His Backbone, Part 2

Driving home: There will be no real influence of the truth upon the rank and file of God's people. And I say to you men in the academy if you would fit the anatomy of a man of God then you must you must determine at any cost to mainta…

A man trying to sell a magical cream to remove moles and dark spots, but his own face is covered in them. This illustrates how a minister with 'defiled hands' (lack of holiness) undermines the credibility of the truth he preaches, which is intended to make men holy.

as the truth which is according to godliness what a contradiction to be trafficking in a commodity which is intended to make men holy to use our imagery to make men of clean hands when he who most traffics in it has defiled hands. What quicker way to create skepticism and unbelief concerning the word of God. It's like a man trying to pedal from door to door a magical cream to remove all moles and dark spots upon one's face. And he appears

27:40 - 28:24 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second characteristic is diligent hands, symbolizing labor and hard work. Martin establishes 'hands' as an instrument of labor using Ephesians 4 and Proverbs 10, challenging…

God made Adam a gardener and Jesus a carpenter. This example is used to challenge the 'stupid notion' that manual labor is less dignified than intellectual work, asserting its nobility.

You see, the man who works with his hands also works with his head. His whole man is dedicated in his labor to God. So if anything is more noble, it is manual labor. God had two sons, one by creation and one by artisans.

34:41 - 34:56 Read in full sermon

The point: Labor with your hands to validate you're not in it for what you get out of it. Be prepared to work with your hands and even support fellow workers to get people with the gospel.

Martin pictures Paul stretching out his calloused hands, earned from tent-making, when he told the Ephesian elders, 'These hands ministered unto my necessities.' This illustrates the diligence and self-support of a true minister, validating his motives.

He stands in this last meeting with the leaders of the church and this is what he says to them. Acts 20 and verse 33. I coveted no man silver or apparel. You yourselves know and I love to picture that scene.

43:22 - 43:45 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He emphasizes that touching hands signify a minister's love for his people, not just for preaching. Martin acknowledges the costliness and weariness of constant accessibility and…

A woman with quintuplets and only two breasts, all hungry at the same time. This analogy illustrates the frustrating and wearisome demands on a pastor who is committed to being accessible and empathetic to all his people's needs.

Yes it is costly. There are times I've thought of it this way. And I hope you don't think me crude in the imagery. What must it be like for a woman who has quintuplets.

60:53 - 61:03 Read in full sermon