Humility and Self-Forgetfulness, Part 1

In this part of the sermon: The first area of application is the desire for recognition and prominence within the church. Martin argues that selfish ambition and vain glory fracture unity, illustrating this…

The story of the mother of James and John asking for places of prominence for her sons in Matthew 20 illustrates how carnal ambition for recognition fractures unity among the apostles.

With respect to that specific issue, nothing, nothing must be done according to the principles of selfish ambition or vain glory or empty conceit. Because the moment any among us are actuated for a place of recognition or prominence by these vicious and cursed sins, of selfish ambition or empty conceit, there will be a fracturing of our unity. Turn, please, to Matthew 20 for a classic example in the Gospels of this very principle. Letting the Scriptures illustrate and in that sense expound themselves to us, we find here recorded in Matthew 20 a very interesting, incident that addresses itself ...

13:01 - 14:17 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin further illustrates the danger of seeking prominence with the example of Diotrephes from 3 John, who loved to have the preeminence and actively resisted apostolic…

The account of Diotrephes in 3 John, who loved to have the preeminence and rejected apostolic authority, serves as an example of how a desire for first place causes division in the church.

from the epistles. Notice what happens. 3 John a one chapter book with 13 verses.

25:32 - 25:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Young men and women, exercise humility by keeping your mouth shut and gathering more facts before criticizing administrative decisions or leaders.

Martin uses the analogy of age bringing more than just wrinkles and aches to suggest that older individuals often possess more wisdom, implying that younger people should exercise humility and listen before speaking.

Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility to serve one another, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. There's the word we so desperately need. And I plead with some of you in the vigor of your youth and the enthusiasm of youth, but listen, age does do a few more things than put wrinkles on your face. And give more square inches of forehead to glisten under the lights.

34:16 - 34:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Young men and women, exercise humility by keeping your mouth shut and gathering more facts before criticizing administrative decisions or leaders.

Martin recounts his experience in the 1960s with college students who thought they knew better than military leaders about the Vietnam War, illustrating the arrogance of youth and the need for humility in judgment.

Just a little humility. Just a little humility. I can remember how this was a constant theme I had to articulate in the 60s when the college students knew better than the presidents and the chiefs of staff what to do in Vietnam. Blah, blah, blah.

35:19 - 35:35 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The final and most sensitive area is the agitation and promotion of personal interests and convictions on non-biblical issues. Martin warns against using gospel-created proximity…

Martin shares a past incident where the congregation almost fractured over differing views on chiropractic care, illustrating how non-biblical issues can become divisive when personal convictions are agitated.

And when that happens, you know what happens in a congregation? There is division. And people become polarized on issues that have nothing to do with the word of God. And I've lived long enough to see this congregation almost fractured over chiropractic on one occasion.

45:47 - 46:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not use the proximity to your brothers and sisters, brought about by the gospel, as a platform to promote and agitate your particular preferences and causes that have nothing to do with the gospel.

Martin recalls a time when the church nearly split over a member's adamant promotion of personal economic views (e.g., investing in gold/silver), showing how non-biblical financial policies can polarize a congregation.

We have seen the assembly come very near the brink of deep fissures and cracks in its unity over matters of politics and handling of money. Some years ago we had someone absolutely adamant in using every proximity brought by the gospel to promote his own views of economics. Until your orthodoxy was judged in terms of how much money you had put into gold or silver.

46:46 - 47:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not use the proximity to your brothers and sisters, brought about by the gospel, as a platform to promote and agitate your particular preferences and causes that have nothing to do with the gospel.

Martin uses his personal enjoyment of Italian opera and the hypothetical scenario of him trying to impose his musical tastes on the congregation to illustrate the absurdity and divisiveness of pushing personal, non-biblical preferences on others.

Some of you know that one of the things I enjoy for relaxation when I can get to it which isn't too often I have a fascination with the resonance of a dramatic tenor singing Italian arias.

49:20 - 49:34 Read in full sermon