按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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
361
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
362
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
363
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 God his necessities。 It was when the heavens were as brass over Paul
that he trusted most fully in God。 More than most men； he knew the meaning
of affliction； but listen to his triumphant cry as； beset by temptation and
conflict； his feet press heavenward： 〃Our light affliction； which is but for
a moment； worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory；
while we look not at the things which are seen； but at the things which are
not seen。〃 2 Corinthians 4：17； 18。 Paul's eyes were ever fastened on the
unseen and eternal。 Realizing that he was fighting against supernatural
powers； he placed this dependence on God； and in this lay his strength。 It
is by seeing Him who is invisible that strength and vigor of soul are gained
and the power of earth over mind and character is broken。
A pastor should mingle freely with the people for whom he labors； that by
becoming acquainted with them he may know how to adapt his teaching to their
needs。 When a minister has preached a sermon； his work has but just begun。
There is personal work for him to do。 He should visit the
364
people in their homes； talking and praying with them in earnestness and
humility。 There are families who will never be reached by the truths of
God's word unless the stewards of His grace enter their homes and point them
to the higher way。 But the hearts of those who do this work must throb in
unison with the heart of Christ。
Much is comprehended in the command； 〃Go out into the highways and hedges；
and compel them to come in； that My house may be filled。〃 Luke 14：23。 Let
ministers teach the truth in families； drawing close to those for whom they
labor； and as they thus co…operate with God； He will clothe them with
spiritual power。 Christ will guide them in their work； giving them words to
speak that will sink deep into the hearts of the listeners。 It is the
privilege of every minister to be able to say with Paul； 〃I have not shunned
to declare unto you all the counsel of God