07a) Physical and Emotional Growth, Part 2

The point: Seek to understand your genetic inheritance and how it has stamped you physically and emotionally.

An example of how past illness (scarlet fever) can permanently alter one's physical constitution, illustrating the need for sober self-assessment beyond initial creation.

in his providence in our development. For example, if someone had scarlet fever as a little child and a weakened heart, unless God intervenes miraculously, soberly assessing who and what I am, means I've got to take into consideration not just the heart God gave me when he knit me together in my mother's womb, but the heart I now have as a result of my contraction of scarlet fever, and facing realistically, who and what I am, both physically and emotionally. Seek to understand, genetically, what have I inherited from the gene pool as best I can discern it. Was my father, was my mother, someone...

3:22 - 4:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Seek to understand your genetic inheritance and how it has stamped you physically and emotionally.

An example of inheriting emotional traits (volatile, fragile, strong, flat, dull) from parents, illustrating the need to understand genetic predispositions in self-assessment.

in his providence in our development. For example, if someone had scarlet fever as a little child and a weakened heart, unless God intervenes miraculously, soberly assessing who and what I am, means I've got to take into consideration not just the heart God gave me when he knit me together in my mother's womb, but the heart I now have as a result of my contraction of scarlet fever, and facing realistically, who and what I am, both physically and emotionally. Seek to understand, genetically, what have I inherited from the gene pool as best I can discern it. Was my father, was my mother, someone...

3:22 - 4:48 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I don't come to grips with that, I'm going to do one of two things. I'm either going to tempt God and send myself to an early grave, or I'm going to live with a falsely accusing conscience.

Martin shares his personal experience of how his recovery from preaching exhaustion has changed with age, illustrating the reality of the 'outward man perishing' and the need to adjust routines.

This is what I'm talking about. For example, it used to be when I preached myself into exhaustion twice on the Lord's day, that taking half of Monday and doing vigorous physical work, doing all the yard work and stuff in half a day that most men would take two days to do, and working like a madman to where my wife at times seeing me do it said, Honey, you're going to kill yourself. And then taking the other half of the day to kick my feet up, read the newspaper, and listen to some good music and take a nap. Come Tuesday morning, I'm ready to break out of the blocks.

6:42 - 7:17 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I don't come to grips with that, I'm going to do one of two things. I'm either going to tempt God and send myself to an early grave, or I'm going to live with a falsely accusing conscience.

Martin shares how traumatic pastoral situations now wear on him more than in earlier years, illustrating the changing nature of emotional constitution and the need to reckon with it.

They're not very attractive to me. And by the grace of God, I'm determined to resist both of them. But it means, brethren, this attaining and maintaining an accurate understanding of present physical and emotional constitution. I've also found with the passing of the years that deeply traumatic emotional pastoral situations wear on me in a way that they did not in my earlier years, where once the emotional wires could take intense current for long periods of time, and when it was time to sleep, just turn them off and the rebound.

8:12 - 8:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Care for your body as purchased property, to the glory of God who purchased it and indwells it by His Holy Spirit.

Martin describes his instinctive prayer before exercising, asking God to bless his body for His glory, illustrating the concept of caring for one's 'redeemed property' as an act of worship.

In the axiom I've said, keeping these two aspects of your redeemed humanity in optimum health and vigor. And there I simply remind you of the text quoted earlier that, I have been purchased with a price, God indwells the temple bought by the blood of His Son, and He places me under a solemn obligation, glorify God therefore in your body, which is His. And you see, this will keep us, on the one hand, from denigrating the body, or falling into body worship. This is purchased property, and I am to care for it, to the glory of the God who purchased it, and who indwells it by His Holy Spirit. And I...

13:06 - 14:24 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of fundamental ignorance or indifference to the basics of health and nutrition, ensuring your eating and drinking glorify God.

An example of an elder whose heart condition is triggered by even small amounts of caffeine, illustrating the need for individual self-assessment and discipline regarding diet and stimulants.

When the evidence of excessive intake of salt in relationship to hypertension is so evident, the evidence of the excessive imbibing of caffeine, I didn't say the moderate, but excessive imbibing, in some cases, we have one of our elders, he can't so much as drink a Coke with caffeine in it. His heart is such that it's triggered and it'll bring on a tachycardia. He has had to kick caffeine cold turkey and treat caffeine like a wino would treat any alcoholic beverage. And he's a teetotaler, I should say, a caffeine totaler.

17:07 - 17:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of excessive weight accumulation, as it produces sluggishness, cripples conscience, and can bring blame upon the ministry.

Martin mentions subscribing to 'Health After 50' from Johns Hopkins, illustrating a practical step for gaining knowledge about health as one ages.

