The Editor Is Doing A Bit Of Research
EDITORIAL
FALL-OUT SHELTER
When the nation of Israel was about to enter their promised land, the land of Canaan, they were confronted with imposing and seemingly impregnable cities. Very often these cities were located in inaccessible rock hills and were surrounded by immense walls. Naturally the Israelites were dubious about attacking such fortresses, as they were comparatively few in number and had not the weapons to destroy such defenses. We know the story, however, how God fought for them and time after time delivered the enemy into their hands.
David, Israel's greatest warrior king, when he came to take the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, found such a fortified city. After capturing it in the strength of the Lord, he made it his capital city and further fortified it, making it one of the strongest fortresses in Western Asia. So David knew something of fortresses for defense.
It is this same David we hear singing a song of and to the Lord. "Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine; God, my rock, in him will I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge; my saviour, thou savest me from violence" (II Samuel 22:2,3). David knew by experience that the greatest defense man could invent would eventually fall to someone. He knew he needed a greater defense. He found this in God.
Today we are intensely interested in defense. Our government is also interested in offensive weapons of war, but the citizenry is mainly interested in the question of how to defend ourselves from atomic blast and fall-out. Many words have flowed over the dam concerning the pros and cons of fall-out shelters. It is not my purpose here to add more verbiage about cinder-block or concrete shelters under the ground. But I want to remind you of David's defense in time of calamity, his God in whom he took refuge.
A modern paraphrase of David's words might read: "Jehovah is . . . my fall-out shelter." We must be practical and admit that the strongest shelter man can build is only as strong as the man who builds it and will fall to someone who invents a weapon great enough to destroy it.
What shall we do? Where can we turn? The logical answer is: do what David did, turn to God. "In him will I take refuge," says David. If the American people would do this our country might be saved from the little Russian who is determined to bury us. Only in God is there salvation for our nation. When will we wake up to that fact?
But why wait till the rest do this? David didn't wait till his nation decided to take refuge in God, he fled to God and found refuge for himself. And eventually the nation did the same under his leadership. That's the way it must be with you. You must personally turn to God for your own salvation, and to that degree your nation also turns to Him.
The New Testament asserts: "For by grace are ye saved through faith." Faith in whom? Why, faith in Jesus Christ. "(For) in none other is there salvation." Do you want a shelter that will protect you from the searing heat of an eternal lake of fire and its accompanying fall-out of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
Sincerely,
Arthur E. Gordon, Editor
**********
Dear Shut-In . . .
By Lillian Butt
My Dear Ones,
It sure is nice to receive mail, but a little harder to keep up with it, huh? My conscience goes through such jabbing pain. Believe me I have tried ever so many times but though much improved in ways still the suffering is very acute or too disabling. You are so patient, bless your hearts. Perhaps some day God will roll back the scenes of time and reveal more fully all our "Why Lords?"
Oh that you could have enjoyed with me some of the sermons we've been privileged to hear of late. My pastor has said so many times, "All things, no matter how contrary they may seem, are working together for our ultimate good." Sunday night one pastor put it this way, or words to this effect, that perhaps God is toughening us for the royal tests ahead for His saints.
These are latter days we know. Dear ones, take heart, look up. Joys we can't imagine are soon to be ours when our Lord comes for us. Let's try not to panic at these frightful predictions in this world. Remember, our Lord said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
Some of these days some of us may have to go through an H - bomb attack. -- Sure we shud-d-der a bit-t-t-t-t at the thought, but remember the 3 Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. Did God let them down? God is able to bring us through without the smell of smoke or the taint of fall-out.
Then again it may be God's will just to take us home. It's God's business to take care of me.
Of course we can fret ourselves till we're a nervous wreck wondering if God is trustworthy -- ha! -- ; well when we worry about God's business it makes just that much sense. If we do all God would have us do we won't have time to fret. (Now Lillian Butt, I hope you really take this in, good, about a lot of other things too). Yup! "Me is" toooo earthly human too, tooo many times.
Then again our Lord will return any day now. How crushed God must be seeing all the suffering of the world. We all feel so badly when loved ones must go from us, are called into the service, but God too gave His Son, to redeem us. His heart too was broken. "When the battle's over, we shall wear a crown."
Meanwhile, provisions, all we need are promised by the Head of our army, our Lord Jesus Christ. Do we dare to cash in on the promises of God? They are the premiums to born-again hearts.
