Frequently, concerned and
interested friends ask me this question; and I am always a little perplexed in
trying to answer it. Yet, I recognize that it is needful for us to take stock
of ourselves and honestly answer this question for our own benefit.
Frankly, there are some things which CONCERN
me. I am afraid that we are not doing all that we can and should be doing to
get people under the sound of the gospel. Very few of you ever bring anyone
with you to hear the gospel. How long has it been since you brought anyone to
the house of worship? How long has it been since you even invited someone to
come?
Yet, I see many things which ENCOURAGE me. In
the past three years, I have seen many of you growing in the knowledge of the
gospel. You show an ever increasing concern for and commitment to the gospel of
the grace of God, and a desire to make it known. More and more of you are
making use of our tracts, tapes, and bulletins to spread the message of God's
grace. It appears that the Lord is working in our midst.
New doors of utterance are continually set before us.
Interest in the work of our missionaries appears to be growing. And I believe
that the Lord has truly given us a unity of heart and purpose, such as few
congregations enjoy. For all of these things I am truly thankful to God. And I
am full of ANTICIPATION regarding the future. God has put us here for a
purpose. Were it not for the hand of God's providence we would not be here. We
can all testify to that fact. The Lord has been pleased to teach us the gospel
and he has placed before us a tremendous opportunity for ministry. There is no
other house of worship in this immediate area where the gospel of God's grace
is preached, so the burden of responsibility upon our shoulders is great. We
must seize every opportunity to declare to our generation the gospel of Christ.
I trust that we will be equal to the task. Judging from what the Lord has done
for us already, from what he is doing among us, and from the opportunities that
are before us, I cannot help but to be full of anticipation. I do
whole-heartedly believe that if we will give ourselves to the work we will have
a lasting, effectual, and meaningful ministry together in this area for the
glory of Christ.
But I am CAUTIOUS. I do not want to be
presumptuous. We will be delighted to serve the cause of Christ in whatever way
he is pleased to use us, be it great or small. Let us do nothing to quench his
Spirit among us or to hinder the work of the gospel in this place. WE WANT
NOTHING BUT THE GLORY OF CHRIST, BUT WE PRAY THAT HE MAY BE PLEASED TO USE US
FOR HIS GLORY