Hebrews 3:12-14: The Means Prescribed

In this part of the sermon: Martin defines 'exhort' as a broad, flexible New Testament word, encompassing urgent instruction, fervent appeal, admonition, reproof, and correction, always a verbal and urgent…

Martin suggests using a concordance to study the word 'exhort' in the New Testament as a profitable Lord's Day afternoon activity, demonstrating the breadth of the word's meaning.

If you want an interesting study, to spend a profitable Lord's Day afternoon, take a Young's or Strong's Concordance, and look up every usage in the New Testament of this word to exhort. It is the verb form of the noun used to describe the ministry and person of the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, parakaleo. It is the responsibility of exhorting. Sometimes it's translated, beseech, sometimes entreat, sometimes comfort.

6:10 - 6:42 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The goal of exhortation is to prevent hardening of heart, which is becoming insensitive to Christ's claims. This hardening is caused by the 'deceitfulness of sin,' which subtly…

This analogy illustrates the conflict between the law of God and lust, where both make totalitarian claims, forcing a choice similar to a girl choosing between two men asking for her hand in marriage.

You see, here the law of God is saying, kill that thing. Lust is crying out, let it live and feed it. Now, both can't have their own way. It's like two guys going for the same girl and asking her to marry.

28:57 - 29:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The goal of exhortation is to prevent hardening of heart, which is becoming insensitive to Christ's claims. This hardening is caused by the 'deceitfulness of sin,' which subtly…

An example of a professing Hebrew Christian tempted by persecution to rationalize turning back to shadows of the old covenant while still claiming allegiance to God, illustrating sin's deceitfulness.

Deceitfulness of sin. Think how it might work in a Hebrew professing Christian.

30:44 - 30:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Reject the spirit of Cain that claims responsibility only for one's own spiritual walk and is indifferent to the state of brethren; instead, embrace the spirit of Christ by engaging in mutual exhortation.

The story of Cain asking, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' is used to highlight the un-Christian spirit of indifference to a brother's spiritual state, contrasting it with the responsibility of mutual exhortation.

His name was Cain.

34:53 - 34:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Reject the spirit of Cain that claims responsibility only for one's own spiritual walk and is indifferent to the state of brethren; instead, embrace the spirit of Christ by engaging in mutual exhortation.

Martin uses the examples of the abuse of sex and cars to argue that the abuse of a truth or gift does not negate its proper use, applying this to the duty of mutual exhortation.

Lots of people abuse the sanctity of sex. I'm not about to go into a monastery and become a celibate. While in Christian marriage, I can know the beauty and the sanctity of the sexual relationship. Lots of people abuse things and they make a god of their car.

36:11 - 36:27 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This text is a clear statement of our responsibility to one another within the visible church, countering the 'spirit of Cain' that disclaims concern for brethren. It calls for…

A lengthy quotation from John Brown's Commentary on Hebrews emphasizes the duty to use prescribed means when observing a brother's apparent departure from Christian truth and duty, stressing urgency and the goal of recovery.

The Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ if this assembly Trinity Baptist Church is marked to this command language of Galatians 6 in humility and meekness considering ourselves lest we also be tempted the more there is the expression of this in its true biblical setting in any fateful way because his own inadequacies will be shown up for what they really are. Again, I shall take the liberty to quote from John Brown whenever we observe in brethren what appears to be the truth that we are not the truth and the truth is the truth the truth is the truth is the truth and the truth is the...

37:30 - 38:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Discern the difference between the deceitfulness of sin working to harden a brother and a mere low point in his natural emotional cycles, applying appropriate pastoral care rather than harsh reproof.

Martin uses the phrase 'Don't kick the dead horse' to warn against misapplying exhortation to someone who is merely temperamentally down, rather than hardened by sin, emphasizing the need for discernment in fellowship.

that's why we want you to know we don't begrudge any money that's spent on the electric bills because this building is usually open an hour, an hour and a half after every service. I'll bear my heart and say whenever I've been away and come back, it's one of the things I thank God the most for. Most other churches I go in, they're emptied in 15 minutes. And I stand around with my tongue hanging out and my jaw down, looking for some people just to fellowship with. They've all come and heard this sermon and gone their way. And I rejoice to see that sense of shared life that in some measure God's...

46:50 - 47:58 Read in full sermon