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MINISTERING TO THE GENTILES, A GOOD WORK
THE calling of the Gentiles was, with the Apostle Paul, a very favourite subject of contemplation: and no wonder: for he had been appointed of God to be the minister of the Gentiles: and, in proportion as the prejudices of the Jews were hostile to their conversion, there was need of more abundant zeal in him who was ordained to promote it.
In the chapter before us he speaks very strongly on this subject. He affirms, indeed, that Jesus Christ was, in the first instance, “a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” but that a further end of his mission was, “that the Gentiles also should glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, O ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse; and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust [Note: ver. 8–12.].”
On this subject the Apostle wrote most explicitly to the Church at Rome, which consisted chiefly of Gentile converts. With the Jews he was more reserved upon it, because of the inveteracy of their prejudices, which he did not wish unnecessarily to excite; though, when occasion required, he was as firm in maintaining it with them, as with the Gentiles themselves. But to the Church at Rome, which consisted chiefly of Gentiles, he wrote more boldly, “because of the grace given to him of God, to be in a more especial manner the minister of Christ to them.”
In discoursing on the Apostle’s words, we shall open to you,
I. The office committed to him—
He was appointed in a more peculiar manner “the minister of the Gentiles [Note: Rom_11:13.].” To this he was ordained at his first conversion [Note: Act_9:15; Act_22:21.]; and he accounted this as a very singular honour, for which he was most highly indebted to the grace of God [Note: Eph_3:1-2; Eph_3:7-8.]. In the execution of this office he acted,
1. As a Preacher to them—
[“He ministered to them the Gospel of God;” and preached to them a free and full salvation, through the Lord Jesus Christ — — — The Jews in general, indeed, had no idea that such a mercy was designed for the Gentiles: but to the Apostle Paul it was “made known by a special revelation, that the Gentiles were to be fellow-heirs with the Jews, and of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ by the Gospel [Note: Eph_3:3; Eph_3:6.].” This, therefore, he proclaimed to them in a most fearless manner; and with such indefatigable industry, that “from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum he fully preached the Gospel of Christ [Note: ver. 19.].”]
2. As a Priest to God—
[It was for priests alone to present any offerings to God. To this office amongst the Jews St. Paul had no right; because he was of the tribe of Benjamin, and not of the tribe of Levi. But amongst the Gentiles he was at full liberty to perform it. They were his offering, even as many as he was instrumental in converting to the faith of Christ. In this light they had been represented by the Prophet Isaiah; who, speaking of the preachers in the latter day, says, “They shall declare my glory among the Gentiles; and they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, even to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord [Note: Isa_66:19-20.].” Now the offerings under the law were sanctified unto the Lord [Note: Num_8:7; Num_8:11; Num_8:15; Num_8:21.]; some with water, as the Levites, when they were dedicated to him; and others with oil, as the first-fruits, which were to be presented to the Lord as his exclusive property [Note: Lev_23:13; Lev_23:17.]. In both these views were converts to be consecrated to the Lord; for, under the Gospel, the whole body of believers are a “holy priesthood [Note: 1Pe_2:9.]:” and all of them “are begotten of God by the word of truth, that they may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures [Note: Jam_1:18.].” But it is “by the Holy Ghost that they are sanctified,” even by his Almighty operation on their souls: “He sanctifies them wholly, in body, soul, and spirit [Note: 1Th_5:23.];” and thus renders them altogether “acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ [Note: 1Pe_2:5. with the text.].”]
But though this office was assigned to Paul in the first instance, yet we hesitate not to affirm,
II. The acceptableness of it, by whomsoever executed—
We mean not to say, that any one at this day is to arrogate to himself the apostolic office: that has long since passed away; nor can be revived, without a special revelation from heaven. But preachers to men, and priests to God, we may all be; though some in a more subordinate sense than others.
