Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. There are many who clamor
to be pastors and teachers for the same reasons that politicians
seek office. In our modern day, this occupation
has become a profession that is pursued and carried out just
like any other worldly endeavor, complete with salaries, pension
plans, and paid vacations. Yet Paul has made it abundantly
clear that this is a calling which cannot be escaped, rather
than an occupation one can be trained for by worldly wisdom
and entered into for personal gain. Paul plainly said that
those who are called unto this work cannot choose to ignore
it. He said, for though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to
glory of, for necessity is laid upon me. Yea, woe is unto me
if I preach not the gospel. This is a calling which is not
necessarily entered into gladly, since the grave accountability
that is attached to it is quite stern. Yet when God intends that
a man should perform it, he cannot escape from it any more than
Jonah could circumvent going to Nineveh. There are many well-meaning
men who enter into this work without this calling, and even
some who enter into it for the praise of men or because they
think that they can perform some work of righteousness which will
please God. Others have the gift of gab and think themselves suited
to this ministry. Some just like the thought of
being in front of people and having them do what they tell
them to do. I laugh to myself when I think of this, because
I am convinced that one of the burdens which those who are called
to preach must bear is the seeming disregard of most of what they
teach by those who hear them. Even the Lord himself experienced
this. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor,
but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. The popularity of a man's ministry
is more often an indication of the shallowness of his doctrine
than it is of its depth. It is difficult to instruct the
saints of God on the fruits of the Spirit if those things are
absent in the instructor. Therefore, those who would be
teachers must lead by example. The fruit of the Spirit is not
something which can be produced by teaching. Apart from the Lord
causing it to be found growing on the branch, no amount of fertilizer
or effort on the part of men can produce it. Nothing but confusion
results from those who would preach that we are to be kind
to one another, and yet they demonstrate unkindness in their
words and deeds. How can a man exhort men to forgive
one another when he harbors an unforgiving spirit? Can a man
admonish the saints of God to mortify the deeds of the body
when he is engaged in fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? Paul
made a bold statement when he said, Brethren, be followers
together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us,
for an example. Such is the calling of those
who would be vinedressers. One only need look at the qualifications
of an elder to see this demonstrated. One's ability to teach is a minor
part of those credentials, but sadly that is usually the main
criteria that men look for. This ought not to be so. Those
who are to be vinedressers or husbandmen need to be aware that
they are not the vine nor the true husbandman. I am the true
vine and my father is the husbandman. They are only undershepherds
of the flock and tenders of the vine. They have no real power
to do anything profitable for the vine or the branches. They
did not plant the vine. The Lord said that he is the
vine and we are the branches. He is the source of all nourishment
that can come to the branches. All things transpire for good
to those whom he is pleased to nourish, who are the called according
to his purpose. They did not graft the branches
onto the vine. His skillful hand alone has caused
those whom he has grafted in to grow and to live. Many men
overestimate their value to the branches, thinking that they
alone possess what the branches need. The need of the branches
can only be supplied by the vine. He alone can produce fruit on
the branches, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Since they
themselves are one of the branches, they need not forget that He
alone can cause them to produce that fruit which is necessary
for their ministry. He alone will have all of the
glory in the harvest. Too many preachers think that
they can share even just a small place of glory, but He alone
will be exalted. Let the name of all men perish
from off the face of the earth, but let His name endure forever,
for He is worthy of our praise. Enter into the rock and hide
thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of
his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall
be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and
the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Is Christ all of
your glory? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.