Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-16
Progressive Christians
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD W. TOMkINS.
IRNlt IL IbNlHr
Text. II. Peter 8. Ill.

y Christian who does not grow in
his Christianity is not only poor
Christian. he is dead Christian.
Wherever there is life there must be
growth. Each day should mark prog
rcas in love and faith and works.
Zach mo"uue We should awake with
"a desire hnd determination 10 live that
day nearer 10 God. Sometimes We can
hardly mark our progress Christian
growth ss like In. seed of which our
Lord SPEAKS lSt. Mark ~. 26-21) wc
cannot tell how II advances. But NC
do know that If try to live as God
would have us, and If we use the bless
nGs which lie has provided for our
spiritual observation-disclosures dear old
blessings. prayer. Bible. church wor-
snip and scrvice-wc must surely
grow. We cannot remain the same or
20 backward. And, indeed. the desire
for growth is II necessity. Even in
worldly affairs does not ma X "a
progress unless he has so keen a desire
10 be successful that he uses every
means and puts forth every energy.
Much more in the life which God asks
us TO live there must be a great long
ing 10 do better and be better. AS
ptration IL the Thermometer of the
christian II 1t is low. tho Christian, is
failing: II II is high. he is progressing
MUST Not BE DISCOURAGED
ny TEMPTATION AND FAILURES
We must not be discouraged by the
temptations failures with which
satan tries 10 defeat US Life il =,
struggle 1t is like climbing It noun
tain: We may lose our way we may
lhIl and suffer hurt, we may slip back .
ward a little: but if We keep on these
trials cannot defeat US. They really
make US stronger, for they excite our
determination to reach the summit |
love those lines OF j. G. Holland. They
picture iife's growth in way easily
understood;
Heaven is not reached a, a single
bound
But We build the ladder by which NC
climb
From the Lowry earth TO the locy
skies
And We noun, to its summit, round
Yes. 1t is the earnest and persIs,on,
man who tight. OH and is never dis
Outraged. who believes his Lords
words. lie that shall endure 90 the
ana dehes Satanic ii IS tina, shall a,
last receive The crown OF victory
ms progress must first Of ali DO
,l"ne ia our own personal lives My
ia't" ana my love must be nolirishcd
ana made to grow. and my s,udv az
600 5 word must he constant, "Rihj,.
IN mana and IN heart" must be the err.
OF The earnest Christian have ~,
"ou"' Ihhi the attempts mad" in "hiuh
'-''cr'. that l.. III The ul,iver. ..I,.t .
seminaries where German ,b.olnt.y ~
ns.n followed. to discrcdit the EIhIa
have been one Of the ,.us.. g., -
Mur ia which the worlh is now en-
Kin. ,,t''i % puohs ana 'nasa-
have been IN. "x,,ini.i',' S"i'hr!'*s .
and The den al. Of ~. ~ ~. "e,cs.e s
DISTINCT ATTEMPT TO
TURN MEN AGAINST ulu!i:
''''' seems TO have been side ~.
s'ne Win our missionary work ana IL,
,,, +" 81 our Hiblc societies. Il distin 81,
at'ehpt TO turn men against tho H1nl,
"l Goa; and even the chris, In -,
n" "ou "ho came 10 live tn. human
i"u |" iiEht its battles ana finally
10 "'e 'or The SINS Of the yvorld. In.
or 80" 49, human Hero only on.
" many who was put to dea,h h..
."uSe lie Was NOT Appreciated If
u'" E!"" IN m! spiritual life mus,
an these denals and without
70 answer them must de-
and in "a ,,u ~, nm who died Tor ni.
;,, 'u 'He hib!c which declares H.
WIZ Tor me. If | am no, sur. ,a,
",'S inc truth OF Christianity Tenn,
90 much to convince Others or T..
n "a. "0''o 10 grow better. Tool.
nuS' &c s:iarpcned hc!or. they r,.
Ut inc lamp mus, have oil or cInc
"ath OF Il before it can shin.
ny darkness What is needed in
US "as ana generation is strong per
,;osne, Ia ~ "hlth h"ids 70 the old
- ose !a 10 Jesus christ the worlds
he wnrd "a tu 20 inc Bible. which is
"oiu oi COO.
"""HEss SHOULD BE
MADE IN CIuRCu ,,,
Progress sbou,, . LIZ l.
,hurch Iife o. pe made in our
ng all they ought - da arc not do
eh 10 christ From pulpit and new
nrinr 80 sue modern crusade 10
.omneI - me cross We ought to
endeaxo men n, TO come in by the earnest
reach the mass tn'sesr and people to
vho 10, ~ masses or unchurched folk
,,so go, no, GOD. And the church
serninr Tho 90 60 positive stand CON
n.ndm ' heepihg of Gods com
:ai books We ~, snd ,hrouEh the propheti- /.
necessary obscrvar"s Fnthss about the
SEQ J., L.; vance OF the Sabbath