Longing for His Return, Part 4

In this part of the sermon: The sermon begins with a reading from Philippians 2:1-11 and a prayer. It then connects the Lord's Supper to the theme of Christ's return, emphasizing that partaking of the bread…

Martin clarifies the 'if' in Philippians 2:1 as not expressing doubt but certainty, akin to 'since' or 'if indeed there is, then,' to properly frame the passage's exhortation.

The following sermon was delivered on Sunday evening, July 1st, 2001, at the Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, New Jersey. Now will you turn with me to Philippians chapter 2, and follow, please, as I read in your hearing, Philippians chapter 2, verses 1 through 11. And where the Apostle writes, if there is this or that, it's not the if of doubt, but we could say since, and if indeed there is, then. So think of that as I begin the reading of this portion of the word, Philippians 2 and verse 1.

0:01 - 0:44 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him, both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, whom you crucified.

Peter's sermon is described as coming to a 'laser-like burning focus' to emphasize the precision and intensity of his declaration about Jesus' identity.

So Peter is bold to assert to all who can hear his uplifted voice that the present position and identity of Jesus, of Nazareth, is that of Lord and Christ, Lord and Messiah, the very Jesus whom he says you crucified. And it was the spirit taking this truth home to their hearts that became the occasion of this paroxysm of conviction that caused them to cry out in the midst of Peter's preaching, brethren, what shall we do? And Peter gives, the gospel directive,

15:56 - 16:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin poses the question of Christ's present identity and position, then systematically answers it by expounding Acts 2 (Peter's sermon on Pentecost), Ephesians 1 (Paul's prayer…

Martin alludes to the vision in Revelation 5 of weeping in heaven until the Lamb who was slain is found worthy to open the seals, illustrating Christ's present worthiness and sovereign position.

Who? That is, Jesus Christ is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. Now we could turn as well to that marvelous vision of Revelation 5. And were there not the time constraints of our communion meditation, I would turn there with you.

24:39 - 25:06 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He is still despised and rejected. Men see no beauty in him that they should desire him.

He describes 'men with brilliant minds' and 'prestigious academic credentials' who use their faculties to 'marginalize Christ' and 'drive him out of his place' in creation, illustrating the world's rejection.

Men see no beauty in him that they should desire him. He is ignored and marginalized by the so-called intellectuals. You have men with brilliant minds and prestigious and impressive academic credentials. Who bend all of their God-given faculties to marginalize Christ.

27:19 - 27:41 Read in full sermon

The point: This is why we pray for our unsaved children and loved ones and neighbors. This is why we are enterprising and seeking to seize opportunities to present the gospel with the prayer that the spirit of God will give them ey…

Martin quotes an unnamed author who describes Christ's emptying himself as 'subtraction by addition,' profoundly capturing the paradox of the Incarnation and His taking the form of a servant.

Proclaiming the Lord's death, proclaiming that our only hope for life and salvation is in Jesus of Nazareth, the one who being in the form of God, thought not that state a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking, as one has quaintly and profoundly stated, subtraction by addition. He emptied taking, taking the form of a servant, being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And we remember him. We proclaim that in him and in his death alone, is our hope for life and salvation.

37:41 - 38:24 Read in full sermon

The point: This is why we pray for our unsaved children and loved ones and neighbors. This is why we are enterprising and seeking to seize opportunities to present the gospel with the prayer that the spirit of God will give them ey…

He paints a vivid picture of driving to church and passing homes where the 'only God worshipped today sits in the living room, 25 inches or 32 inches, or it's sunk in the ground in the backyard, or it's out at the local park,' illustrating the widespread idolatry of television and entertainment.

But while our hearts rejoice in him and his salvation, they are pained. That driving to this place tonight, we passed home after home, where the only God worshipped today sits in the living room, 25 inches or 32 inches, or it's sunk in the ground in the backyard, or it's out at the local park. The day of his triumphant resurrection, the day when he sent his spirit in power as his first official act of messianic kingship, validating his identity. And all of this is passed by as a thing of no account.

38:24 - 39:07 Read in full sermon