the acts of the apostles-第69章
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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
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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。〃 〃I kept back nothing that was
profitable unto you； but have showed you； and have taught you publicly； and
from house to house；。。。 repentance toward God； and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ。〃 Acts 20：27； 20； 21。
The Saviour went from house to house； healing the sick； comforting the
mourners； soothing the afflicted； speaking peace to the disconsolate。 He
took the little children in His arms and blessed them； and spoke words of
hope and comfort to the weary mothers。 With unfailing tenderness and
gentleness He met every form of human woe and affliction。 Not for Himself
but for others did He labor。 He was the servant of all。 It was His meat and
drink to bring hope and strength to all with whom He came in contact。 And as
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men and women listened to the truths that fell from His lips； so different
from the traditions and dogmas taught by the rabbis； hope sprang up in their
hearts。 In His teaching there was an earnestness that sent His words home
with convicting power。
God's ministers are to learn Christ's method of laboring； that they may
bring from the storehouse of His word that which will supply the spiritual
needs of those for whom they labor。 Thus only can they fulfill their trust。
The same Spirit that dwelt in Christ as He imparted the instruction He was
constantly receiving； is to be the source of their knowledge and the secret
of their power in carrying on the Saviour's work in the world。
Some who have labored in the ministry have failed of attaining success
because they have not given their undivided interest to the Lord's work。
Ministers should have no engrossing interests aside from the great work of
leading souls to the Saviour。 The fishermen whom Christ called； straightway
left their nets and followed Him。 Ministers cannot do acceptable work for
God and at the same time carry the burden of large personal business
enterprises。 Such a division of interest dims their spiritual perception。
The mind and heart are occupied with earthly things； and the service of
Christ takes a second place。 They seek to shape their work for God by their
circumstances； instead of shaping circumstances to meet the demands of God。
The energies of the minister are all needed for his high calling。 His best
powers belong to God。 He should not engage in speculation or in any other
business that would
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turn him aside from his great work。 〃No man that warreth；〃 Paul declared；
〃entangleth himself with the affairs of this life； that he may please him
who hath chosen him to be a soldier。〃 2 Timothy 2：4。 Thus the apostle
emphasized the minister's need of unreserved consecration to the Master's
service。 The minister who is wholly consecrated to God refuses to engage in
business that would hinder him from giving himself fully to his sacred
calling。 He is not striving for earthly honor or riches； his one purpose is
to tell others of the Saviour； who gave Himself to bring to human beings the
riches of eternal life。 His highest desire is not to lay up treasure in this
world； but to bring to the attention of the indifferent and the disloyal the
realities of eternity。 He may be asked to engage in enterprises which
promise large worldly gain； but to such temptations he returns the answer；
〃What shall it profit a man； if he shall gain the whole world； and lose his
own soul？〃 Mark 8：36。
Satan presented this inducement to Christ； knowing that if He accepted it；
the world would never be ransomed。 And under different guises he presents
the same temptation to God's ministers today； knowing that those who are
beguiled by it will be false to their trust。
It is not God's will that His ministers should seek to be rich。 Regarding
this； Paul wrote to Timothy： 〃The love of money is the root of all evil：
which while some coveted after； they have erred from the faith； and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows。 But thou； O man of God； flee these
things； and follow after righteousness； godliness； faith；
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love； patience； meekness。〃 By example as well as by precept； the ambassador
for Christ is to 〃charge them that are rich in this world； that they be not
high…minded； nor trust in uncertain riches； but in the living God； who
giveth us richly all things to enjoy； that they do good； that they be rich
in good works； ready to distribute； willing to communicate； laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come； that they
may lay hold on eternal life。〃
1 Timothy 6：10； 11； 17…19。
The experiences of the apostle Paul and his instruction regarding the
sacredness of the minister's work are a source of help and inspiration to
those engaged in the gospel ministry。 Paul's heart burned with a love for
sinners； and he put all his energies into the work of soul winning。 There
never lived a more self…denying； persevering worker。 The blessings he
received he prized as so many advantages to be used in blessing others。 He
lost no opportunity of speaking of the Saviour or of helping those in
trouble。 From place to place he went； preaching the gospel of Christ and
establishing churches。 Wherever he could find a hearing； he sought to
counteract wrong； and to turn the feet of men and women into the path of
righteousness。
Paul did not forget the churches that he had established。 After making a
missionary tour； he and Barnabas retraced their steps and visited the
churches they had raised up； choosing from them men whom they could train to
unite in proclaiming the gospel。
This feature of Paul's work contains an important lesson
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for ministers today。 The apostle made it a part of his work to educate young
men for the office of the ministry。 He took them with him on his missionary
journeys； and thus they gained an experience that later enabled them to fill
positions of responsibility。 When separated from them； he still kept in
touch with their work； and his letters to Timothy and to Titus are evidences
of how deep was his desire for their success。
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