The Tragedy of Preaching in Human Strength
CARLYLE B. HAYNES, Secretary, North American War Service Commission
Part 1
Seventh-day Adventist workers preach much about the importance of keeping the commandments. Nor can they bring too much emphasis on duties so important.
Paul asked some searching questions of those who placed great emphasis on obedience to law. He said:
"Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approves! the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of: the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?" (Rom. 2:17-23).
It is not my purpose to bear down so heavily as Paul did upon the church in Rome. I do have it in mind to direct attention to the fact that before He ascended to heaven, after His resurrection, our Lord issued to His disciples, those whom He commissioned to be the leaders, the teachers, the evangelists, the preachers, the workers in His church, two commands, to one of which we have paid surprisingly little attention.
He commanded them to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We have paid much attention to that. But He also commanded them, before going, before preaching, before daring to begin their work, to wait.
"Wait-Go"
Putting it into the simplest possible form, these two commands were "Wait Go." One was as imperative as the other. Disobedience to one would have been as great as disobedience to the other. Yet we have been feverishly active and alert to carry out the second, and most neglectful and dormant in doing the first.
Consider for a moment the tragedy, to say nothing of the futility, of the first disciples' going out on a worldwide mission without waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit. What a great sin that would have been! What a great folly it would have been!
I put it to you: Is it less folly today to go about our work without the power of the Spirit? Is it less a sin? The disciples were not guilty of that sin. They waited. But are we guilty of that sin today? Do we wait? Do we go about our work devoid of the Spirit?
The enormity of the sin thus committed may be measured by the difference between the results that were obtained by the disciples and the results we obtain. Our barrenness witnesses against us that we are guilty of seeking to carry on the work of God in the energy of the flesh rather than the power of the Spirit not having waited for that power.
"And [Jesus], being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me" (Acts 1:4). And though this command does not apply to us today as it did to the disciples, in the same sense in which it applied to them, nevertheless, it does apply to us in principle.
The Christian receives the Holy Spirit when he is born again. Nevertheless, it is his duty to wait for its refreshing and its enabling power. The Spirit is not reluctant to fill the truly surrendered heart, and the real purpose in waiting is that one's heart may wholly yield to Him. With some this yielding may come instantly; with others there is delay. I beg of you, do not be either impetuous or unprepared in the Lord's work.
As in the beginning, so now, the work of the Lord is still dependent on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. No doubt there is some mystery about it, but God never rushes into any work. To the degree that the Spirit leads us, we too will be without impetuosity.
And yet, once God has prepared His ground, and has prepared His workers, He can, and often does, strike with astonishing swiftness, accuracy, and effectiveness, and accomplishes in a day what would otherwise take years. He did that on the day of Pentecost, and thus illustrated what can be done when His servants do His work in His way. They had had a long wait, in obedience to His command, but after that long wait the Spirit came "suddenly" like a "rushing mighty wind." To the impatient worldling the waiting must have seemed tame, uneventful, time lost. But to God it was the necessary preparation for what He had in mind to do, and when it was over, no one could complain of delay in the magnificent results. For when the waiting had accomplished its purpose, then God could work with terrific power.
Wind, Fire, Flood
It is not without significance that when the Spirit manifested Himself, He did so by wind, fire, and flood. The flood is suggested by the wording that the Spirit was poured out on the disciples (Acts 2:17, 18). Mighty winds drive everything before them. Great fires burn all before them. Great floods sweep everything before them. These figures indicate the all-conquering power there is in the Holy Spirit. Like a bolt o£ lightning from the great white throne, the Spirit on the day of Pentecost cut them through and through, and slew 3,000 of the Lord's enemies before His face. But the Lord who kills also makes alive (1 Sam. 2:6), and 3,000 new creatures joined the ranks of that little band of 120 in Jerusalem, making the membership of the Jerusalem church leap from 120 to 3,120 in one day. Would that we might multiply members at that rate!
Thus by waiting those long days, far more was accomplished in one day than the disciples could have accomplished in a lifetime even conceding that they could have accomplished anything whatever.
Why do you suppose this account of waiting, and the resulting Pentecost, was put into the Bible?
It pays to wait if we are waiting on God. "They that "wait upon the Lord shall renew ["change," margin] their strength" (Isa. 40:31).
