87b) Desire for the Office, Spiritual Character #2

Driving home: There are just a host of areas in which a man who does not have control over his own spirit is indeed like, Solomon says, he is like the city with its walls broken down.

A man without self-control is likened to a city with its walls broken down, illustrating his vulnerability and inability to manage his life and ministry effectively.

the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. So that this must mark the servant of God. The one who would function in overseership will find himself again and again in situations where if he doesn't have self-control, he will lose a handle on his schedule, he'll lose his ability to relate to people, in a way that is godly and meaningful. There are just a host of areas in which a man who does not have control over his own spirit is indeed like, Solomon says, he is like the city with its walls broken down.

2:42 - 3:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that men who lack the combination of graces essential for effective leadership should not be overseers.

A story of an academy graduate who excelled in preaching but lacked graces for aggressive love and leadership, leading him to pursue a Ph.D. in a different area, illustrating that not all men are graced for overseership and finding one's niche is noble.

There may be a place, as we indicated Wednesday night in prayer meeting, one of the graduates of this academy went into the pastorate and his preaching ministry very soon became such that he was asked to speak in other places and at conferences. But it also became evident he did not have the graces that caused him to be aggressive in his manifested love to people and also he lacked the graces essential for the effective leadership of others. Well, rather than take that as being cast off as junk, he faced his peculiar strengths and weaknesses and as we've indicated is now pursuing a Ph.D. in an...

9:27 - 10:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He has no closets that he fears to walk by wondering what skeletons will fall out and expose him for what he is. No. In all of his contacts, he is a thoroughgoing Christian man who, though he may not have the affection, …

An example of unconverted people, despite disagreeing with a pastor's 'narrow-minded, bigoted religion,' acknowledging his integrity and saying, 'he sure lives what he believes,' illustrating the impact of a good testimony.

No, but he must have good testimony. There must be no just clause to say, that guy, an elder? You've got to be kidding. No, but when word gets out to the outside world, this man's being proposed for high-profile spiritual leadership in the house of God, they can say, well, I can't stomach his narrow-minded, bigoted religion, but one thing I have to tell you, he sure lives what he believes.

11:40 - 12:06 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He has no closets that he fears to walk by wondering what skeletons will fall out and expose him for what he is. No. In all of his contacts, he is a thoroughgoing Christian man who, though he may not have the affection, …

The analogy of being in a foxhole with a godly man who would 'fall on the hand grenade' because he knows where he's going, illustrates the deep trust and respect a consistent Christian life can earn from the unconverted.

I think what he believes is all about the God. It's all a bunch of bunk. But one thing is clear, he not only believes that he lives by it, and in the crunch, there's nobody else I'd rather be in the foxhole with than that guy. I know he'd fall on the hand grenade because he knows where he's going.

12:07 - 12:23 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He has no closets that he fears to walk by wondering what skeletons will fall out and expose him for what he is. No. In all of his contacts, he is a thoroughgoing Christian man who, though he may not have the affection, …

The metaphor of a man having 'no closets that he fears to walk by wondering what skeletons will fall out' illustrates the transparency and integrity required for a good testimony before the unconverted.

He has no closets that he fears to walk by wondering what skeletons will fall out and expose him for what he is. No. In all of his contacts, he is a thoroughgoing Christian man who, though he may not have the affection, has the consciences of the unconverted. And then we also see in Timothy that the graces of pride experience, which in some measure will neutralize vulnerability to pride, are requisite.

12:55 - 13:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon addresses the requirement of not being 'a novice' (1 Timothy 3:6), emphasizing the need for tried experience to reduce vulnerability to pride. Martin explains that the…

An example of a Jewish man from Ephesus, raised with Old Testament knowledge, who might be ready for overseership in a year or two after conversion due to his extensive prior spiritual foundation, illustrating that 'novice' is not merely about time but spiritual maturity and background.

people say, well, how long must he have been converted? I don't know, because there are so many variables. You take a man at Ephesus whose whole background had been soaked,

14:59 - 15:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The chief attention of ministers emphatically it may be said that they are Christ's living epistles sent out into the world in order that men might read in them the transforming efficacy of his gospel.

