Clarion Links
Home
Webmaster


The Clarion Herald
"CHRIST IS ALL!"

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified". . . ."But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," (I Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14).

    "Christ crucified" is the central doctrine of the Bible and of Christianity. Paul would have all his prayers, his preaching, and his life centered in this. He determined to go nowhere without Christ; to read nothing, say nothing, do nothing, only what centered in the Saviour.
    Is not Christ "all in all" in heaven and earth? And if so, Paul had a wide scope for thought and efforts. Take Christ out of the bible, and it is a blank book; take him out of nature, and nothing is made, for "without him was not anything made that was made". Take Christ crucified out of the gospel, and every soul is lost; take him out of heaven, and there is not a redeemed one there; take him out of the universe, and all is chaos; for all power in heaven and earth is in his hands.
    Only when our eyes are divinely opened do we see Christ; and only when we see ourselves lost, do we
(Continued on Page 4)

UNSELFISHNESS

"...for even Christ pleased not Himself" (Romans 15:3).

    Of the character of fallen man the divine record is clear: instead of seeking God, all seek after that which they feel is for their own profit. SELFISHNESS is the ruling principle of our degenerate nature. When love and reverence for God was dethroned from Mansoul, self immediately assumed the vacancy and continues to reign.
    Jesus Christ is set forth in the Scriptures as our supreme example - a grand, solitary exception midst a world of selfishness. His entire life was one of self-abnegation - a beautiful, living embodiment of that love which "seeketh not her own". He who, for others, turned water into wine, and made miraculous provision for the fainting thousands in the wilderness, exerted no such power for meeting His own needs. During his forty-day temptation He spread no table for Himself, nor did He rear a booth for His own unpillowed head. Of the two occasions on which we read of His shedding tears, NEITHER was for Himself. Instead of being absorbed in dread of His approaching suffering, the prospect of the cross only



Page - 2
The Clarion Herald The Clarion Herald

elicited from Him new and more gracious promises to His people. Even when His enemies came to apprehend Him His only request was for the release of His disciples: "Let these go their way". In the very act of departure, with all the indescribable glories of eternity in sight, His people were still the special objects of His love!
    How miserably different is the spirit of men today! With far too many, who profess the name of Jesus, day after day is only a new oblation to that idol by which His holy heart was never darkened. They pamper their own wishes, envy and grieve over every blessing that comes to another, and cannot tolerate the praise of a rival. Shamefully they attempt to establish their own reputations on the ruin of others; thus, stirring up jealousy, discontentment, peevishness and every kind of unholy passion.
    "But, ye have not so learned Christ!" Are you sitting at the

feet of Him who "pleased not himself"? Are you dying daily - to self as well as to sin? Are you motivated with this as the chief aim and end of existence - to use your time, talents and opportunities for God's glory, and the good of your fellow-men; not seeking your own interests, but yielding them, if, by so doing, others will be blessed, and your Saviour honored?
    You may not be able to manifest the "Mind of Christ" on any great scale, by the making of some great sacrifice; but, this is not required. The sacrifice of Christ had about it no repulsive austerity. And you may manifest its holy influence and control over your own life by innumerable little acts of kindness and good-will - really CARING for others!
    The true servant of Jesus will avoid outward show - which is a most repulsive form of selfishness. We must be willing to stay in the background - sounding no trumpets before us - that Christ may be ALL! In his love for Jesus, and concern for his associates, Matthew (Levi), the writer of the first Gospel, gave a great feast, which was attended by the Master Himself (in fact, it was in His honor). But, not one word do we read of this in his own gospel record!
    Let us all endeavor to live constantly under the constraining influence of the love of Christ, (2 Cor. 5:14). Selfishness withers and dries up in His glorious presence. If He had "pleased Himself" (that is, lived selfishly), where would you and I be today?



Studies in I Corinthians

"BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME"

Scripture Lesson: I Corinthians 4:14-21.

    INTRODUCTION: Paul has just likened himself, and the other apostles, to men who are under the sentence of death. They despise trivial things as most men waste their years upon. Nor do they seek a name for themselves. They are "stewards of the mysteries of God" - the most important business in the world, though they be regarded as "the off-scouring of all things".

