The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-04-25

- Peter 5:6
The Pastor declared that the Bible
everywhere holds mp the Lord Jesus
Christ as the glorious Pattern OF what
is most pleasing to the Heavenly ia
ther, to be copied by all desiring COOS
favor. He reminded his hearers that
certain steps are necessary before any
can come into that favor, and properly
be called Gods children. Both our
Lord and His Apostles make this point
very clear.
Very few have Gods favor at the
present time. said the Pastor. In Gods
due time. however. all shall be brought
to a knowledge of Messiah. and privi-
legged through Him to enjoy everlast-
ing life But what is coming and what
is here are two different things. No
one has authority TO make the Narrow
Way Broad Way. or to say that
many will lind it. when the Scriptures
declare, Few there be that find it."
The Pastor showed clearly that his
text related only to the consecrated
few who. during this Age. heard and
accepted the invitation to become foot
step followers Of Jesus. These have
their sins forgiven as result of faith
in the precious blood of Christ. and of
conservation to do Gods will. These
have the Redeemer as their Advocate.
To These Our Text Applies.
These are exhorted to come boldly to
the Throne of Heavenly Grace. to OBJ
tain mercy and to find grace to help in
every time of need. These may know
that their prayers are always heard
The exhortations of the Apostles are
to these alone-not to the world.
In our context. the Apostle holds up
the Lord Jesus as the great Pattern
of humility. st. Paul tells us that our
Lord was rich. yet in obedience to the
Fathers will He laid aside His riches
and became poor. He Invested Him
self of His spirit conditions and took
instead human conditions.
From being above angels. He will
ingly took nature and place "a little
lower than angels" He did this. know
ing that it was only preliminary STEP
and that others of self-denial and suf-
fering would follow. A man-Adam-
had sinned, and had involved a race in
his death sentence. Only an uncon-
demned man could redeem him. 1t
was for this purpose that Jesus left
His glory. and was found in fashion
hnlu hs1ts nC
undefled. otherwise. he could not
have been the Redeemer.
At thirty years of age, our Lord went
forth, declaring the Message which
| He knew would be misunderstanding
| Message that He was the Sine Offering.
and that as the result of His sacrifice.
| the Millenniai Kingdom would come.
which would bless all the families of
| the earth The Jews were not ready
| for that Message. AS the Scriptures
foretold, they crucitied Him-ignorant-
| ly.-1 Corinthians 2:S.
The Rewards of Humility and Loyalty.
According to St Paul. the Father set
before our Lord a Joy as reward for
we may infer to be: a. The joy of the
Fathers smilesof approval. 90 The joy
of bringing many sons to glory. (3'
The Joy of. restoring mankind to theit
| original perfection IA The joy of an
exaltation to a still higher station than
His former one. See Hebrews 1918.
Since His exaltation. our Redeemel
awaits the glorious time when all foes
of righteousness shall be brought low
and righteousness. exalted. But first
must come the completion of the
Church of Christ. Then will follow the
blessing of all mankind.
Satan's Course In Contrast.
Notice the contrast between Satan's
course and our Lords Instead Oh
humbling himself and willingly doing
what was pleasing to God. Satan tool
the opnosite course. He was proud
naughty, and sought to exalt himself
Lucifer was rich before he became Sa
tan, the Adversary Yet he was not sc
rich as the Logos. through whom Di
vine energy operated in the creation.
Mark well the course of pride. which
led to sin. and will ultimately lead tc
Satan's destruction. Mark well the
course Of Jesus. which led through hu
mility to the highest glory. Which ex
ample shall we follow? What folly II
would be to permit pride to gain
/ place In our heartsI