March, 1934
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
88
message we may all preach, because the crucified Christ is risen from the dead. The power to present this message is given to us, not through apostolic succession, but by the Holy Spirit. He alone gives absolution. The Word of Proclamation: “ As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” This is an astonishing word, not only linking Christ to the Father, but also linking us to Christ. Here are these great words, “my Father,” “me,” “ you.” Our task is analogous to His. This appointment is not merely for the ordained, but for every believer and not only for men, but for women as well. Christ’s mission, then, is ours— a mission of revelation and redemption. He revealed God to a world lost in sin and shame. The record o f that revelation we have in the Word. The church is to witness that revelation to all men. The Lord’s mission also was to show God’s hatred for sin and to do the work of loosing man from his sin. He ramp to seek and to save that which was lost. W e are joined to Him in that task also. It is ours to make known that saving message. He delivers unto us the ministry o f reconciliation. T he V alue of the V ision and the V oice “ Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. This simple record speaks o f transformation and triumph. Transformation: “ Glad.” What a change came over these men in a few minutes! Their doubt disappeared. Their garments o f heaviness were put off, and they were decking themselves in praise and rejoicing. Their destroyed hopes were being quickly revived, and new life came to each o f them. The secret o f it all was the vision and the voice. These downcast disciples became the staunch heralds of grace, fearing neither devils nor death. Out they went to bring about in all the cities those revolutionary changes for which they were famous in the early days o f the Chris tian church. Triumph: The greatest triumph that can come to any soul is to rejoice in the Lord alway. Only a vision o f Him and the sound of His voice can bring this victory. Instantly, the suffering o f those disciples was turned into singing. Fear fled from their faces and hallelujahs filled their hearts. A sudden spring o f joy burst through their souls, and they went forth in great triumph to declare Him risen from the dead. It is a gladdening thing to see the Lord. Always it is so. In no other way can real joy and abiding gladness come. The great need o f the church at-this hour, in order that she might have new hope and heart, is a new vision o f her Lord and the clear hearing o f His voice. Our need is not more money or greater organization or better buildings, but to see the Lord and know that He is able to meet us in our great need. May the Holy Spirit bring this vision afresh to our hearts and minds today, so that we may go forward to new triumph in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to new transformation in heart and life. Do Not Doubt God Think it not a light matter to doubt Jehovah. Remem ber, it is a sin, and not a little sin either. The angels never doubt Him, nor the devils either; we alone, out o f all the beings that God has fashioned, dishonor Him by unbelief and tarnish His honor by mistrust. Shame upon us for this! Our God does not deserve to be so basely suspected; in our past life we have proved Him to be true and faithful to His Word, and with so many instances o f His love and of His kindness as we have received and are daily receiving at His hands, it is base and inexcusable that we suffer a doubt to sojourn within our heart.— C. H. S purgeon .
the background of their memory. Think of what that vision meant to them in later life as they looked into the face of bitterness and encountered suffering. Looking back to this evening in the upper room always strengthened their hearts for any trial. When word came that James had been beheaded in Jerusalem and Peter was cast into prison, the disciples must have encouraged each other; saying, “ Well, we saw the Lord, and we remember the marks o f His suffering.” Whatever they were called to pass through, doubtless they strengthened themselves and encouraged each other with the memory of this vision of Jesus, alive, with the nail marks in His hands. W e miss much these days by not talking more to each other about these great facts. Have we seen Him and be held the nail marks? Let us talk much about it to each other. W e are so prone to complain about our aches and pains and sufferings. Let us talk more o f His. That em phasis will help us to forget our troubles, as we view them in the light of God’s plan for our daily walk. T he V oice Accompanying the vision was the voice. Jesus spoke to His own. The word uttered was the word o f peace, of power, and o f proclamation. The Word o f Peace : “ Peace be unto you.” Twice the risen Lord uttered these words that same evening. The expression is the regular Eastern form, o f salutation. Visitors in yonder land today hear it often. It is the “ good morning” o f that side of the world. But from the lips o f the Lord, the salutation was far more than a general greeting. It came with tremendous significance, quieting the disciples’ hearts and minds concerning their own affairs, giving them confidence in the Friend they thought they had lost for ever. He certified Himself by the marks of the nails and spear and allayed His followers’ fear with His word of peace. He repeated the comforting words, as if the down cast hearers •did not clearly comprehend them the first time. Through His repetition, the message came with greater glory and mightier majesty. The word o f peace is the message Christ brings to a broken and troubled world today. Apart from Christ, this world will never know peace. Peace cannot come by the way of the League o f Nations or disarmament confer ences. The President of the United States and the Prime Minister o f Britain may confer again and again, but peace does not come that way. All these human endeavors will fail. Only Christ’s word can succeed, and it succeeds through hearts that yield to Him and experience His peace. Christ’s presence brings peace. There is a secret quiet ness experienced by all who dwell before His face. No confusion or bewilderment can disturb us. W e can be more than conquerors against the greatest odds when Christ’s gracious greeting has gripped our hearts. Only in this quietness and confidence can we face life’s tasks aright. There is no substitute for personal relationship with Christ. In Him we taste a peace_ which is o f God. It is permanent, and the gift can be received by all. The Word of Power-. “ Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.” This was a new authority given to His own. There is a sense, I believe, in which every one o f us, through our ministry and testimony as Christians, may have this same power. There is a function o f the Holy Ghost that may be ex ercised in every believer on behalf o f sinners. In the power of the Spirit we can preach the gospel to men telling them that if they turn from sin to the Saviour their sins are re mitted, but that if they refuse, their sins are retained. In Christ forgiveness is gloriously possible to every son o f Adam. It is a matter, o f believing with all the heart. This
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online