Biblical Qualifications

Driving home: Nothing is in the quality of their ministers.

The decadence of the nation of Israel in Jeremiah's day and the state of the Pharisees in Jesus' time are given as historical examples of how the quality of ministers reflects the state of the church.

If you are to try to assess the state of the churches in Essex County, there is nothing that will be a more accurate barometer as the state of those churches than the condition. And to substantiate this. When the nation of Israel was in a state of decadence, that decadence was reflected in the great plebiscite. Remember the terrible condition in Jeremiah's day.

10:41 - 11:22 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin lays out four interconnected propositions: the quality of ministers determines the state of the church, ministerial training determines the quality of ministers, the vision…

A quotation from a well-known preacher is used to underscore the profound influence of theological seminaries on the type and tone of future ministry.

Training to which men are subjected in their most formative years. Determining. They shall have. For I'll hide behind a well-known preacher.

14:54 - 15:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the only recalled gravity for most acid tests of the genuineness of piety is the domestic. It's the domestic.

The domestic life of a minister is presented as the 'acid test' for the genuineness of his piety, illustrating that character at home reveals true godliness.

Notice in verse 3, the only recalled gravity for most acid tests of the genuineness of piety is the domestic. It's the domestic. Some of you know how true this is.

28:02 - 28:43 Read in full sermon

The point: As an aspirant to ministry, you have no right to pursue the office if you do not meet the biblical standard of a blameless life. As a congregation, you have no warrant to recognize or ordain such a man.

Godliness is contrasted with Spanish moss, which seems to live on air, to illustrate that true godliness must be rooted in the 'soil of truth' and not be superficial.

One other word, that relationship to docker right about godliness is though that great and light upon the air like the parasite that seems to be able to live on the air.

28:58 - 30:05 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The speaker allowed what he held in his head. And the work of the ministry. The ministry. Listen to the words of a man who preached in Newark.

A quotation from a Newark preacher a century ago is used to emphasize that effective ministry requires an experimental acquaintance with the realities of sin and grace, not just intellectual notions.

And the work of the ministry. The ministry. Listen to the words of a man who preached in Newark.

47:26 - 48:11 Read in full sermon

The point: As a congregation, we have an awful responsibility with the young men God has entrusted to us, not to be deceived by natural gifts but to discern God-given qualities.

A quotation from C.H. Spurgeon's article on ministerial training is used to highlight the necessity of ministers having 'popular sympathy' and being 'men of the people,' not condescending instructors.

I love what Spurgeon said along this line. In an article he wrote on the subject of ministerial training. Let me quote just a little bit. In the interest of time.

51:07 - 51:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Young men in the ministry need to seriously face the issue of whether they truly love the people, rather than being swallowed up in a sense of their own importance.

People are contrasted with 'blocks of stone' to illustrate that they are living beings who require sensitivity and love, not just blunt correction.

That I should underscore. I wish I had time to underscore. The sense of. People are not blocks of stone.

53:44 - 53:52 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He said. There's no college under heaven. That can make preachers. God. Must.

Spurgeon is quoted saying 'there's no college under heaven that can make preachers; God must,' emphasizing that preaching gifts are ultimately God-given.

On this life. He said. There's no college under heaven. That can make preachers.

55:34 - 55:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The fourth requirement is the 'possession of gifts which meet the standard of scripture,' specifically being 'apt to teach.' These gifts must be God-given, personally cultivated…

Spurgeon's humorous remark about some sincere men wishing they had never been born if they had to listen to themselves preach is used to illustrate the need for genuine, God-given aptitude.

Spurgeon said. Some men. Dear men. Sincere men.

56:10 - 56:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The fourth requirement is the 'possession of gifts which meet the standard of scripture,' specifically being 'apt to teach.' These gifts must be God-given, personally cultivated…

The analogy of teaching someone to play baseball is used to illustrate that while training can cultivate a gift, a fundamental, God-given aptitude must be present for proficiency in teaching.

I take. Some of my friends. From Great Britain. When they come over.

56:37 - 56:40 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The fourth requirement is the 'possession of gifts which meet the standard of scripture,' specifically being 'apt to teach.' These gifts must be God-given, personally cultivated…

Martin shares his personal experience of not being able to define 'unction' but knowing when he has it and when he doesn't, and recognizing it when he sits as a worshipper.

Application. And above all. With heavenly unction. Who can explain.

60:40 - 60:44 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You have brought. That's the end. Of preaching. My friend. A man. May have a life. That's blameless. A man. May have a mind. That's sharp. And clear. He may even have a spirit. That reflects some sensitivity. And may hav…

An anecdote about a man telling a preacher, 'You have brought heaven down to us,' is used to illustrate the profound impact of preaching with heavenly unction.

One dear man. Of God. Said. On conclusion.

61:17 - 61:25 Read in full sermon