The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-02-19

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works, and glorify your Father which IS in
Observation-Disclosures SIG
God is sovereign and has all pow
er. He might, therefore, perform
His works without the help of man,
and on many an occasion He does
just that
That fact makes it all the more
glorious that He ordinarily works
through men, giving to them the
privilege of companionship with
Him in service. Sinful and weak
though they may have been, they
become strong and holy in Him,
able to do valiant service in His
name.
l. Appointed to Serve Christ wv.
12-19),
1t is the constant teaching of
Scripture that those called to serve
God are not sef-appointed. They
are
l. Chosen by Him (vv u, 49,. He
chooses whom He will, gives them
the gifts and the grace for ministry
(and both are importantly, and pro-
vides them a place Of service. 1t is
vital to the servant of Christ that
he know that he has been chosen
and called of the Lord Only with
that assurance can he meet the
problems and bear the burdens of
the work,
Observe that it was after a night
of prayer that Jesus appointed the
twelve How many churches give
that much prayer to the choosing
Of its leaders? Do we not need it
far more than did our Lord?
2 Called from Many Walks Of
Life (vv 1870. The apostles were
men of widely differing gifts, tenn
pcraments, and personal character
istics. Some had unusual ability,
others apparently were of ordinary
qualifications. They were of many
occupations, fishermen, a tax gath
erer, etc; but not one was by pro-
fcsSion preacher or priest.
We're men to choose for such Of
fees they would look within the mar
row minus Oh lew learned PROBES
sions, with certain nationalities pre-
teFre0, ard with Po5llloh IN lie an
important factor. Gco cuts across
every man-made limitation and
calls His workers as He sees fit.
5. Companions in Service wv. II
19). AT once the twelve received
their introduction to service to the
great multitude diseased, demon
possessed, in spiritual need, 1t was
Jesus who healed them (and notice
that he healed them all, V. l9),
but verse II tells us that the newly
appointed apostles came and stood
with Him. They had fellowship with
the healing and serving Christ, Just
as we may have 1t IN service Tor
Him today.
II. Prepared to Live for Christ
wv. 20-26).
Service for Christ is as much (per-
hans we should saw. more) bv life
as bv ministry, The twelve needed
instruction that their spiritual per
spective might be right. He tells
them
l. How to Meet Difficulties wv.
20-23) POVERTY, hunger. weeping
being hated for Christ's sake. these
were the THINGS that Jesus knew
His servants might expect. so He
prepared them. They we're told that
these thinos need not disturb them.
for there is a kingdom coming:
there will be a time when every
hunger will be satisfied, when weep
ING shall turn to LAUGHTER.
Hatred for Christ's sake is de-
cIared 10 be the occasion for an
outburst of iov because of the re-
ward which awaits in heaven
Scrinture speaks much of rewards
and we do well 70 encourage our-
selves and other Christians bv the
blessed nrospect
Meeting difficulties is a matter
Of having mental and snirit,1aI ewes
rightly focused If we do. we can
see rioht through them and see that
nm the other side there is BLESSING
R,It thoro are foundations in a3-
other direction 81 He tells them
. How, 70 Avoid Dancers wv "a.
261 Iosus is here sneaking Of those
who lacking true spiritu9l vision
rovel in the satisfaction of worldly
massage. however. NAV well be ap-
,,1;od IN tho ,,,Crker for Cbric+ Of+o,o