The disciples changed their strength on the day of Pentecost, changed it from the energy of the flesh to the power of the Spirit. Do you have any desire to do that? Do you have any intention of doing it? It is never easy to wait. It is the hardest thing I do. Waiting on God implies deficiency, and a recognition of that deficiency. It means we do not have what is necessary, and that we know it. The flesh asks, "What are we waiting for? All we need is a plan of action, a program, a budget, a few gadgets, a lot of illustrations, some advertising, a white suit perhaps, a radio or television contract, some smart men to put it over, and everything will work out all right."
We are fearful that if we wait, the Lord may scrap our plans, and we will not get the credit for the work when it is done. Then too, perhaps we are likely to think that our plans are more businesslike, more up to date, more spectacular, more effective than His. He might want us just to depend on the plain Word of God, the two-edged sword of the Spirit, wielded by the Spirit Himself; but we prefer to rely on an abundance of literature, up-to-the-minute advertising, a team of helpers, charts, beasts, films, radio, television, a supply of tearful illustrations. With these we think we can confidently look for impressive, even spectacular results.
But, I ask you, what could be more impressive and spectacular and effective in the way of results than the revival of Pentecost? Consider the great religious movements of the past.
Consider their effectiveness, their power, their results. Think of Luther, and of what he accomplished, of Wesley, Knox, Whitefield, Finney, and a host of others. There was little organization whatever at least it was not conspicuous; no far-reaching plans in their preliminary work; that is, there was little man-made organization. A hive of bees may seem to have no organization at all, but in reality they work with great precision and orderliness. Who organizes them? The same One who desires to organize the church the Majesty of heaven.
Consider the human body. It is the symbol chosen by God to represent His church. How organized it is, and yet how inconspicuous that organization makes itself! A man can walk, stand, work with his hands, and do hundreds of things that require the most precise organization, with little emphasis on the organization itself, or the method by which he gets those things done. No machine on earth can duplicate a man's motions and a man's work. So, in like manner, the church, if controlled from within, will be marvelously efficient, and yet without self-consciousness, clumsiness, or labored effort.
Evaluating Ministers
M. E. LOEWEN, President, Ohio Conference
A group of ministerial workers, during a free period at camp meeting, were deep in discussion.
"Sometimes it seems a worker is judged on only two activities," said one man, "and they are In gathering and baptisms."
A city pastor spoke up, "Surely the conference committee considers more than that. But you must remember, the successful minister who carries a well-rounded program will have baptisms, and he will put over the campaigns."
"But when a committee is investigating a man, those are about the only things that are asked about."
A departmental secretary queried, "Just what would you consider the proper way to evaluate the work of a minister?"
"He ought to be a consecrated man, first of all," said one.
"Yes, and he must be a hard worker," added another.
"Naturally, every man would be willing to admit he worked hard," said the city pastor. This sally brought smiles all around.
"We lack the vision and imagination to comprehend what our calling should be. Some are not even ambitious enough to do more than settle in a comfortable position and get through its duties in a satisfactory way."
An evangelist thoughtfully said, "I wonder whether we really do exert ourselves as we could."
"Why, brother, don't we all work day and night?" came the question.
"What I was thinking about is our results. The other day I heard a conference president say that if he had ten consecrated men who would work as the pioneers did, that conference would show more in results from those ten men than they now do from two-score ministers."
"No doubt it is true that there are men who do not exert themselves. But by what standard should a minister be measured? When is a minister a success, and when should he be advised to change his methods?"
In many discussions of this nature there does seem to be a feeling that only the more spectacular accomplishments are of any weight when the committee considers a man's work. This is usually the result of superficial thinking.
Above all, a minister must be thoroughly consecrated.
"If the truth does not work in you with trans forming power, so that you obey it from the heart, because you love its pure principles, be sure that for you the truth will lose its vitalizing power, and sin will strengthen. This is why many are not efficient agents for the Master." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 159.
If he could be happy in any other work, then he should seriously consider leaving the ministry to those whom God fills with an impelling power. Every minister should be one who realizes he would be acutely unhappy and uncomfortable in any other calling.
