1 Thess. 5:23-24

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon by setting the historical context of Paul's ministry in Thessalonica, highlighting the church's initial conversion and subsequent struggles. He…

Martin references a hypothetical sermon series 'Are you for real?' to illustrate that the Thessalonians' initial and continuing manifestations of grace would justly lead them to conclude they were 'for real' Christians.

did not rest upon some subjective ability of the apostle to discern that the gospel was coming in power, but by the fruits which that gospel produced in those to whom, it came in power. So he goes on to say of them, and you became, verse 6, you became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word. You became an example, verse 7, verse 8, from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord. And then that description of their conversion, and their conversion, and their conversion, has given in verses 9 and 10, to which reference was made in the previous hour. It was very evident then to...

4:27 - 5:57 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon by setting the historical context of Paul's ministry in Thessalonica, highlighting the church's initial conversion and subsequent struggles. He…

Paul's prayer is described as 'spiritual ballast in the deepest, the deepest bowels of the hull of their hearts' to convey how it stabilizes believers against affliction and polluting influences.

what we really have is Paul's prayer on behalf of the Thessalonians. And the words that are here found in these two verses that express Paul's prayer on behalf of the Thessalonians were calculated to raise their vision, to stabilize their souls, to put, as it were, spiritual ballast in the deepest, the deepest bowels of the hull of their hearts, that as they continued to face affliction, continued to face the polluting influences of a pagan society, continued to interact with people in the church of various degrees of spiritual weakness, they would, by the grace of God, have fixed in their eye...

12:59 - 14:23 Read in full sermon

The point: Learn to shape your prayers and focus your faith upon those particular aspects of God's multifaceted being, His ways and works, which most peculiarly meet the need which is in focus when you pray.

The list of commands in 1 Thessalonians 5 is called 'quite a carload of duty' to emphasize the extensive responsibilities laid upon believers.

They are commanded, verse 16, to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God. They are commanded not to quench the spirit, not to despise prophesying, to put everything to the test, to hold fast that which is good, and then the culminating command, abstain from every single form of evil. My friends, that is quite a carload of duty in just the final paragraph. And he expects that every Thessalonian believer will lay those duties to heart and will bend his shoulder to the yoke of Christ, which yoke is easy and whose burden is light. But now in ...

16:58 - 18:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Learn to shape your prayers and focus your faith upon those particular aspects of God's multifaceted being, His ways and works, which most peculiarly meet the need which is in focus when you pray.

Paul's relationship with the Thessalonians is likened to a 'spiritual father' laying responsibilities upon his 'spiritual children,' illustrating his tender yet authoritative pastoral care.

They are commanded, verse 16, to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God. They are commanded not to quench the spirit, not to despise prophesying, to put everything to the test, to hold fast that which is good, and then the culminating command, abstain from every single form of evil. My friends, that is quite a carload of duty in just the final paragraph. And he expects that every Thessalonian believer will lay those duties to heart and will bend his shoulder to the yoke of Christ, which yoke is easy and whose burden is light. But now in ...

16:58 - 18:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Learn to shape your prayers and focus your faith upon those particular aspects of God's multifaceted being, His ways and works, which most peculiarly meet the need which is in focus when you pray.

Martin refers to a previous sermon by 'Dr. Bob' (likely a colleague) on the gospel of peace, indicating a shared theological context and avoiding repetition.

And while it would be a fascinating digression to trace out all of the possible things underscored by and connected with this particular designation of God, it would be detrimental to the purpose of our meditation. So I'm not going to take even what would be a holy digression and thankfully we had part of the digression in the previous hour. And Dr. Bob laid before us from Peter's sermon before Cornelius and his household that the gospel is a gospel of peace.

19:40 - 20:17 Read in full sermon

Driving home: To remove us from the sin and the sin from us and removing us from the sin and the sin from us that we might be utterly and totally devoted unto God and to his service.

Martin quotes B.B. Warfield's exposition of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 from 'Faith in Life' to provide a scholarly and positive explanation of 'entire sanctification' and 'blameless perfection,' while also acknowledging Warfield's critique of the 'higher life movement'.

Preserved entire and without blame. The best thing I believe I can do for your edification in just commenting briefly upon this expanded statement is to read several paragraphs of B.B. Warfield's marvelous exposition of these verses in the book, Faith in Life.