I. THE APOSTLE WRITES AS ONE WHO REALLY CARES FOR HIS BRETHREN, (vs. 14-15).
  1. IT IS NOT HIS DESIRE TO HUMILIATE THEM, OR PUT THEM TO SHAME.
    1. At the point of sharpest censure, he deals lovingly and gently with them.
    2. It is his desire - not to make them cringe before him, or flee from him - but, simply, to bring them face-to-face with reality.

  2. REGARDING THEM AS HIS OWN BELOVED SONS, HE ADMONISHES THEM, (I Thes. 2:11; Gal. 4:19; Philemon 10).
    1. They may have any number of "instructors" in the way of the Lord.
    2. But, they can have only one spiritual father - through whom they have come to Christ.
    3. Paul claims to have "begotten" them "through the gospel", (Jas. 1:18).
      1. He did not GIVE them life, (I Cor. 3:6).
      2. But, he did lead them to Him who IS LIFE, (Jn. 14:6).
II. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT WE MUST VIEW HIS PLEA FOR THEM TO "BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME"; HE SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW, (vs. 16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; I Thes. 1:6; 2 Thes. 3:9).
  1. IT IS TO THIS END THAT PAUL HAS SENT TIMOTHY TO THEM, (Acts 16:1).
    1. He also is a beloved son, (I TIm. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2).
    2. And he has proved himself faithful (trustworthy) in the Lord.

  2. TIMOTHY WILL REMIND THE CORINTHIANS OF PAUL'S MANNER OF LIFE IN CHRIST, (I Cor. 11:2).


 C. THEY WILL, THUS, BE ASSURED THAT HIS LIFE IS CONSISTENT - always the same, wherever his ministry may lead him, (I Cor. 7:17; 14:33).

III. SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS WERE ACTING AS THOUGH THERE WOULD BE NO NEED OF FACING THIS SERVANT OF GOD AGAIN - thus, rebelling against the truth.
  1. HE ASSURES THEM THAT, THE LORD WILLING, HE WILL COME TO THEM AGAIN SHORTLY.
    1. Paul was always planning ahead - though his plans were sometimes hindered, (Acts 19:21; I Cor. 16:5; 2 Cor. 1:15, 23).
    2. Yet, his plans were always conditioned "the Lord's will", (Prov. 19:21; Acts 18:21; 21:14; Phil. 2:24; Heb. 6:3; Jas. 4:15).

  2. WHEN HE STANDS IN THEIR PRESENCE HE WILL CONFRONT THEM REALISTICALLY - and it will be a PUBLIC confrontation.
    1. Then all will be able to see just what authority these really have who are puffed up and speaking rebelliously against his apostolic leadership.
    2. The reality of God's kingdom is not manifested IN MERE WORDS, but IN POWER the kind of power that transforms the lives of men into genuine Christ-likeness, (Rom. 14:17; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; I Thes. 1:5).
IV. FINALLY, THE APOSTLE PLACES ON THEM THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECIDING WHAT HIS ATTITUDE MUST BE WHEN HE COMES; the choice is theirs, (vs. 21).
  1. SHALL HE COME WITH A ROD OF DISCIPLINARY JUDGMENT? (2 Cor. 10:2; 13:10).

  2. OR, WILL THEIR ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS PERMIT HIM TO COME IN LOVE, AND THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS?
  3. THEY ARE AT LIBERTY TO CHOOSE!

"CHRIST IS ALL" .. Continued

feel our need of Christ crucified.
    No wonder innumerable hosts in heaven are singing "Glory to the Lamb! Our sins are washed away in the blood of the Lamb!"
    Do YOU know "Christ and him crucified"? Is He YOUR Saviour? Can YOU say, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth

I desire beside thee?"