Ten Important Points
In addition to consecration, the following ten-point program gives a framework for evaluating a religious worker's ability to carry responsibility:
1. Is the worker growing mentally and spiritually?
2. Is the spirituality of his churches growing?
3. Does he promote a well-balanced pro gram?
4. Does he cooperate in campaigns?
5. Does he maintain a plan of personal improvement?
6. Is his preaching improving in power, in interest?
7. Is he financially sound?
8. Does he have a minister's personality?
9. Is he enthusiastic?
10. Does he have vision?
1. Is the worker growing mentally and spiritually? Some men forsake regular study habits as soon as they leave college. A productive man not only will have his work and his time well organized but will foster a constructive pro gram. There is a definite purpose to his activities. He knows what he wants to accomplish with his sermons, in prayer meetings, in campaigns, and in soul winning. He knows how to organize his work and achieve his purpose.
2. Is the spirituality of his churches growing? What are the results of his work? Are the members spiritually starved? Many of the problems in the churches are minimized when the spiritual interests are cared for. The constant feeding of the proper food to the flock will counteract many troubles before they arise. Properly shepherded, the church will be a working church without observable strain or drive.
3. Does he promote a well-balanced pro gram? Are the young people cared for? Are they kept interested? Does the church school flourish? Is the Sabbath school accomplishing its work? Is the church working on home missionary projects? Is the minister inclined to push one phase of church activity to the neglect of other activities?
4. Does he cooperate in campaigns'? He probably does give at least token assent to the regular campaigns, since the conference officials who audit his monthly report also promote the campaigns. But is his district always lagging in every undertaking? Does he demonstrate his leadership in overcoming unfavorable circumstances? After all, the minister is to provide the leadership in getting the members to gain the blessing of participation in witnessing for the message. If they would do it without ministerial guidance, there would be no necessity for the employment of a pastor.
5. Does he maintain a plan of personal improvement? This is closely allied with our first question, but considers only one specific phase of that question. What are his personal study habits? "We need more study, more earnest meditation and communion with Christ." Ibid., p. 346. Does he read? How many books, and what kind of books, has he read in the past twelve months? Besides a general fund of knowledge, every minister should have a specialty. This special field of study should be taken up early. It will be "like a well dug on one's property, which year by year becomes deeper. All the little streams and rivulets of reading and experience find their way into it; and almost unawares the happy possessor comes to have within him self a fountain which makes it impossible that his mind should ever run dry." JAMES STALKER, The Preacher and His Models (New York: Hunt & Eaton, 1891), p. 254.
6. Is his preaching improving in power, in interest? This includes the subject matter and the construction of sermons. It contemplates the proper use of the voice. Has the minister found the most efficient means of soul winning for his use? If the man is improving, then under normal conditions the amount of fruit he bears should constantly increase.
7. Is he financially sound? Is he full of impossible ideas for running the church? Can you trust his judgment where money is concerned? What are his personal finances like? Can he blithely rush into debt that will cause him to stagger for years to come? How does he manage the finances for an effort, for a church building?
8. Does he have a minister's personality? Are members embarrassed by peculiarities of habit that make them reluctant to introduce their minister to non-Adventists? Does he represent in a fitting manner the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Can the members, when they turn to him, find the spiritual comfort and help they need when in trouble?
9. Is he enthusiastic? Does his work seem to him humdrum and boring? Does he approach it eagerly? Does he throw himself heart and soul into his work? Or does he drag through it, just enduring it until his pay check arrives? Enthusiasm is contagious and is very useful to have in all branches of church work. Much can be overlooked if the worker is enthusiastic in his outlook.
10. Does he have vision? This message is the greatest movement in the world today. Does the worker envision his part in bringing it to a triumphant conclusion? Would he be content to allow his church to play a relatively unimportant part in his community? Does he have an expanding view of his work and its responsibilities? These ten points are quite inclusive. But every worker can help himself if he will critically check his rating. Surely we should enjoy a growing, productive ministry, God's people receiving the leadership our profession gives them the right to expect.
Your Call to the Work of God
B. L. HASSENPFLUG Union Evangelist, South African Union
Why did you choose the work of God as your vocation in life?
I am thinking not necessarily of preachers only, but of teachers, treasurers, bookkeepers, Bible instructors, singers, stenographers anyone who dedicates his life to the service of God.