33:50 - 34:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: His meaning is that there is no department of our being into which he would not have this perfection penetrate, where, where he would not have it reign, and through which he would not have it operate to the perfecting of…

Martin uses the humorous term 'quatrapartite' to refute the idea that 'body, soul, and spirit' implies three distinct parts of man, by comparing it to Jesus' command to love God with 'heart, mind, soul, and strength,' which would imply four parts.

It simply will not stand up to the scrutiny of careful exegesis. If we're going to say that because Paul says body, soul, and spirit, we have three parts to us, then what do we do when Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul, and strength. Now we're quatrapartite, or whatever we call it. No, this is not a scientific description of the various departments of our humanity.

36:22 - 36:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin transitions to verse 24, 'Faithful is he that calls you who will also do it,' highlighting God's infallible certainty to perform what Paul prayed for. He grounds this…

The common phrase 'talk is cheap, put up or shut up' is used to emphasize that God is not merely a talker but a doer, capable of fulfilling Paul's prayer for entire sanctification.

We often say talk is cheap. Put up or shut up. Paul says God can put up with what I pray that he'd do in you. This God is the one who also will do.

47:31 - 47:50 Read in full sermon

Driving home: God have mercy on the salvation that rests ultimately on whether or not I'll let God effect it it was his thought in eternity it was his purpose in eternity it was his grace in time that sent his son it was his grace and…

Martin recounts reading Arminian commentators who added 'if we let him' to God's promise, expressing his strong disagreement and emphasizing God's sovereign commitment to salvation.

through the apostolic writings and said this is what you are marked out for well all of that would just be pie in the sky by and by if that's all it would be and you know I actually read some commentators I had to resist the temptation to tear the pages out of the book I read Ellicott on these verses and on parallel passages I'd read one or two other classic Arminian commentators on these passages and I could hardly believe that they'd have the temerity to write what they wrote they said faithful is he who calls you who will also do it if we let him God have mercy on the salvation that rests u...

52:53 - 54:20 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The God who is the calling God of his people the only God whose mighty power explained the existence of a church at Thessalonica you Thessalonians does my prayer for you seem to be beyond reach the thought that one day y…

God's calling is described as going forth 'on that charger of gospel grace and triumph and with the sword in his mouth' to conquer sinners in grace, illustrating the power and effectiveness of His call.

for whom my son died I've had him in my heart for all eternity my son had him in his heart when he became incarnate lived and died has him in his heart at the right hand of the father for he prays father I pray not only for those who are already mine but for those who shall believe on me through their word and God says well it's now time to let the sinner know what I've known from all eternity with the son and with the spirit what the son had upon his heart and has upon his heart and in various ways as we were reminded in the previous hour God goes forth on that charger of gospel grace and tri...

55:48 - 57:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Find comfort and consolation in the promise that the God of peace himself is committed to sanctify you wholly, and a moment in time is coming when your spirit, soul, and body will be found preserved entire without blame …

Martin shares his personal struggle with physical and mental weariness, allergies, and a 'cold heart' while preparing the sermon, to identify with the 'struggling, warring, groaning, and oft times weary saints' he addresses.

that God who is the caller will perfect everything to which he's called you well that's the promise that the apostle imparts now in closing may I give first of all a word of comfort and consolation to the struggling warring groaning and oft times weary saints of God am I describing you maybe I was just describing the preacher when I wrote the words struggling warring groaning and oft times weary writing those very words in the early hours of this morning when I wait often for my final application to the early hours of Sunday morning my dullness the result of physical and mental weariness or is...

63:11 - 64:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Find comfort and consolation in the promise that the God of peace himself is committed to sanctify you wholly, and a moment in time is coming when your spirit, soul, and body will be found preserved entire without blame …

Martin quotes two stanzas from a hymn (likely 'Am I a Soldier of the Cross?') to provide comfort and encouragement to struggling saints, emphasizing the fight, toil, and ultimate triumph supported by God's word.

blame even at the coming of Jesus and I will not let you marry anyone but one brother of yours whom you support you in whatever resource you may have at any expense I can't get to any home set our hope perfectly on the grace that is yet to be brought to us, grace that will bring with it entire sanctification. Listen to the language of the hymn we often sing most frequently at a prayer meeting, two stanzas of 481. Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage, Lord. I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by thy word. Thy saints

66:09 - 67:22 Read in full sermon