 
Illustration. The Gospel Commission. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. 1. Before leaving His disciples, what great commission did Christ give them? “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. Note.—The word gospel means good news, or glad tidings. 2. What is the gospel of Christ? “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. 3. How extensively and for how long did Christ say the gospel should be preached? “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. 4. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles? “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.” Acts 15:14. 5. How are those who preach the gospel described? “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that [pg 632] 6. What was the object of Christ's ministry? “I the Lord have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.” Isa. 42:6, 7. 7. For what purpose did Christ select the apostle Paul, and send him to the Gentiles? “And He said, ... I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness ... to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:15-18. 8. What is the Christian minister commanded to preach? “Preach the word.” 2 Tim. 4:2. 9. Of what did Christ say the Scriptures testify? “They are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39. Note.—Every one, therefore, who preaches the word aright, will preach Christ. Paul, who faithfully preached God's word, said he was determined not to know (i.e., to make known) anything “save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2. Jonathan Edwards was once asked by a young minister what he thought of a sermon he had just preached. “It was a very poor sermon, indeed,” said Mr. Edwards. “Why?” asked the young minister. “Because,” said Mr. Edwards, “there was no Christ in it.” All the great truths of the Scriptures center in Christ. Rightly understood, all lead to Him. Christ, therefore, should be presented in every discourse as the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan of salvation. 10. How does God expect His ministers to preach the word? “He that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully.” Jer. 23:28. 11. How did Christ present the truth to the people? “And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.” Mark 4:33. Note.—Ministers should learn to adapt their labors to those for whom they labor—to meet the people where they are. 12. What rule for teaching doctrine is laid down in the Bible? [pg 633]“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isa. 28:10. 13. How should the servant of God labor? “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” 2 Tim. 2:24, 25. Note.—While the claims of the law of God are presented to the sinner, ministers should never forget that love—the love of God—is the only power that can soften the heart and lead to repentance and obedience, and that to save men is their great work. 14. As a preparation for their work, what did Christ do to the apostles? “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45. 15. For what did He tell them to tarry in Jerusalem? “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Verse 49. 16. How did the apostles preach the gospel? “With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” 1 Peter 1:12. 17. What was the result of this preaching? “Many of them which heard the word believed.” “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Acts 4:4; 6:7. 18. What promise is made to the faithful gospel minister? “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126:6. To every clime, where lost by sin, The grace of Christ a soul may win, From here Thy messengers go forth From east to west, from south to north. Perchance, in heaven one day to me Some blessed soul may come and say, All hail, beloved! But for thee My soul to death had been a prey. Ah, then what sweetness in the thought One soul to glory to have brought!
Illustration. The Good Shepherd. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof." 1 Peter 5:2. |
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