While we discuss this topic, let a certain text play in the back of your mind: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" (John 1:6).
'Way back yonder, why did you decide to be a worker in this cause? Was it because of visions of a steady income? Did, perhaps, the glamour of leading people or standing before people entice you? Or did you have a love for souls, and was there down deep in your heart the burning desire to have some part in advancing God's kingdom, to hasten the coming of Jesus, your blessed Lord? Just why did you choose to become a minister for Christ? Furthermore, why are you still, today, a worker? I remember attending a meeting con ducted by a certain organization in Texas.
I noticed that the minister could not even read his texts. His wife had to stand by his side and read his Bible references. I was interested to learn why a man who could not even read would want to preach. How was he called to the ministry? Upon inquiry, I learned that while he was out cultivating his cotton one day, sitting on the plow half asleep, the wheel went over a large rock. He was jolted from the seat and fell to the ground. That was his sign that God had called him to preach.
Called, Made, Appointed, Ordained
Our call to the ministry must rest on something more solid and fundamental. Let us notice how we become ministers. "Paul, called, to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God" (1 Cor. 1:1). We are called through the will of God. In Acts 26:16, in rehearsing before King Agrippa his experience of conversion and his call to the ministry, Paul repeats the words of Jesus: "I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness." This statement agrees with the expression found in Ephesians 3:7: "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power." Again, in Colossians 1:23, the last clause, Paul says, "Whereof I Paul am made a minister."
You can see how Paul was made a minister. It was not of his choosing nor his plan. He had other plans and ideas. He already held an honored position. But it was God who called him according to His will, and made him a minister according to the grace of Jesus Christ.
Becoming a minister is not something that just happens overnight. It is not some thing that you or I might choose of our own will, or that will come upon us through feelings alone. It is the divine call of God according to the will and the grace of God.
In 2 Timothy 1:11 the apostle Paul says, "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gen tiles." Here you will note the minister is appointed of God. "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" (1 Tim. 2:6, 7).
To make the calling still more certain, he is also ordained a preacher, an apostle, or a teacher. Ordained by God for that work! Called of God! Preachers are a spe cial product of the divine, saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Our Sufficiency of God
Not only are we made ministers, but we are made efficient ministers. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor. 3:5, 6).
If we will follow the divine leadership of God, we will improve every capability, so that we can present to the world this marvelous truth in its proper, refined setting. Of ourselves we cannot do this. Our sufficiency is in God. These words from the pen of inspiration have been a great blessing to me:
"The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are bound up with God's ministers, who are to represent the precious love of Christ. . . . They are but instruments in His hand, and all the good they accomplish is done through His power. ... It is to the honor of Christ that He makes His ministers greater blessings to the church, through the workings of the Holy Spirit, than are the stars to the world. The Saviour is to be their sufficiency. If they will look to Him as He looked to His Father, they will do His works. As they make God their dependence, He will give them His brightness to reflect to the world. "Let those who are as stars in the hand of Christ remember that they are ever to preserve a sacred, holy dignity. . . . "God's servants are to preach His word to the people. Under the Holy Spirit's working they will come into order as stars in the hand of Christ, to shine forth with His brightness. Let those who claim to be Christ's ministers arise and shine; for their light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them. Let them understand that Christ expects them to do the same work as He has done." Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 413, 414.
God has called us to a very high office. It pains me deeply when I see so many men and women who have left the ministry. As I have traveled, I have come in contact with many who once preached and taught this wonderful truth. Now they have turned back to the things of the world. I have sat on committees where men and women have been asked to do certain things, and in stead they have sent in their letters of resignation from the work. I have been on committees when we have had to deal with certain problems with individuals. Instead of rectifying their wrongs, they have asked for a leave of absence.
May God open our eyes to the wonderful, holy fellowship to which He has called us, to the sacred task that He has commit ted to us! We have nothing else in this world. This is our task! This is our responsibility! This is our duty! It is according to the will of God that we are a part of His ministry!
In 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10, the apostle tells us that it is by the grace of God that "I am what I am." We would not be what we are, were it not for this grace of God. Are you in harmony with God's plan? Are you a minister of God's appointing? Are you "a man sent from God, whose name" is ?
