Street Meeting Eighteenth

The word I had prepared for the sheepfold this morning was set aside, for my heart was drawn instead to the first epistle of St. Peter, the first chapter, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth verses. It is often my way to provide but a single message, yet there are seasons when such changes come—as the Spirit bids—right before the message commences. I have learned that when the wind blows in a new direction, it is best to trim one’s sails accordingly. Thus, I shared what was laid upon my soul, trusting that the food provided was exactly what the flock required for the day.

It was most fitting for the day that the Bread of Life was broken in two ways: one portion given with much affection for the Lord’s beloved flock, and a different word altogether for the people gathered round. In our chronological study through the life of our Saviour, we found ourselves in the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, from the seventeenth to the twenty-seventh verses.

Though the messages differed, they burned with an equal fire in my soul. To the sheepfold, I spoke with a heart overflowing with love, desiring only to see them grow in grace and true holiness, for the God who called them is holy [1 Peter 1:15]. As the Father is, so too should the children be. To the world, I spoke with a fervent zeal, showing the utter worthlessness of pride in earthly riches and morality, as if God will accept anything from the deceitful hands of man, and pointing instead to the beauty and safety of trusting in God through Christ. Christ alone is the acceptable sacrifice.

These street meetings have served as a training ground for the brethren, helping them to grow in courage as they speak with the people of the Gospel of peace. We have felt ourselves truly favored to speak as messengers for our Heavenly King, who sits upon the throne of all the earth.

With much joy, we have told of His great love for poor sinners and His tender call to those of a humble heart. We have spoken of His sure promises, His steadfast faithfulness, and His sovereign power. For He is God alone, and He is forever mighty to save. It is a simple and glorious truth: whosoever shall call upon His name shall be delivered [Joel 2:32]. His Name, above every name, is the LORD [Exodus 3:15, Isaiah 42:8]. And He is to be proclaimed as the LORD. [Ex. 14:4, Deut. 4:35, 1 Kings 8:43, 2 Kings 19:19, Ps. 83:18, Jer. 16:21, Ezek. 6:7 etc.]

How blind and foolish are the ways of a man who lives apart from his Maker. He treasures the dust of this earth as if it were more precious than his own immortal soul. In seeking to build a fortress of worldly wealth for his safety, he does but build a wall between himself and Heaven—placing his very life beneath the shadow of God’s righteous and burning wrath against usurpers of what is His and His alone.

He fancies himself secure in his riches, yet he stands upon a foundation of sand, altogether unaware that the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. There is nothing in all his worldly store, nor any strength in his own right arm, that can deliver his soul or shield him from the righteous hand of the Almighty. When the Great Day comes, he shall find out late, that his very trust in these earthly treasures is the weight that condemns him. In that hour, he will see that it is not the world's favor he most needs, but mercy.

My heart is filled with a strange mixture of feelings, for I have come to realize that laboring in the service of the Lord is a work both joyful and tragic. There is a great and deep joy in knowing that He has, in His goodness, delivered me from the darkness of their ignorance. Yet, my spirit is sorrowful when I look upon those whom I still hold dear—my neighbors, my kin, and these strangers in the street—who remain wandering in that same darkness still. I rejoice for the sheep within the fold, even as I weep for those yet lost upon the mountainside.

I have great pity for those who busily spread beliefs which have no foundation in the Word. Such folk are truly to be pitied, for zeal is a sightless guide when it walks apart from the Truth. We must ever remember that Christ Himself is that Truth [John 14:6]—not a Christ of man’s own imagining, nor merely a good teacher of morals, but Christ the Son of God [Matt. 16:16], who is God and Lord over all. The Almighty [Rev. 1:8]. To follow any other is to chase a phantom. For without the true Lord, the greatest fervor of man is but a clanging cymbal, leaving the soul as empty as it was before. Take heed, for a man may fashion for himself a version of Christ that suits his own fancy—a "Christ" who demands no change of heart and offers a peace that is no peace at all. Such a "Christ" is but an idol of the mind, and it is a "Christ" that cannot save.

Unless it be the Christ who is King above all—the Lamb of God who bears away the sin of the world—the soul remains certain in its peril. To lean upon a false savior is to lean upon a broken reed; whoever rejects the Rock who is Christ will be broken into pieces, and upon whom He will fall, He will ground to powder. [Luke 20:18]

The love of our Lord, like the waters at Horeb, truly overflows in His flock. For my part, I much prefer to sit among a small company where tangible love and a sincere concern for one another’s holiness are found, than to gather in the midst of a great number where every soul lives only for himself. A few hearts joined in true Christian fellowship are a far greater treasure than a crowded hall of strangers. In such a small circle, the Spirit moves freely, and we find that strength which comes only when we watch over one another with a godly and tender affection, the way our Christ has shown us.