tive there is success." The same is true concerning the church. Again I ask you, "What is the objective of your church?" There should be more specifics than the simple answer, "to glorify God." That is an underlying principle. One of the most important things for us is to take sufficient time to seek God's will and direction in these vital areas of life and service. CHRIST AND HIS MEN It was the great industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who observed, "Take my mills, my resources, and everything I have, but leave me my men. With them I can build it all up again." He had confidence in those with whom he worked, as well as in his own abili ties as a leader. The same is true in the church of our Saviour. The most valuable asset it has it dedi cated men and women. Considering the disciples whom the Lord chose, we wonder what He might have seen in these men in their natural state. If we had been doing the selection, we doubtless would have called those who were more resourceful, educated, and socially accepted. In fact we may wonder why the Saviour planned to use men at all. As we proclaim the Word of God, in obedience to the Lord's com mand, we have no way of knowing who will respond. The Holy Spirit is the One who woos them with His words of love and grace. It may well be that Jesus chose the kind of men He did to show us what it is like to work with those who have personality variances. We see at least three groups of people repre sented in the disciples. The first is evidenced by Simon Peter who Page 30
shows characteristics of those who at times are obstinate and hard to get along with. Even though these may be difficult still God sover eignly chooses those whom He would have for the Bride of His Son. The second type is represented by Philip, the earnest inquirer; Nathaniel (Bartholomew), whose characteristic was as a guileless Is raelite; and Thomas, the melan choly. It is hard to cope with those who are constantly frustrated and discouraged. In their pessimism they always drag their feet. Such people need our continued love and prayers. The third group in cludes James, the son of Alphaeus; Judas (not Iscariot); Simon the tax- hater; and Judas the traitor. Looking back at this group we see Peter who was warm-hearted but often unstable. Although he denied the Lord he later repented. One of the most tremendous ser mons ever heard was given by him just 40 days later. Examine the lives of each of these men and we are impressed with the wide range of their backgrounds and personal ities. Do you think they were always harmonious and of one accord? There were times when things strained their relationships. They would be the last ones to want us to put them on pedestals. We must be realistic. They were ordinary men, endowed with power from the Holy Spirit. We, like them, have the opportunity of knowing the grace of Jesus Christ. Reading the Gospel accounts we sometimes see pride in the lives of the disciples as they vied for posi tion. Such should not have hap pened but it did. The Lord had to rebuke them on occasions when their actions required it. All of these
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