Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

comin'not,"morning?"always."an'an'saved."were."side."comin' crushin'always."world."said she kept up her courage. "Massa, does you seethe bright side disThe question was putby an old negro woman to a sick minister."No, Nanny, it is not so bright as I wish it"Well, massa, I always sees de bright"You do! Maybe you haven't had much trouble.""Maybe she said, but went on to tell in hersimple broken way of her life in Virginia; of theselling of her children, one by one;of the auctionsale of her husband, then of herself. She was alonenow in the camp without having heard from herchildren or one of her kindred for years."But Nanny, have you seen the bright side allthe time?""Always, massa,"Well, how did you do it?""Dis is de way, massa. When I see the great blackcloud over, 'pears likedown on me, den I jist whips around on de other side,and I find de Lord Jesus dar, den it's all rightand clear. De bright side is always where Jesus is,Massa."To encourage the flock we must first set theexample with personal conduct. Then we must encourage the flock by preaching and teaching. Wemust consciously dwell on the promises of God, thepresence of God, the power of God and the mercy ofGod. At times we all feel like being a bit rough onour flock because of waywardness and indifferencesamong them. We might feel inclined to tellthem-offand some ministers are very good at blastreallying at their people. There may be occasions whenblasting is necessary. But when it is done constantlyand regularly, it may be an evidence of discouragement on the part of the preacher. Surely there aremore effective means of accomplishing the desiredresults. Do you know of those who have been blastedinto the Kingdom by harsh words? Christ blastedand condemned the pharasees at times, but theywere not converted by it. Did he blast at His ownlittle flock of followers? His was a ministry of encouragement and comfort healing the sick, raisingthe dead, casting out devils, forgiving sinners,suffering the children to come to Him and preaching thetruth.If we would encourage the flock, let us preachfirst, the promises of God. When we want comfortand encouragement, what better source is there thanthe promises of God ? You can think of many, manycomforting promises. You may be thinking of such.ones as "All things work together for good to themthat Love God ."My God shall supply all yourneed . ."My word shall not return unto me void. . "Fear thou not for I am with thee . ."Castthy burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee . ."Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy ladenand I will give you "Believe rest."on the Lord JesusChrist and thou shalt be To encourage theflock, remind them of the promises of God.Second, preach the presence of God. After Jesusfed the five thousand, He sent His disciples aheadof Him across the sea. A storm came upand thedisciples were struggling intensly to keep their shipfrom capsizing and to save their lives. In the darkness, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. TheyAugust 24, 1955saw Him, perhaps in the lightning flashes and criedout in fear, thinking He was some tormenting spirit.But He comforted them by saying, "Be of goodcheer, it is I." And then everything was all rightagain. What made the difference ? Christ was there.He came to them. He spoke to them and He wentwith them. He is the same Lord that we have today.In our need, He comes to us, speaks to us, goes withus. He says, "Be of good cheer, I am here." Just asthe presence of a doctor is a comfort to us in timeof illness, as the presence of a mechanic is a comfort in time of mechanical break down, as the presence of a parent is a comfort to the child in thedarkness, Christ's presence is a comfort and encouragement if we will but remember it. He said,"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." "Lo I amwith youThird, to encourage the flock we should preachthe power of God. Jesus said, "In the world ye shallhave tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the When we remind ourselves thatChrist has superior power over all things, then it isa comfort to trust and rely upon Him. He said, "Beof good be cheer,"encouraged, I have supreme power over all, I have overcome the world, overcome allof these trying forces and influences and spirits thatcause you trouble. Just remember, that I am in control. It is encouraging to anyone to realize and believethat the Lord reigneth.Fourth, to encourage the flock we should preachthe mercy of God. They brought a sick man to Jesusand could not get near to Him. They were ingenious,they tore off the roof of the house where He wasand let the sick man down before Jesus. The Lordhad mercy and compassion upon him. First He saidto him, "Be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee."Now sin is really something to be discouraged anddepressed about. But the mercy of God is revealedthrough Christ who gave His life to nullify sin andits effects. Are not our sins forgiven? Then that isreason for encouragement. "Be of good cheer, thysins be forgiven thee." Such mercy and compassionand love as our Saviour had! How can we be downhearted when we consider the great mercy and loveof Christ?How to encourage the flock? I would say, set anexample of high spirits and preach the promises ofGod, the presence of God, the power of God, and themercy of God. Thus you will spread the good cheerthat Jesus did.TO HELP YOUR PASTORSeven times in his epistles Paul requests that thebrethren pray for him. He knew that the success ofthe ministers depended largely upon the prayers ofGod's people. We are quick to detect and criticize anapparent lack of power in the pulpit, but it mightbe well for each of us to consider carefully whetheror not the responsibility for a powerless pulpit isnot, at least in part, ours who accupy the pew.A praying people makes a strong pulpit. Theheart of your minister would be greatly encouragedas he enters the pulpit each Lord's day, if he knewhe had the powerful support of most of his people.Why not tell him he can count on you ?117