登陆注册
5201500000104

第104章

A Consecrated Ministry.

In His life and lessons Christ has given a perfect exemplification of the unselfish ministry which has its origin in God.God does not live for Himself.By creating the world, and by upholding all things, He is constantly ministering to others."He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45.

This ideal of ministry the Father committed to His Son.Jesus was given to stand at the head of humanity, by His example to teach what it means to minister.His whole life was under a law of service.He served all, ministered to all.

Again and again Jesus tried to establish his principle among His disciples.

When James and John made their request for pre-eminence, He said, "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28.

Since His ascension Christ has carried forward His work on the earth by chosen ambassadors, through whom He speaks to the children of men and ministers to their needs.The great Head of the church superintends His work through the instrumentality of men ordained by God to act as His representatives.

The position of those who have been called of God to labor in word and doctrine for the upbuilding of His church, is one of grave responsibility.

In Christ's stead they are to beseech men and women to be reconciled to God, and they can fulfill their mission only as they receive wisdom and power from above.

Christ's ministers are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to their care.Their work has been likened to that of watchmen.In ancient times sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities, where, from points of vantage, they could overlook important posts to be guarded, and give warning of the approach of an enemy.Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within.At stated intervals they were required to call to one another, to make sure that all were awake and that no harm had befallen any.The cry of good cheer or of warning was borne from one to another, each repeating the call till it echoed round the city.

To every minister the Lord declares: "O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me.When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it,...thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 33:7-9.

The words of the prophet declare the solemn responsibility of those who are appointed as guardians of the church of God, stewards of the mysteries of God.They are to stand as watchmen on the walls of Zion, to sound the note of alarm at the approach of the enemy.Souls are in danger of falling under temptation, and they will perish unless God's ministers are faithful to their trust.If for any reason their spiritual senses become so benumbed that they are unable to discern danger, and through their failure to give warning the people perish, God will require at their hands the blood of those who are lost.

It is the privilege of the watchmen on the walls of Zion to live so near to God, and to be susceptible to the impressions of His Spirit, that He can work through them to tell men and women of their peril and point them to the place of safety.Faithfully are they to warn them of the sure result of transgression, and faithfully are they to safeguard the interests of the church.At no time may they relax their vigilance.Theirs is a work requiring the exercise of every faculty of the being.In trumpet tones their voices are to be lifted, and never are they to sound one wavering, uncertain note.Not for wages are they to labor, but because they cannot do otherwise, because they realize that there is a woe upon them if they fail to preach the gospel.Chosen of God, sealed with the blood of consecration, they are to rescue men and women from impending destruction.

The minister who is a co-worker with Christ will have a deep sense of the sacredness of his work and of the toil and sacrifice required to perform it successfully.He does not study his own ease or convenience.He is forgetful of self.In his search for the lost sheep he does not realize that he himself is weary, cold, and hungry.He has but one object in view--the saving of the lost.

He who serves under the bloodstained banner of Immanuel will have that to do which will call for heroic effort and patient endurance.But the soldier of the cross stands unshrinkingly in the forefront of the battle.As the enemy presses the attack against him, he turns to the stronghold for aid, and as he brings to the Lord the promises of the word, he is strengthened for the duties of the hour.He realizes his need of strength from above.The victories that he gains do not lead to self exaltation, but cause him to lean more and more heavily on the Mighty One.Relying upon that Power, he is enabled to present the message of salvation so forcibly that it vibrates in other minds.

He who teaches the word must himself live in conscious, hourly communion with God through prayer and a study of His word, for here is the source of strength.Communion with God will impart to the minister's efforts a power greater than the influence of his preaching.Of this power he must not allow himself to be deprived.With an earnestness that cannot be denied, he must plead with God to strengthen and fortify him for duty and trial, and to touch his lips with living fire.All too slight is the hold that Christ's ambassadors often have upon eternal realities.If men will walk with God, He will hide them in the cleft of the Rock.Thus hidden, they can see God, even as Moses saw Him.

同类推荐
  • 皇明典故纪闻

    皇明典故纪闻

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 征南录

    征南录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 望诊遵经

    望诊遵经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 雕菰楼词话

    雕菰楼词话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说大乘入诸佛境界智光明庄严经

    佛说大乘入诸佛境界智光明庄严经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 逆天命:问梦情

    逆天命:问梦情

    她,一出生就被抛弃在柴房内,只因她出生时额间有一个胎记,却因胎记被称为祸星。与她同一天出生的姐姐却与她过着不一样的生活。一开始忍气吞声,却在她新婚之夜被陷害坠崖。三年后归来,还继续被陷害?哼!她从来就不是什么善男信女。要比狠?她可以狠到让人头皮发麻。陷害她?她可以反将一军,让你死的不知为何。哼,俗话说的好,人挡杀人,佛挡是杀佛!无意间捡到一枚玉佩,却牵扯出神魔人三界的残酷历史,她从此惹祸上身。她在所有人眼里便是个让人头疼的女子,谁拿她都没办法。当她用上某个妖孽时,却头皮发麻。
  • Soldier, Brother, Sorcerer (Of Crowns and Glory—Bo

