“ 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.
“ Biblical salvation. ” Salvation does not involve an external improvement of behavior, but a supernatural change of heart which only the Holy Spirit can make. And a forgiveness of sin because of Jesus' sufferings for the sins of His people.
“ Great tests. ” This sermon shows how serious and responsible must be a church in choosing ministers, and how serious and responsible must be a man to search himself in the light of Scripture if he desire to be a minister.
“ Very useful. ” This was a very useful message. It is good to search again our hearts in the light of Bible teaching regarding ministry in the church.
“ Very useful. ” This was a blessed message for my heart. Six wrong motives for desiring to enter a ministry of teaching. Very clear teaching helping people to search their hearts and motives in regard of this.
“ Great Sermon! ” I've listened to the first three messages in this series. Even after reading the book itself (the Rushing abridgement), I am still gleaning new things from this and I am coming away with even more conviction toward sin and the need to fight it with Christ's help. Thank you.
“ Anointed Man of God ” Fantastic message. I've heard many sermons f/ Albert Martin and I think this sermon is a lot older than 1994. I'm guessing early 70's. I've never heard a more articulate preacher ever.
“ Thanks for this series ” There is a phrase that Owen uses that may give us some concern if not understood correctly. He speaks of not speaking peace to ourselves until God speaks peace to us. This would argue that the saint was walking very close to God indeed. But how to deal with this idea without supposing you are getting some special revelation of word of knowledge. I have read this in puritan writings for years and there is a parallel statement that sheds light on it in Thomas Goodwin's book, the Return of Prayers, page 31 if you are looking at the edition at books.google.com. "There is an enlargement of the affections, and a lingering and longing and restlessness of spirit to be alone and to power out the soul to God... And this is speaking to the heart, and observe such times when God does thus, and neglect them not, then to strike while the iron is hot etc." More can be said, but my note must be short.
8/4/13 8:54 PM
