Evening journal., 1916-01-17
Matt. xii: 10. ~One is your master,
even Christ"

Wdits AAtls W. uht - 3NuA A""'t'As
even Christ"
Every great revival in the history
of Christianity has centered about
some supreme truth. some truth that
before may have been believed by the
church. but had never received the
emphasis that its importance had de-
served. Just as many a star may
have fitted across the telescope field
of vision. but not until the astrono-
mer focuses his lens upon that parti-
cular object. does its magnitude ap-
pear.
The great religious awakening un-
der the leadership of Martin Luther,
emphasized the principle Of jusuhca-
ton by faith. This was truth that
the church had always accepted, but
il was not until Luther was ascend
ing. on his knees, the sacred stair
wav at Rome. that this truth came
TO him in its full meaning. II marked
the beginning of the Reformation.
Likewise the revival led by Jonathan
Edwards emphasized the truth OF the
sovereignty OF God. The awakening
under the Wesleys and Whitfield,
which gave birth to great religious
denomination brought into the fore
ground another great truth. the work
of the Holy Spirit in His regenerating.
witnessing and sanctifying power.
The great evangelist. Charles G. Fin
ney. placed the emphasis upon sun
another truth. the responsibility or
choice. And in the great religious
movement under d. L. Moody and his
associates, in the generation Just
closed. the work centered about still
another great principle. the doctrine
Of grace" For by grace are ye saved
through faith"
Now if we are to have another great
spiritual revival can we not expect
to follow in the line Of history and
bring into the forefront some other
religious truth that has never yet re-
ceived the emphasis that II deserves.
Any principle, to be the handspring or
a great revival. must meet many
strong and definite tests. First of all
il must be scriptural, appealing to all
classes aud conditions Of religious
teachers. as absolutely based upon the
Word of God. In the next place II
must be comprehensive, both in its
grasp of truth, and appealing TO all
classes Of people. In the next place
il must be unifying tending not to
separate believers, but TO draw them
closer together. And lastly, any
principle, to be the dynamic of a great
religious awakening must be practi-
cal, applicable to present day condi-
tions and needs, and effective in pro-
ducing a higher type Of religious life
and achievement.
Have We any principle that will
meet these tests? I believe we have
il in the truth of the Lordship OF
Jesus. There are many who have ac-
cepted Jesus as their Savior from the
guilt of sin. but who have never re-
ceived Him as the Lord and Master OF
/ their entire lives This truth has
before been accepted by the church
it has been incorporated into oui
creeds, our prayers and our hymns
| Yet in the past it has been regarded
more in theory than in reality.
Let us note how this principle OF
the kingship of Christ meets these
strong tests. First of all. it is scrip
tural. I care not to what page oi
the Bible you turn. you will find there
written the "Lordship of Jesus Fol
example. in Genesis xix; 10. "ThC
sceptre shall not depart from Judah
/ nor the law-giver from between his
feet. until Shiloh come" Isaiah
/ tx: 81: For unto us a child is born
unto us a son is given; and the gov
ernment shall be upon his shoulder
and his name shall be called Won
derful. Counsellor. the mighty God
the everlasting Father. the Prince ol
! Peace. or the increase Of his govern
ment and peace there shall be nc
end" While there are many passages