An extended quotation from Murphy's 'Pastoral Theology' emphasizing that the pastor is appointed to be a living example of the gospel he preaches, demonstrating its truth and power through daily walk and conversation.

And if some of you would like a copy of this, you can go ahead and take and copy it afterwards. And the heading is, The pastor is appointed to be a living example of the gospel which he preaches. Now, notice how he captures the heart of everything I've tried to say regarding this first element of fitness for the pastoral office with respect to proven, manifested Christian character. This places the necessity of his being an eminently godly man in a very strong light.

19:36 - 20:07 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The chief attention of ministers emphatically it may be said that they are Christ's living epistles sent out into the world in order that men might read in them the transforming efficacy of his gospel.

Murphy's quote that ministers are 'Christ's living epistles sent out into the world in order that men might read in them the transforming efficacy of his gospel,' illustrating their role as visible representations of Christ.

The chief attention of ministers emphatically it may be said that they are Christ's living epistles sent out into the world in order that men might read in them the transforming efficacy of his gospel. To them especially, not exclusively, but especially is the direction of Christ given. You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

21:16 - 21:48 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Be assured of this, brethren, there is no preaching like the preaching of ministerial, sanctity.

Murphy's quote that 'Men form their opinions of Christianity not so much from what they read in the book of God, as from what they read in the book of the lives of its professors,' illustrating the power of example.

This is something that can be better understood and will be more deeply felt. Holiness of life, the pure and noble character that is reached by daily communion with God when seen in the minister will convince men of the truth and power of the gospel as nothing else short of God's omnipotent spirit could do. Men form their opinions of Christianity not so much from what they read in the book of God, as from what they read in the book of the lives of its professors. When this book is fair and beautiful, they will be attracted.

23:20 - 24:00 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Be assured of this, brethren, there is no preaching like the preaching of ministerial, sanctity.

A quote from an 'eminent man of God' stating, 'Be assured of this, brethren, there is no preaching like the preaching of ministerial, sanctity,' emphasizing the supreme importance of a holy life.

When it is blurred, they will be driven away. Example will break down opposition and produce conviction where nothing else will. An eminent man of God has said, quote, Be assured of this, brethren, there is no preaching like the preaching of ministerial, sanctity. End quote.

24:00 - 24:22 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Be assured of this, brethren, there is no preaching like the preaching of ministerial, sanctity.

Quotes from Hooker ('the life of a godly clergyman is visible rhetoric') and Herbert ('the virtuous life of the man of God is the most powerful eloquence') illustrating the persuasive power of a holy life.

Hooker used to say that, quote, the life of a godly clergyman is visible rhetoric. And Herbert, that the virtuous life of the man of God is the most powerful eloquence. And what will give this sanctity of life but the unction from on high? What but the possession of the very mind of Christ will so purify and ennoble the life as to make it a fit example to illustrate the gospel and attract to the cross.

24:23 - 24:54 Read in full sermon

Driving home: They are, as already stated, predominantly moral and consist of attributes of character character, rather than gifts and endowments of the mind. And would to God that would be thundered in every seminary across this coun…

A quote from Fairbairn commenting on 1 Timothy 3:7, stating that the qualifications are 'predominantly moral and consist of attributes of character, rather than gifts and endowments of the mind,' illustrating the priority of character.

The life of the pastor should be one of such heavenly mindedness that he would not only bear witness of Christ but be a living witness to him. That his example would give a high tone to the piety of the church that in boldness with the devoted Paul he could say, Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ. And then Fairbairn, in a briefer quote, commenting on 1 Timothy 3, 7 and following,

24:55 - 25:27 Read in full sermon