Reduction of Elders: What Might God be Saying? Part 3

Driving home: But God alone completely and infallibly understands his purposes in his providential dealings with us.

The story of Joseph illustrates that God alone completely understands His purposes, even when human intentions are evil, and His ultimate good is revealed in retrospect.

And as I was reflecting on that principle, I thought again of how vividly it is illustrated in the history of Joseph. Joseph could say in Genesis 50 and verse 20 to his brethren, Ye meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. Now, I'm sure Joseph did not have a clue of that when he was thrown into a pit, when he was sold as a slave, when he was down in a prison falsely accused of seeking to rape his master's wife, yet he looks back and says something of that which God knew and purposed all along is now being understood. But God alone completely and infallibly understands his purposes in his ...

2:10 - 3:18 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin delves into the first duty from 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 'admonish the disorderly,' explaining that this requires personal consistency, biblical discernment (expounding…

Martin recounts being told his tie-tack and silk handkerchief were 'terribly disorderly' by those with a defective view of God and color, illustrating a lack of biblical discernment.

I've been in places where people had such a view of God being against all color and anything that was interesting to the eye that for a reverend to appear with a tie and with a... chromium or silver-plated tie-tack and a silk handkerchief in his pocket was terribly disorderly.

22:50 - 23:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Be far more careful that our lives are, in the biblical terminology, orderly lives.

People who have sat under solid ministry for years but lack discernment are likened to 'drooling babies, crying for the bottle,' emphasizing that discernment comes from exercising truth, not just hearing it.

For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, enough time is passed when you have sat under pastors and teachers to be sufficiently equipped for the work of service, particularly teaching your brethren, you have need that someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food, for every one that partakes of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for full-grown men, even those who by reason of their swollen brains... No.

24:43 - 25:33 Read in full sermon

Driving home: My friend, if you've got a sliver that's causing puss sacks in your flesh and could cause you to end up having gangrene, you're not fussy if the guy didn't quite hold the tweezers right when he pulled it out.

The analogy of a sliver causing puss sacks illustrates that when someone is being reproved for sin, they should be thankful for the removal of the sin, not 'fussy' about how the reproof was delivered.

That's always a sign someone doesn't want to deal with their sin when they start picking fault with how it was dealt with. My friend, if you've got a sliver that's causing puss sacks in your flesh and could cause you to end up having gangrene, you're not fussy if the guy didn't quite hold the tweezers right when he pulled it out. You're thankful that the sliver's out and the puss sack is cleansed. And I'd have no confidence whatsoever when people piously say, well, I didn't mind what you said to me, pastor or brother.

29:48 - 30:21 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third duty, 'support the weak,' is explored, with Martin distinguishing between the 'weaker brother' and those who are chronically weak in spiritual vigor, likening them to…

Bunyan's character Mr. Ready to Halt, who never lost his crutches until the river, illustrates that some of God's people are chronically weak and need continuous support until they reach heaven.

So this could open up a whole matter. But in the context, at least there does not seem to be any specific reference to the weaker brother in the area of what's called the adiaphora or things indifferent or Christian liberty. But most likely it refers to those that Bunyan captured in his pilgrim's progress. He saw certain people as a pastor who all along their pilgrim journey never really advanced to a new level of spiritual vigor.

47:38 - 48:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Be a holy crutch to the weak, supporting them until they cross over.

The metaphor of being a 'holy crutch' for the weak emphasizes the wearisome but necessary ministry of patiently supporting those who may never advance to a new level of spiritual vigor.

They're going to need crutches all the way until they get to the river. Be a holy crutch. Now do you want that ministry? It can get wearisome.

50:03 - 50:12 Read in full sermon