Martin recounts reading about Pakistan's commitment to make Islam the official religion, prompting him to think of missionaries Arif and Kathy and the potential disruption to gospel work, illustrating the pressure to be paralyzed by fear.

I read in my insight magazine two weeks ago. Of the recent formal intensification of the what shall we call it to make it intelligible. The commitment of the Pakistani government to make Islam the official religion of all of Pakistan. And I thought of Arif and Kathy and the two children.

24:54 - 25:24 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be diverted into secondary issues (e.g., political activism, ecumenical movements that compromise the gospel) from the primacy of gospel proclamation.

Martin expresses grief over people following false teachers like Sung Jung Moon and Pope John Paul II, whom he describes as a 'masterful manipulator' and 'astute actor,' illustrating the danger of being diverted by secondary issues.

Many shall come in my name and shall lead many astray. I'm grieved. When I know how many thousands follow. Sung Jung Moon.

30:45 - 30:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be diverted into secondary issues (e.g., political activism, ecumenical movements that compromise the gospel) from the primacy of gospel proclamation.

Martin uses Gorbachev's smile and modern appearance, contrasted with previous Soviet leaders, to illustrate how American politicians can be undiscerning and diverted by superficial changes, missing the true underlying goals.

He's a masterful manipulator of people. And he is an astute actor. And I'm grieved when I see people thinking Rome is essentially different. Just as I'm grieved by that actor who sits at the head of the Kremlin.

31:10 - 31:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin applies the first gleaning, urging believers not to be paralyzed by fear of world events (like militant Islam or Roman Catholicism), not to be intimidated into silence by…

Martin quotes from a report about the 'Washington for Jesus in '88' event, where leaders proclaimed putting 'Satan on notice' and uniting 'one church one faith one baptism' with Catholic scholars, illustrating the diversion into secondary issues and compromise of doctrinal distinctives.

The answer is not to gather with everyone who names the name of Christ in Washington. And have a big to do. And serve the government notice. I read from the July 88 edition of the Chalcedon report number 276.

33:36 - 33:56 Read in full sermon

The point: Commit as a church to the proclamation of the gospel to the ends of the earth, no matter the cost.

Martin shares a personal story of being invited to speak at a high-profile conference with Surgeon General Koop on abortion, but turning it down. This illustrates his refusal to be captured by a single issue (pro-life) and diverted from the full gospel, which includes confronting false gospels.

He must not be of attempting to change world conditions to organize Christian activity that gives up vital doctrinal distinctives. I faced a very real temptation some months ago that very few of you know about. I was asked if I would hold a one-day conference in Washington DC twin build with the Surgeon General. He would speak the first hour Surgeon General.

36:18 - 36:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He applies the doctrine of election as a source of consolation for Christ in his suffering, comfort for his followers amidst trials, and confidence for his servants in their…

Martin uses the imagery of Saul of Tarsus 'breathing out threatenings and slaughters' like a 'fire breathing monster' to vividly depict his venomous opposition to Christians, highlighting the dramatic and sovereign nature of his conversion by King Jesus.

When Saul of Tarsus. With such graphic language and that doesn't bother me to use graphic imagery and preaching it's all through the Bible says Saul was breathing out threatenings and slaughters. I like to think of those little pictures I saw as a kid of those so-called fire breathing monsters you know back in the days of knights and ladies and all the rest and they'd go out and whack them down with their swords. Well that's the picture of Saul of Tarsus breathing out the fire of his venom against the people of God.

57:43 - 58:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that your preservation of life and exposure to the gospel are grounds for constraint, urging you to go to Christ as you are, for election is not a barrier but a framework for God's gracious call.

Martin references Pastor Dixon embracing his daughter and grandchildren before leaving them in the Philippines, doing so with joy amidst pain, as an example of confidence in God's elect, knowing that God has chosen people there to be called through Steve's labor.

It's not that the winds are blowing favor. Bleed in the present climate to Americans. No it's that we believe God has his elect and his servant is not going on a fool's errand. My pastor Dixon can go through the wrenching embracing his daughter and his grandchildren and leaving them there in the Philippines.

59:13 - 59:35 Read in full sermon