Sovereign Appointment, Solemn Pronouncement and Searching Requirement of Ezekiel the Watchman

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin begins by explaining his physical condition and then introduces Ezekiel 3:16-21 as the sermon's text, noting that the first three chapters of Ezekiel detail his call…

Martin explains his absence from the door after the service due to swelling in his knee from recent surgery, illustrating a wise expedient for recovery and preventing misinterpretation.

Now before we turn to the Word of God, I just want to give a word of explanation for any who may be visiting among us. I generally plant myself at the rear door, whether I've preached or not, in order to greet our own people and to greet visitors. But having been on my feet three times today, and with the knee just beginning to come around from the surgery, there's beginning to be some swelling, and standing on the concrete floor aggravates it, so I will not be going to the door. Please do not interpret that as anything other than a wise expedient in trying to get back the full and hopefully n...

0:14 - 0:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Elders should incorporate the watchman motif into their understanding of their responsibility, watching with divine accountability in light of impending dangers.

God's detailed explanation of the watchman imagery in Ezekiel 33 is used to clarify Ezekiel's role: one who sees impending danger (sword), blows the trumpet (warns), and is accountable for the people's blood if he fails to warn.

Ezekiel 33 1-7 The word of Jehovah came unto me saying son of man speak unto the children of thy people and say unto them when I bring the 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 hears the sound of the trumpet and takes not warning if the sword come and take him away his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and took not warning. His blood shall be upon him whereas if he had taken warning he would hav...

14:54 - 16:23 Read in full sermon

The point: The most essential prerequisite for a preacher is a large, overpowering, religious experience of the majesty and greatness of God.

Martin contrasts sending Ezekiel to a 'finishing school' or to learn to be a 'slick, smooth operator' with God's actual preparation of Ezekiel through shattering visions of His glory, emphasizing the true prerequisite for ministry.

He didn't send him to a finishing school to learn how to crock up and prop up his self-esteem.

42:59 - 43:05 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Ministerial is the ugliest kind of pride in the universe.

The illustration of a beautiful woman parading her beauty with a haughty look is used to demonstrate the ugliness of pride, especially when it robs God of His glory.

It's an ugly thing to see a beautiful woman with a haughty look as she parades her beauty. Proud of her face.

48:07 - 48:15 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Ministerial is the ugliest kind of pride in the universe.

Ministerial pride is described as 'the ugliest kind of pride in the universe,' a 'ministerial strut' that an overpowering experience of God's majesty would prevent.

Because it's robbing God of his glory. But nowhere is pride more ugly than in one who takes upon himself the role of a spokesman for God. Ministerial is the ugliest kind of pride in the universe.

48:27 - 48:45 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Ministerial is the ugliest kind of pride in the universe.

Martin shares his personal experience of being a constitutionally fearful man from boyhood, explaining that his boldness in preaching comes from fearing God more than man, illustrating the transformative power of God's majesty.

It is this that will cut us down to size and keep us down to size. It is this that will rip out of a man's heart the fear of his fellow mortals. Some of you will find this hard to believe. But God put me together a very constitutionally fearful man.

49:41 - 49:57 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin argues that the most essential prerequisite for a preacher is an 'overpowering, religious experience of the majesty and greatness of God,' which humbles him, cuts him down…

An extended quotation from a hymn is used to articulate the preacher's resolve to speak God's word without fear of human opinion, contrasting the majesty of God with the insignificance of man.

I don't know who the hymn writer was. I've been desperately trying to find where I found this hymn. You're really getting old when you find a gem and can't remember where you found it. But I have the gem.

50:41 - 50:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray for those who preach that they will never become so fastidious as to cease being 'old-fashioned hellfire and damnation preachers.'

The image of people going 'back to business as usual,' roasting hot dogs and drinking soda pop, after hearing a sermon on life and death, is used to highlight the spiritual madness of indifference to eternal realities.

How can you sit there. Go out of another service. Back to business as usual. And roast your hot dogs.

57:50 - 57:58 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third application focuses on the need for preachers to reflect the heart of God in their delivery, not just the substance of His words. Using Ezekiel 18:30-32 and analogies…

A baseball fan yawning during a tense, decisive moment in a game (bases loaded, 3-2 count) is used to illustrate a lack of passion and involvement, contrasting with the expected passion of a preacher.

He's got his arm looking all over the place. Last of the night. Home team's behind one run. Base is loaded.

65:08 - 65:17 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third application focuses on the need for preachers to reflect the heart of God in their delivery, not just the substance of His words. Using Ezekiel 18:30-32 and analogies…

A mother standing with folded arms, calmly watching a building burn with her infant children trapped inside, is used to illustrate the absurdity and unnaturalness of dispassionate preaching about eternal realities like heaven and hell.

Let a woman stand outside a building. In which two of her infant children. Are still trapped while it's burning. And she stands there with arms folded.

65:41 - 65:49 Read in full sermon