Trials

Pastor Martin expounds 1 Peter 1:6-9, focusing on how manifold trials test the depth of a believer's attachment to Christ. He argues that recent congregational and individual trials serve as a…

Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his sermon series on 1 Peter 1:6-7, focusing on how present trials serve as God's 'smelting furnace' for faith. He argues that trials test three aspects of a…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Peter 1:3-9, focusing on how manifold trials test the depth of a believer's attachment to Christ. He argues that true saving faith has Christ's person as its unique…

In this sermon, Pastor Martin continues his exposition of 1 Peter 1:6-7, focusing on how present trials serve as God's 'smelting furnace' for faith. He argues that trials test the depth of our…

In 'Trials as a Means of Grace (4),' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Hebrews 12:1-3 and 1 Peter 2:18-25, arguing that trials, tribulations, and divine chastisement are God-appointed means of grace…

In 'The Death of the Shunammite Woman's Son,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Kings 4:8-25, focusing on the unexpected death of the Shunammite woman's son and her remarkable response. He argues…

Pastor Albert Martin expounds 1 Peter 1:3-7, revealing the profound paradox of the Christian life: abounding joy coexisting with crushing grief. He defines this unique spiritual joy as rooted in the…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Kings 17:2-7, focusing on Elijah's time by the dried-up brook Cherith. He argues that God uses such 'drying brooks' in believers' lives to deepen faith, cultivate…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Kings 4:1-7, detailing Elisha's miracle of the widow's pot of oil. He first establishes the historical context of Elisha's ministry, highlighting God's tender care…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Mark 4:35-41, 'The Stilling of the Tempest,' to powerfully declare the true identity of Jesus Christ as the God-man, demonstrating both His perfect humanity and…

Pastor Martin expounds 2 Kings 6:1-7, the account of Elisha and the floating axe-head, to demonstrate that the miraculous is an integral part of revealed religion, that devotion to God does not…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10, focusing on the nature and fruits of true faith in the midst of affliction. He argues that true faith is a living, growing principle, not a…

In this New Year's exhortation, Pastor Martin addresses four distinct groups within the church: aged, ripened, homesick saints; mature, stable, middle-aged saints; younger, vigorous, visionary…

In 'Seeking the Face of God,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Chronicles 20:1-13, detailing King Jehoshaphat's and Judah's response to a national crisis. Martin outlines three essential components…

In "Collage of Perspectives in Light of Peter Leon's Illness," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, using the recent severe illness of church member Peter Leon as a pastoral…

In "Three Words of Consolation," Pastor Albert N. Martin addresses his congregation during a period of significant leadership transition, including a pastoral resignation and his own announced…

Pastor Martin continues his series on the biblical call to pastoral ministry, focusing on the second element of 'proven fitness': clear indications of an enlarged, balanced, and tested Christian…

Pastor Martin expounds 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, focusing on Paul's deep concern for the Thessalonian believers amidst their afflictions. He argues that affliction is a certainty for God's children…

In this New Year's sermon, Pastor Martin expounds Romans 8:32, 'He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?' He places…

Pastor Martin expounds 1 Samuel 23:7-18, focusing on Jonathan's ministry to David in a time of distress. He argues that Jonathan's actions provide a paradigm for how Christians ought to strengthen…

Pastor Martin expounds 2 Kings 3, drawing major lessons from the battle against Moab. He emphasizes that Old Testament historical narratives must be understood both redemptively and didactically. The…

Pastor Martin expounds Ephesians 1:11-12, focusing on the phrase 'God worketh all things after the counsel of his will.' He argues that this doctrine provides fuel for intelligent, God-honoring…

In "The Stony Ground Hearer, Part 1," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Mark 4:1-20, focusing on the parable of the sower and specifically the 'stony ground' soil. He identifies the seed as the Word…

In "The Stony Ground Hearer, Part 3," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Mark 4:1-9, 16-17 and Luke 8:13, focusing on the second type of soil in the Parable of the Sower: the rocky ground hearer. He…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Acts 27:1-44, focusing on Paul's exhortation to 'take heart' amidst a violent storm at sea. He uses this narrative to vividly illustrate what it means to walk by…

In "Functions of Good Conscience, Part 2," Pastor Albert N. Martin concludes his series on the perseverance of the saints, focusing on the strategic role of a good conscience. He expounds passages…

Pastor Robert Fisher introduces the book of Revelation, arguing that it is often neglected due to perceived difficulties but contains practical truths for the church. He establishes the historical…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Peter 4:12-19, focusing on verses 12-13, to instruct believers on how to respond to suffering. He argues that Christians should not be surprised by fiery trials…

In this fourth message of his "Ballast for the Soul" series, Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on the profound truth that the enthroned Christ is the believer's indwelling life and strength. Drawing…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds James 2:21-24, focusing on 'declarative justification' as distinct from 'actual justification' by faith alone. He addresses the apparent contradiction between James…

