Acts

[0:00] As the Lord should be pleased to help me, I shall call your attention to a subject you will find in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 14, and the 22nd verse.

[0:21] Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God.

[0:45] Chapter 14, 22, the Acts of the Apostles.

[0:56] First, you are here in the attitude of worship, and if you are here aright, as I believe many of you are, then you have come, if so be, you might have an interest in this subject.

[1:23] If so be, you might be confirmed in your soul that you are a disciple indeed. You have come, seeking a portion for your soul, sowing in tears, if so be, you may reap in joy, some help by the way, some intimation, that you do indeed participate in the favor that God bears to his people.

[2:00] When the matter is weighed up, the purpose of preaching the gospel is not only that sinners shall be born again under it, called by grace, but that in listening to it, but that in listening to it, they shall be confirmed in their souls, that they are indeed taught of God, and be built up in our most holy faith.

[2:29] And I want, as the Lord to help me, to look at this subject from three viewpoints of it. The setting of it is very striking.

[2:41] I just look at it. The Apostle Paul had been on his missionary journey-ins, and he had been helped of God to preach the gospel, and there were many signs following that God was with him in the work.

[3:07] But, whenever the gospel is preached to purpose, and the power of God attends it, the devil will soon be getting busy to oppose it. And so, the Apostle Paul was opposed.

[3:24] And while at one time, many of the people praised him, and were amazed at that which he was helped to do, on God's behalf, in preaching the gospel, yet, when the opposition arose, they fell in with it.

[3:46] And so, in the city of Lystra, the word of God tells us, And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch, and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

[4:10] This is a wonderful incident to contemplate, because, although I must not take up time in referring to it, you can do it at your leisure, when you read in the second epistle to the Corinthians, of an experience there, the Apostle Paul was the subject of, when he went right up to the gates of Pearl, and had heaven in his soul, as he looked within those gates, whether in the body or out, I cannot tell, the Apostle Paul says.

[4:48] And that means, what he was the subject of, in his soul's feelings, when, he was outside the city gates of Lystra, and, the disciples round about, suppose that he was dead.

[5:04] He was in a deep unconsciousness, but, here is something you must keep in your mind, that, the work of the Spirit of God, is absolutely, supernatural, and that, there have been many people taught of God, on their dying bed, who have been, what we call, unconscious, and have dropped no word, concerning what their soul's experience was, and yet, they have got, heaven itself, in their souls, and died, in the joy of it, but they left no dying testimony, to evidence it, and, had the Apostle Paul, really, been dead at this time, while he would have had, that wondrous experience, there would have been no record of it, but, here, the word of God, tells us, whatsoever things, were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we, through patience, and comfort, in the scriptures, might have hope, and this is recorded, for our, learning, here, here you see, what it is, to really preach the gospel, as they had to do it, in apostolic times, carry their life, in their hand, not knowing, at any times, when they might, have to die, for the gospel, and to be prepared, to do it, so it was, with the Apostle Paul, and it says, how be it, as the disciples, stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city, and the next day, he departed, with Barnabas, to Derbe, and when they had preached, the gospel, to that city, and had taught, many,

[7:06] Margin, had made, many disciples, they returned, again to Lystra, I like that, wording, where, there had been, such opposition, to the preaching, of the gospel, there the Apostle Paul, was willing to return, and he did, they returned, again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming, the souls, of the disciples, what could more, confirm the souls, of these disciples, than the Apostle Paul, having suffered, what those disciples, had looked on, and seen, and yet, he comes back, to encourage them, to endure hardness, as good soldiers, of Jesus Christ, confirming, the souls, of the disciples, and exhorting them, to continue, in the faith, and, that we must, through much tribulation, enter into, the kingdom, of,

[8:14] God, and, and, now, that is the setting, of the subject, and, while there is, a dark background, to it, in the opposition, to the preaching, of the gospel, that was manifested, there stands out, in relief, beautiful, and blessed, true, to encourage, poor sinners, like you, and me, to hope in God, whate'er betide, right, and, now, let us look, first of all, at, what confirmation, is, go back, to what I said, if you are here, aright, you have come, to get something, for your soul, and, you want something, special, you want something, from God, in that, you were all agreed, being sinners, born again, but, some of you, want, something, either to instruct you, or direct you, or comfort you, or counsel you, but, in each instance, you want your soul, confirmed, that matters are right, between, your soul, and God, that is the characteristic, of confirmation, under the gospel, and, when you come, to weigh the matter up, oh, that we had our minds, enlarged, to do it more often, our thoughts, are such scanty thoughts, about the things of God, and so superficial, when there are, unfathomable depths, to, swimming, and now, when you think, of the gospel, for what it is, good tidings, of great joy, and that God,