One of them I didn't need, until a few years ago. It's called Health After 50, put out by Johns Hopkins Hospital. Well, once I got 50, I figured if there's peculiar stuff for people over 50, then I'd better find out what I'm particularly vulnerable to. And sure enough, both Pastor Barker and I look forward to our Health After 50 letter coming every week.

18:16 - 18:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of excessive weight accumulation, as it produces sluggishness, cripples conscience, and can bring blame upon the ministry.

The metaphor of an 'invisible magnet' between the chest and hips for belly fat illustrates the tendency for sedentary individuals to accumulate weight, emphasizing the need to beware of excessive weight.

We're sitting at our desks, and given that we live in the day of the automobile and not horseback and getting there by foot, we live a sedentary life. And in the light of that, it is easy with just what would be a normal caloric intake without being a glutton at all to have fat cells starting to store up. And the older you get, it's like there's an invisible magnet between here and here. And the evidence of belly fat in relationship to cardiovascular problems is overwhelmingly convincing.

18:53 - 19:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the 'no planned physical exercise syndrome'; establish a suitable plan and start it now.

Martin addresses the common counter-argument of Spurgeon being overweight, asserting that each individual is accountable to God for their own stewardship, not to compare themselves to others.

In nothing giving offense that the ministry be not blamed. But someone says, Spurgeon was fat and overweight and look how God used him. I say Spurgeon's in his grave and in the presence of his master leave him there. To his own master a servant stands.

20:25 - 20:46 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If you're convinced it's part of your stewardship in the will of God to keep yourself in optimum physical and emotional health, then there is time in every day and in everyone's schedule to do the will of God.

The analogy that if you think you'll pray only when you 'find time,' you'll never pray, is applied to exercise, illustrating that exercise must be a conscious, planned endeavor.

Now, in the middle of the winter, with all the things that say you can't do it. If you need to read a book on aerobics, whatever you need to do, beware of the no planned physical exercise syndrome. As surely as if you think you'll pray if you just find time to pray and you'll never pray, if you just think, well, if I find time to exercise, I'll use it. There's no block sitting out there just floating around saying, hey, look at me, use me for exercise.

23:14 - 23:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the pattern of cheating on your necessary measure of sleep, recognizing it as essential for creaturehood and long-term usefulness.

An example of a man working two jobs to provide for his family to the point of self-destruction, illustrating the vanity of overworking and the truth that God gives to His beloved in sleep.

Psalm 127 and verse 2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, for so he gives unto his beloved literally in sleep. And it's apparently the picture of the man who says, well, the only way I can provide for my family is to be holding down two jobs at the same time. And he's doing it to the point where he's destroying himself.

24:52 - 25:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of dependence upon or addiction to stimulants and depressants, using them discerningly and moderately.

The description of Jesus sleeping so deeply in the boat that even a turbulent storm didn't wake him, illustrates the profound weariness of the Lord and the depth of rest he needed and took.

Gentle rocking put the Lord Jesus asleep, and he didn't fight it and say, well I must give the impression of a disciplined, self-controlled man who's never caught a sleep before it's night time. He was tired, the gentle rocking of the boat. He fell asleep, and he was so tired, his sleep was so deep, that when the gentle rocking became a turbulent storm, it didn't even wake him up. There's our Lord.

27:11 - 27:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of dependence upon or addiction to stimulants and depressants, using them discerningly and moderately.

Martin recounts the youthful desire to 'burn out and die before thirty' like Brainerd or McShane, illustrating a misguided concept of spirituality that needs to be corrected by a long-haul perspective of usefulness.

With that measure of sleep that we need in order to render not only optimum service to God in the immediate, but to render optimum service to God assuming, not presuming, but assuming he's going to give us our three score and ten years to serve him. Few of us, if we have any heart for God, didn't go through a period when the first time we read David Brainerd or Henry Martin or Robert Murray McShane, we wanted to burn out and die before we were thirty. And somehow, somebody would write a little booklet about us that we burned up for God before we were thirty. And though we didn't think we'd hav...

28:44 - 30:05 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of dependence upon or addiction to stimulants and depressants, using them discerningly and moderately.

Martin shares his personal experience of needing caffeine in the morning to be alert for Bible reading and prayer, illustrating the moderate and thankful use of stimulants while guarding against dependence.

Remember, when the Bible says every creature of God is good and every creature of God is evil, it is true that every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused. First Timothy 4, 4 and 5 is speaking of food and drink and I believe by implication of stimulants. I thank God for that immediate impact of the caffeine on my brain in the morning that helps me to read my Bible and pray with greater clarity. There was a time when I didn't need it.

30:26 - 31:01 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the 'no day off pattern of life'; observe a day of mental and bodily rest, carrying over the Sabbath principle.