We may all labour for the conversion of the Gentile world—
[Some of us may engage in that holy work in our own persons: and a nobler or more honourable vocation cannot be exercised on earth. Christians, in general, have by no means such exalted notions of the missionary office as they ought to have. Even those who look up with reverence to stated ministers who superintend one particular charge, are apt to regard a missionary as a sort of vagrant, that occupies a very subordinate office in the Church of God. But the very reverse of this is true. The missionary approximates far more to the apostolic office; and is elevated in honour above the stationary minister, in proportion as his self-denial is greater and his work more arduous. And I cannot but earnestly recommend to those who are educating for the ministry, to consider whether they may not render to God and to the world a more acceptable service, by devoting themselves to that high employment of preaching the Gospel to some portion of the Gentile world — — —
But all of us may labour in this good work, through the instrumentality of others. Persons of either sex, and of every quality, contributed towards the constructing and furnishing of the Tabernacle [Note: Exo_35:21-29.]: the same also concurred in the rebuilding of Jerusalem [Note: Neh_3:12.]. And, in raising the spiritual Jerusalem, too, all may co-operate with effect. St. Paul speaks of “women who laboured with him in the Gospel [Note: Php_4:3.]:” and not unfrequently are they of most extensive service to the Church of God; assisting in a great variety of ways the cause of God, and advancing, in their own line, as much as ministers do in theirs, his kingdom in the world [Note: Rom_16:1-4; Rom_16:6; Rom_16:12.]. The contributing, or raising of contributions for the support of missionaries, is an office which they can perform with very superior effect: and if in no other respect they can be useful, there is not one who may not contribute to the success of missions by offering up their prayers to God in their behalf. This is the duty of all, without exception: for our Lord has commanded all to pray, “Thy kingdom come:” and if the people of God were more united and more earnest in presenting this petition to the Lord, there can be no doubt but that God would hasten forward that glorious day, in answer to their prayers [Note: Isa_62:1-2; Isa_62:6-7.].]
And this will be truly “acceptable” to the Lord—
[God smelled a sweet savour, when offerings were presented to him in the days of old. And will he not, when we present to him such offerings as these? Yes: God the Father will accept them: for it is “his Gospel that is preached,” even “the glorious Gospel of the blessed God [Note: 1 These. 2:9 and 1Ti_1:2; 1Ti_1:11.].” It was He who devised this way of salvation for fallen man, and sent his own Son to effect it, and accepted the sacrifice of his Son in our behalf: and therefore we can have no doubt but that he will be well pleased with having that Gospel ministered to, and embraced by, the Gentile world. And God the Son, too, will be pleased: for it is “His servants that we are,” and it is his kingdom which we labour to establish in the world. And God the Holy Ghost also will most joyfully accept the offering, because it is He who sanctifies it, in every case. It is he who renders our word effectual, and seals it on the souls of men. It is he who makes use of that word to purify them throughout, and to transform them into the Divine image. In a word, it is his work that we perform; or rather, we are mere instruments in his hands: for neither is Paul any thing, nor Apollos any thing; but God is “all in all.”
Shall we not then all, according to our ability, engage in such a work as this? Methinks it is a work which the first archangel in heaven might account it his highest honour to perform. Nor shall any who engage in this work lose his reward: for God has said, that “every man shall receive according to his own labour [Note: 1Co_3:8.];” and, that “they who turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever [Note: Dan_12:3.].”]
Application—
1. Remember, in the first place, to offer up yourselves to God—
[This must precede every thing else. Nothing that you can do will be of any value, till this is done. St. Paul, when commending the Macedonians for their unparalleled liberality, mentions it to their honour, that “they first gave their own selves to the Lord [Note: 2Co_8:5.].” Thus must all of you “present yourselves as living sacrifices to God,” sanctified throughout by an unction from above, and by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. This is “your reasonable service;” and most “acceptable will it be to God [Note: Rom_12:1.].” If you do not this, it is in vain that the Gospel is ministered unto you. To effect this, is the scope of all our labours, and the great end also of God’s tender “mercies [Note: Rom_12:1.].” It is for this end that you have been bought with a price; that you should no longer consider yourselves as at your own disposal; but that you should be His who bought you, and “glorify him with your bodies and your spirits, which are his [Note: 1Co_6:19-20.].”]
2. Contribute to the utmost to the offering up of others—
[It is a blessed work wherein to be engaged. If we be successful in one single instance only, it will well repay the labours of a whole life. Who that knows the value of his own soul, must not pant after the salvation of the souls of others? And who, that knows his obligations to God, must not long to serve God in a way so acceptable to his mind, and so conducive to his glory? Let me not, then, call you to this work in vain. If there be any who are by education and by grace fitted for personal exertion in that field of labour, let him, like the Prophet, stand forth, and say, “Here am I: send me [Note: Isa_6:8.].” If it be only in a subordinate manner that you are able to assist in this good cause, still let it be seen that your heart is in it, and your labour according to the full extent of your ability. In your contributions, be liberal after your power: and in whatever way you can be useful, “give yourselves to the work” with cheerfulness, and persevere in it with diligence. Certainly, if ever united exertions were called for, it is now, when God is so evidently prospering the work, and putting honour on those who are engaged in it [Note: Here any particulars may be mentioned.] — — — “Come then, all of you, to the help of the Lord:” and “whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might.”]