[10:05] Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, blessed Trinity, formulated it, made it to be, the gospel, that it is, in the proclamation, of it, the everlasting, gospel, how wonderful, it is, that God, should condescend, that poor, sinful men, should be, equipped, and qualified, and ordained, to preach it, and that, through, the foolishness, of preaching, poor sinners, down through the ages, should be, born again, and, made, meet, for the inheritance, of the saints, in light, it is a wonderful, honor, to be a preacher, of the gospel, and I might, tell you this also, it is a terrifying, responsibility, to be a preacher, of the gospel, when you think, of where you are, that you are, between, the ever living God, and poor sinners, with never dying souls, and those sinners, are bound, either for heaven, or hell, and you are, the messenger, of God, to them, well, might the apostle Paul, say brethren, pray for us, and for me, that utterance, may be given, unto me, but, if you are indeed, a sinner born again, you will, from time to time, under the gospel, get some good, for your soul, you will be, confirmed, in your soul, it may be, some of you, want to be, confirmed, that you are, indeed, a disciple, what is a disciple, a disciple, the disciple, is a learner, and any of us, under Union Chapel, roof, who are disciples, and quite a few, are here, will all agree, preacher, and people alike, that we are learners, and although, some of us, have lived long, alas, that we have learned, so little, of the things of God, in their power, and preciousness, and you know, one hymn writer says, he was a man, well taught of God, when my faith, is sharply tried,

[12:39] I feel myself, a learner, yet, and that's just, where you and I, feel to be, so often, in journeying, on through life, I have thought, of that scripture, which, Job uttered, that which I know not, teach thou, me, and how much it is, that you and I, know not, of the things of God, and yet, those things, are knowable, and then, shall we know, if we follow on, to know, the Lord, Spirit of truth, come down, reveal the things, of God, you may, be here, desiring, confirmation, of your interest, in the things of God, and yet, blessed be God, you have got, a living interest, therein, but you want, to be confirmed, in your soul, you want something, from God, there are, one or two things, which should, help you, to thank God, and take courage, if you are here, to be confirmed, in your soul, you can say this, one thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I can see, you may not, be able, to see things, as yet, very clearly, as to your interest, in the things of God, but you, are in this category, when e'er, to call the saviour, mine, my soul, with ardent wish, aspires, can it be less, than power divine, which animates, these strong, desires, you came along, with willing feet, desiring, to worship God, aright, and that is, a totem for good, to view, the house of prayer, aright, and to desire it, to be, your spiritual, home, where you gather, week in, week out, with, them that love God, and you love them, because they do, and we know, that we have passed, from death unto life, because we love, the brethren, he that loveth, is born, of God, but, as you are here, to worship God, aright, you are seeking, confirmation, in your soul, sometimes, you will get it, in singing, the songs of Zion, sometimes, the hymn writer, has lined out, just what you feel, and you know, the songs of Zion, that you like, to sing most of all, when there are prayers, all the way through, when the hymn writer, is appealing to God, and his appeals, touch a chord, in your own soul's, desires,

[16:00] I know there are, hymns of praise, and glad you are, if you can join in them, but so often, you feel, it is so high, I cannot attain, to it, you want, grace, to take your heart, down from the willow branches, and then, when you are helped, to do that, now to the praise, of Christ, your God, bid, every string away, but meanwhile, it is a great mercy, to be asked, in the way of Zion, with your face, thitherward, and to sing, the songs of Zion, and out of the abundance, of the heart, for the mouth, to speak, so it will be, when you look into, the word of God, as you follow, the reading of it, along, there may be, something, which, gives you light, on the way, you are going along, and you can then, be confirmed, that you are in, the right way, and that God, is your guide, thy word, is a lamp, unto my feet, a light, unto my path, and another, sign, another, sweet confirmation, for your soul, is, when you can, add your amens, to the petitions, that go up, in the public prayers, as you follow them, along, when, when, you feel, one is being helped, out of the abundance, of the heart, for the mouth, to speak, it will, help you, and glad you will be, to enter into, that scripture, though sundered, far, by faith, we meet, around, a common mercy seat, it is, it is one of the surest, evidences, that you are a disciple, indeed, when, you can feel, it is good for me, to draw near, to God, and when, in public prayer, those who are engaging, therein, get help from God, to do it, they draw you near, to God also, when you say,

