Clarion Links
Home
Webmaster


The Clarion Herald
DON ROSS IN WEEK-END REVIVAL

    Next week, August 22-24, Bro. Don Ross will be with Landmark for a weekend of special services that we trust will be a genuine spiritual UPLIFT. On leave from the Brazilian Mission Field (to visit supporting churches), Bro. Ross will be able to make only a brief stop at this time. It is his desire to get his family located in California so that the children may spend a full year in school before returning to the mission field.
    We extend to one and all a cordial, Christian invitation to be with us for these special services. Pray that God will use them to strengthen the hearts and lives of His people and to save lost ones.
-- Eugene L. Garner

"REVIVE THY WORK"

O Lord, thy work revive,
    In Zion's gloomy hour,
And make her dying graces live
    By thy restoring power.

Awake thy chosen few
    To fervent earnest prayer;
Again may they their vows renew,
    Thy blessed presence share.

Thy Spirit then will speak
    Through lips of feeble clay,
And hearts of adamant will break,
    And rebels will obey.

Lord, lend thy gracious ear;
    Oh, listen to our cry;
Oh, come and bring salvation here
    Our hopes on Thee rely.

"...THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM!"

    Some people speak very loosely of "knowing God" -- as though there were such an intimacy between them as could not be improved. Not so with Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ. He expressed a longing ... "That I MAY KNOW HIM; and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death", (Phil. 3:10). And there are some who are said to be "ever learning, but never able to come unto the knowledge of the truth". There are various things that contribute to a genuine knowledge of God.
    One may begin by considering His works in nature, (Rom. 1:20; Psa. 19). But some people seem incapable of perceiving His glory. To them a mountain, thunderstorm, or flower reveal-nothing more than a mass of stones, a phenomenon of



Page - 2
The Clarion Herald The Clarion Herald

the atmosphere or a combination of leaves and petals -- suggesting to their minds nothing of Him Who planned and made them all. Poor blinded souls!! Once our spiritual eyes are opened we may be able to see God standing behind and permeating it all, (Psalm 121; 18:10; Isa. 19:1; Luke 12:27).
    Sometimes God chooses to reveal Himself to us from within -- arousing a consciousness of sin-guiltiness and a need that we are helpless to supply. He shows us our inability to live up to our own standards. In whatever way we are brought to such a consciousness, it is the voice of God that speaks within -- providentially overruling all else to effect His purpose (Jn. 16:8-11).
    Through the Scriptures God makes Himself known in a fresh and peculiar way -- reinforcing what we have learned elsewhere. Here God is pictured in loving action, throughout the course of history, for the

 
salvation of mankind. Here we may learn of Him as of a true Friend -- based on the experience of others. Here God speaks out of His own heart into ours. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. It is not His will that any should perish. He invites men everywhere to LOOK AND LIVE! (Ezek, 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9; I Tim. 2:4-6; Isa. 45:22).
    But the clearest concept of God comes through a proper relationship to Jesus Christ, who came to reveal the Father. He is God's unique Son. He came to do His Father's will, (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:39-40). He is fully known ONLY by the Father, and He alone can fully reveal the Father to men, (Matt. 11:27). He is ONE with the Father -- the fullest possible manifestation of "godhood" (John 8:19; 10:30; 12:45; 14:7-11; 17:10; 1:19; Col. 2:9). Nor is it really possible to honor the Father while dishonoring the Son, (Jn. 5:23). The Father's most glorious attributes were put on exhibition in the incarnate Son: His holiness, (Heb; 7:26; I Peter 2:21-22); His love, (John 3:16; I Jn. 4:10); His mercy, (Heb. 2:17; Matt. 5:7); His justice, (John 5:30; I Pet. 3:18); His patience, (Isa. 53:7; Acts 8:32 Matt. 27:14; Heb. 12:1); and His compassion, (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Lk. 7:13; Matt. 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:15; 5:2, 7).
    Through His body, the church, the Living Christ is still incarnate today -- making known the very wisdom of God to such as yield themselves to His "order", (2 Cor. 3:18 4:6-7; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:14-21).
    Do you REALLY KNOW HIM? E.G.



