Struggling with the Spirit of Pharisaism

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin begins by reflecting on his upbringing, specifically two aphorisms from his parents: 'a job worth doing is worth doing well' and 'a job worth starting is worth…

Martin shares how his parents instilled principles of Christian character through aphorisms like 'a job worth doing is worth doing well' and 'a job worth starting is worth completing,' which shaped his life and ministry.

The following sermon was delivered on Sunday morning, November 3, 2002, at Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, New Jersey. Now, most of you gathered here in this place this morning will know that I had the unspeakable privilege of being reared in a Christian home, a home in which my father and mother were committed not only to passing on to me and to my nine siblings the essential truth of the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus,

0:03 - 0:41 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first specific danger is Pharisaic externalism, defined as being more concerned with outward appearance before men than inward reality before God. Using Matthew 23:25-28 and…

He uses the analogy of whitewashed sepulchres (Matthew 23:27) to illustrate Pharisaic externalism, where something appears beautiful and clean on the outside but is full of death and uncleanness within.

And He says, You're like a cup and platter that's been scoured and beautifully cleansed on the outside, but on the inside full of uncleanness. And then with regard to these whitewashed sepulchres, one commentator said that there was a tradition that before the Passover the Jews would go and whitewash their sepulchres so that they would stand out with the brilliance of the new whitewash so that in preparation for the Passover, no one would become unclean by inadvertently rubbing his shoulder against Uncle Harry's sepulchre. And the Lord says it's whitewashed. The sun rises and strikes it at the...

27:53 - 28:38 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Pharisaic externalism is a state of mind in which a man is concerned with how he appears before men far more than being concerned with what he really is before God.

Martin uses the analogy of a man with average looks versus a man with a handsome face to explain peculiar vulnerabilities to pride. The man with a handsome face has a lifelong struggle with pride related to his appearance, just as the second generation has a peculiar vulnerability to Pharisaic externalism due to their outwardly good character.

I want to talk to you young people and you children. You're going to be liable to a lifelong battle with Pharisaic externalism. Let me try to illustrate. The guy that knows by what he sees in the mirror and the consensus of those around him that he ain't no good looker.

31:40 - 31:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Cry to God, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart... See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.'

He contrasts the 'fair face and fair form' of character produced by Christian nurture with the unattractive cultural models of Britney Spears (showing off belly button) and M&M (foul-mouthed, brutal mentality), highlighting the stark difference in outward appearance.

There's very little about them that's attractive.

33:23 - 33:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The most sickening, disgusting sight I have ever seen in my life is my own heart.

Martin quotes A.W. Tozer saying, 'The most sickening, disgusting sight I have ever seen in my life is my own heart,' to illustrate the profound humility and self-awareness that combats pride and judgmentalism.

that many called him a 20th century prophet, small letter P. But he had a keen insight into the shallowness and into some of the great needs of evangelicalism about a half a generation ago. He went to be with the Lord in the mid-1960s. It was my privilege to have several occasions before the Lord took him to spend time in the presence of that rare man of God.

48:00 - 48:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: What have you that you did not receive? Why do you glory as though you had not received it?

He uses a personal story of his conception in a Christian home versus a home of blasphemy and illicit behavior to illustrate the truth of 1 Corinthians 4:7, emphasizing that all privileges are received grace, not earned.

Bless God! God for it! I shall go to my grave blessing God for it in my own life. Before I was conceived, did I walk up in some form or another to the throne of God and say, God, I'd like to be conceived in the womb of that 21-year-old woman that loves you and knows you, married to that 29-year-old man or 27-year-old man that is committed to serve you.

49:40 - 50:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: What have you that you did not receive? Why do you glory as though you had not received it?

Martin recounts his mother's hands-on, meticulous commitment to teaching and enforcing biblical principles, even in small tasks like scrubbing the floor or apologizing to a sibling, to show the depth of the nurture he received and how it was a gift from God.

I could have had a Christian mother and father. That had this shallow notion. All we need to do is tell them about Jesus and get them to make a decision. And God will do all the rest.

50:45 - 50:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Ask God to give you discernment to recognize outcroppings of Pharisaic pride and judgmentalism in your children and go after it like you would go after cuss words.

He shares how his parents responded to his straight A's by reminding him that his mind was a gift from God to be used in service, rather than stroking his ego, as an example of how to combat pride in children.

I've come home with straight A's.

52:47 - 52:49 Read in full sermon