Show THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL not a human preference but of god BY D JOHN humanity have always endeavored to invent religion of their own and aa one man has an equal right with another to this invention we have in this day a great variety of out any power religion must come from the higher to the lower from god to man this is the channel of dicino authority and is the only channel in which the power exists hence it is the only trustworthy and final on which man can venture his all in the pursuit of truth that leads to eternal life the ministry of the gospel is not of human preference but is of gods appointment it is not to bo chosen as a matter of business but a calling from on high to be received so it is represented in divine history in every dispensation of god to man wo find that the purity of this calling was particularly guarded from fraud and corruption no man took this honor unto himself but ho that was called of god as was aaron iander the new testament desus said to his disciples e have not chosen me ant I 1 have chosen you again pray ye the lord of the harvest that he bend forth laborers into the harvest As christ walked by the sea of galilee he saw simon and andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers and jesus said unto them come ye after me and I 1 will make you to become fishers of men they forsook all and followed him in consequence of this willing submission to the divine commission christ said unto them verily I 1 say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall eai in the chrono of hii glory ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of israel when christ found philip ho called him saying follow me he immediately responded without any argument or discussing tha question and the spirit of the call fell upon him with a demonstration of knowledge and divine testimony and when he found nathaniel he said unto him we have found him of whom moses in the law and the prophets did write jesus of nazareth the son of joseph jesus saw nathanael coming to him and saith of him behold an israelite indeed in whom is no guile na athanael saith unto him whence thou me jesus answered and said unto him before that philip called thee wr en thou wast under the fig tree I 1 saw thee nathaniel answered and said fabbi thou art the son of god thou art the king of israel jesus answered him saying verily verily I 1 say unto you hereafter ye shall see heaves open and the angels of god ascending and upon the son ot god the heart of the honest met before a ministry so powerful these men were prepared for the call their hearts were sincere they have truth they seem to be converted to the necessity of the mission of the i of god find the necessity of a reformation in the midst of the apostate tribes of israel tho christian nations so called profess much personal piety at present but this profession is no proof of the divinity of their mission tho ministry of the gospel is one of reconciliation between god and men and the key word of authority must be given sealed and ratified aby divine faion t is nota matter of choice it is the gift of gud such is the condition of the ministry of Chris tSuch a reconciliation is possible now lor time and eternity since the authority has been restored to men by an holy angel this ministry also does not depond on the divine commission alone to make it impressive to man and accepted of god but it needs the constant and ever abiding ministry of the holy spirit to operate cooperate co to bear witness of the truth to inspire nen to teach and the people to understand der stand and know the voice of the true shepherd by a knowledge conferred beyond the possibility of a doubt demonstrated by the force of evidences that cannot be removed or shaken and which no power can confer but god only without these qualifications how dare a mortal man assume the ministry of our lord and savior knowledge of the commission being duly conferred should not fully satisfy cor justify the elders to preach to others bat the lion of the spirit and power of god is necessary to accompany their ministry this is the most important import act mission ever conferred upon man to beseech men in christs stead to be reconciled to god this is the highest duty of man to his fellow man and to bis god after a man is reconciled he still needs to be fed and nourished with the broad of life this is a most important part of the ministry to care for the church is is evinced in one of the last commissions christ gave to peter feed my sheep the appeal is the highest from the head of the church to accomplish com which effectually requires thought culture and devotion it involves truth inspiration and purity of character paul charged timothy study to show thyself approved un to god a workman that reedeth not ba ashamed rightly divining the word of god in truth but bahun profane and vain for they will increase unto more ungodliness and their word will eat as doth a canker but refuse profane and old wives fables and exercise thyself rather unto godliness he exhorted titus thus this witness is true wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith not giving heed to jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth this advice is worthy the attention of the ministry in all times it is their duty to administer the revealed word of god rather than lose much time in discussing dogmas with men who are not in search after truth the servants of christ are sent out to preach the truth not to be taught false doctrine to convert the world from sin not to be converted to false impressions the servants of god should strive to be growing ia knowledge in usefulness in purity to be effectual for good among men and putting away childish things theology embraces all knowledge and makes all things subservient to its promotion its mission is truth and life and these are the tidings that her ministers should herald to the world for they are the ambassadors of god to men and should be clothed with knowledge and righteousness their time should not be wasted in uncertainties and fears but fully devoted to their high calling as ministers of the gospel which is the power f god to save sanctify and exalt mankind the ministry of the gospel implies much more than merely public speaking it has more comprehensive meaning it indicates services of endless definition services of a charitable character which has never been portrayed by any pen seen by any eye nor thought of in any human beail it has to be rendered in the duties changes and developed in daily life and as every day gives birth to new experiences it has to do and enter into the actions of men and their fellowship with each other resulting from varied experiences the minister who officiates as a peace maker often finds co hag on record by which he may be enabled by the light of the past to form his conclusions in giving advice in the matter he is entirely left to his own judgment and is dependent un the spirit of god to aid him in a fair just and righteous opinion between the contending parties duties of this nature assume endless forms and will claim a great part of the ministers time and thought it indicates services which are endless in their contents christ told his apostles behold I 1 send you forth as sheep in the of wolves be ye therefore wise as servants and as doves he charged them not to rejoice at their mastery over men or even over spirits but rather rejoice that their names were written in heaven he also told thorn freely ye have received freely give their ministry was not given them to make them rich in property to moke gain and speculations as the world does but to save them from sin and to plant in their hearts the love of god and tho love of mankind it was not the service of ease but one of laboring and praying without ceasing it should never be overlooked that this work ia a service but one of goodwill good will and pure love to our race it is illustrated in the words of christ 1 I am among you as one that ser veth the son of man come not to be administered unto but to minister it thus becomes an obligation nay an imperative duty of his servants to serve the church his power should quicken heir spirit with a penetrating sensitiveness to study where ald whom to relieve cheer edify comfort and bless the flock this service should reach our sabbath schools primary associations and all the auxiliaries of helps and governments of the church practical work is as essential as preaching theory without the practice is useless this is the only way to make the ministry effectual the inspiration of the holy ghost is essential to combine these two factors it is an everlasting duty to feed tho flock of god which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind neither as being lords over gods heritage but being examples to the flock humility end should characterize the ministers of the gospel private life Ye aall of you be subject one to another and be clothed with hu milty for god resi the proud and grace to the humble |