Biography:
As quoted from Sermon Audio, where many of his sermons are posted, "Pastor Albert N. Martin has been an elder at the Trinity Baptist Church of Montville, New Jersey since its inception in 1967. Over thirty years of pastoral experience and an evident gift of pointed applicatory preaching have made Pastor Martin a widely recognized counselor and pastor. He labors at preaching regularly among his own congregation as well as at conferences and other special meetings at home and abroad. Many have expressed thanks for the spiritual benefit received from Pastor Martin’s topical and expository preaching."

Other sermons by Martin can be found at his church web site Trinity Baptist Church.

Circumstances:
On September 20, 2004, Martin's wife of 48 years died after a six year battle with cancer. These sermons were preached by Martin shortly after that event. They are featured here because they address the question of how a Christian is supposed to grieve over a loved one who has died in the Lord.

• What does a Christian need to know in order to grieve righteously?
• What does a Christian need to know in order to grieve in a way that honors and glorifies God.

Almost four years ago, I asked these same questions. I had studied very carefully how to be a good father, but I had no idea how to be a bereaved father. The answers I craved then are now available at the links below from sermonaudio. In order to encourage you to visit these links, I have included the major points of these sermons.

Death and Its Immediate Sequel for the One Who Dies in Union with Christ

1. Two foundational facts of biblical revelation crucial to a right understanding of death itself.
   1. Man consists of two distinct entities: body and soul--(soul/spirit).
   2. Death for human beings is the radical separation of the soul from the body.
      • Death is unnatural -- our last enemy.
      • This unnatural separation is caused by sin.
      • This is a temporary condition.
2. Four wonderful realities that constitute the immediate sequel to death for all who die in Christ.
   1. They are fully conformed to the moral likeness of Christ.
   2. They have been brought into the very presence of Christ.
   3. They have joined the company of all the people of Christ.
   4. They have entered upon the promised rest of Christ.

Biblical Directives for Godly Grieving: Gleanings from a Grieving Heart
This is a set of three sermons, as outlined below:

Godly Grieving #1
Honoring and Glorifying God in the Midst of Grief

1. We must know and firmly believe what the scriptures teach concerning the location and present condition of the souls of those loved ones who have died in Christ.
2. We must know and firmly believe that our emotions are not to exercise ultimate authority over us.
3. We must know and firmly believe that we have a responsibility to manage the direction and focus of our thoughts in the grieving process.

Godly Grieving #2
Doctrine is for Dying and Death: Theology is for Graveside Grieving

1. We must cling to the right doctrine of God with the death-grip of faith.
2. We must cling to the right doctrine of Christ with the death-grip of faith.
3. We must cling to the right doctrine of man with the death-grip of faith.

Godly Grieving #3
Continued: Doctrine is for Dying and Death: Theology is for Graveside Grieving

4. We must cling with the death-grip of faith to the right doctrine of union with Christ.
5. We must possess and practice a right doctrine of the church as a body and a family.