Please note that all they had to do was to go out and point men to a risen Christ, and this risen Christ, moving into their being, could produce the re sults of blessings and unlimited power. In sending these men out, Christ never gave them a second or third choir or an alternative. But it is a fascinating thought, the utter simplicity of it — no riches, no abundance of gifts, no buildings; they were armed with only great power and great grace because it was come through the witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am looking, now in the Book of Acts, chapter. 5 and this is the section where the people could not Stand this preaching of the risen Lord and as a result imprisoned the Apostles. In verse 19 we read that the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and let them go and said, “Go, stand and speak in the ■temple to the people all the words of this life.” What a concise direction for service! What a .commission! What a verse! The angelic being repeats again the commission: there is to be the one theme, the one truth — the risen Lord! I follow along now in Acts 17:18. Here Paul is preaching but this time he is not preaching to the Jews, the priests or the people. Follow with me in reading verse 18. Paul is now in Athens, “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of thé Stoics, en countered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? . . . He seemeth to be a setter of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” Now notice Carefully, that not only was this message for the religious people of the day (the Jews), but for all the philosophers. The great est philosophers of all the world were there in Athens and yet, Paul, commis sioned by Jesus Christ goes to these people. He does not deal with philoso phy or new teachings — all he brings in is this same message; he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. This is God’s answer to a religious per son, to the philosopher, or to the stu dent — whoever you may be. God has but one answer, Jesus and the power of His resurrection!
"NOTHING TO PAY" Nothing to pay? — no, not a whit; Nothing to do? — no, not a bit; .All that was needed to do or to pay, Jesus has done in His own blessed way. Nothing to settle? — all has been paid; Nothing to anger? — peace has been made; Jesus, alone, is the sinner's resource, Peace He has made by the blood of His Cross. What about death? — it hasn't a sting; The grave, to a Christian, no terror can bring — For death has been conquered, the grave has been spoiled, And every foe and enemy foiled. What about feelings? — ah! trust not to them; What of my standing? — “Who shall condemn?" Since God is for me, there is nothing so clear. From Satan and man I have nothing to fear. What of my body? — ah! that I may bring To God as a holy, acceptable thing. For that is The temple where Jesus abides, The temple where God by His Spirit resides. Nothing to pay? — no, thanks be to God, The matter is settled, the price was THE BLOOD. The Blood of the Lamb, a ransom divine — Believe it, poor sinner, and peace shall be thine. What am I waiting for? — Jesus, my Lord, He's coming to take me, so says the Word. To be with Him there in the mansions '■above, Enjoying forever His infinite love.
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