Most of us are bearing a rugged cross of one kind or another. Would you want a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, or a God who had not tasted? No! Nor do I. Without such experiences we lack depth of character. God knows this so well. What does it matter if our cross consists of overwork, thoughtless ones, temptation, pain, weakness, wrecked nerves, loneliness, etc.? God will only allow what we can stand and has promised a way of escape that we may be able to bear it.
Oh, dear ones, these are only temporary. "Your affliction is but for a moment and worketh for you a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory." I too hit the very depths at times. Jesus did too. Remember when He was tempted? Remember Gethsemane?
Hold on. This is the short end of things. We'll celebrate the victory multiplied times more than the warring time lasts. God shall wipe away all tears.
May you all have a very nice Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. God bless you. How much I do appreciate your prayers. Let's keep praying for each other.
Christian Love, Lillian
(Lillian suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.)
**********
PEACE
I thought peace was a shining thing
Of loveliness and light,
Of sunlit days and smiling flowers,
All beautiful and bright.
But once when tears were on my cheeks
And darkness on my road,
One touched me . . . and I learned that he
Finds peace who walks with God!
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
PRAYER
He who has charge of planets
Is mindful still of me;
Though I am weak and sinful,
He heeds my faintest plea.
From scenes of radiant splendor
He notes one crimson drop
Of my heart's lonely bleeding;
The choiring angels stop
And gaze, all lost in wonder,
As He, the undefiled,
Stoops low in love to succour
His sinful, suffering child.
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
**********
GOD NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE
By Dana M. Pankey, D.D., Th.D.
DO YOU sometimes wonder why your illness and afflictions are permitted? God has the answer to all of our problems.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29). And remember, Jesus Christ suffered for you.
Suffering and affliction often bring God's children much closer to Him. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes" (Psalm 119:67,71).
Suffering and illness make many Christians stronger for the Lord. "therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Corinthians 12:10).
It is for your good and God's glory. "For 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: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Corinthians 4:17-18).
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
God never makes a mistake!
(Dr. Pankey is partially paralyzed as a result of four strokes.)
**********
Dear Shut-In . . .
ALL'S WELL
By Henry G. Bosch
. . . yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God. -- Ecclesiastes 8:12.
It was the post John G. Whittier who wrote with true Christian discernment, "Bear up, bear on, the end shall tell -- the dear Lord ordereth all things well!" Yes, trial, sorrow, difficulty, and distress always tend to blessing. In themselves these situations may prove trying, but they "work together for good!" Our darkest moments here will no doubt shine with the greatest luster of reward in Heaven. It was Spurgeon who wrote with deep spiritual understanding, "The egg is white enough, though the hen be black as coal. Out of evil comes blessing, through the great goodness of God. From threatening clouds we get the refreshing showers; in dark mines men find bright jewels: and so from our worst troubles come our best blessings. The bitter cold sweetens the ground, and the rough winds fasten the roots of the old oaks. When our heart is right with God, everything is right. We are all at school, and our great Teacher writes many a bright lesson on the blackboard of affliction."
There is an interesting painting which depicts a large cattle-boat laden with animals being ferried across an angry, swollen river in time of storm. The jagged lightning, the threatening clouds, and the fright of the poor, dumb cattle are all graphically illustrated. It would seem that all are marked for destruction, but the title of the painting is much less ominous; it reads, "Changing Pastures." The lesson is plain. Many times we imagine that God's plan means disaster and affliction for us, while actually we are simply "changing pastures" -- a circumstance that will bring us much benefit now and even greater reward in eternity.
Though the Christian may sometimes have a "rough passage," he is assured a safe landing; for the promise if immutable: "It shall be well with them that fear God!"
(From "Our Daily Bread," used by permission of The Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, MI)
**********
I Was Not A Juvenile Delinquent
-- nevertheless Carol needed Christ.
But let's let Carol Hamilton tell her own story.
IN GOD IS my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Psalm 62:7). In the past twelve months this verse has come to mean a lot to me.
My life was what you might call normal until about a year ago. For as long as I can remember I have gone to Sunday school and church. I even occasionally made it to the Sunday evening services of my church. I had never done anything very bad and was not a juvenile delinquent. I would probably have been termed an average American girl -- if there is such a thing.
