the acts of the apostles-第68章
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advance in faith； the salvation of God will be revealed； and prosperity will
attend their efforts。 He who has bidden His followers go into all parts of
the world will sustain every laborer who in obedience to His command seeks
to proclaim His message。
In the upbuilding of His work the Lord does not always make everything plain
before His servants。 He sometimes tries the confidence of His people by
bringing about circumstances which compel them to move forward in faith。
Often He brings them into strait and trying places； and bids them advance
when their feet seem to be touching the waters of Jordan。 It is at such
times； when the prayers of His servants ascend to Him in earnest faith； that
God opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place。
When God's messengers recognize their responsibilities toward the needy
portions of the Lord's vineyard； and in the spirit of the Master Worker
labor untiringly for the conversion of souls； the angels of God will prepare
the way before them； and the means necessary for the carrying
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forward of the work will be provided。 Those who are enlightened will give
freely to support the work done in their behalf。 They will respond liberally
to every call for help； and the Spirit of God will move upon their hearts to
sustain the Lord's cause not only in the home fields； but in the regions
beyond。 Thus strength will come to the working forces in other places； and
the work of the Lord will advance in His own appointed way。
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Chapter 34
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。
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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
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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
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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 viewthe
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
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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。
By the power and light that He imparts they can comprehend more and
accomplish more than their finite judgment had seemed possible。
Satan's craft is most successfully used against those who are depressed。
When discouragement threatens to overwhelm the minister； let him spread out
before
