Sermon # 166             Series: Isaiah

 

Title:   “Thy Watchmen”

Text:   Isaiah 52:7-8

Subject:  Gospel Preachers as Watchmen Over The Church

Date: Sunday Evening – November 21, 1993

 

Introduction:

 

The title of my message is “Thy Watchmen.”  My text is Isaiah 52: 7-8.  Let’s read it together…  We know that this passage of Scripture is to be properly interpreted as a description of gospel preachers because the Holy Spirit has told us so in Romans chapter 10 verse 15.

 

Proposition:  In our text the Spirit of God describes all true gospel preachers as watchmen upon the walls of Zion.

 

Without further introduction, I want to talk to you tonight about “Thy Watchmen.”  I want to show you 7 things from the Word of God about these men who are watchmen upon the walls of Zion.

 

I.  God’s Servants Are Watchmen, Not Watch Women!

 

I know that in this day of feminism, when women want to look, act, and talk like men and men are taught to look, act, and talk like women, people are aghast when they hear it, but hear it you will in this place – No woman has ever been called of God to preach the gospel, pastor a church, or serve as a deacon in a church.  The Word of God is crystal clear in this matter.  And no other argument or sentiment is of any importance in this matter.

 

A.  Preachers, pastors, elders, and deacons are Men (I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:6-9; Acts 6:3).

 

1.       Men, Not Sisters!

2.       Husbands, Not Marriage Partners!

3.       Fathers, Not Advisors!

4.       Men full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom!

 

B.  In the Home, in the Church of God, and in God’s Order for Society Women are to Be In Subjection to Their Husbands As Unto The Lord (Eph. 5:22-24; I Cor. 11:1-3).

 

This is not a matter of superiority or inferiority.  It is God’s order!

 

C.  In the Church of God women are to learn in silence and submission, as becomes women (I Cor. 15:35; I Tim. 2:11-12).

 

It is always wrong for women to push themselves forward, to usurp authority over men, and seek to dominate men.  Only weak, spineless men will allow it to happen.  And only proud rebellious women want it to happen.  God’s people honor God’s order!

 

II.  God’s Servants Are Watchmen upon The Walls of Zion – “Thy Watchmen!”   (Ezek. 3:17-18)

 

A.  God places the watchmen where he wants them.

 

B.  If the watchmen fails to faithfully proclaim the Word of God, God will require the blood of men at his hands – Such Watchmen are themselves lost men (I Cor. 9:16).

 

C.  But if the watchmen faithfully proclaims to men the Word of God, if he faithfully preaches the gospel of Christ, he has delivered his own soul, even if those to whom he preaches refuse to hear him – (Acts 20: 26-27).

 

III.  The very fact that God has placed watchmen upon the walls of Zion implies that You for whose Souls We Watch Are In Immediate, Constant Danger.

 

A.  The wrath of God is upon you who are without Christ.

B.  Satan, as a roaring lion seeks to devour you who do believe – The snares of satan, the wiles of the devil are real!

 

1.       The cares of the World!

2.       The Deceitfulness of Riches!

3.       The Temptations to Evil!

 

C.  False brethren, false prophets, and false doctrine arise from within the church; and by these things satan seeks to divide and conquer!

·         I Corinthians 11:19

·         Ephesians 4:8-16

 

IV. All of God’s Watchmen See Eye to Eye – “They shall see eye to eye.”

 

That does not mean that they are perfectly agreed in every point of doctrine.  But it does mean that they are perfectly agreed in all things vital to their work as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, as watchmen over the souls of men.

 

A.  The Character of God (Isa. 6:1-4).

 

1.       His Holiness!

2.       His Sovereignty!

3.       His Goodness!

 

B.  The Character of Man (Rom. 3:9-18; 5:12).

 

1.       His Depravity!

2.       His Condemnation!

3.       His Inability!

 

C.  God’s Method of Grace (I Cor. 1:30; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 9:16).

 

1.       Election!

2.       Effectual Redemption!

3.       Regeneration!

4.       Preservation!

 

V.  Because they see eye to eye Every Watchman In Zion Says The Same Thing.

 

Travel the world over, spanning all the ages of time, all creatures, all ranks of society, and you will find this to be true – Every man who speaks for God, who has spoken or shall speak to eternity bound sinners in the power of God says the same thing – The Gospel of the Grace of God!

 

A.  They bring good tidings of good things!

 

1.       The love and grace of God.

2.       The covenant of grace.

3.       The Incarnate Savior.

4.       Pardon by the Blood of Christ.

5.       Justification by His Imputed Righteousness.

6.       Eternal Life by the Gift of God.

7.       Infallible Serenity in Grace.

 

B.  They Publish Peace!

 

1.       Peace with God.

2.       Peace of Conscience.

3.       Peace among the Saints.

 

C.  They Publish Salvation, Free Salvation!

 

1.       By the grace of God.

2.       Through the blood of Christ.

3.       Received by faith in him.

 

D.  They say unto Zion, “Thy God reigneth!”

 

1.       In Creation.

2.       In Providence

3.       In Grace.

 

III.  God’s Servants are to be Highly Esteemed in Love for Their Work’s Sake and Dutifully Obeyed as They That Watch For Your Souls – (I Thess. 5:11-13; Heb. 13:7, 17 – “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings!”

 

A.  The mountains are the obstacles God’s servants must overcome, the pains and difficulties they must contend with, as they labor in the gospel.

 

B.  Their feet are referred to, instead of their whole body, as being beautiful – Why?

 

1.  Their feet are defiled, yet beautiful!

 

Though gospel preachers are themselves only sinful men saved by the grace of God, they are beautiful as the messengers of grace!

 

2.  Their feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of grace.

 

3.  With their feet they run to and fro from place to place preaching the gospel – (Rev. 14:6, 8) – Feet are instruments of travel and labor!

 

C.  Every faithful servant of God ought to be honored by those for whom he labors as the servant of God.

 

Illus:  Galatians 4:14-15

           Philemon 19

 

D.  Those who oppose God’s servants and fight against them oppose God and fight against him.

 

·         I Samuel 8:7

·         Numbers 16:1-35

 

“Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”  (I Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15).

    Illus:  II Kings 2:23-24

 

VII.  There is a Day Coming When Every Watchman must Give Account (Heb. 13:17).

 

·         Not to You!

·         Not to Church Councils!

·         No to the Denominational Board!

·         But to God!

 

A.  I will give account to God of what I have done (Preached).

 

B.  I will give account to God of every soul to whom he has sent me.

 

1.       For some of you I will give account with joy.

2.       For some of you I will give account with grief!

 

Application:  Acts 20:26-27