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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7). Made children of God (Romans 8:16). Called with an holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9). Therefore having this high position and privilege, the Apostle exhorts us to:
Walk worthy (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2 :12). Being fruitful as Christ Himself (Colossians 1:10). Hath chosen us, etc. (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:10). Increasing in knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). S. R. B. and not see a road in it to Christ, I would break through a hedge or two and jump over a ditch, but I would get to Him some how ; for no sermon is worth the preach ing or worth the hearing that does not lead up to Christ.”— Selected. The Answered Prayer Once, in the heated prayer of early days, I begged a gift: “Give this one boon to me, 0 God! then will I live alone to Thee And labor on in constant prayer and praise.” He answered not. I doubted—“By its rays Has faith misled me? Where, O where is He? 1 thought Him Light and yet I cannot see— Still further must I seek in different ways,” But came a day when, out of a full heart, I cried: “O God, where art Thou? Only speak! I need Thee—in the hopeless dark I seek. Do with me as Thou wilt; stay not apart!” And lo ! He stood beside me in the way, And smiled: “Come with Me. Thou hast learned to pray.” Deceitful Appearances How much sunshine has come out of a bottle of ink! And yet people will judge by appearances.
ILLUSTRATIVE
But We Preach Christ Crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23)
A young minister was preaching before an old Welsh divine—one who had been for years and years in the work; and after preaching, he was foolish enough to ask the old minister, “What did you think of • my sermon?” The old man answered, “I thought it was a very poor one.” The young preacher felt disappointed, and looked rather crest-fallen, as he replied, “But do you not think I kept to my text ? Did not I open up the subject? Was not my explanation correct?” “Yes, quite so,” said th e .old man, “but still, for all that, it was a very poor sermon.” “But do not you think my arguments were telling, and my illustrations appropriate?” “Yes, but for all that, it was a poor sermon.” “Why \ so?” asked the young brother, greatly 'troubled. “I call that sermon a poor sermon,” replied the divine, “that has not plenty of the Lord Jesus Christ in it; and that is what was lacking in yours.” “Yes,” said the minister, anxious to clear himself, “but I do not think that there was Christ in the text.” Do you not know,” said the old man, “that in every town and village and hamlet in England there is a road which will lead you up to the metropolis, if you go along it far enough?” “Yes, I believe so,” said the young man. “And so,” said the old preacher, “from every verse in the Bible there is a road right up to Christ, who is the metropolis of Scripture. And,” con tinued he, with a merry twinkle in his eye, “if ever I should get hold of a text
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