A CHRISTIAN SEEKING WORK.

“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”—Acts ix: 6 Paul was a very earnest and thorough-going man—determined in his purposes. He was very learned, and whatever he undertook he did with all the power and energy he possessed. He was carefully trained in the law and all the sciences of that day, under Gamaliel, the distinguished Doctor at Jerusalem. He was strictly a Pharisee. He was leader in the first persecution—the most ambitious persecutor of that day. He put to death all the Christians he could find in Jerusalem, and received letters of authority to go to Damascus to bring all that he might find of that way to Jerusalem bound. He gets up a sufficient number of armed men and journeys toward Damascus. Ere he reaches his destination, Jehovah from heaven hails him.

He looks up and beholds a supernatural light, and hears the voice of Him whose people he was persecuting, saying, “Saul! Saul!” The enquiry “Who art thou, Lord?” Being convicted and overawed, he fell!

He rose a converted man. Then it was that he uttered the words of my text, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

I. Paul exhibits his allegiance to the Saviour by expressing a disposition to work for Him. This is an evidence of conversion in every disciple. Christ says, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.” Just as soon as our hearts are new and our affections are changed, we desire a new work. This is seen clearly in all our experiences. It is not expected that a man should do the same things after conversion that he did before. He is now of God and delights to work for Him. He may not know exactly what to do, but he knows that he must do something for God, and he will therefore enquire of God, “What wilt thou have me to do?”—God will smile and point the enquirer a place in His vineyard, in which he may find useful employment until his death, and then, 0003 4having conquered, lay down the cross and take up the crown. It is highly important that each one should know his place in the Master's vineyard, that every man may be at his own work.

God never converts any one to remain idle. This fact is clearly demonstrated in all nature. The astronomers tell us that nothing is stationary. Go, thou sluggard Christian, to the ant; see how it toils for one poor grain—and canst thou remain idle? Behold the roaring sea; her waters are never still, and canst thou “be at ease in Zion?” A converted person should take it for granted that he has “a work that no other can do,” and never rest until he has found out what that work is. “To the work! to the work! We are servants of God; Let us do with our might what our hands find to do!” “Toiling on,” let us “labor till the Master comes,” that at His coming we may share in the glorious harvest.

This inquiry goes further still. It is the cry of a new birth—the cry of a soul changed and made willing by the grace of God. It is the outspeaking of a soul washed in the blood of the Crucified One. It is the cry over which angels can rejoice, “Ring the bells of heaven! There is joy to-day, for a soul is born, a new, a ransomed child.” It is the cry of renouncing his former employment under wicked, tyrannical and sinful men, and seeking work under Him, who is pure, righteous and holy, and who would more than pay him in the end. It is a cry of self-denial. The convert has entirely lost sight of self. He doesn't tell what he would rather do, but manifests a desire to do whatever God wants him to do, it matters not what. Paul afterwards verified this by saying, “I am not only ready to be bound, but to die for the name of Jesus, whom I love and serve.”

We must not go to God and suggest to Him what we would like to do, but what will He have us to do. Let God choose our work. It is, I fear, too universally the case, that people choose their own work and desire God to put them at that. No, my brethren, let us know of God what He would like to have us do—whether it is to bear a shining helmet, sword and shield, or to be an humble armorbearer—whether it is to fill the pulpit as Spurgeon or Whitefield, or to be an humble Sabbath school teacher—whether to sing, pray or shed a tear—only be sure that it is what God would have us do.

Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles, while James was stationed in Jerusalem. What one man may do well, another would 0004 5fail to do, because God would not have him do that. Let us remember that “one star differeth from another star in glory.”—What may be your work may not be mine. Some are teachers, some are evangelists, some preachers, some exhorters, some deacons and some are pastors. I am always impressed when I think of this sweet verse: “If I cannot speak like angels, If I cannot preach like Paul, I can tell the love of Jesus I can say He died for all.”

Only let me know what God would have me do.

