Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-06
CHRISTIAN SITTING.
IMPRESSIVE DISCOURSE SUNDAY
BY REV. j. ERNEST TEIACKER-

IMPRESSIVE DISCOURSE SUNDAY
BY REV. j. ERNEST THACKER-
And the Lord said Simon. Simon.
Satan has desired to have you, that He
might sift you as wheat; but L have
prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.
And when thou art converted strength
en- thy brethren" Luke Xxi, 2l-32.
The sermon of Rev. j. Ernest
Thackcr. pastor of the Second Presby-
terrain Church. Sunday morning based
upon the above text was, in part, as
follows:
These words open up to us the I'M
seen world around us and reveal two
Facts that we often forget. First, they
show us the realm of evil spirits trying,
II POSSIBLE, TO deceive the very elect.
The followers OF Christ had not been
conscious OF any special danger near
them and had seen no plottings for
their ruin, yet Christ said, Satan hath
desired to have you 10 sft you We
are taught that there is realm OF
evil and temptation near us contin-
ually. il thank God, however, that the
words give us another glimpse. Our
eyes are opened and we behold Jesus
caring for and protecting those who
put their trust in him, making inter
cession for them. We see Il divine one
watching over us. a hand almighty to
uetend and an ear for every call. And
lie who watches over Israel neither
slumbcrs or sleeps. In studying these
words. which show Christ's peculiar
care for His people, we noted: I
1.-The favoritism of Christ The
Dronoun in the first clause is plural,
while the one in the second clause is
singular. Satan was to sift them all,
Christ care for them all. but special
prayer, rs it were, was made for Peter.
Why? Not because he was the one
hplONOn- hn 10
strongest and Stablest of them all. and
the most self controlled. He was the
first save Judas to forsake and deny
the Lord In this is revealed some
thing OF our Lords character. He loves
those most who most need His love,
and comforts those most who are most
Heed of comfort. Simon was the
weakest of them all-the one most
liable to succumb under the mower Of
temDtation-and for this reason Christ
made special prayer for him. Remem-
Der the lesson; it will do you good in
the hours OF trial, temptation and
weakness. The revealed receives the
most tender care. the one in danger
the most earnest solicitude and the
weak and crippled one the most SYM
pathy. So with Chrlsts children, He
draws them nearest to His bosom when
the storms beat heaviest about them.
"II.-Noticc the kind of help the Saw
Jour gave Simon L have prayed for
thee. The greatest treasure earth can
have for us is a praying friend Bet
ter than that, however is IL praying
Saviour. who ever lives to make inter-
cession for us. He remembers each in
dividual child and says, 1 pray for
thee Before we are enSnared in the
net He sees the danger coming and
makes provision for our escape and
for our protection. L have prayed fol-
thee already. He doesn't pray that we
may not be sifted-not have the trial
but prays that Simon's faith fail not
and doesn't fail any more than the sun
falls to shine when it Is in an eclipse.
Simon's hold on Christ seemed to have
been loosed. but the firm grasp Of the
Saviour was not loosened. We are
kept by the power of God through
faith and whatever may come in the
way of trial. darkness or gloom Christ
says, j pray for thee I uphold thee,
My grace is sufficient for thee
'lII-See the effect Of this sitting on
Simoni 1t simply removed the chaff
and left the wheat The pride and tho
arrogance and the self conccit are sifted
out and after the terrible experience he
goes forth clothed in another power
than his own, to live Il noblcr and more
useful life. Such experience come to us
for our publication, that the trial of
your faith being more precious than
gold that perisheth, might be found
into praise and honor and glory at the
appearing our our Lord Jesus.
"V.--Notice, finally, that in this God
was preparing Simon to be useful to
others When thou art converted,
strengthen they brethren The word
means turned from when he turned
from his sin and denial and was re-
stored to sweet communion with Christ
-he-Aas- To hclp otharAahallt-lLu II
God blesscs us 1t is that we may be-
come blessing to others. If he saves
us il isn't that VIC may have little mar
row. stingy, selfish, shrivcled souls,
but that we may save others. Let him
that loveth say conc. If he comforts
us it is that We may follow Him who
rcioiccd with those who rcoiiccd and
wcpt with those that wept.' II He has
delivered us from temptation it is that
we may synipathiZe with and help those
who are tempted. IF any man be over
taken in Il fault We which are spiritual
restore such an one in the spirit OF
meekncss, considering thyself lest thou
also be temptcd.'