June
17, 2003
THE
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, Part II
"The
kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took
and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the
seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and
becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest
in its branches" (Matthew 13:31, 32, NKJV).
"So
the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning.
A word is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an
influence is exerted that is the beginning of the new life;
and who can measure its results?
"Not
only is the growth of Christ's kingdom illustrated by the
parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth
the experience represented in the parable is repeated. For
His church in every generation God has a special truth and
a special work. The truth that is hid from the worldly wise
and prudent is revealed to the child-like and humble. It calls
for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and victories
to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the great
men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are
opposed and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner
of Christ, standing alone to rebuke the pride and formalism
of the Jewish nation. See the first bearers of the gospel
into Europe. How obscure, how hopeless, seemed the mission
of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as they with their
companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See 'Paul the
aged,' in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the
Ceasars. See the little communities of slaves and peasants
in conflict with the heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin
Luther withstanding the mighty church which is the masterpiece
of the world's wisdom. See him holding fast God's word against
emperor and pope, declaring, 'Here I take my stand; I can
not do otherwise. God be my help.' See John Wesley preaching
Christ and His righteousness in the midst of formalism, sensualism,
and infidelity. See one burdened with the woes of the heathen
world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to them Christ's
message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism: 'Sit
down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He
will do it without your help or mine.'
"As
in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found,
not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and
women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word
of God."--Christ's Object Lessons, pp., 78, 79.
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