Hirelings
It was Jesus Himself who told us that some ministers would be only hirelings. It is a sad fact that in our ministry there are some hirelings. A hireling is one who works for his pay check. The ministry is to him only a job, a means of sustenance. He cares only for himself. He studies how to make it easy for himself so that he will not have to make too many calls, or do too much visiting, or give too many Bible studies.
Oh, yes, he is busy, very busy! Busy with trivial things, or carrying on some lucrative side line. Yes, he is busy with his own ap pointments, and God's work suffers. Calling on the people in their homes, studying with them, praying with them, is a burden to him, and he will put it off as long as possible. He loves the glamour and the praise that comes from performing in public, but he shuns the real burdens and responsibilities. He will place them, on the shoulders of others. When real problems and dangers arise, he will flee from them. Why? Because he is a hireling, and has lost the sense of the responsibility of his calling.
True Shepherds
The true shepherd, on the other hand, goes "all out" for Christ. His whole life is wrapped up in saving souls. He has Christlike interests in his flock. He feels the full responsibility of the charge that has been committed to him. He will be faithful in his duties. He will feed the flock, will shield them from devouring wolves, will'keep his flock in a healthy and nourished condition. Yes, he will "weep between the porch and the altar." Souls are his very life. He loves souls, and nothing is too hard for him to do no sacrifice is too great for him to make to save a soul.
"For the conversion of one sinner, the minister should tax his resources to the utmost. The soul that God has created and Christ has redeemed, is of great value, because of the possibilities before it, the spiritual advantages that have been granted it, the capabilities that it may possess if vitalized by the word of God, and the immortality it may gain through the hope presented in the gospel. And if Christ left the ninety and nine that He might seek and save one lost sheep, can we be justified in doing less? Is not a neglect to work as Christ worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, a betrayal of sacred trusts, an insult to God? "The heart of the true minister is filled with an intense longing to save souls. Time and strength are spent, toilsome effort is not shunned; for others must hear the truths that brought to his own soul such gladness and peace and joy. The Spirit of Christ rests upon him. He watches for souls as one that must give an account. With his eyes fixed on the cross of Calvary, beholding the uplifted Saviour, relying on His grace, believing that He will be with him until the end, as his shield, his strength, his efficiency, he works for God. With invitations and pleadings, mingled with the assurances of God's love, he seeks to win souls to Jesus, and in heaven he is numbered among those who are 'called, and chosen, and faithful.'" Acts of the Apostles, pp. 370, 371.
Are our names registered among these in heaven?
You have heard the call of God. You have taken your place in the ministry, whatever branch it may be. Then go forward, believing. Never look back. God, who called you to His work, is faithful, and will keep you steadfast to the end (1 Cor. 1:8, 9).
Like the apostle Paul, we must ever keep our eyes upon the prize that has been set before us, the high calling to which we have been called (Phil. 3:13, 14). We must for get the past and go forward. I know that Satan causes periods of despondency to come upon us. There are times when our ministry may not be very fruitful, when the audience in our efforts is small. The number of baptisms may be very low, but, brethren, let us not doubt the call of God. It might be well for you, like the apostle Paul, to go back in your mind and reconstruct the events of your call to the minis try.
It will bring new courage and hope to you as you see again the way God has led you. Then go forward, trusting in God. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). There will be no more question. We are acting in Christ's stead! His ambassadors! His representatives! We are the link to join fallen humanity to divinity! We will then be God's agent to save the lost, and before all men we will be recognized as the ministers of God (1 Cor. 4:1).
When we see the exalted character and holiness of the work to which we are called, we will say with the messenger of the Lord:
"I never realized more than I do today the exalted character of the work, its sacredness and holiness, and the importance of our being fitted for it.I see the need in myself. I must have a new fitting up, a holy unction, or I cannot go any further to instruct others. I must know that I am walking with God. I must know that I understand the mystery of godliness. I must know that the grace of God is in my own heart, that my own life is in accordance with His will, that I am walking in His footsteps. Then my words will be true and my actions right." Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 618.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." May God help us truly to have the conviction in our hearts that He has named us and has called us to His work.
