The ministry of the gospel is of divine institution. It would be the height of presumption on the part of any man to assume such an office as if it were merely a man-made office. We read of the Saviour that “when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” The Apostle goes on to declare: “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” All the offices in the Apostolic Church were of divine institution, as well as the continuing offices of pastors and teachers.
As it would be presumption for any man to set up an office in the Church of God that was not of divine appointment, so it would be presumption on the part of any man to assume an office in the Church which is of divine appointment without being divinely called to that office. Men who presumptuously entered the prophetic or priestly office in Old Testament times without divine warrant exposed themselves to great danger and we read of divine judgments overtaking some of them immediately. The apostles received a direct call from the Saviour to their office and a divine commission to go forth to preach the gospel to their fellow-sinners — “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” So, too, must every true servant of Christ be directed by the Saviour Himself through His word and Spirit to the work of the ministry. So clearly and powerfully must this be applied to their minds and hearts that they will have to say, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” Seeing then that the ministry of the gospel is of divine institution and the servants of Christ divinely called to that work, what a blessing the ministry of the gospel should prove to the Church of God.
Many are ready to despise the ministry and the preaching of the gospel not realising that “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Many despise the instruments because they are but earthen vessels. Yet it has pleased God to make use of such earthen vessels for His own glory. The Apostle could say “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” If men were more ready to plead for the servants of Christ that God would use them mightily in His service then men might see what God can do with such weak instruments.
What is the substance of their preaching who are true servants of Christ? The Apostle again gives the answer — “We preach Christ crucified.” Christ is central to their preaching — “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.” To this all the true servants of Christ will put their ‘Amen’. What need there is in such a day as this for such preaching. When some men are looking for a new gospel in the hope that by it they will capture the hearts of men, the true servants of Christ continue to proclaim the old gospel, which is ever new. It is Christ whom they proclaim in all the glory of His Person as the Eternal Son of God and in all the wonder of His finished work. This is in accordance with the Saviour’s own declaration — “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me.” And Christ lifted up on the pole of the everlasting gospel will draw sinners to Himself out of all nations, kindreds and tongues. This is through the drawing power of the cross.
As it is our duty to plead for an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon His true ambassadors, so it is our duty also to plead that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. The Lord has left on record in His word: “Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that He may send forth labourers into His harvest.” And when the Lord sends them forth He will also make them a blessing to those to whom He sends them.