“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16
Suggested Further Reading: Philippians 1:12-18
There was a young woman under great distress of soul; she came to a very pious Christian man, who said “My dear girl, you must go home and pray.” Well I thought within myself, that is not the Bible way at all. It never says, “Go home and pray.” The poor girl went home; she did pray, and she still continued in distress. Then he said, “You must wait, you must read the Scriptures and study them.” That is not the Bible way; that is not exalting Christ. I find a great many preachers are preaching that kind of doctrine. They tell a poor convinced sinner, “You must go home and pray, and read the Scriptures; you must attend the ministry;” and so on. Works, works, works—instead of “By grace are ye saved through faith.” If a penitent should come and ask me, “What must I do to be saved?” I would say, “Christ must save you—believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I would neither direct to prayer, nor reading of the Scriptures, nor attending God’s house; but simply direct to faith, naked faith in God’s gospel. Not that I despise prayer—that must come after faith. Not that I speak a word against the searching of the Scriptures—that is an infallible mark of God’s children. Not that I find fault with attendance on God’s word—God forbid! I love to see people there. But none of these things are the way of salvation. It is nowhere written—“He that attendeth chapel shall be saved;” or, “He that readeth the Bible shall be saved.” Nor do I read—“He that prayeth and is baptised shall be saved;” but, “He that believeth,”—he that has a naked faith in the “Man Christ Jesus,”—in his Godhead, in his manhood, is delivered from sin. To preach that faith alone saves is to preach God’s truth.
For meditation: The good news of the Gospel is not to be confused with our not-so-good advice. To think we are giving good news is not good enough (2 Samuel 4:10).
Sermon no. 34
5 August (1855)
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 
YOU MIGHT NOT BE A TRUE APOSTLE
SIGNS OF A TRUE APOSTLE.
2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostlewere performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
If you are not performing signs, wonders and miracles, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 9:36-41 ….Tabitha…37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died…40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.”….41…he presented her alive.
If you cannot pray the dead back to life, you might not be a true apostle.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;
If you do not possess the ability to impart spiritual gifts, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 3:1-8 …2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb….6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”……8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk…
If perhaps, you do not have the power to heal men who have been crippled from birth, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 5:3-10 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last….
If you cannot predict the immediate death of someone who has lied to the Holy Spirit, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 13:8-11…..9 But Saul, who was also know as Paul…10…said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time….
If for some unknown reason you lack the ability to temporarily blind a sorcerer, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 16:16-18 …a slave-girl having a spirit of divination… 18 But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
If you cannot cast out occult spirits, you might not be a true apostle.
Acts 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
If you are not capable of performing many signs and wonders, you might not be a true apostle.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER, IS THE APOSTLESHIP CEASED WITH THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLE JOHN.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE A TRUE APOSTLE;BECAUSE ALL THE TRUE APOSTLES ARE DEAD!
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