[18:16] Lord, it is good, for us to be here, and so it is, and now, this confirmation, may not only, be to do, with your interest, in the things of God, you hope, you have an interest, you hope, God has dealt, with you, like he did, with Lydia, he has given you, an ear, to hear the gospel, and to hear it, for your own soul's, profit, he has opened, your heart, to receive the truth, in the love, of it, and if sometimes, it should be, very searching, and you feel, more cut down, than comforted, you still, have in your heart, what the Savior, wonderfully, referred to, he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds, may be made manifest, that they, are wrought, in God, oh how that word, has looked at me, and dear friends, you must have, some religion, you must have, in your profession, of Jesus name, that hallmark, wrought in God, nothing else, will do, either to live by, or, to die by, and you must, ever keep in mind, that you want, some religion, to die by, not just, to be a chapel gore, while you live, but to keep in mind, the hour, that is coming, very soon, to some of us, when heart, and flesh, shall fail, then, then, you will need, to be confirmed, in your soul, that what, your profession, has been, you're in, you're out, is that, which God, has enabled you, to endure in, and that your religion, is that, which he is, the author of, except the Lord, build the house, they labor in vain, that build it, you will want, to be confirmed, that you, have an interest, in what was done, on Calvary's cross, or when you think, of Calvary's cross, it is a delightful, place to be in, in your soul's feelings, to be before God, as he died, on Calvary's cross, one of the most, blessed experiences, you can have, is to behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and to feel, in beholding him, as he died thereon, for me,

[21:06] O miracle of grace, for me, the Saviour bled, and now some of you, need to be confirmed, about that, you say, alas, it is so high, I cannot attain to it, as yet, but do remember, it is attainable, attainable, and if God, should help you, to wait upon him, wait for him, you will find, his word is, a sure word, the vision is, for an appointed time, though it tarry, wait for him, in the end, it should speak, and not lie, it will surely come, it will not tarry, God has in his calendar, a set time, to favour Zion, and, the Saviour, declared, in beautiful simplicity, ask, and ye shall receive, seek, and ye shall find, knocking, and it shall be opened, unto you, for every one, that asketh, receive it, what a word, that is, in its comprehensiveness, every one, that asketh, receive it, and ye that seeketh, find it, and to him, that knocketh, it shall be opened, yes, never man, spake like this man, and he says, him that cometh, unto me,

[22:40] I will never know, never know, never cast out, then you can, hope in God, poor sinner, and still, wait upon him, wait for him, and, the day will dawn, when you will have, a sweet experience, as it is, recorded, in a beautiful scripture, in Isaiah, and it shall be said, in that day, lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us, this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad, and rejoice, in his salvation, confirmation, you will know, you will know, what confirmation, is then, in that day, when it shall dawn, for you, confirming, the souls, of the, disciples, it may be, you want to be, confirmed, as regards, your son, check, children, the spirit, the spirit, itself, beareth witness, with our spirit, that we are, the children of God, what a title, that is, for poor, hell deserving, sinners, such as we are, to be made, manifest, as children, of God, and, if children, then, you have got, this privilege, to call upon God, with whom you have to do, our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, you want to be, confirmed, in your soul, that you can do that, and that such a privilege, is afforded you, and to know, the father himself, loveth you, my God, my father, blissful name, oh may I call thee mine, may I, with sweet assurance, claim a portion, so divine, the word of God, encourages you, and you shall, know, to your soul's joy, what that privilege is, the Lord, will appear for you, and you will, know what confirmation, in your soul is, and the, wonderful joy, it produces, when that experience, is known and felt,

