Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-31

two small words as" and so as
found in the text, are very significant
"As my Father hath sent me, even so
send | you" 1t is not for US to ex-
anime into the counsels of eternity,
but we know there was a purpose in
the sending of Jesus Christ to TINS
earth on the part of the father, and a
Willingness to perform that mission
by the Son, who said: Il am come to
do thy will, o God" There are three
phases of the mission of Jesus Christ
that may help the Christian to under
stand what his mission is.
1. Jesus was sent to exemplify a per-
fectly holy life. We may indeed say
that God wanted to show the world
that there could be a perfect life IN
one wearing the human body. Jesus
asked in his great microscopy prayer
that his disciples might be sanctified
through the truth, that is, made holy
While we cannot get along without
the atonement of Jesus Christ by
death, we cannot get on without this
holy life. Jesus challenged his enc
mics to charge him with any sin. and
their testimony is on record. that
they could find no fault with him. The
moral glory of Jesus Christ is n OF
the best testimonies to the genuine
ness of his mission.
The mission of his disciples is like
wise to exemplify holiness. 1t must
not be negative only, the avoiding OF
evil, but it must be positive. and will
come out in making the Word Of God
the guide of life. in prayer, in medita-
ton and in a correct outward deport.
ment according to Gods law.
2, The mission of Jesus Christ was
also that of saving. 1t is true that
we may think of Christ as saving us
by dying for us on the cross. thus
making a substitutionary sacrifice. but
it must not be forgotten that while
he was upon earth he was a soul-wfn'
ner. He did not seem to be success
ful in his popular preaching. He gath
ered his disciples one by one; he won
the woman Of Samaria, Zaccheus and
Bartimeus. He sought the people
those straying on the mountains o.
sin. His disciples In these days mus
remember that this work of saving is
In a sense, their chief mission. II the
church would arise in its mission, the
entire world of mankind would soor
be brought into submission to Jesus
Christ. Yet, not possibly n u o.
ten is a recognized soul-saver. Wa
might ask in establishment, Why II
this, as the burden of responsibility II
this text rests on Christians, and tht
promises of success are abundant?
3. Jesus Christ was sent to suffer II
the flesh, so are his disciples. We cal
never think Of Jesus Christ as hilari
ous or lackadaisical, but as sorrowful
burdened with the sins of the entir'
world. He was poor, and did not know
where to lay his head, had not homo
in his own country, was despised an
rejected of men. He worked inces
sanity, though hungry and thirsty ant
weary, and at last in early life wa
cruelty put to death.
His disciples are also to suffer. We
most of them seek their W ease, ant
congratulate themselves that they ar
escaping poverty, hunger, and oppc
sition of men. Jesus Christ was mol
as John the Baptist, clothed will
camel's hair, and otherwise a denizel
Of the wilderness, but in the midst o
civilization he did not take advantag
of its conveniences and luxuries
Would not the suffering that his dis
ciples today should endure by willin
poverty, soon give the gospel to ever
SHINING man upon the face OF IN
earth, and thus hasten the coming Q
the Lord? Sometimes we are Gale
to suffer pain and sickness. not cor
nected with our work. May this no
be Gods method of purifying us? Hoy
few there are upon this earth tia
would be worthy of walking in the fui
mace of suffering with the son OF Goo
the fourth one in the fire! Christian
now are g~rovelfng, they are living 2
the limits of their privileges. Wn
should they not rise to the higher icy
els of privilege and experience? In
answer to this question might be tina
they are not willing to live the III
that Christ lived, receiving the al
nroyal of God: they are not willing
Give themselves to ~soul-saving. an
- willing IN suffer for his sake.