763. COL 4:17. A MINISTERIAL CHARGE

Col_4:17. a Ministerial Charge

"Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it."’97Col_4:17.

Our text refers solely to the work of the ministry. It is the apostle Paul’s counsel to Archippus, that he "take heed," &c. On this occasion we shall presume that you are not a stranger to vital experimental religion. We assume it as a matter which is obvious to the members of this Church and your Christian brethren, that you are in spirit, profession, and practice, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Personal religion is of essential importance to every one, but preeminently so to the preacher of the gospel; otherwise his life is one scene of deception upon the Church and the world, and his addresses the mere soulless harangues of a hireling. But the profession of religion is not enough. In the pastor it should be lively, striking, decided, and influential. In the vestments of purity he is to be clad, and "Holiness to the Lord" is to be written on his breastplate, so that the light of his purity is to be manifest to all. On these momentous topics, however, we shall not now dwell, but devote all our attention to the truths expressly presented to us in the text. Consider,

I. What duty the Christian ministry involves.

And,

II. The spirit in which it should be fulfilled.

The Christian ministry presents four spheres of labor.

1. The study.

It is desirable that the Christian minister have such a place; that it should be a place adapted to usefulness and comfort; that it should be well ventilated, quiet, and well furnished with a choice selection of useful books. The study must be the place,

(1.) Of reading.

"Give thyself to reading," &c. Philosophy, science, history, poetry, general literature, may engage our occasional time. But theology is the direct course of reading which should engage your especial attention. The writings of the puritans and non-conformists present a deep rich mine of precious truth, in which you cannot dig without possessing invaluable treasure. But the holy Scriptures must be the great book of ministerial consultation. Here you have the great doctrines and truths which are to supply you with all the materials for your work. With patriarchs, prophets, and evangelists you must be on the most intimate terms. With their writings you are to be minutely conversant. Nothing can make up for a deficiency here. You must be so deeply read in biblical knowledge, that it shall impart its peculiar and divine savoriness to all your pastoral and ministerial discourses. Read much, read with distinct arrangement, and with a special object to your ministerial work. Reading must be followed by

(2.) Meditation.

By meditation, the food reading supplies is digested, and so incorporated as to become a part of our mental self. Meditation is urged by the apostle in connection with reading. By meditation we view subjects in all their bearings and tendencies. By meditation we avoid loading the mind with mere phantoms and useless crudities. To meditate in the law of the Lord is the duty of the private Christian; how much more necessary, therefore, is it to the Christian teacher. A good memory may store up words by reading, but meditation is essential to the extraction of the essences and the thoughts of subjects. From reading and meditation we pass on to notice,

(3.) Composition.

The selection and preparation of your pulpit discourses. The exact manner of doing this must greatly depend on your own peculiar characteristics of mind. As to the amount of writing, that must be left greatly to your own judgment. But in most cases some writing is essentially necessary; in many cases it should be rather extended in degree. But a few words here shall suffice. Select subjects adapted to the persons and circumstances of your congregation, especially those bearing on the great truths of religion. Never aim merely at pleasing,’97seek not high things, but consult perspicuity of style, and great plainness of expression. Rut in all cases have both your ideas and phraseology so arranged, that without fear you may stand up to explain with clearness and ability, the topics which you have chosen. Do not go empty-handed to the hungry sheep of your pastoral care; and go not with bare disjointed thoughts or meager sketches, but laden with the good things of the gospel, having a portion of meat for all in due season. Lead the people into the rich verdant pastures of the divine word, and let not leanness be upon them through your negligent and incompetent provision. Prepare for them the finest of the wheat, and present them with the richest clusters of the refreshing grapes of Canaan. Let your study have a large proportion of your time, and cherish for it an affection which all the attractions of society cannot shake. The next sphere of ministerial usefulness is in,

2. The pulpit.

Here you are to stand with the message of God, and to proclaim it to the people. The great subject of your ministerings must be Jesus Christ. You are to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Christ, in his person, offices, obedience, sufferings, death, and resurrection, and glory. Christ as the sacrifice for human guilt. As the only Saviour possessing unbounded willingness, and illimitable power. Christ, in his full, free, and everlasting gospel, and that gospel in all its doctrines, ordinances, precepts, promises, privileges, and blessings. Enter the pulpit in the spirit of prayer, and seek God’s Holy Spirit to aid you in your awfully responsible duties. In preaching the gospel to immortal souls,

(1.) Be plain.