"SON OF MAN"
    In the person of Jesus Christ, as the "Son of Man", God has identified Himself with our race. The title is an assertion of His humanity, but not of "mere" humanity. So unique was His humanity that it can never be explained apart from divinity. Were it possible to divest Him of all that is properly regarded as miraculous -- to view Him as a mere man, under the historical conditions of life, He may be seen as a GREATER MIRACLE than all the mighty works that are attributed to Him in the Scriptures.
    As the Second Man, Jesus came to redeem all that was lost in the fall of the first. More than an "ideal man", He leads the race to its true destiny -- subduing the usurper of man's authority, bringing all creation (material and spiritual) into perfect harmony with Himself and sharing with His "brethren" of His very nature and glory.
    It is not insignificant that "Son of Man" was the self-designation habitually used by our Lord. In only two New Testament instances is the title found on other lips, (Acts 7:56; Rev. 14:14). Though He accepted the worship of men as the "Son of God', He almost invariably substituted "Son of Man" in replying to them, (John 1:49-51 Matt. 26:63-64).
    In various ways Jesus used this title with regard to His earthly ministry, (Matt. 8:20; 9:6-7; 11: 18-19). But He also used it in foretelling His coming suffering' and death, (Matt. 12:39-40; 17:9,

Page - 3
22-23; 20:18-19; Jn. 3:14-16; 12:23-25). Jesus also designated Him self the "Son of Man" when referring to His second coming, (John 1:49-51; Matt, 24:27-30, 37-39; 44; 25:13; Luke 21:34-36; 18:7-8).
    The Messianic character associated with the "Son of Man" seems to have been rooted in Daniel's prophecy, (7:9-14). Jesus unmistakably applied this prophecy of the Son of Man to Himself, (Matt. 24:30). Such a designation at least implies: a heavenly pre-existence, a present humiliation, and a future glory. And Jesus proclaims Himself, in the role He is soon to assume, as no less than the universal KING seated on the throne of judgment over the living and the dead. (Mark 8:31; Matt, 25:31; John 5:22-23, 25-26; 13:41-43).
    It was the claim of Jesus that the word which He spoke would judge men in the last day. This judging involves more than the mere presiding at a court which hands down verdicts of guilt or acquittal. It involves a universal RULE of righteous government from the throne of David -- with Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will truly have entered into the fulness of that blessedness, honor and glory inherent in His Divine Birthright.
    Son of Mary, Son Of David, Son of Man, Son of God. Wonder of wonders, it is, that such an ONE should "come to seek and to save that which was lost!"
    What think YE of Christ? Is He YOUR SAVIOUR & KING?        -- E.G.



THE VANITY OF FLESH-WORKS
No works nor duties of your own
Can for the smallest sin atone;
The robes that nature may provide
Will not the least pollution hide.

Ye sons of pride that kindle coals
With your own hands to warm your
    souls,
Walk in the light of your own fire,
Enjoy the sparks that ye desire.

This is your portion at my hands,
Hell waits you with her iron bands;
You shall lie down in sorrow there,
In death, in darkness, and despair.

EMPTY CUPS QUENCH NO THIRST

    "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way", (Psalm 119:37).

    Should you observe a man endeavoring all his life to satisfy his thirst by holding the same empty cup to his lips, you would surely despise his ignorance. But if you see others, ridiculing the dull satisfaction of one cup, yet thinking to satisfy their own thirst by a variety of empty cups plated in silver and gold, would you think them the wiser, happier or better employed for their finery?
    This, really, is about all you may observe about the sort of happiness offered in this world. The dull and heavy soul may be content with ONE empty mirage of happiness -- clinging to it throughout his life. The talented and the rich may take all the world into their hands without having more than a variety of empty cups that can never quench the deep thirst of their souls.
    All the ways of this world are ways of vanity; they give no lasting satisfaction. Only in Jesus Christ may one find REAL life, joy, health and peace. The Good Shepherd of our souls leads His sheep beside refreshing streams and makes them to lie down in green pastures. Oh, that we might learn to trust Him with all our hearts!
"No peace or lasting rest
    Earth's flattering joys impart;
The portion of a beast
    Will not content my heart.
The God of spirits only can
Fill up the vast desires of man."