Then during the summer of 1960 I attended a Presbyterian camp for a week. I went with the intention of having a lot of fun -- swimming, going on hikes, meeting new friends, et cetera. I did have fun, of course, but something else happened, too.
Having heard my counselor's testimony, I began to think about my own salvation. Had I ever really been saved? Did I ever really repent of my sins and put my complete trust in Christ? During that week my best friend was saved. By the change in her life I knew that my life had been centered around myself, and not Christ.
Where had I gone wrong? I had done what many others had done before me and are still doing. I depended on good works and church membership. I would not allow myself to be saved by grace through faith in my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
After camp I took a long look at myself and my past life. Yes, it was a good thing to attend church but it was not enough. Church membership could not forgive and wipe away my sins. Only Jesus could do that.
Finally I surrendered my all to Him. I don't know just when, but I do know there was a glorious change in my life. Knowing I was saved and would some day live with Him in heaven, I found a happiness I never knew existed.
I now enjoy the fellowship of many Christian friends. Going to church, reading the Bible, and praying now give me great strength and satisfaction, whereas I used to do these things because I felt it was my duty. When troubled and my earthly friends cannot help me, I know there is still One who cares and who will help me if I but look to Him and ask Him for His guidance.
My prayer and aim right now is to be a daily witness to my friends who have never been saved, and to win them to Christ. This is not always easy because today the trend is to go along with the crowd, no matter what the crowd is doing. However I have a Strength greater than myself and I'm so glad I have such promises to rely on as:
"Take my yoke upon you . . . and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:29,30).
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9).
I know these promises are true because they are the Word of God and His "Word is truth."
Since becoming a Christian my goals for my life have changed. For some time I have thought about teaching as my profession. Now I want to serve the Lord in any way I can, so I am considering teaching on the mission field. If the Lord wants me in this work, I am ready to obey. After all, He has done everything for me -- I want to do something for Him.
" . . . and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
**********
BERMUDA COUNTDOWN
By Jeanette W. Lockerbie
A story from real life.
EVERY NIGHT as his dad came home from the special meetings Skippy Lawrence asked, "Dad was anyone saved tonight?"
The boy's thin face glowed when the answer was "yes." Under his pillow, Skippy had a dog-eared notebook containing a list of names of people for whom he prayed regularly. Beside some names were check marks.
"Just three more, Mother. Just Butch and Sandy and Tommy still need to be saved, and maybe tonight --"
Mrs. Lawrence shivered. It wasn't the storm battering Bermuda that October night in 1935 that caused her to shiver -- although it was the stormiest night she had ever seen.
"Just three more," Skip had said. Skip was convinced he would see these last three of his friends come to faith in Christ, but Skip's days were numbered. Deadly Leukemia was relentlessly taking him from them.
One more name was checked off when Butch confessed faith in Christ. That night Mrs. Lawrence wakened her husband at 1 o'clock. "Jim! wake up. I'm afraid -- please hurry and get Dr. Frank."
Skip was delirious, muttering about Sandy and Tommy -- and heaven.
The power lines were knocked out; the phone was dead. The high wind sent sheets of rain into the room as Mr. Lawrence left to get the family doctor.
"I'm sorry, more sorry that I can say," the doctor said after his examination. "But there's nothing I can do, nothing anyone can do now." The doctor shook his head sadly.
When he left, Skip called in a weak voice, "Don't cry, Mother and Dad, I'm not going to die -- not yet."
There was strange conviction in the whispered words. "I've been praying, and God's not going to let me die until all the fellows are saved. There's still Sandy and Tommy."
The storm continued to batter the island. The meetings were poorly attended. Loath to leave his dying son for even an hour, Mr. Lawrence nevertheless went at the insistence of the boy.
"You mark my book, Dad," Skip said too weak to even hold the pencil, when his father came home and told him that Sandy had been saved. Just one left now!
It was the last night of the meetings. The last "amen" was said, and still Tommy held out against the Lord. He was at the meetings, but showed no response to the speaker's invitation to trust Jesus Christ and receive God's gift of eternal life. Mr. Lawrence dreaded facing his son with the discouraging report.
"Dad, did Tommy --" A feverish light burned in the sick boy's face.
Mr. Lawrence shook his head. "Son, God knows all about Tommy --"
"I can't go, Dad, before Tommy is saved," Skip interrupted.
There was a knock on the door, and Tommy darted toward the bed. "Skip! I had to come and tell you. I'm saved. Pastor Ford prayed with me and -- "
My book, Mother, my book. Mark Tommy -- he's the last one. They're all saved. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Now I'm ready."
And a short time later Skip went to be with his Saviour.
(Copyright 1961 Scripture Press, Wheaton, IL. Used by permission of POWER)
**********
Faith is a holy daring,
acting in spite of appearances,
with full dependence upon God.
It is good to be saved and know it;
it is better to be saved and show it.
**********
SERMON SERIES
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
No. 29
A Word To Pastors
As
UNDERSHEPHERDS
Of
God's Flock
I Peter 5:1-4
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
WHAT IS your pastor like? If someone should ask you this, what would your answer be? More than once I have received this answer: "well, our pastor is a good mixer." What they mean by this I am not sure. I suppose they mean he mixes well with all kinds of people and organizations, is congenial and friendly.
I have read through the Bible several times but have yet to find this description of the minister of God. However, the Bible does have much to say concerning those who are called to minister in the Church. Our text is a case in point. In it we have an exhortation to the "elders" in the Church.
We shall not argue over what office today most nearly fits this word "elder." Rather, we shall make application to all who minister in the Church. And we shall find something for lay people as well.
First we have --
THE EXHORTER
Peter is speaking. He says, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed . . ." (1).
This word from the pen of the apostle Peter should put an end once and for all to the idea that Peter held higher rank in the Church than the other apostles. He says he was merely a "co-elder" -- that's the word he uses -- with the other elders. There is no hint of primacy here.
His exhortation is addressed to the ministers of his day, and to us today. But before he begins, he reminds us of two important facts which were true in his experience.
He claims to be "a witness" and "a partaker." This sums up the whole history of Peter's experience with Christ. As to his past and present he was "a witness," as to the future he was "a partaker."
Matthew tells the story of the beginning of Christ's passion thus: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me."
At the time Peter didn't realize all that was involved in Gethsemane, nor even on Mount Calvary. It was not till after the resurrection and Pentecost that he fully understood. Now several years later he sits down to pen this epistle and with the full recognition of the significance of Christ's suffering -- how that "Christ also hath once suffered for sins . . . that he might bring us to God" -- he declares that he is "a witness" of that passion. A witness is one who tells what he has seen. That's what Peter was doing. That's why he was left in the world.
He was also "a partaker of the glory" yet to be revealed or unveiled. Peter speaks as though the glory was already revealed; he was just that sure of it. No doubt his confidence was based on what he had said previously: "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Peter was "in Christ." Of that, he was sure. He knew also that that meant he was a sharer in Christ's sufferings and as well a sharer in His glory. We too may be just that sure of glory if we are "in Christ."
Let me ask the pastors who read this, How can you be the kind of minister you should be unless you have this same confidence? You are left in this world to be "a witness." But how can you witness if you haven't first "seen," through the eyes of faith, Christ dying for your sins? And how can you impart confidence to your people that they are sharers in Christ's glory, if you haven't that confidence? Paul testified: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." May we be able to testify the same.
Next --
THE EXHORTATION
"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (2,3).
There are two different Greek words translated in the Authorized Version, "feed." Our Lord used both words when He commissioned Peter to look after His flock. First He said, "Feed (bosko) my lambs." Then He said, "Feed (poimaino) my sheep." Then again He said, "Feed (bosko) my sheep."
The first and last word is the narrower term, denoting nourishment, and may be rendered specifically, "feed." The second word is the wider term which includes oversight and may be rendered, "shepherd" or "tend." In our text in First Peter, the wider term is used. So what Peter is asking of the spiritual leaders of the Church is that they "shepherd (tend) the flock of God." Of course feeding is included. But the over-all well-being of the flock is in view.
Many things are involved in the oversight of "the flock of God." But let us just consider the two chief functions of the undershepherd. His chief functions are to guard and to guide the flock. It is the duty of a faithful shepherd to guard his sheep from harm and to guide them to green pastures where they might be nourished. So it is with the undershepherd of God's flock. He must guard the flock from error and evil; he must guide the flock into truth and triumph.
