“ Great Sermon! ” A story about the effect of this sermon on a few hearers is quite interesting to me. There was a gentleman who lived in Brooklyn, NY who heard this sermon on the radio program, Conference Echoes - Family Radio. He ordered the tape and had his friends from Brooklyn and Queens come to his house and hear it. They determined they needed to go hear this Pastor Martin. In those days, they all took public transportation so the only way they could get to the church was to split the cost of a taxi-ride. Over 30 miles one way. To make a long story short, they all eventually got cars, and when I met them in 1984, they all took turns car pooling to church. I owe it to them as they helped get to Trinity Baptist Church because I was stationed in Manhattan in the Coast Guard and had recently learned about Albert Martin. The brother I speak of and his wife now have attended T B C over 30 years. The other men eventually went their own way, they were all single at the time. Little did I know that one day I would become Pastor Martin's friend, neighbor and computer tutor. Life is stranger than fiction. But I praise God for this one message!!!
“ Great Sermon! The real bane of the church ” Christian liberty is subject to the influence and persuasion of the lowest common denominator. Young and old alike must be ever guard against the appeals of the world (and church alike) to not hold back on the exercise of all liberty to the fullest.
“ Great Sermon! ” This sermon is on SermonAudio three times. I love the irony of this because the preacher is being maligned in an ongoing blog about Reformed Baptist History. The 4 minute excerpt of this message, which is also on SermonAudio, was ridiculed as well by the blogger. Yet this sermon alone, between the three postings has been downloaded 25,000 times. Numerous listeners have been affected by it. Less than two weeks ago I attended a sermon by Pastor Martin. Because of ongoing back problems he preached it sitting down. I listened carefully to his sermon points and marveled how that his mind was so intact, and his homiletic skills as solid as any I hear in our day, even though he is 4 months shy of his 80th birthday as I type this.
“ Great Sermon! ” Just an after thought to my previous comment, I often try to get my alzheimers mom to listen to sermons with me, but she gets restless and seem too much for her. But because of the pleasant pace of your speech here along with the clarity, maybe this will hit its mark in her memory of the Christ she embraced some years back and bring some thrill to her inner person. Thank you.
“ Brilliant ” This is a wonderful, beautiful laying out of the breathtaking condescension to us of the incarnation of the infinite God the Son. This is truly multi-faceted. In its clarity it is appropriate for children/young ones apart from just Bible stories. For new believers it presents wonderfully the sure foundation of Who Christ Is and what He has accomplished. And, for older, mature believers it refreshes the heart and causes joy and thrill to spring up on the reminder even for those who may grow weary on the long pilgrimage.
“ Powerful lessons about Isaac and Rebekah ” The sermon is actually more about Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah than it is about Esau, but the lessons are powerful. I would recommend this message to fellow singles who desire marriage, and consider the spiritual forewarnings for the married state.
Yes, Isaac and Rebekah started out very well, and God brought the woman to the man in the truest sense, and they prospered together; but instead of the kindness of God leading Isaac to repentance for lying about and endangering his wife (God blessed him with intense fruitfulness in his fields after the sin), it seems Isaac grew spiritually cold... and Rebekah declined with him.
One thing worse than growing cold yourself is bringing someone with you. Isaac and Rebekah began well, but they did not end well, and they failed together.
How incredible is it that even what God proves His great power and faithfulness time and time again that we draw back and rely on our own plots and sinful measures in order to force His hand!
Lord, keep us from forgetting your past faithfulness; and not only your faithfulness to us, but your faithfulness to our spiritual forefathers! You promised, and you do not lie.
And Lord, keep us from being the stumbling block for our children!
“ The History of This Sermon ” It was very close to this date when Pastor Martin preached these sermons (3) in a conference that was held at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. The other two speakers were Gordon Spykeman, from here in Grand Rapids, and John Gerstner, Professor of Church History at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. I had the privilege of talking to a Seminary President who at the time was a student at the seminary and told me how much these Martin sermons affected him. Dr. Joseph Pipa. I asked Pastor Martin about the open discussion before the students in which he asked Dr. Gerstner about teaching at a liberal seminary.in which he quoted to him Rom. 16:17. Gerstner knew that if he left the seminary it would have no solid teaching left. He said he felt like it (leaving P.T.S.) would be like kicking your mother in the stomach. Pastor Martin made me laugh when he told me, yea, but if your mother {i.e. the seminary} has become the devil you not only kick her in the stomach, you shoot her in the head! These pastor/student discussions from this conference used to be available through Mount Olive Tape Library but I don't know where to get them anymore and that is a great loss to us.
“ Absolutely Excellent Sermon! ” Thankyou Lord, and thankyou Pastor Albert for this absolutely excellent sermon.
One of the best ever, on SermonAudio.
Will listen to part 2 now.
Blessings and many thanks for your service to the Lord, and to our hearts.
“ Great Sermon! ” Excellent. Was given this sermon by a Brother in The Lord and I liked it enough I took two pages of notes and scripture references you have given. Outstanding!
“ Powerful! ” This message really touched my heart and my condition. It was really a message from God to my condition and to my need. God showed me more clearly through this His will.
1/5/14 9:42 AM