The reasons why we should ask of God what he would have us do, are, because the vineyard is His, and we are His, and He best knows what part of His vineyard needs us, and what we can best do. Why not? He made man, and knows what is in him. Does not the man who made the engine know best what it can bear?—Does not He who made man know best what he can do? God gives His spirit to help only those who are doing what He would have them do. We trust in God when we ask of Him what we must do—trust in His ability to know better, and thereby gain His fatherly approbation.

This brings us to consider, that,

II. We are associated with God in the wonderful work of Redemption. This is the grandest thought, the most stupendous and profound thought that ever engaged the minds of men or angels. The angelic host rejoiced because they were permitted to bear the news to earth that a Saviour was born in Bethlehem. The air was filled with heaven's minstrelsy, while they sweetly sang with their golden harps, “Peace on earth and good will to men,” and “Glory to God in the highest.” I think that if they rejoiced thus, because they were permitted to bear the news only—if they were permitted to leave the realms of glory to come down and take part in this great work of redemption, they would gladly lay aside their golden lyres, and in a moment of time the whole earth would be filled with sweet and happy messengers from on high. But they cannot come; dear brethren, the work is ours. “We are colaborers together with God.” We are to beseech men as though God did it. We are to pray them in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God. This is a glorious thought. 0005 6If a man had been in partnership with A.T. Stewart, would he not have thought himself highly honored? What must we think, when we consider that we are in partnership with Him who made A.T. Stewart! We are engaged with God in the glorious work of rescuing the perishing and of caring for the dying. A noble work. We are to hear the word of God's mouth and warn the people from Him. “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you,” said Jesus to his disciples. God honors the association with the Holy Spirit. “I will send the Comforter unto you, who will teach you all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Thus He seals the union with His presence. God has left this work in the hands of his disciples. We are His witnesses in the earth—we are ambassadors for God on earth—we are entrusted with this gracious work of saving souls. O, dear brethren, consider that if we are to work with and for God, we must imbibe the Holy Spirit, for if we have not the spirit of Christ we are none of His.

To work acceptably with or for any one, it is absolutely necessary to understand his mind and character. We should therefore study God. “Learn of me,” is the admonition of our Saviour. See Him seeking to save the lost. Behold Him going to the house of the distressed. See Him feeding the hungry multitude. See Him emptying the waters of the Amazon, the Mississippi, the Euphrates and the Nile from His omnipotent hand, and then see Him bending over the well of Sychar, asking the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. When we behold this, learn of Him. O brethren, let us learn our lesson—take Him for our example—follow in His footprints. Tell His message. Pray without ceasing. Fast and pray.

This brings us to notice,

III. The work that we are to do. How important for us to know what we are to do. We are to point sinners to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. Point to the cross and tell sinners to look at the bleeding Victim. We should do this wherever our lots may be cast. Preach Him to all, and cry in death, Behold, behold the Lamb!

We should live for God—live as becomes children of the Most High. We should not be afraid to talk to sinners about their soul's salvation. Go to them gently and kindly and let them know that we are interested in them. O how many young men and women who walk the streets of Thomasville have never been approached 0006 7upon the subject of religion—never heard of Jesus, only in the church. They are anxious to have a religious conversation, but we have not enough faith to speak to them. Dear brethren this is what we should do. Do we feel the dignity of our calling? Do we feel the magnitude of our responsibility? If so, let us “Plead with them patiently, plead with them earnestly: Tell the poor wand'rer a Saviour has died.”

I would not have you think that I mean for you to go about on the streets and in other public places and throw in the subject of religion; no, that scarcely ever does any good. Speak to them privately. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I mean that we should go at it in right earnest. I want each of us to pledge ourselves that we will give more attention to the perishing around us. O how many precious souls that are to-night in hell, might have been saved had some Christian gone to them privately and earnestly talked to them about their salvation! Brethren, have we neglected any opportunity to save a soul from an eternal hell? O, let us call all of our experience to mind. Let us review our whole Christian life and see if we have slighted one single opportunity to tell a sinner of the glories of heaven and the eternal miseries of a burning hell. Have we refused any chances which may have presented themselves to us, to tell a single soul that he could not live in sin and feel a Saviour's love? If so, we should pray God to pardon our appalling negligence and ask Him for grace to prevent our future neglect.

