Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1947-03-15

friends, if We do wha tsoever / command
you.-John 1914
The hour had come for our Lord
final intimate words with his dis
ciples. 1t was indeed solemn, but
also a blessed, hour.
1t was the night before the dark
est day in the worlds history. On
the morrow the Son of man was to
hang on Calvary's tree for the sins
of the world-for your sins and for
mine. But for the moment he was
alone with his disciples.
The last Passover had been eaten
together, the betrayer had been dis
covered, and the Lord has told them
that he was soon to go where they
could not follow. Peter had, by his
bold self-assurance, brought forth
the prophecy of his denial.
The disciples were disturbed in
heart and mind. Then came from
the Saviour's lips the words of COM
fort, assurance and power which
have been the strength and solace
of his people through all the CEN
turtles. Our life both here and here
after is in his mighty hands.
We learn in this precious portion
of Scripture that
/. The Christian Need Not Be
Fearful GALLO.
That is indeed a good word-a
needed word! Troubled hearts are
everywhere-in the palace and in
the cottage, on land, in the air and
on the sea. There is a place of
rest, thank Godl There is One who
still speaks the majestic words,
LET not your heart be troubled,
believe in God, believe also in
me-"
+ His comfort is one which covers
the future life, for he says, Il go
to prepare a place" ". q. Concern
about future destiny is settled at
once when Christ Jesus becomes
our Lord and Saviour. We need
worry no longer. He has gone on
before to the Fathers house to pre-
pare a place for his own. When we
come to that ever-peaceful shore
we shall not come as strangers, but
as sons and daughters to a pre-
pared place in our Fathers house.
His words, 81 will come again"
". 81, gives present meaning to the
future promise. He not only pre-
pared the place. but he it is who
brings us there. The glorious hope
Of his coming again is the Chris
tian's greatest comfort and might
lest incentive to useful, holy living.
III. The Christian Need Not Be
Powerless (14:12-15).
! Christ's followers are not here in
a world of sin and need as little
group of hymn-singing weaklings,
thinking only of the day when they
shall be in a brighter land. All, yes,
they sing hymns and rejoice in
them; they look for a better land;
their weapons Of warfare are not
carnal. But weddings? Oh, no! God
uses them to do great and mighty
things for his glory.
Note the blessed words of Jesus,
HE that believeth on me" ". 12).
The army of God carries the royal
banner of faith in a living Christ.
Greater works shall he do
". 12). Jesus only began his work
on earth; its greatest development
was to be the joyous privilege of his
followers. We are ashamed that we
have not lived up to this great prom
Use, but by his grace we will do bet
ter.
''n We ask . l will do ". 14.
Someone has called this signed
blank check on all the resources of
God.
III. The Christian Need Not Be
Distressed IA: 1919.
The Holy Spirit, promised by
Christ as the abiding comforter,
came so to abide in the believer on
the day of Pentecost (Acts q.
The ministries Of the Holy Spirit
are many, but here the emphasis
is on his work as Comforter. What
a blessed and helpful ministry, and
how much needed by distressed and
disturbed souls! The Christian may
count on him - and not be dis
tressed.
Nv. The Christian Need Not Be
Detached OSLO.
What Is worse than the feeling
that one does not belong to any
one else, that one is detached
Individual! That is never true of
the believer in Christ. We are as
close to him as the branch Is to the
vine. We are in. him.
Christ Is the vine, and the be-
lever as true branch is united
with him. There is oneness here
which is difheult to express, but de-
uehtful to receive and believe. He
who is the vine needs no cleansing,
but the branch needs constant, daily
publication by the word. Are we
permitting Gods Word to keep us
clean? Only If we are reading it.
studying it, meditating upon it..
There is, moreover, a severerA type
of purging to which the husband.
man subjects the vine that it may
ber1 more richly. and that is prun-
ing ". %.
Some branches must be cut away