Smyrna times., 1962-12-06
3

stand sill7 Correct doctrines
printed In beautifully bound
volumes are of little value m-
less they are converted into
spiritual impulses that lead to
soul-saving evangelism. The
lord of the vineyard was not so
much interested In straight
rows as he was In fruit. To-
day the Christ is looking for
spiritual advance which brings
men to Christ In full and COM
plete surrender. New and
beautiful church buildings can
not meet the demands of the
Christ for fruit.
The owner of the talents said
nothing of the quality of the
vessels with which the faithful
stewards brought to him the
increased talents. He CON-
mended them for their faith
fulness and for the increase.
He condemned the unfaithful
steward not for the way he
preserved the talent, but be-
cause he had no increase.
Beautiful forms of worship
that are barren of spiritual
power are an abomination to
God. Far too many church SER
vices are like Rachel, Jacobs
wife, beautiful but barren.
Foundations need to be ex-
amined, smoldering embers of
faith retired, and determined
advance made In spiritual use
fulness at whatever cost.
Vance Hamer says, "We are
so afreid of extremes until we
are gutfry of the worst extre-
mism Of all--the extremism
of impotence, so afraid that we
will get out on a limb that we
never get up the tree."
If we would forget which
button we wear, which Paul or
Apollos or Cephas we are lined
up with, and remember Calvary,
remember the losmess of men,
and consider the horros of ct
ernity without Christ, our whole
outlook on evangelistic advance
would be changed.
The spiritual advance needed
is one that will stop the flood
tides of sin which threaten to
kengulf the world. A spiritual
advance that will restore
the love for chastity and purity
that will be thoroughly discont-
ented with deadly Journalism,
is long overdue.
We need a spiritual advance
that will create sin conscious
ness and the ability to discrim-
mate between right and wrong.
We need a spiritual advance
born in prayer, perpetuated by
prayer, and empowered by the
Holy Ghost. And, there can be
no spiritual advance that is not
inspired and led and empowered
by the Holy Ghost. Make way
for the Holy Ghost; He will
bring the advance. He will thrust
Christians out from behind
closed doors, out from COM
placent self-admiration soci-
cites, out after the lost. The
Holy Ghost will convince men of
sin, not sin In general but sin
In particular, the sin buried
deep In the mans own heart,
and compel him to cry out,
"What must | do to be saved2"
If we are to see the spiritual
advance desired:
We must love God more than
we love pleasure.
There must be no confidence
In the flesh, but absolute con-
fidence In God.
The soul must be filled with
the blessing of zeal rather than
the bitterness of defeat.
If we have been selfish. sloth-
full, cold. Indifferent. we must
confess 1t and implore Almighty
God to cast out of our life the
spirit that created such con-
dition.
Under the amounting of the
Holy Spirit, let our churches
| go In for summer tent and tab
ernacle meetings in the country
places, in unchurched and
neglected parts of the cities.
Let our youth leaders and
ministers direct services In
parks, jails and on the streets
of the crowded cities.
The situation is desperate.
Wickedness rises about us like
an arrogant tyrant who will not
be satisfied until all bow before
his will. To be completely self
satisfied Is criminal In the face
of the present situation.
Some are so afraid of sticking
their neck out that the shell has
grown shut. Some are so afraid
of taking stand that no longer
do they know which stand to take.
1t Is time for a spiritual ad-
vance In the name of the Lord.
We go against the multitude and
claim victory through the name
of our Christ.