[25:23] I hope I have known it, once or twice, along life's way, it is not, it is not an everyday, experience, alas, confirming the souls, of the, disciples, and now, you do want to be, confirmed, that the way, you are going along, is the right way, you must not, take it for granted, that it is, there are many matters, in everyday life, that come with such, unfailing regularity, that you are very apt, to fall into a frame, of mind, and take it for granted, that it will continue, like that, eh, but there may be, some day, when something, will come upon you, and yours, and you will, never be able, to live your life, the same again, some loss, or cross, some disappointment, some sorrow, may befall you, some tribulation, as our text, suggests, that God, ordains, to come, into your life, and then, you will want to know, that God, is your guide, and that the way, you go, is the right way, right way, for you will have, many sorrowful, reflections about it, many searchings of heart, and you will need, to be, confirmed in your soul, that you are being, led forth, by the, right way, what you will need, is to be made, like the man, in the gospel, when he was found, sitting at Jesus feet, clothed, and in a right mind,

[27:08] I do think, that is a beautiful picture, and, it is a much more, beautiful experience, to be the subject, of it, sitting at Jesus feet, clothed, and in a right mind, and remember this, when you are, in a right mind, you will know, that whatever God, has been pleased, to do with you, or yours, is right, and you will accept it, in a right spirit, and you will say, it is the Lord, enthroned in light, whose claims, are all divine, who has an, undisputed, right, to govern me, and mine, you will not, dispute it, when you are, at Jesus feet, you will say, it is the Lord, let him do, what seemeth him, good, hath not the potter, power, over, the clash, confirming the souls, of the, disciples, another thing, and this is a deep down, experience, you will want, to be confirmed, as to what the will of God, is concerning you, it may be, some of you, dear younger people, just coming, out, into the world, at large, to go forth, to earn the bread, which perisheth, and to enter on, what may be, a career, and, if you are, a seeking soul, you will want, to know, what the will of God, is, and not judge, your career, just because, of some ambition, that possesses you, remember, there is such a thing, as a lawful ambition, question, but you want, to know, what the will of God, is, and accept it, and you will find, it is a wonderful, privilege, a great pleasure, at times, to feel, that the way, you are going along, and the work, you are engaged in, is what the will of God, is, that you should be, doing, yes, confirming, the souls, of the disciples, the will of God, is said, in the word of God, to be, your sanctification, and as you live, your life, whatever, you may be, called upon, to be, or to do, if it is, the will of God, you should engage, in it, then it will be, not just work, it will not, be just, filling up, so many hours, for so much,

[30:09] LSD, and you deal, with it like that, if the life, you live, and the work, you do, is the will of God, it will be, a vocation, you will have, in your mind, you serve, the Lord, Christ, first of all, last of all, and that means, you will be willing, you will need, to be willing to, to endure, hardness, as good soldiers, of Jesus Christ, much might be said, along that line of thought, confirming, the souls, of the, disciples, you want to be, confirmed to, in matters, in everyday life, there are many, matters that arise, in everyday life, wherein, you need, wisdom, which is from above, to handle, such matters, wisely, if you and I, are living, the life, of the righteous, none of us, can live, our lives, on our own initiative, for you should say, if the Lord, will, we will do this, or that, you want, to see the cloud, moving, you want, the pillar of fire, if you are, in a night time, experience, to light the way, along which, you are going, to know, that it is the way, wherein, you should go,

[31:46] I have often thought, of that scripture, in Isaiah, and, I believe, nine times, out of ten, it is, misread, I say that, with great reverence, thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One, of Israel, I am the Lord, thy God, which teacheth thee, to profit, and which leadeth thee, by the way, that thou, shouldest, go, you must not, have a thought, deep down, the way, that thou, wouldest, go, no, the way, that thou, shouldest, go, and, in that way, alone, you will get, manna, for your soul, the way, where the cloud, has moved, for Israel, to be encamped, there, they could gather, manna, but to make a move, without the cloud, moving, no manna, would be falling, and, and, what you need, and so do I, is this, if thy presence, go not with me, carry me not up hence, and, if sometimes, the way ahead, seems to be, rather complicated, what then, you need to be, confirmed in your souls, and remember, step by step, as you go on, the way will open up, before you, and, good Kelly says, when we cannot, see our way, let us trust, and still obey, he who bids us, forward go, will not fail, the way, to show, but you have, got to learn, to live a day, at a time, and go forward, a step at a time, and it needs, much grace, to live like that, especially, some of us, with well ordered minds, who like to have, everything to a blueprint, and all planned, and detailed, for today, and tomorrow too, no, no, and as thy, days, so shall thy strength be, in that way, you will be confirmed, in your soul, and you have to live, like this, believing, he hath delivered, he doth deliver, and we trust, he will yet deliver us, believing, thy love, in times past, forbids me to think, that would leave me, at last, in trouble to sin, each sweet Ebenezer,

