Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.… 1. An apostle is a sent one, but not self-sent. 2. A true shepherd must not mistake the love of the fleece for the love for the flock. 3. The Church is to remember that her "angels" are still in the flesh, and require at least an average provision for the needs of the flesh. It is a poor way to advance the spirituality of a minister, to begrudge him his bread. 4. Spirituality is not a thing belonging necessarily to riches or to poverty. All the worldliness is not with the rich. All the spirituality is not with the poor. 5. All true and faithful ministers may justly claim to be in the best sense in an apostolic succession. 6. Ostentation and luxury are a reproach to the ministers of Christ. 7. The Christian missionary emulates his Master, who came as the "sent One" from heaven, "to seek and to save that which was lost." 8. That is a true and practical Christianity which is not forgetful of the wants of the body while ministering to the necessities of the soul. 9. Every Christian is bound to be a missionary, even though he be not ordained as a preacher. The spirit of missions is the spirit of Christ, and when the whole Church is imbued with that the Lord's prayer will be answered, "Thy kingdom come." (E. P. Rogers, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. |
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