A lengthy quotation from Spurgeon's 'Lectures to My Students' emphasizes the necessity of rest for the mind and body, comparing it to the earth lying fallow, and illustrating Jesus' wisdom in calling his disciples to rest.

Beware of the no day off pattern of life. Listen to Spurgeon in the addition of his lectures to my students the paperback one that is now paperback that I have it's not the one with the line drawings etc. Page 160 In the midst of a long stretch of unbroken labor the same affliction may be looked for. The bow cannot always be bent without fear of breaking.

32:39 - 33:07 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the stubborn refusal to listen to others who see tell-tale signs of your weariness or impending breakdown.

A quotation from Murphy advocating for Monday as a day of mental and bodily rest for ministers, illustrating the practical application of the Sabbath principle to prevent breakdown and enhance productivity.

But I believe the Sabbath principle demands that we carry over something of the mental and physical rest of a Sabbath into another day. And this is where Murphy's quote is so helpful. The center of page 104. We would also earnestly recommend that Monday be observed as a day of mental and bodily rest.

34:47 - 35:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the stubborn refusal to listen to others who see tell-tale signs of your weariness or impending breakdown.

Martin shares a personal story of his elders observing signs of exhaustion and mandating a two-week period of forced rest, illustrating the importance of listening to others who see tell-tale signs of breakdown.

They knew what they were talking about and they had learned from bitter experience and astute observation. And then I've exhorted you beware of the no planned end. And there I've listed Mark 631 where the Lord consciously deliberately says come apart and rest a while for the sake of your families for the sake of your own soul and here I would give my own testimony I've repented before God of not heeding this principle I don't recall stifling exhortations given to me and left at the mercy of my Lord that I have done for you the right and the right way together in the right way and that I have a...

36:00 - 37:23 Read in full sermon

The point: When those around you who love you see indications of stress, listen to them and get a general physical or whatever means are available.

A quotation from Porter, citing Timothy Dwight, states that students often 'must break down himself before he'll take warning,' illustrating the common human tendency to ignore health counsels until crisis hits.

Could have led to a complete breakdown, but they saw some of the indications that too much current had been running for too long without the kind of break essential. But as Porter said, recognizing that people find it very difficult to listen to others, listen to what he says. This is a subject, talking about this matter of caring for our physical and emotional well-being, that many would say belongs to the physician and not to the teacher in pastoral theology. He said, I'm not such a novice in human affairs as to expect that any counsels that I can give by way of premonition will be seasonabl...

38:04 - 39:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of social isolationism; God has made us social beings, and companionship is a source of comfort and delight.

Martin shares a humorous personal anecdote about having too much garlic in his salad and openly confessing it to the congregation, illustrating the importance of naturalness and honesty over stoicism.

Just be you. You, more and more like Christ, yes, you, more and more sanctified, yes, but you. And when you have a salad that had too much garlic like I did the other day, just tell the people, look, I'm standing at a distance from you because I really got a fancy breath. And they'll have a good laugh and you'll have a good laugh. And then they'll feel the tension ease. They already smell it and they don't want to appear rude. So you tell them, I didn't realize I didn't put that much garlic in my Caesar salad. I know my breath stinks. I can't stand the taste of it. But we'll weather this toget...

41:50 - 42:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of social isolationism; God has made us social beings, and companionship is a source of comfort and delight.

Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 about being comforted by the coming of Titus, illustrates the 'unspiritual' yet wholesome reality of social need and interaction.

John 18 says he oft times went over the brook, hidron into the garden, resorting there with his disciples. Paul with Timothy, the pain he felt when he had to depart, the joy he had, 2 Corinthians 7, 5 and 6, God who comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. I love the text. It's so unspiritual.

42:51 - 43:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate a pattern of timely, wholesome, emotional diversions that truly refresh and heal your emotions.

Martin describes his experience with chess as 'emotional labor' rather than diversion, illustrating the need for individuals to find truly refreshing and wholesome emotional diversions.

See, some men, their diversions make too much emotional demands upon them. It's like preachers. I can't understand the preacher that finds playing chess a diversion. Once I learned how to play chess in order to have a thing to do with my son, I said, man, I'd never get into this too much because, man, that was like exegeting a pass.

46:22 - 46:45 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate a pattern of timely, wholesome, emotional diversions that truly refresh and heal your emotions.

Martin shares his personal emotional diversion of reading Sports Monday and listening to Rachmaninoff, illustrating what constitutes a truly refreshing activity for him.

See, some men, their diversions make too much emotional demands upon them. It's like preachers. I can't understand the preacher that finds playing chess a diversion. Once I learned how to play chess in order to have a thing to do with my son, I said, man, I'd never get into this too much because, man, that was like exegeting a pass.

46:22 - 46:45 Read in full sermon