A faithful minister!
(Letters of John Newton)
"Tychicus is a dear brother,
a faithful minister and fellow
servant in the LORD." Colossians 4:7
Dear fellow pastor,
You have desired a good work--
may the LORD give you the desires
of your heart.
May HE give you . . .
the wisdom of Daniel,
the meekness of Moses,
the courage of Joshua,
the zeal of Paul, and
that self-abasement and
humility which Job and Isaiah felt--
when they not only had heard of HIM
by the hearing of the ear--
but when they saw HIS glory, and
abhorred themselves in dust and ashes!
May you be taught of GOD--
for none teaches like HIM--
and come forth an able minister
of the New Covenant, well instructed
to rightly divide and faithfully distribute
the Word of truth.
In the school of CHRIST, you will
have to learn some lessons which
are not very pleasant to flesh and
blood. You must learn to labor,
to run, to fight, to wrestle--
and many other hard exercises--
some of which will try your strength,
and others your patience.
You know the common expression,
'a jack of all trades'. I am sure a
minister had need be such a one:
a brave soldier,
an alert watchman,
a caring shepherd,
a hardworking farmer,
a skillful builder,
a wise counselor,
a competent physician,
and a loving nurse.
But do not be discouraged--
you have a wonderful and
a gracious MASTER, who does
not only give instructions--
but power and ability!
HE engages that HIS grace shall
be sufficient, at all times and in all
circumstances, for those who simply
give themselves up to HIS teaching
and HIS service.
"Be an example to all believers . . .
in what you teach,
in the way you live,
in your love, your faith, and your purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
"Tychicus is a dear brother,
a faithful minister and fellow
servant in the LORD." Colossians 4:7
Dear fellow pastor,
You have desired a good work--
may the LORD give you the desires
of your heart.
May HE give you . . .
the wisdom of Daniel,
the meekness of Moses,
the courage of Joshua,
the zeal of Paul, and
that self-abasement and
humility which Job and Isaiah felt--
when they not only had heard of HIM
by the hearing of the ear--
but when they saw HIS glory, and
abhorred themselves in dust and ashes!
May you be taught of GOD--
for none teaches like HIM--
and come forth an able minister
of the New Covenant, well instructed
to rightly divide and faithfully distribute
the Word of truth.
In the school of CHRIST, you will
have to learn some lessons which
are not very pleasant to flesh and
blood. You must learn to labor,
to run, to fight, to wrestle--
and many other hard exercises--
some of which will try your strength,
and others your patience.
You know the common expression,
'a jack of all trades'. I am sure a
minister had need be such a one:
a brave soldier,
an alert watchman,
a caring shepherd,
a hardworking farmer,
a skillful builder,
a wise counselor,
a competent physician,
and a loving nurse.
But do not be discouraged--
you have a wonderful and
a gracious MASTER, who does
not only give instructions--
but power and ability!
HE engages that HIS grace shall
be sufficient, at all times and in all
circumstances, for those who simply
give themselves up to HIS teaching
and HIS service.
"Be an example to all believers . . .
in what you teach,
in the way you live,
in your love, your faith, and your purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published John Newton's superb article, "An essay on the character of the apostle Paul, considered as an example and pattern of a minister of JESUS CHRIST". MUST reading! Please forward this to your church leaders!
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