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SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL A GROUND OF JOY
A VERY distinguishing feature of primitive Christianity was, that, whilst it filled all its votaries with an anxiety for their own souls, it inspired them also with a love to the souls of others, and with a zeal for the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom through the world. True it is, indeed, that, on the occasion before us, the separating of Paul and Barnabas to the work of preaching to the Gentiles originated, not with the people of Antioch, but with God himself, who gave a special command respecting it [Note: Act_13:2-4.]. Yet it is evident, that the whole Church took a lively interest in it; and came together afterwards, with great delight, to hear all that had occurred during this benevolent, but arduous, excursion.
Through the tender mercy of our God, somewhat of a similar spirit has arisen in our day: so that I can scarcely enter on a more gratifying subject with you, than to shew,
I. The interest which the primitive Church took in the work of God—
The people expressed no reluctance at parting with Paul and Barnabas—
[We cannot doubt but that the ministry of these two men at Antioch was most beneficial to the people’s souls: yet we read of no reluctance on the part of the Church in surrendering up their own personal benefit for the good of others. They resembled the Apostle Paul, who, in all such cases, “sought not his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved [Note: 1Co_10:33.].” — — —]
Nor did the Apostles manifest any backwardness to undertake this dangerous enterprise—
[We can have no doubt, but that, however much they might delight in their stated labours amongst a people united to them in the bonds of Christian love, they gladly addressed themselves to the work assigned them, where they would find little but incessant labour, amidst the fiercest opposition. And from their perseverance in it under such circumstances, and from the pleasure which they expressed afterwards in recording all the dealings of God with them, and the happy effects of their ministrations, it is clear that one feeling pervaded the whole body; and that all, both ministers and people, found their chief happiness in the service of their God. Nor can we doubt but that they all rejoiced in the sacrifices they had made, when they saw what benefits had resulted from them to the Gentile world. They had fasted and prayed when these two Apostles were separated to their work: and, that they abounded in praises and thanksgivings after their return, we may be well assured.]
Such being the habit of Christians in the first age, let us consider,
II. The instruction to be derived from it—
We are well aware, that the call of men to special labours, in this day, is not by any means so clear and determinate as in the case before us: nor do we intend to place any events of the present time on a footing with those which took place, under the particular direction of heaven, in the apostolic age. Yet, from the dispositions evinced by the primitive Church, we may clearly see,
1. That the work of God is confessedly the greatest of all concerns—
[What is there that can be compared with it? The government of kingdoms is little in comparison. The rise and fall of the four great empires would scarcely have been deemed worthy of notice, but for the influence they had in introducing the Messiah’s kingdom, which was to supersede and survive them all. It is the establishment of this kingdom which God has had in view, from before the foundation of the world. All his eternal counsels have had respect to it: all his dispensations towards the whole world have been ordered in subserviency to it: all his perfections are displayed in it, and all his purposes completed: and everyone that labours for the advancement of it is “a worker together with God.” The first archangel in heaven cannot find a more honourable employment than that of helping forward God’s designs in reference to it: much more, therefore, may man account it the only object worthy of his pursuit.]
2. That it is an object for which we all, according to our ability, should labour—
[The advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom is not the work of ministers only, but of the people also. It can scarcely be credited, how much an efficient ministry is aided by the co-operation of private Christians, in all the different works and labours of love. Many will listen to them, who would regard the admonition of pastors as a mere official ceremony, or an impertinent intrusion. Indeed, it is not possible for ministers to do every thing: even a Moses required seventy elders to assist him: and, at this day, it is only by the united exertions of many, that the work of God in general, and that of missions in particular, can be carried forward. Nor let it be imagined that the poor are incapable of affording aid to the common cause: for they, if they cannot assist materially either by intellectual efforts or pecuniary contributions, may, by their prayers for the Divine blessing, effect more than the whole world combined could by their own personal exertions.]
3. That the success of it should be to us a source of the sublimest joy—
[With what raised expectations did the Church of Antioch meet together; and with what joy did they hear that “God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles!” Methinks the whole assembly lost, for the time, all thought of their own personal welfare, being swallowed up with the delightful contemplation of the welfare of others. Surely, with one heart and one voice they glorified God for the mercy he had vouchsafed to a sinful and idolatrous world. And should not a similar feeling pervade us Gentiles, in relation to the Jews, if there be any awakening amongst them? Truly, if there be, as in Ezekiel’s vision, any stir among “the dry bones,” whether they be those of Jews or Gentiles, or of persons bearing the Christian name, it should fill our souls with gratitude, and our lips with praise — — —]
Let us now improve this subject,
1. In a way of inquiry—
[What is the state of God’s work amongst you? “The door of faith,” as you well know, “has been long opened to you.” Have you entered in? or, are you yet but on the threshold, or perhaps yet standing afar off? Think with yourselves: have you truly come to Christ, and believed in Christ as the only Saviour of your souls? — — — And, supposing you to have entered the vestibule of God’s temple, have you advanced into the sanctuary? We read of those “whose faith and love grew exceedingly;” and so should yours grow: nor should you ever cease to press forward, till you are come into the holy of holies, even into the immediate presence of your God — — —]
2. In a way of information—
[God’s work, I trust, is really going forward in the world [Note: Here any particulars may be mentioned, only with diffidence and modesty.] — — — And this at least I can say, that, whether we have laboured and suffered for the Lord, or only followed with our prayers those who have laboured, we have no cause to complain that we have either laboured in vain, or prayed in. vain — — —]
3. In a way of excitement—
[All of us have a work to do; a work to which God himself has called us, and to which at the baptismal font we were set apart. Let me ask, then, whether we have engaged heartily in it? and whether, if we were called to give an account of it at this moment, we could say, “Father, I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do?” Know assuredly, that the whole Church will speedily be convened before the Judge of quick and dead: and “then must every one of us give account of himself to God.” Say, brethren, whether, if called to that account, we should now “give it up with joy,” or whether it would be “given up with grief.” Let us think, also, what account we shall give of the efforts we have made in behalf of others. Have we “minded, not our own things only, but every one of us the things of others also?” Have we ourselves laboured, or have we, with prayer and fasting, co-operated, to the utmost of our power, with those who have gone forth to labour, in the cause of God? Think not that this was the duty of the primitive Christians only: it is no less ours than it was theirs. The cause of God ought to be dear to us; and the souls of our fellow-sinners should be precious in our eyes. Our charity, indeed, must begin at home: but it must not end there: it should be extended to the whole world: nor should we relax our efforts for the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom, till “all the kingdoms of the world shall have become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ.”]