The Grenada sentinel., 1903-09-19

wonderful thing which had. happened.
Peter Immediately said: Eye men OF
Israel. why marvel ye at this? or why
look ye so earnestly on US. as though
by our own power or holiness we had
made this man to walk . for faith
in Jesus name hath made this man
strong" The declaration in the clos
ing verse of Marks Gospel is signifl-
cant and suggestive: "And they (the
dtsciples) went forth, and preached
everywhere, THE LORD WORKING
WITH THEM AND CONFIRMING
THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOW
ING"
THE reason the disciples were to do
l greater works than their Master is
made clear by the closing words of our
text. Because 60 unto My Father"
The return of Jesus to Heaven was proof
of three glorious facts: Jesus triumph:
Gods acceptance, and mans deliver
ance. Jesus triumphed over sin and
death; God accepted the sacrifice of His
well-beloved Son for tho sin of the
world, and man was delivered from the
consequences of sin, being cleansed and
redeemed by Jesus blood and made ac-
ceptable to God in the Righteousness of
Christ. And the return of Jesus to
Heaven was the reason His disciples
were to be enabled to do greater works
than He had performed. While here in
this world in bodily form Jesus was
bound by certain limitations. But His
going to Heaven made it possible for
God to send the Holy Spirit to be every
where present in the hearts of the be-
levers and to be all-powerful. If Jesus
had remained in the world to carry ON
His work He could have been in but one
place at one time, but through the Holy
Spirit who is sent to represent Him in
the world Jesus is able to 60 everywhere
with His disciples preaching the Word,
and bringing dead souls to life. How
marvellous it all is! Greater works than
Jesus could do while on earth because
the channels through which He could
pour His power have multiplied through
the years and multitudes have been
raised from death to life. Greater
works! A Peter at Jerusalem; Philip
at Samaria; Barnabas at Antioch; a
Paul in Asia and Europe; a Luther in
Germany; a John Knox in Scotland; a
Wesley in England; Moody in Ameri-
ca, and within the last year the most re-
markable worldwide evangelistic tour
of Mr.. Torrey and Mr.. Alexander with
their over 10000 converts. Australia.
the center of the great revival move
ment, was turned into one vast choir
singing the Gospel hymns. and praising
m g 0f
grace which were wrought on every
hand. Greater works, surely!
Il
IJOW may the promise of Jesus find
/ / its realization in and through us?
l believe this promise is for the Chris
tian of to-day, for you>and me. Greater
works, because Jesus Is in Heaven d.
recting the greatest conflict of the ages
against sin, and because the Holy Spirit
is present in the world and the command
to the believer is "be filled with the
Spirit" All the rich, full and wonderful
promises of the New Testament are for
us and are to be fulfilled in US. Greater
works. but perhaps not duplication of
the works of the early church, except in
the winning of souls to Christ What
is there in connection with this text
which troubles the Christian, and makes
him question whether it's promise may
be realized in him? Is it not because
the thought has been centered upon the
material rather than the spiritual? Is
it not because the Christian has come
to exalt the power of God upon the
physical above the power of God upon
the dead and sin-blackened soul? Jesus
declared to those who were seeking for
sign that no sign should be given them.
And the Christians to-day who are seek
Ing for sign in the miraculous as tes-
ttmony to the world when no such tes-
timony is needed will be disappointed.
THE greatest miracle Is trans
i formed life. The greatest testi-
mOny for Christ is the life redeemed
and sanctif1ed. Instead of signing and
praying: Lord, Lord, where are the
greater works? Do something won
derful through me- we ought to rejoice
in a Christ powerful to save, and pray
that we might permit Him to so live in
our hearts and shine forth in our lives
as to win others to Him. Were we per-
mitted to perform miracles we might
draw the multitudes and impress them
with our power, but it would not win
them for Christ. We may have the
presence of Jesus in our Nves though
SO as to- win some soul for Christ. The
greatest thing in the world is not the
gift Of tongues or prophecy, 1t is not the
understanding of all mysteries or the
possession Of all knowledge, it is not
faith that could remove mountains. II
is not charity which would give all
earthly possessions to feed the poor, II
is not martyrdom in the name of Jesus
but the greatest thing in the world Il
love. And the greatest work in the
world Is the fruit Of that love, the win
ming Of q soul for Christ. It Is not mir
- nIA<. xvH,fnh thu vnor16