Both as it regards a clear style, and the adoption of familiar, not vulgar, expressions. Never adopt words of rare use; seldom interlard Greek and Latin, and never French quotations. The people cannot be edified unless they understand you, but the great majority cannot understand, unless you use great plainness of speech.

(2.) Be earnest.

Your message is one which demands this. You will effect little without it. A lethargic, formal preacher is a disgrace to the office, and brings insult to the gospel. If your heart glows with the love of Christ, you will preach with celestial fervor and burning zeal.

(3.) Be faithful.

Use not enticing words of human wisdom. Be not a trimmer, at your soul’s peril. Declare the whole counsel of God. Keep no part of the truth back. Teach every man, warn every man, and let fidelity distinguish all your addresses as one who must give an account. Be faithful to your own conscience, to souls, to the Church, and to God, whose responsible servant you are. With fidelity,

(4.) Be affectionate.

Let love imbue your spirit, and it will breathe in your discourses. Have bowels of mercy. Cherish the tenderest sympathies. Often weep over perishing souls. Travail in anxious pangs of solicitude, till Christ is formed in your hearers.

(5.) Be evangelical.

Exalt Christ as the centre and glory of your system. Let him be alpha and omega. Ever seek his glory, and cause all truths to revolve around him, and be irradiated with the beams of his divine splendor. Remember’97

"’Tis all your business here below,

To cry, Behold the Lamb!"

Threatenings and duties, ordinances and precepts, law and gospel, facts and prophecies, may all be preached evangelically. Leave the pulpit in the spirit of devotion, seeking the sanctifying blessing of God upon your labors. Your third sphere of labor is,

3. The Church.

Over this you have to preside, and in Christ’s name and with the voice of the brethren to enforce the statutes of his kingdom. In the Church,

(1.) Maintain discipline.

In receiving members, in treating cases of offence, and in excluding from Church fellowship. Do not swerve from the precepts and precedents of the New Testament. Heed not mere usages, mere customs; conform to the infallible directions of the word of God.

(2.) Administer the ordinances.

Faithfully, with rigid, scriptural exactness; with due solemnity and with much prayer.

(3.) Visit your flock.

As often as you prudently can. With impartiality. Without ostentatious or priestly assumption. With a view to their edification. In the spirit of kindness and love. The last sphere of labor is,

4. The world.

You may claim, as Wesley did, the world for your parish. Wherever there is an opening for usefulness, and you have the means, labor to do good. Labor to enlarge the bonds of the Church. Seek for the extension of the gospel in your locality. Around you souls are perishing. Give your countenance and influence to the humane and benevolent institutions of the day. Plead for the poor; befriend the destitute; visit the wretched; open your mouth for the dumb. Enter earnestly on the work of the religious instruction of the young. Diffuse the Scriptures. Speak for the benighted heathen. Oh! cherish an enlarged, glowing, restless spirit of liberality and exertion. In one word, be ready for every good work. Notice,

II. The spirit in which your ministry should be fulfilled.

With,

1. Great circumspection.

"Take heed." Be not rash or precipitate, but prudent. Wise as a serpent. Seek heavenly wisdom. Be vigilant, watchful. Deeply ponder your work; intimately examine your spirit; prove yourself.

2. Constantly cherish a sense of your responsibility.

Your ministry has been received from the Lord. He has put you into the office. You work for God. The steward’s account will be demanded. The results are of tremendous magnitude. This will lead to lowliness, to constant prayer and continual dependence on divine grace. The text has respect,

3. To a spirit of perseverance.

"Fulfil it." Be not only instant in season and out of season, but endure hardness. Hold on and out to the end. The course is to extend with your life, and both must end together. Be faithful unto death. Go not, nay look not back. "Be steadfast," &c. In

Conclusion

1. You will have much to try you. Much to oppose you. Enemies without and fears within. It may be reviling scoffers and false brethren.

2. But you have every thing to encourage you. God is your helper. Christ is the unfailing source of your sufficiency. The Spirit in all his plenitude is promised. An gels are interested in your work. The holy and benevolent are around you to lift up your hands, and to pray down blessings upon you. And there is a glittering crown sparkling with celestial brightness before you; then "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS