Baptists -- Sermons; Sermons, English -- 19th century
Briefly I would draw certain practical lessons out of this important
truth: the first is, if the whole farm of the church belongs exclusively
to the great Master Worker, and the laborers are worth nothing without
him, _let this promote unity among all whom he employs_. If we are all
under one Master, do not let us quarrel. It is a miserable business when
we cannot bear to see good being done by those of a different
denomination who work in ways of their own. If a new laborer comes on
the farm, and he uses a hoe of a new shape, shall I become his enemy? If
he does his work better than I do mine, shall I be jealous? Do you not
remember reading in the Scriptures that, upon one occasion, the
disciples could not cast out a devil? This ought to have made them
humble; but to our surprise we read a few verses further on that they
saw one casting out devils in Christ's name, and they forbade him
because he followed not with their company. _They_ could not cast out
the devil themselves, and they forbade those who could. A certain band
of people are going about winning souls, but because they are not doing
it in our fashion, we do not like it. It is true they have odd ways; but
they do really save souls, and that is the main point. Instead of
cavilling, let us encourage all on Christ's side. Wisdom is justified of
her children, though some of them are far from handsome. The laborers
ought to be satisfied with the new ploughman if their Master smiles upon
him. Brother, if the great Lord has employed you, it is no business of
mine to question his choice. Can I lend you a hand? Can I show you how
to work better? Or can you show me how I can improve? This is the proper
behavior of one workman to another.
This truth, however, ought to _keep all the laborers very dependent_.
Are you going to preach, young man? "Yes, I am going to do a great deal
of good." Are you? Have you forgotten that you are nothing? "Neither is
he that planteth anything." A divine is coming brimful of the gospel to
comfort the saints. If he is not coming in strict dependence upon God,
he, too, is nothing. "Neither is he that watereth anything." Power
belongeth unto God. Man is vanity and his words are wind; to God alone
belongeth power and wisdom. If we keep our places in all lowliness our
Lord will use us; but if we exalt ourselves he will leave us to our
nothingness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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