How will he do this? He will do it by prayer and faithfully expounding God's Word. Let Moses illustrate. Of Moses, the prophet Hosea says, "By a prophet the Lord brought Israel from Egypt, and by a prophet he (Israel) was shepherded" (Berkeley). Moses under God, faithfully shepherded God's people all during their wilderness wanderings. Time and again we see him climbing the mountain to be alone with God and to pray for his charges. Time and again we see him descending with God's Words on his lips for the people. Thus he guarded them from error and evil; and thus he guided them into truth and ultimate triumph.
The duties of the modern-day pastor are multitudinous, but I am convinced his primary task is to "shepherd the flock of God." And this means primarily to guard and guide it. The lion and wolf, error and evil, stalk God's "sheep" constantly. Prayer and preaching of God's Word are our best weapons to slay these enemies. And prayer and preaching are the means whereby our people are nourished -- being thus guided into green pastures of truth and mountain-tops of triumph.
The early apostles recognized the importance of this primary ministry to the flock. When other (important but distracting) duties called for their time and attention, they said to the Church, "Look ye out . . . men . . . whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to PRAYER and to the MINISTRY OF THE WORD."
Pastor, if you find yourself too occupied with other "business" to properly "tend" the flock, then I say you better get rid of some of your "business," or turn it over to other brethren, so that you can get back to the job at hand. Your main job is to guard and guide God's "sheep" which have been committed to your trust, and that by giving yourself "continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word"
Peter next sets forth the way in which ministers in the Church are to perform their duties. It is:
not by . . .
not for . . .
neither as . . .
"Not by constraint . . . not for filthy lucre . . . neither as being lords over God's heritage." This is the negative side.
The positive side is:
but . . .
but of . . .
but being . . .
"But willingly . . . but of a ready mind . . . but being ensamples to the flock."
So ministers are to tend the flock: "not by constraint, but willingly." There must be no compulsion in this. If there is any constraint, let it be: "For the love of Christ constraineth us."
Ministers are to tend the flock: "not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." Those who minister for monetary gain and self-advancement, are the ones who flee when the job becomes hazardous to self-interest or the pocketbook. Jesus calls them "hirelings." Such "careth not for the sheep." But faithful ministers are not hirelings. The farthest thing from their mind is greedy gain or self-promotion. They oversee the flock, not just willingly (as above), but eagerly, with "a ready mind."
Ministers are to tend the flock: "neither as being lords over God's heritage, but ensamples to the flock." I wonder if there may not be a good reason sometimes when it seems the pastor is lording it over his charges. Maybe the "sheep" are not acting like sheep at all. Hosea says of Israel, "Yes, like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn. How can the Lord feed them like a lamb in a broad place?" (Berkeley). Have you ever tried to put a heifer or young cow in a stanchion for her first milking? The farmers who read this know what I am talking about. I don't think there is anything more stubborn than a heifer. She will go everywhere but where you want her. That's the kind of people some preachers have in their churches. They are supposed to belong to God's flock, but they act more like heifers than sheep.
Elders are supposed to rule. That's one of their duties (I Timothy 3:4,5). But of course they are not to be little dictators, and they won't be if they remember the flock is not theirs but God's. Paul says, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour." Of course ruling well involves "being ensamples to the flock." This means practicing what you preach. The word "ensample" means a pattern or model of something else. Ministers as undershepherds are to be the living pattern or model of the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus.
THE END
"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (4).
What a glorious prospect for all of us who love him! This very same blessed One who has shepherded us through life, from the time we entered His fold until this present moment -- this same One "shall appear."
At His appearing all undershepherds who have faithfully tended His flock, "shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Peter doesn't explain what this crown is, but we know it will be some sort of special recognition for faithful service. And what better crown, than to be recognized in a special way by the Chief Shepherd. We know too that, not like earthly crowns and rewards, this one "fadeth not away." So shall it be for all faithful undershepherds.
And it will be a blessed time for all the flock. But some who read are not of "the flock of God." You are yet outside the fold. And this is true in spite of the fact that Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep," and He repeated it, "I am the door;" then He added these wonderful words, "By me if any man enter in, HE SHALL BE SAVED."
He also said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish."
If you are outside the fold it is because, as Jesus said, "Ye believed not." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." "By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved."
One final word to Christians. Let's stop acting like stubborn heifers, making it hard for our pastors. Let's get more in character and act like God's "sheep" ought to act, following our spiritual leaders as they follow Christ, and setting a good example for those who come after us.
**********
