Reasons Why We Ought to Obey, Part 1

Driving home: Only as those who lead within the church understand the boundaries of their rule will they be kept from anarchy, and only as those whom they are leading understand the measure of submission required of them will they be …

Martin uses the concepts of tyranny and anarchy to highlight the dangers of extremes in governance, applying them to both civil society and the church to underscore the importance of proper order and submission.

Tyranny and anarchy are two words which ought to strike fear to the heart of every man, woman, and child.

0:58 - 1:06 Read in full sermon

Driving home: God graciously comes to us, not only telling us what to do, obey them and submit to them, but he seeks to persuade us to a pervasive obedience by telling us why he has required this of us.

Martin uses the example of a parent telling a child not to touch gas stove knobs, and then providing reasons (danger of gas, explosion, spanking), to illustrate why God, as a rational being, gives His children reasons for His commands.

saying to his people, I'm not an unreasonable tyrant when I say obey them and submit to them that have the rule over you. He's treating me as one who bears his image, one who is a reasoning creature. For instance, a parent may say to a young child, now Johnny, you must not touch the knobs on the gas stove. Now that should be reason enough to have Johnny keep his hands off the gas stove. But if you're a parent, you know that oft times sheer naked commandment only provokes to disobedience unless it is supported with rational arguments. And so you say to the child, now Johnny, the reason daddy is...

10:33 - 11:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds the first reason: 'for they watch in behalf of your souls as they that shall give account.' He defines 'watch' in terms of imminent danger, drawing from Ezekiel…

Martin recounts the scenario from Ezekiel 33 where a watchman is appointed to warn of an approaching sword, using it to define the concept of 'watching' as being solicitous for well-being in the face of imminent danger, a picture of elders' role.

The Apostle Paul obviously thinks in these terms in Acts 20 as we shall see in a moment. But in Ezekiel chapter 33 the word of the Lord came to the prophet Ezekiel saying, verse 2, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people and say unto them, when I bring a sword upon the land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman, if when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the people, then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own ...

19:16 - 20:23 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds the first reason: 'for they watch in behalf of your souls as they that shall give account.' He defines 'watch' in terms of imminent danger, drawing from Ezekiel…

Martin uses the metaphor of God's people as 'sheep in wolves' territory' (and lambs in lion's territory, little skiffs on an angry sea) to vividly portray the spiritual dangers and vulnerability that necessitate the protective role of watchmen (elders).

He says, you're a bunch of sheep in wolves' territory.

21:09 - 21:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Come to the elders with your concerns; do not infect others with a disgruntled attitude, as this is rebellion against God's constituted authority.

Martin uses the analogy of 'boating the fish' to illustrate the delicate process of evangelism and discipleship, warning against unwise zeal that might 'whack the fish off the end of the hook' and jeopardize a soul's salvation.

And so when we admonish you, when we say as we had to at the congregational meeting last Sunday night that some of you are a bit unwise in your zeal, you're coming on like gangbusters with people. Is it that we want to kill zeal? No, it's that we're watching for the souls of men. Just when we're about to boat the fish, we don't want somebody coming along with an oar and whacking the fish off the end of the hook.

34:28 - 34:52 Read in full sermon

The point: When selecting elders, ensure they are men you believe will watch for your soul with an eye to the day of account to God, prioritizing this over business proficiency or pleasant personality.

Martin uses the scenario of an advancing army and the need to select a watchman to emphasize that the criteria for elders should be their ability to discern danger, warn effectively, and remain committed, not superficial qualities.

Do I want him to be? And I tell you, if I knew an army was advancing, I wouldn't be concerned as to whether or not the guy was too good-looking, whether he was too cultured or refined. I'd want to know one thing. That he knew who the enemy was.

38:26 - 38:41 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not remain a 'sheep without an under-shepherd' charged for your oversight, as this is a dangerous place to be.

Martin shares an anecdote about Welsh shepherds marking their sheep with colored dye to illustrate the importance of shepherds knowing and identifying their specific flock, connecting it to the elders' distinct accountability for church members.

And this is where I must be faithful to the very things I've preached. I don't want to make this word of admonition. I'd love to avoid it, but I'm watching for your souls, so I must make it. Among us are some who give every evidence of being the Lord's sheep, but you have no understanding shepherds who recognize the brand mark of this particular flock upon you, or any particular flock. You are sheep without an under-shepherd charged for your oversight. There are among us in this building this morning men, women, fellows, girls, who are near the walls of the city, but the watchman is not sure w...

42:34 - 43:40 Read in full sermon