Exalt Christ, Not Man
By an unknown Christian
Here was a holy hush throughout the J- auditorium as the liquid notes of the soloist, inspired by Holy Spirit power, poured into the hearts of the congregation.
She sang with praise in her heart and in her voice to Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. Eyes were wet and hearts tender as her song brought us into the very presence of God. She sat down, and in the silence which followed we continued to worship. Then the leader of the meeting took his place in the pulpit. With one icy blast of praise to man, he blighted the warmth, the fervor, the blessedness of that moment as he praised the singer in glowing terms, com paring her at length with a well-known soloist of worldly fame and assuring us that we had been greatly honored by her presence.
I shall never forget the look of shocked amazement on that singer's face before her head dropped and she covered her eyes with her hands to hide the tears in her eyes, I am sure, for I found tears in mine.
She had been singing about Jesus. She had been thinking of Him. She had been worshiping God in song. Somehow this wrenching of hearts and minds from Him to her was sacrilege.
Others were also affected. Quite suddenly, under the touch of that leader, the congregation which had gathered to worship God became merely an audience of spectators.
The tragedy is that the instance just described is no rare occurrence. More and more often, the meetings of the saints of God, even some of the great mass meetings involving great outlay of time, energy and money, culminate in the gathering of an audience rather than a congregation. How often in such meetings I have sat with heavy heart while leaders talked with forced gaiety, forced enthusiasm, with almost a theatrical manner, as if Jesus Him self were not able to bless or to reach hearts without the salesmanship of their jovial re marks.
How often I have wondered, as they introduced singers, musicians and speakers with lengthy laudations, what would hap pen if all the people of God gathered there would suddenly lift their eyes from man to the Creator and worship Him, praising Jesus Christ and giving place to the leading of the blessed Holy Spirit. With God receiving the glory, with Jesus the object of every worshiper's love, with the Holy Spirit leading, surely blessing, conviction and power to the salvation of souls would flow from the hearts and lips of every person present.
It is not altogether the fault of the leaders that Jesus has but little place in many of our meetings. As Hosea tells us, "And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and re ward them for their doings. For they shall eat, and not have enough" (Hosea 4:9, 10).
Sometimes we go away empty because we have come to the assembly of God's people without having prayed that He will bless the gathering and manifest His authority. Perhaps we come thinking in terms of the persons who are to speak or appear on the program, rather than in terms of meeting with God.
Frequently we must admit that we are slow to respond to the wondrous truths of the Word with glowing faces and nodding heads. But how quick we often are to react to levity! Such response on the part of a congregation cannot help but affect the speaker, because response is an important part of his ministry.
If we, the saints, come to be entertained, that is all we can expect. But let us remember: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing."
If this very thing has been the burden of your heart, and it is the burden of many hearts today, for as a layman I hear of it everywhere I go, then pray. Even two or three, by earnest, effectual, fervent prayer, can change a merry-go-round meeting spot lighting people, to a Holy Spirit-directed meeting with God.
In 1 Chronicles 15:22, 23 we read, "And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because
he was skilful. And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark."
Chenaniah was talented, he was skillful in song, and we thank God for that. What would our meetings be without song? But Berechiah, which means "Jehovah hath blessed," and Elkanah, which means "God has possessed," were doorkeepers for the ark. Who shall say which is greater in God's sight, to be blessed by God and possessed by God as doorkeepers, or to be the instructor in song because of skill?
Not too long ago I heard this plea, "Come to this conference and mingle with God's elite the greatest singers, musicians and speakers in the nation."
That same afternoon I visited a saint of God who was ill, and there I met others who had gathered to pray and to help in whatever way they could. Not one of those present was financially able to spend a week at a conference, but as they prayed, and as they prayed for that very conference to be blessed of God, I thought, "Surely, here too, are God's elite." For not only the talented, but the faithful are God's elite, His select group, His chosen ones. And I was glad to mingle with the Berechiahs and the Elkanahs who were joyfully doing the will of God.
Oh, saints of God, leaders, singers, musicians, speakers, pastors, teachers, doorkeepers, congregation let us give honor where honor is due. Let us love one another with pure hearts, fervently. Let us esteem very highly for their work's sake the leaders of God's people; but let us say with David, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together" (Ps. 34:1-3).
