During the Sermon, Part 5

In this part of the sermon: An analogy of dry mortar failing to bind concrete blocks is used to illustrate that God's word of provision, promise, or prophecy, though perfect in itself, will not profit us…

An inexperienced person tries to build a retaining wall with concrete blocks and dry, pre-mixed mortar, but without adding water. The wall collapses because the mortar, though adequate in itself, was not mixed with water to create a bonding agent. This illustrates that God's word, though perfect, will not profit us unless it is mixed with the 'water of faith' to bond with our souls.

now I racked my brain for an illustration that would somehow make clear what the writer is saying and this is the best I could come up with I tried it out on my wife late last night and at least rang some bells with her at that hour so perhaps it will ring a bell or two here someone wants to build in his backyard a retaining wall and so he knows that he must get some well cured concrete block You say block if you've worked in construction. You say blocks if you're an ordinary person. So I'll say both block and blocks to please the construction folk here. And then to help the other folk to know...

13:25 - 14:09 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The account of King Ahaz in Isaiah 7 is presented as a graphic Old Testament illustration. Despite God's clear promise and prophecy to protect Judah from the confederacy, Ahaz and…

God describes the threatening kings of Syria and Israel as 'two tails of smoking firebrands' or 'smoking sticks,' not a raging forest fire. This graphic imagery is used to diminish the perceived threat and call Ahaz and his people to quietness and believing confidence in God's protection, rather than trembling fear.

when Ahaz receives this news of this confederacy aimed at his being conquered and subjugated both he and his people in very graphic language, it is said that as the trees of the forest tremble before a mighty wind, so their hearts trembled with fear. And into that situation, God commands his servant Isaiah to go and speak a word of promise and prophecy. Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shear Jashub, your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field, and say unto him,

21:06 - 21:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Mix God's words of promise (e.g., 'God shall supply all your needs') and prophecy (e.g., Christ's return) with faith.

Martin asks if one would discipline a child for contracting measles or admonish an elder for getting Alzheimer's. The answer is no, because these are non-culpable diseases. This sets up the contrast to argue that many view unbelief similarly, but God does not; He regards it as a culpable moral perversity.

All of His words that point to what He purposes to do. You see, our problem, dear brothers and sisters, is many of us regard unbelief as a non-moral, non-culpable spiritual disease. Now, follow me closely. If you had a child who contracted measles next year when measles was making the rounds, would you discipline your child for contracting measles?

40:56 - 41:22 Read in full sermon

The point: Avoid limiting the Holy One of Israel by demanding more than His bare word as assurance.

Martin mentions an English preacher's book, 'Your God is Too Small,' to highlight how often believers limit the Holy One of Israel by their unbelief, expecting less from God than His infinite power allows.

One of my fellow elders reminded me just before we came out from our prayer time. An English preacher wrote a book entitled, Your God is Too Small.

53:51 - 54:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Break the tyranny of what you feel and believe what God has said about your union with Christ and freedom from sin's lordship, even when feelings contradict it.

Martin uses the phrase 'as carnal as a whole barnyard full of goats' to describe intense feelings of carnality. This vivid image emphasizes that feelings should not dictate spiritual reality, but rather God's declared truth in Christ should.

Are you going to believe the tumult of your remaining sin? Are you going to believe what God has said about you? in union with Christ sin's lordship over you has been cancelled sin shall not exercise lordship over you it's a great usurper what are you going to believe? you say but I don't feel I don't care about your stinking feelings God doesn't care about your feelings and for this feelings oriented feelings govern generation it is crucial that the tyranny of what you feel is broken.

58:09 - 58:48 Read in full sermon