Anatomy of a Man of God: His Knees #1

In this part of the sermon: This posture is the foundation of ministerial humility, recognizing utter dependence on God; ministerial obedience, doing the Creator's will; and ministerial stability, resting in…

The analogy of God knitting the fabric of human history without dropping a stitch illustrates His constant, sovereign control, providing a foundation for ministerial stability.

And I'm personally convinced that one of the many reasons, not the only reason, but one of the many reasons for short pastorates is because there are so few men who've taken this posture and by the grace of God maintained it. You see, the poor God theology that has God in control of some things and the devil in control of some others and then a whole bunch of other things that are no man's land. How in the world, when everything seems against us in the language of old Jacob, how can we stay by our post? How can we hold, as it were, our course? How can we keep our shoulder to the plow and press...

21:09 - 22:16 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This posture is the foundation of ministerial humility, recognizing utter dependence on God; ministerial obedience, doing the Creator's will; and ministerial stability, resting in…

The humorous image of God never being 'caught without aspirin in the medicine chest' emphasizes His preparedness and complete control over all situations, reinforcing ministerial stability.

And I'm personally convinced that one of the many reasons, not the only reason, but one of the many reasons for short pastorates is because there are so few men who've taken this posture and by the grace of God maintained it. You see, the poor God theology that has God in control of some things and the devil in control of some others and then a whole bunch of other things that are no man's land. How in the world, when everything seems against us in the language of old Jacob, how can we stay by our post? How can we hold, as it were, our course? How can we keep our shoulder to the plow and press...

21:09 - 22:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Be liberated from bondage to men, unswayed by their frowns or smiles, because you are judged by the Lord alone.

Paul's indifference to people making 'funny faces' or 'wiggling fingers' at him illustrates his liberation from bondage to men's opinions, as he is judged only by the Lord.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7.23, You were bought with a price. Be not the slaves of men. Paul said again in 1 Corinthians, Paul said again in 1 Corinthians 7.23, Paul said again in 1 Corinthians 7.23, It is a very little thing to me if I be judged of you or of man's judgment. I love that text. He says, If I'm preaching to you and you sit there and make funny faces at me, that's a very little thing to me.

39:45 - 40:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a bond slave of Christ.

The description of a man of God's 'mystifying and at times threatening independence' from mortals illustrates how his singular devotion to Christ makes him unswayed by human approval or disapproval.

You see, that's what gives to a true man of God, an element of both mystifying and at times threatening independence from his fellow mortals.

43:03 - 43:14 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This posture is the foundation of proper ministerial influence and authority (administrative, not legislative), liberation from bondage to men (not seeking human favor), and…

Martin shares his personal experience of being threatened by a man of God's independence when he had 'controversy with God,' but finding him endearing when his heart was bowed to Christ's Master, illustrating the impact of true devotion.

I found it so whenever I've sat under a man of God. If I had any controversy with God, I was threatened by the fact that I knew I couldn't buy him with my smiles or shut him up with my frowns. But when my heart was bowed to his Master, no one was nor dear to me. But when I afraid to face Statua, I only relieved myself as a man that loved me enough to be free of my frowns and my smiles.

43:55 - 44:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate hearts bowed in such devotion to Jesus Christ that you count your life of no account, willing to go to the mission field or engage in unglamorous church planting.

The example of men going to the Philippines to join brother Steve and Manny Martinez, enduring discomfort and learning new languages, illustrates the selfless devotion required for missions.

what is going to be from the human side the thing that triggers a stream of men going out to the Philippines to join our brother Steve, to labor with our brother, Manny Martinez, to be a shepherd to that shepherdless flock in Ormoc that met on their Lord's day with nothing but a tape recorder and a cassette for a preacher. What's going to be the trigger to release men who are willing to endure the discomfort of that tropical climate, to have to get their tongues all twisted around learning another language that they might be useful not only speaking, but speaking one of the other major languag...

51:15 - 52:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate hearts bowed in such devotion to Jesus Christ that you count your life of no account, willing to go to the mission field or engage in unglamorous church planting.

The unglamorous nature of church planting, requiring hard work, self-support, and laying deep foundations, is used as an example of selfless devotion in ministry, contrasting with the 'instant success' mentality.

Many of you men will be called upon to engage in church planting ministries here in our own country. Why is church planting so unglamorous? Because it means you have to go in and take a little group of people, many times not able even to support you adequately and have to work with your own hands to put bread on the table. And you've got to be, in the trenches and dig those trenches deeply and lay solid foundations for a generation to come.

52:43 - 53:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray earnestly for laborers for the harvest, willing to release your children for ministry even if it means not seeing grandchildren for years.

The analogy of holding children with an 'open heart, open hand' illustrates the parental sacrifice required to release children for missions, crushing the idolatry of natural ties.

If it means God lays hold of your daughter and gives her to a man of God who's going to bury his life in the Philippines or in Pakistan or some other place, and you may not see your grandchildren for years at a time, what's going to crush the idolatry of those natural ties that you will hold those children with an open heart? Open heart. Open hand. I tell you only one thing.

54:49 - 55:16 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin applies the call to selfless devotion to men considering missions and church planting, and to parents, challenging them to prioritize Christ's kingdom above natural ties…

The quotation from the old gospel hymn, 'It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,' illustrates the ultimate motivation for selfless devotion and enduring suffering.

Tears, I'm sure, shed in secret when the Savior comes. And by His grace, we can present a little something that is the fruit of that single-eyed devotion. Listen to him in the language of that old gospel hymn. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

56:49 - 57:12 Read in full sermon