"I SURE WISH OUR CROWDS WERE BIGGER!"

I do too. No one is more concerned than I am that our building is not packed every week by men and women earnestly desiring to hear the gospel. I wish that I could have the opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ, at least once, to every person in this world. But I ceased the business of counting heads long ago. Truth is usually in the minority in this world. I do not expect the world's applause for preaching the gospel of God's free grace in Christ.

But I know that my one business is to preach that gospel. The one thing God requires of his servants is that they faithfully proclaim the gospel. The one thing God will bless is the preaching of the gospel. The one thing that will do poor sinners good is the preaching of the gospel. And the one thing a church must be built upon is the preaching of the gospel.

If the Lord is pleased to greatly increase our number, we will rejoice. If he is pleased to add to our number a few, now and then, we will give thanks. If he is pleased to send no increase at all, or even to take some away, we must yet remain faithful to the gospel. It is our business to faithfully preach it. It is God's business to do with it what he will. The Lord uses some to plow, some to plant, some to water, and some to gather the harvest in his kingdom. We will rejoice if he is pleased to use us for any of these honorable privileges!