In "Paul's Thank-you Note, Part 1," Pastor Martin expounds Philippians 4:10-13, focusing on Paul's tactful expression of joy for the Philippians' gift and his masterful qualification of that joy…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Romans 12:1-2, establishing a framework for a biblical perspective on singleness. He argues that prolonged singleness is an abnormality resulting from the Fall, yet…

Pastor Martin expounds Mark 15:22-23, focusing on Christ's refusal of drugged wine on the cross. He argues that Jesus refused this analgesic to demonstrate the voluntary nature of his suffering and…

Pastor Martin continues his series on biblical prayer, focusing on the 'full hand' of thanksgiving. He establishes the duty and definition of thanksgiving, outlining its functions in glorifying God…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Mark 14:32-42, focusing on Christ's agony in Gethsemane as the 'shadow of Golgotha.' He meticulously analyzes Jesus' physical posture, the substance of His prayer to…

Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his exposition of Mark 6:45-52, focusing on Christ's walking on water. He argues that this incident reveals two distressing concerns often present in affliction: the…

Pastor Albert N. Martin delivers a sermon on the benefits and liabilities of a lengthy pastorate, a topic he deems crucial given contemporary trends of short pastoral tenures. He establishes three…

Pastor Martin concludes a series on the sovereignty of God, summarizing its meaning in creation, providence, and grace, and addressing common objections like 'Why preach?' and 'What about free…

Pastor Martin expounds 1 Thessalonians 2:14, showing that the Thessalonians' suffering for the gospel proved the genuineness of their faith. He argues that God-given faith is a whole-souled response…

In 'The Brook Cherith,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Kings 17:2-7, detailing God's directive, promise, Elijah's obedience, and the fulfillment of that promise. He draws out profound lessons…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Kings 17:8-16, detailing Elijah's journey to Zarephath and his encounter with the widow. He draws out profound lessons about God's absolute sovereignty in…

In "Reduction of Elders: What Might God be Saying? Part 1," Pastor Albert N. Martin addresses the Trinity Baptist Church adult Sunday school class regarding recent leadership changes, including…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Peter 1:10-12, returning to glean fundamental truths after a prior exposition. He affirms three basic doctrines: special revelation, the pre-existence and deity of…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Chronicles 20:14-19, detailing God's response to Judah's corporate prayer during a national crisis. He emphasizes that God first sends His Word to His people, upon…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Matthew 26:36-46, offering a 'second glimpse' into the mystery of Gethsemane, focusing on Christ's desire for human companionship in suffering. He argues that it is…

In "Mixed Group at Golgotha (Luke 23:49a)," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Luke 23:49a and Mark 15:40-41, focusing on the 'devout lingerers' at the cross: unnamed male acquaintances and named women…

In the fifth and final sermon of his series "Trials as a Means of Grace," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 8:18, and Matthew 5:11-12, arguing that believers must discern…

In 'Stony Ground Hearers Part 1,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Matthew 13:5-7, 20-21, Mark 4:16-17, and Luke 8:13, focusing on the 'stony ground' in the Parable of the Sower. He details how some…

Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his sermon series on living the Christian life, focusing on the principle that there is no escaping varied pressures of afflicted circumstances. He reviews…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Hebrews 12:5-13 and Proverbs 3:11-12, arguing that God's loving discipline is an inescapable privilege of adoption for every believer. He details the origin (God's…

In "No Escaping Affliction Part 1," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on the fifth major principle of Christian living: there is no escaping the varied pressures of afflictive circumstances. Drawing…

In "No Escaping Affliction Part 3," Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his series on the purposes of God in affliction, building on six previously discussed points. Drawing from passages like Hebrews…

In this sermon, Pastor Albert N. Martin addresses three common pitfalls regarding the doctrine of divine providence. He begins by defining divine providence as God's wise, holy, and powerful…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, the fifth point of Calvinism, also known as eternal security. He systematically presents the biblical evidence from…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Peter 1:3-7, addressing the profound paradox of abounding joy and crushing grief in the Christian life. He defines the nature and source of both, arguing that…

In this sermon, Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on seven vital lessons learned from the lengthy illness and recent death of congregant Jake Vander Wiele. Drawing from passages like Proverbs 27:1…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, addressing the common experience of affliction among God's people. He argues that affliction, often perceived as an enemy, is in fact a friend…

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Hebrews 12:1-13 and John 15:1-3, urging believers to embrace God's fatherly discipline and pruning as essential means for spiritual health and growth in holiness. He…

Pastor Martin expounds 1 Kings 19, focusing on God's gracious dealings with the dejected prophet Elijah. He details how God first assured Elijah of His love, met his physical needs, and provided…

In 'The Stony Ground Hearer, Part 2,' Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his exposition of Mark 4:1-6, 13-17, focusing on the second type of soil in the Parable of the Sower. He argues that…