    Soldier, Brother, Sorcerer (Of Crowns and Glory—Bo

    "Morgan Rice has come up with what promises to be another brilliant series, immersing us in a fantasy of valor, honor, courage, magic and faith in your destiny. Morgan has managed again to produce a strong set of characters that make us cheer for them on every page.…Recommended for the permanent library of all readers that love a well-written fantasy."--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (regarding Rise of the Dragons).SOLDIER, BROTHER, SORCERER is book #5 in Morgan Rice's bestselling epic fantasy series OF CROWNS AND GLORY, which begins with SLAVE, WARRIOR, QUEEN (Book #1).
  • 泛娱乐明星

    泛娱乐明星

    梦中也能天上掉馅饼,平凡而普通的宅男得到了来自全民娱乐的外星球最高科技。对于娱乐圈一无所知的菜鸟就这样一头扎进了娱乐圈,却走上了娱乐圈中不务正业的不归路……
  • 母皇系统之千基变

    母皇系统之千基变

    一次有预谋的意外,让主角完整的融合了一只虫族母皇,成为拥有母皇基因改造系统的新人类,从此开始了在异界彪悍的升级之旅。 母皇,所有生物基因的终极处理器,打造完美肉体武装的无上神器。 豹之爪,虎之牙,鹰之翼,龙之息,比蒙之力,神灵之威…… 所有强大的生物基因,都是我手中的音符,我用它们谱写最华丽热血的战斗乐章。 千基变的乐章已经奏响,让我们开战吧! _______________________________________________________ 新书《卖主角的小主神》书号3385777,已开,欢迎大家欣赏
  • 成就一生的理财计划

    成就一生的理财计划

    如果你有大笔的财富但却缺少科学的理财计划,将是可悲又可惜的,因为财富自身并不会增长。理财专家不止一次地告诉我们:“1000万元有1000万元的投资方法,1000元也有1000元的理财方式。就算一个人收入不高,他的收入除应付日常生活开销外所剩无几,只要他能根据自己的收入进行有效规划,合理支出每一分钱,仍能用有限的收入换得更好的生活。” 无论你的家庭处于哪一社会阶层,善于理财都很重要。也许你会认为自己是没钱的阶层,根本没必要去理财。事实上,工薪一族更应学会科学理财,相对有限的资金更需要进行精心规划,合理安排。说得更通俗一点,就如即使粗茶淡饭,也有一个营养搭配的问题一样。
  • 马云工作法

    马云工作法

    你看到了马云在媒体前的高调,却没有看到他在工作中的低调务实;你看到了阿里不断涌现的精英,却没有看到马云在工作中如何巧妙地管人用人;你看到了马云在管理中的毫不留情,却没有看到他对企业价值观的培育。这是一次对马云工作方法的全方位解读,《马云工作法》为你还原一个真实的马云,全部干货、实招、超大信息量大。——如果你错过了这本书,错过的将是一堂可能帮助你走向成功的管理课!
  • 异想天开系统

    异想天开系统

    九重人格,各自为政,厮杀争斗,这是楚风的宿命。本源人格,仍有正邪灵魂之分,此消彼长,阴暗,吞噬…… 不是阴谋,不是考验,只不过是人心而已…… 万千时空,繁多星系,千万名宿主逐鹿,既分胜负,也决生死! 他是一个莫名其妙的家伙,这是一个莫名其妙的故事,仅此而已!!!
  • 庶女锦途之言妃传

    庶女锦途之言妃传

    超级女祭师意外穿越成为大煌朝相府废材庶女,醒来就面对渣男的休书,嫡姐们的冷言嘲讽,幸亏祭师本领言灵术和控心术跟随灵魂而来,一言扫阴霾,两语灭渣渣!穿越重生,改变命运!虐待姐?姐能让你梦靥缠身!讥讽姐?姐能让你当众出丑!雇凶杀姐?姐让你作茧自缚!曾经弱不禁风、人见人欺的废材变成可以呼风唤雨的响当当人物,渣男回心转意!对不起,过了那个村就没那个店了!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 黄帝内经排毒护体养生

    黄帝内经排毒护体养生

    毒是万瘸之源,养生祛病先排毒。远离各种体毒,身轻体健不怕老。《黄帝内经排毒护体养生》精选中医特效排毒法,教你轻轻松松清体抗毒。其主要内容包括认识体内毒素、饮食排毒法、体质排毒法、五行生克排毒法等。
  • 轻花昫

    轻花昫

    妖和人,终是无法相恋的吧?不管再怎么努力,再怎么付出,终归会形同陌路。从今天开始,我要把自己的心埋在很深很深的地方,直到自己也忘却那段感情。