No Area of Passivity 4 of 4

The point: Do not dismiss the studies on the Christian and good works, but seek to apply and relate them in your own study of the scriptures.

Martin uses the metaphor of confusion settling like a cloud over minds to describe the initial misunderstanding some had regarding the Christian and good works, which Pastor Nichols' teaching then dissipated.

We have an ongoing involvement in the work of the gospel in that place. And then Pastor Nichols led you in a very vital series of studies on the subject of the Christian and good works. And I hope by now the confusion that settled like a cloud over the minds of some of you has been well dissipated, and that you are seeing again and again in your own reading of the scriptures how vital that subject is. We have in our own family noted as we've been reading through Proverbs again and again how many of the Proverbs simply cannot be understood unless you understand that distinction that Pastor Nich...

1:01 - 2:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Be cautious and alert whenever you hear the terminology 'Christ lives his life through us,' as it can lead to false teaching.

Martin compares the caution one should feel when hearing the phrase 'Christ living his life through me' to a blinking caution light, suggesting it should blink like a 'machine gun' to grab attention due to the potential for false teaching.

People say you're going such and such a place you go three blocks and you see a blinking light. Well you've noticed most of those lights blink rather calmly. Well I hope whenever you hear the terminology Christ living his life through me that your blinking light will go like a machine gun. Just really get your attention.

27:48 - 28:08 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Examining Philippians 4:12-13, Martin explains that Paul's ability to 'do all things' (abound and be abased) comes from Christ strengthening him from within, emphasizing Paul's…

Martin contrasts Paul's understanding of 'bounty' (basic needs met) with a modern, luxurious definition, to illustrate that learning to abound can be a difficult lesson for those accustomed to lean living.

Now what a wonderful thing to be able to say that I have learned and he uses a word which perhaps has some hints of being taught the inner secrets of God. I have learned he said this tremendous lesson that when God in Providence smiles upon me and lavishes me with bounty and bounty for Paul was having three Spartan square meals a day and one probably less than moth eaten coat on his back and maybe a change when he sent it out to be washed. In other words bounty for Paul you must not think in terms of someone living in a palace with a hundred suits and fifty five cars and servants and all of th...

40:57 - 42:18 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Examining Philippians 4:12-13, Martin explains that Paul's ability to 'do all things' (abound and be abased) comes from Christ strengthening him from within, emphasizing Paul's…

Martin shares a personal anecdote about the agony of eating an expensive steak for the first time in his 30s, highlighting the difficulty of learning to receive and enjoy abundance after being raised in poverty.

That's right. I can remember the first time I ate ate a steak an expensive steak and I didn't buy it someone bought it for me and it was agony putting down every single bite and I was in my 30s. That's right. That's the truth.

42:18 - 42:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds on Romans 8:12-13, clarifying that believers are to actively 'put to death the deeds of the body' by the Spirit, illustrating the synergistic relationship where…

Martin uses the metaphors of a 'sacred hook through their nose' and a 'direct pipeline to heaven' to critique superficial understandings of how the Holy Spirit leads, emphasizing that spiritual leading is tied to the continuous mortification of sin.

These are the sons of God. Now how can I tell if I'm being led by the spirit of God in the context. You see often people just wrench that verse out and say oh in prayer I felt inclined to do this and I felt rest to do this. And they speak in such glowing terms about how the Holy Spirit leads them.

50:08 - 50:30 Read in full sermon