Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-03-21

those days laid an eyer-increasing bur
den on the small company Of the apos-
ties. In the sixth chapter OF Acts we
find very urgent and definite need
for additional helpers to care for the
temporal affairs Of the growing
church. The company Of the believ-
} ess Was called together. The apostles
addressing them said; 1T is not pleas
ing that we should forsake the word
Of God, and serve tables. Look ye
out therefore, brethren, from among
you, seven men Of good report, full Of
the Spirit and Of wisdom, whom we
may appoint over this business" And
the saying pleased the early church
and seven Of their number were
chosen and set apart for this service.
In the case Of two Of these-stephen
and Phlllp-thelr service was so con-
spicuously honored Of God that they
seem to have outshone, for a time at
least, the apostles themselves. Their
service was not confined to the serving
OF tables, but their evangelistlc efforts
we're greatly honored Of God.
The reason these two were go mani
testify used of God was due at least
in part 70 the fact that they were
men possessing the characteristics Of
the man God can use. Note that they
were men
l. OF good report; meu OF unsullled
reputation. A mans reputation is not
his character. but It usually reflects
his character. Paul tells Titus (1:7l
that "the bishop must be blameless,
as Gods steward" In other words
he must be Of good report. How care.
fully we all need TO guard our daily
lives so that men will never question
what our lives stand for.
2,Qt faith-"And they chose Ste
phen, man full of falthi" ESQ.
No spiritual enterprise can long
succeed apart from faith. Anyone
who would be servant Of God must
please God and this is impossible
apart from faith (Heb. 11:6). The
basis Of faith is a knowledge of the
Word CRom. 10:1T, and a knowledge
Of God-personal acquaintance with
God.
8. Filled with the splrlt-"Look ys
out men full Of the Spirit
=. :" (s:9).
In the Old Testament frequent ref
erence Is made to men upon whom the
Spirit came. Gods Spirit seems to have
been given in large measure to pre-
pare or equip those called for special
service Gods plan does not change:
so today the man God can use is the
Spirit-flled man. The Spirit Is the
active agent In regeneration. We are
sanetiHed--set apart-by the Spirit
The life must first be cleansed before
II becomes a vessel meet for the Mas
ter's use. The Spirit also reveals
Gods purpose and will, We are called
by the Spirit into His service. We
know Gods mind through His Spirit
Il Cor. 2:11).
4. Led Of the Spirit. None will
doubt that Stephen-the first Christian
witness who sealed his testimony with
his blood-was one who followed the
leadership OF the Spirit in his life.
Note the same fact in the life Of
Philip. "The Angel Of the Lord spake
until Philip. saying, arise and go.
And He arose and went" 1920.
Again, "And the Spirit said unto Phil
lp, Go near. and join myself to this
chariot. And Philip ran to him" Is 20,
sO9.
Being obedlent to the Spirit means
that one is not self-wiIled, that he is
ready to leave popularity for a humble
service, to leave the crowd for the In
dlvidual service, to be made OF no
reputation for His sake, only that His
all-wise plan may be worked out.
In this day when Gods call for men
is clear, is II not fitting that we should
recall these fundamental qualities OF
the man God can use and ask our
selves II we can meet Gods require
ments, and If not, why notf
The call of the hour is for men sRd
women of good report, full offfaith,
filed with the Holy Spirit, Submissive
to the leadership of the Spirit Such
a life cannot fail 10 be blessed indi-
vldually and personally and be used
Of God in bringing blessing to others.
What will be the record Of your life
read by yourself--five hundred years
from now? You may make 1t what