The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-02-09


Service for Christ has not always
been as impressive and effective as
1t should be because it has lacked
conviction and spiritual power. God
did not intend 1t to be the weak and
faltering thing that 1t often is, be-
cause of our failure to 60 Gods way.
The sending out Of the twelve had
special significance, and yet It
brings forth principles which have
bearing on the service Of every
believer in Christ.
The Servants Of Christ
l. Have Divine Commission (10:
I, 5~8).
The twelve disciples had already
been called into the Lords service.
Now they were to be prepared for
the service which was ahead. Il
was time Of commissioning and
improvement for service.
God calls men today to serve Him.
In fact, there is very real sense
In which every Christian is called to
serve. Let no one try to excuse him
self from that responsibility and
privilege.
To some comes a special call to
leave their accustomed daily work
and launch out into a broader serv-
Ice for Christ. When that time
comes, we may go forth with the
assurance that the power Of a divine
Saviour goes with us. The twelve
disciples had some special powers
which we do not have and do not
need. God suits the power to the
need, and that means that in every
circumstance we may look to Him
with assurance, and 60 on.
One Of our difficulties in dealing
with such matters as spiritual power
is that we interpret the things Of the
realm Of the spirit by physical stand
ards and measurements. We are so
quick to say II cannot" on the basis
of our logical human reasoning,
when an appreciation of the power
Of God which is operative on our
behalf would make us say with con-
fidence, 81 can" But, sadly enough,
having left God out of our reckon
ing, we find that it is indeed true
that we cannot.
Serving Christ means doing SO in
His power, and with His grace upon
us. Nothing less will do! Nothing
more is needed
ii. Declare a Divine Revelation
(11:1, 25-27).
The messengers responsibility
and Importance are largely deter
mined by the nature of the mes
sage he has to convey. Particularly
is that true where the message must
pass through his personality and thus
be proclaimed. The nations Of the
earth choose their most able men
to be their ambassadors and grant
them full power.
The glorious thing about being a
messenger for God is that we carry
no ordinary communication. What
we have to present is far above the
most important message any earth
ly ambassador could possibly have
to carry.
We, the children and servants Of
God through Jesus Christ, have
something direct from the throne Of
God. He has revealed it ". 25),
and 1t seemed good in His sight to
give it to those who had the childlike
faith to believe Him.
Gods revelation is hidden from
those who are wise in their own con-
ceits, who are too proud to come by
way Of humility and faith. Thank
God, some of the wise and mighty
of this world have been willing to
become as little children and learn
at the feet of Jesus.
The encouraging thing about it is
that the door is open to the SIM
plest believer to trust God, to take
the revelation of Gods truth in His
word, and give it out with grace and
power.
III. Extend a Divine Invitation
(11:28-30).
"Come"-what blessed word for
the needy and SINFUL They are not
to be shut out by their sin, nor to be
hindered by their weakness. The
door is open, and the invitation is
to come. Why not respond?
To whom are they to come? To
Jesus. There are times when men
can help us, when friends or church
officers or the pastor can give us an
uplifting word of counsel and en-
couragement. But for salvation, for
a real lifting of the burden from the
shoulders of those shat labor and
are heavy laden" there is no one
like Jesus.
We are privileged to invite people
to Jesus, knowing that if they
"learn" of Him ". 29), they will
not only have their loads lifted and
find rest, but will enter into a bless
ed yoke, fellowship with Him in life
and service.
His is a wholesome or a kindly
yoke. That is the meaning Of
''easy" in verse 30. 1t Is not always
easy to serve Christ, but being yoked
with Him in kindly fellowship
Of service makes the burden light.
The world is full of tired and dis
couraged people. We who know
Christ have the adequate answer to
their mead Shall we mt on in His