Christ said, “I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is day.” “As my Father hath sent me, so send I you.” Now, let us work the work of Him that sent us, while it is day. Further, all are not similarly adapted for this Christian work, but let us all remember that “there is work to do for Jesus; yes, a glorious work to do; yes, work for all to do.” Some are best adapted to speak words of comfort to the distressed, some to cheer the troubled saints, some to nourish the sick, some to stand around the bedside of the dying, some to teach the little Sabbath school scholars, some to bear alms to the poor, and some to raise the fallen. All this is the work of God's people, and must be done in His vineyard.—Blessed is that servant whom the Lord shall find so doing when He comes.

Have you ever seriously spoken to a person on the subject of religion? If not, begin now. Have you been instrumental in bringing 0007 8a sinner soul to Jesus? If not, commence to weep at this moment. Have you ever gone privately to a person and asked him to kneel with you, while you importuned kind Providence for him? If not, do not let another sun pass over your head until you shall be able to answer in the affirmative. Are you anxious about the souls of your friends exposed to eternal hell? If not, ask God to make you feel. Do you not see God's righteous law violated by your wife, your husband, your child and your friend? If not, ask God to open your eyes that you might behold wondrous things out of His law. Do you not hear the cries of the children of men crowding the gates of ruin? If not, pray God to unstop your ears. Can you not speak a word for Jesus? If not, pray that God would take a live coal of fire with the golden tongs from the golden altar, and touch your tongue that you might speak for Him. Are you ashamed to speak for Jesus? If so, hear Him declare that “if you are ashamed to own me before men, I will be ashamed to own you before my Father and the holy angels.”

In this work, we should make much of the cross and the blood of Jesus. Go to that hard-hearted sinner and tell him he has a great and gracious Saviour—One that is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by Him. Go to that longtime mourner, and tell him to cease his mourning, for he is much beloved by Jesus, who was ordained to give unto him beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, the spirit of joy for the spirit of heaviness, and peace for trouble. When we know our work and fail to perform it, let us remember that we come under the language of the poet: “See in the vineyard of the Lord a barren fig tree stands, It yields no fruit, no blossoms bears, though planted by his hands. Year after year, I come, he cried, and still no fruit is found; It stands amid the living trees a cumberer of the ground.”

He sends me here to dig and dung about the roots of these fig trees, for He says, “Perhaps some means of grace untried, may reach the stony heart, The softening dews of heavenly grace may life anew impart; But if these means should prove in vain and still no fruit is found, Then mercy shall no longer plead but justice cut it down.” Oh! thought ineffable! shall I be a victim?

0008 9

The duty of every child of God is to pray that God would make use of him: “Make use of me, my God, Let me not be forgot— A broken vessel cast aside, One whom thou needest not. I am thy creature, Lord; And made by hands divine; And I am part, however mean, Of this great world of thine. Thou usest all thy works, The weakest things that be; Each has a service of its own, For all things wait on Thee. Thou usest the high stars, The tiny drops of dew, The giant peak and little hill— My God, O, use me, too! Thou usest tree and flower, The rivers vast and small; The eagle great, the little bird That sings upon the wall. Thou usest the wide sea, The little hidden lake, The pine upon the alpine cliff, The lily in the brake. The huge rock in the vale, The sand grain by the sea, The thunder of the rolling cloud, The murmur of the bee. All things do serve Thee here, All creatures great and small. Make use of me, of me, my God, The meanest of them all!

