Repetition of Pronouncement of Faith

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the final exposition of Psalm 46, highlighting its significance as 'Luther's psalm' and reading the entire text. He outlines the psalm's three stanzas, which…

The psalm is called 'Luther's psalm' because he and other Reformers found continual strength and encouragement in its truths, illustrating its historical impact on believers.

We've reminded you that this psalm has often been called Luther's psalm since he and his compatriots in the Reformation period derived continual strength and solid encouragement from the truth contained within the boundaries of this psalm. But we can bless God it is not the private possession of any one child of God, not even so noble a child of God as Luther. But it comes within the scope of those gracious promises that are yea and amen in Christ Jesus to all of his saints so that we may sing with some degree of, I trust, spiritual perception every promise in the book is mine. Every chapter, ...

0:22 - 1:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third reason for repetition is its function as a common means of emphasis. Martin illustrates how parents repeat crucial instructions, arguing that God uses repetition to…

A parent leaving children at home repeats the most important instruction ('don't open the door to any stranger') for emphasis, illustrating why God uses repetition in Scripture.

And so repetition of essential confessions of faith are necessary because our understanding grows there is this broadening of the significance of that confession. And then thirdly the repetition is necessary because it is a common means of emphasis. You as a parent are going out for an hour and you're leaving the children at home they're of sufficient age where it's not tempting God to leave them for an hour and so you give a list of instructions. Now no rough playing we don't want one of you getting a cut on the head and need to be rushed to the emergency room while we're gone.

15:43 - 16:19 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Continuing the exposition of God's presence, Martin illustrates from 2 Chronicles 32 that God is with His people as the almighty controller and governor of everything that touches…

The account of Hezekiah encouraging his people against Sennacherib's army (2 Chronicles 32) illustrates what it means for 'the Lord our God to be with us' as an almighty helper and fighter of battles.

And this concept, the Lord is with us, bears the full weight of that understanding that I've tried to convey when we just trace it through the scriptures. And I shall only give a couple, a couple of instances of it from the Old Testament. Turn to 2 Chronicles, chapter 32, if you will please. 2 Chronicles, chapter 32, beginning with verse 1.

23:25 - 24:00 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Continuing the exposition of God's presence, Martin illustrates from 2 Chronicles 32 that God is with His people as the almighty controller and governor of everything that touches…

God allows enemies to besiege Zion, not because He cannot stop them, but to teach His people lessons about His greatness, as seen in the dramatic deliverance from Sennacherib's army.

Why, at the appointed time, all he did was open his mouth, utter his voice, and all the opposition melted. You see, if God can just open his mouth and speak and cause the opposition to melt, why did he allow it in the first place? Because he has lessons to teach Zion, and all of the enemies of Zion are God's servants to teach lessons to Zion, to discipline Zion, to teach Zion the greatness of her God. That's one thing, for God to consume the hordes before they ever come within the vision of Zion, and then have somebody say, hey, you know what God did out there in the plains of so and so?

27:20 - 28:02 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Continuing the exposition of God's presence, Martin illustrates from 2 Chronicles 32 that God is with His people as the almighty controller and governor of everything that touches…

God allowed Pharaoh's army to catch up to Israel at the Red Sea to teach them dependence on Him for deliverance, illustrating His control and purpose in allowing trials.

You learn something about Jehovah's host is with us. You see? And so the whole history of Israel was this. God could have opened up the Red Sea in front of them before the army caught up.

28:43 - 28:55 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He is with us as himself the most prized possession of the citizens of Zion.

Heathen nations could copy all external aspects of Israel's worship (tabernacle, priesthood, sacrifices) but not the indwelling glory of God, highlighting God's presence as Israel's unique and most prized possession.

The heathen nations could copy every single facet of the life, worship, and ways of the people of God except one. And that one was the foundation of all the rest. There wasn't a nation in Canaan that could not have copied the tabernacle, the temple, there wasn't a nation that couldn't have copied the priesthood, had a day of atonement, slain a lamb. All of this could be copied.

31:18 - 31:50 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He is with us as himself the most prized possession of the citizens of Zion.

Moses' prayer in Exodus 33, pleading for God's presence to go with Israel, demonstrates that God's presence was the fundamental mark of distinction and most prized possession for His people.

Notice how he pleads this with God in his prayer recorded in Exodus chapter 32.

32:34 - 32:39 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And again raising his hand triumphantly he exclaimed with an electrifying effect to all who stood about his bed and best of all God is with us.

John Wesley's triumphant dying words, 'The best of all is, God is with us,' illustrate the profound comfort and assurance found in God's presence even in the face of death, embodying the lesson of Psalm 46.

Let the seasons of tranquility give birth to seasons of tumult. Let quietness become tempestuous and the Lord of hosts is with us. There's a touching incident from the life of John Wesley. It is said that on the Tuesday that he went into the presence of God he was breathing with great difficulty and made many efforts to speak to those who were there to witness his entrance into the presence of God.

36:09 - 36:41 Read in full sermon