In the cross of Christ I glory,
    Towering o'er the wrecks of
        time'
All the light of sacred story
    Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o'ertake me,
    Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me;
    Lo, it glows with peace and joy!
-- A. B. Earle



THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH

    Much has been written and spoken against the church by her enemies who delight in saying all manner of evil against her, (Acts 28:22). But the testimony of the wicked is not trustworthy. If one would really know how God regards, and what He purposes for His covenant-community of people (as seen in His true churches today), it will be necessary to hear what the Scriptures say of her. There one discovers so many glorious things that it is difficult to know where to begin or end; much less how to adequately adore the goodness of God in His bestowal of such pure and abundant love upon her when she was so terribly defiled, (Ezek. 16:5-14).
    The glory of God's covenant people - a people exalted to covenant fellowship with Himself through a faith-committment to His rightful reign as King over their lives (and as represented by His church in the present age) - is seen in the numerous terms used of them in the Scriptures. They are: God's beloved, (Psa. 60:5); His sons, (Gal. 4:5); His peculiar people, (I Peter 2:9); His friends, I Jas. 2:23); His family, (Eph. 3:15); His heirs, (Rom. 8:17); His heritage, (Jer. 12:7); His jewels, (Mal. 3:17); His treasure, (Psa. 135:4); His princes (I Sam. 2:8); the fold of Christ, (Jn. 10:16); the light of the world (Matt. 5:14); and the Bride, the Lamb's wife, (Rev. 21:9).
    So glorious are the things spoken of the Lord's covenant people that the half has not yet been fa-

thomed. Truly, the glory of the Lord is risen upon her so that she will ultimately be "the joy of the whole earth", (Isa. 60:1-2). He is her everlasting "light and glory", (Isa. 60:19). And she shall be a crown of glory - a royal diadem in the hand of her Lord and God, (Isa. 62:2-3).
    "All spiritual blessings" are, even now, made available to her "in the heavenlies" through Jesus Christ - her Lord, head, espoused husband and coming King, (Eph. 1:3). Functioning according to the plan that He devised, the church now manifests, to men and angels, "the fulness of Him that filleth all in all", (Eph. 1:23). In this sense, the church IS CHRIST! still living and acting in behalf of a fallen race.
    And it is supreme folly for a saved person to presume that he can claim all this for himself APART FROM a proper relationship with a New Testament church. He deceives himself, and will suffer great loss - UNLESS he truly yields his life to God's rightful order!

SHARING ALIKE
    It was a law in Israel, "As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that abideth by the stuff. They shall part alike" (I Sam. 30:24). They were alike in recompense, because they were rightly regarded as alike in service. So shall Christians who have in heart and sympathy taken part in the great battle shall be counted as combatants and crowned as victors, though they themselves have struck no blows.
Alexander Maclaren



ONLY TWO MONTHS AWAY!

    Yes, that's right! "FELLOWSHIP '83" at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, of Rockford, Illinois, is now only two months away.
    We are excited at the prospect of having Bro. Lonnie Ford with us for the entire week in a Revival Effort (He will be speaking every evening during the week). Then, on November 24-25 we anticipate having a number of dear brothers and sisters visiting with us for a time of real fellowship in the Gospel.
    Hope YOU are making plans to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!
-- Eugene Garner
THE SINNER'S HOPE

He came not to call the righteous,
That are safe within the fold,
But He came for the poor lost sin-
    ner
Out in the dark and the cold:
Those who are weak and helpless,
Those in the depths of despair,
They are the ones He is seeking
And searching for everywhere.
No matter how low they have fallen,
Or how deep in sin they have gone,
He gave His own blood to redeem
    them,
And prepared them a heavenly home.
No, He came not to call the right-
    eous,
That are safe within the fold,
But He came for the poor lost sin-
    ner
Out in the dark and the cold.

He came not to call the righteous,
For them He was not sent:
But He came for the poor lost sin-
    ner,
To call him to repent.
And though your sins be as scarlet,
Or dark with guilt and woe;
Or though they be red as crimson,
He will wash you white as snow.
He came to give hope to the hope-
    less,
Whose lives in sin had been spent;
He died on the cross for the sin-
    ner,
Oh, come to Him now and repent!
For He came not to call the right-
    eous,
They are safe within the fold,
But He seeks the poor lost sinner,
Out in the dark and the cold.
-- Catherine Dougell