Since God uses human instrumentality in this wonderful work of redemption, we are brought to consider:

IV. Who are to work for and with God? It is obvious that regenerated persons are to do this, from the fact that Paul was converted before he was willing to engage in this heavenly work of 0009 10saving souls. Christians are therefore to do this work. I am satisfied of the fact that not one can tell of his matchless love, but him who has felt it. Mr Moody says that the blood put upon the priest's hand meant that he was to work for God. We who are washed in Jesus' blood are to tell the story of the cross.

We would not trust a thief with our goods. We would not trust a drunkard with selling our property. We would not employ a man to keep our books for us who could not write his name. We would not trust a man who was not in sympathy with us. Neither will God appoint any to this great work of winning souls save the honest, sober, competent, (though he may not be educated, but competent to exert a good influence,) and those who are in sympathy with Him. Those only who are on their way to heaven, are able to say, “Come and go with us; we are journeying to the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you.” Christ makes only those fishers of men who will drop their nets and follow him.— Those only who have the light are to let it shine. It is a clean work and must be engaged in by clean persons. It is a good work and must be done by good men. It is a loving work and must be carried on by loving persons. It is God's work and must be accomplished by God's people. O my brethren, I want to impress you this very night with the dignity of your work. We must feel that God has highly honored us in that he left his work in our hands. “Gird up your loins as in His sight, For awful is His name!” There are many in this house this very moment who are well nigh the gates of hell. O brethren, awake! That young man over there, and that young women over yonder, linger to-night on the threshold of eternal damnation. “Can we sleep while souls are dying? Up and labor with to-day.”

I want us to go to work at saving the people of Thomasville. I know, my Master, that I have not been as faithful as I should have been, nor as I might have been, but, oh! forgive me! and let me begin anew to-night. In view of the suffering and death of our Saviour, let us start afresh to night. The work is ours, my brethren, and the responsibility is ours.

0010 11

Let me conclude this discourse by a reference to the Judgment, when we all shall be called to stand before the bar of Him who will judge us according to our work. If you have fine imaginations, prepare to use them now.

Fancy that you see Jesus sitting upon a throne of mercy, clothed in an intercessory garment. Then see Him as He lays aside this garment, rises from His throne, raises his hand and swears by Him that liveth, that time shall be no more. “The trump in Zion is still, to be heard no more.” The watchmen are called from off the walls. The church doors are closed, and the mighty angel prepares to sound his trumpet. O listen! I hear a strange sound to-day—it is the trumpet of God! The graves give up their dead. A mighty host come from the waters. Where are they going? To judgment. For what? To be judged. Of what? Of their works. Who is to judge them? The Lord, whose eyes have never been closed, and who knows what they ought to have done, and what they did do. Do you see Him as He separates them, one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats? Who are on the left hand side? Those who would have no place in His vineyard. Who are on the right hand? Those who clothed the naked, those who fed the hungry, those who gave drink to the thirsty, those who ministered to the sick and those who visited the prison.

Among the first class, I fancy I see some who were church-members, some who have been baptized, some who have partaken of the Lord's supper, some who have shouted in meeting, and some who have preached. When they are driven from the presence of God and take their downward flight, O hear their cries! “I was dead to every good work, and now I am numbered with the damned —cast out to mingle with the dead.” And, O my brethren, I fancy that as they sink amid the flame, their bitterest anguish will be, Christ did so much for me, and I did nothing for Him!

O my brethren, will we start from this night, and resolve that we will do more for God? When we get home, we shall be more than paid. This life is one of toil and labor, but, thank God! the other is one of rest and reward! “When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun.” O what a sweet thought! Sweet heaven, when I get there.—

Sweet heaven shall be sweet rest to me. In sweet heaven I shall 0011 12see dear Jesus, and sweet heaven will be sweeter still. “Upon that green and flowery mount my wearied soul shall rest,” and through the countless ages of eternity sweet heaven shall be sweet heaven still. O sinners! won't you come and join the band? We are going to the Christian's home in glory, where there remains a land of rest. Rest from toil—rest from fear. O, won't you come with us? May God help you to come. And, brethren, may God make us more faithful, and bring us to sweet heaven at last, is my prayer. AMEN.