[34:33] I have in review, confirms, thy good pleasure, to carry me, right through, confirming, the souls, of the, disciples, and now, how glad, you will be, sometimes, to be confirmed, under the gospel, when it may be, you go up, to his earthly courts, feeling, at the ends, of the earth, and all you can say, is, leave not, my soul, destitute, you, and then, you find, the things, which have encompassed, you round about, and produce, such a turbulence, in your soul, under the gospel, they're all sorted out, and you find, a sweet, blessed, quietness, stealing, over your soul, and you, can go, on your way, helped, with a little help, the watchmen, that go about, the city, they found me, and whenever, they find you, they confirm, your soul, that you are, a citizen, of Zion, one of the, blessed inhabitants, remember, the watchmen, only go round about, inside the city, remember, the city, is the church of Christ, not seeking, to confirm, the man in the street, the world at large, and build up, hypocrites, no, but to, comfort, comfort, ye my people, saith, your God, that is the commission, in preaching, the gospel, confirming, the souls, of the disciples, and that is the value, of a church state, that there should be, rendezvous, where, they, who love the truth, can gather together, to listen to it, and take root, downward, and bear fruit, upward,

[36:46] God has so ordained it, in all places, where I record my name, there will I come, and bless thee, yes, another, sweet confirmation, will be, when you, get answers to prayer, and you see, how many you can sort out, if you look back, over the way you have come along, in remembering the way, God has led you, you, you can say, some of you, blessed be God, for he hath heard my prayer, and hath turned away, his mercy from me, I love the Lord, because he hath heard, the voice of my supplication, therefore will I call upon him, as long as I live, answers to prayer, or they help you, to make a beautiful confession, of faith, that Christ is God,

[37:49] I can avow, and for his people, care, since I have prayed, to him as such, and he has heard, my prayers, you see, what a confirmation, little Samuel was, to good Hannah, long ago, for this child I pray, and his name is Samuel, asked of God, and some of you, I'm here drawing a bow, at a venture, some of you, have asked God, in your family circle, that you might, have a child, to give you joy, under your own home roof, where God has joined you together, and you hope to live long, therein, and that has confirmed, your soul, and you can address God, oh thou, that hearest prayer, you may not have just a Samuel, you've given him, or her, another name, but you receive the child, in answer to prayer, and you thank God, and take courage, and remember, if you're helped to wait on God, thou shalt see greater things, than this, confirming the souls, of the disciples, so then, there is this confirmation, and now,

[39:18] I would look at this, second viewpoint, of the subject, and that is to do, with exhortation, and not only exhortation, it really is to do, with what I will call, continuation, confirming the souls, of the disciples, and exhorting them, to continue, in the faith, everything hinges on that, said the apostle Paul, having obtained help of God, I continue, unto this day, and dear friends, there is hardly, a bigger mercy, that you can tell, than, to, be helped to continue, following on, to know the Lord, whatever your frame of mind, may be, to continue, to follow on, even though, like Peter long ago, and Peter followed afar off, and you feel to do, so too, and yet, to still be found, looking unto Jesus, even though, you feel like Jonah, though I am cast, out of thy sight,

[40:35] I will look again, toward, thy holy temple, and when all, is said and done, everything hinges, in a profession, of the name of Jesus, in continuing, to have our name, on a church roll, is a great honor, and it is a very great, responsibility, and there is, help in having, having a name, on a church roll, when you are indeed, the right character, to be found, in the church of Christ, because, it is a support, to you, and, the devil, will sometimes, remind you, that your name, is recorded, on a church roll, you will need, grace, to continue, Lord, hast thou, made me, know thy ways, conduct me, in thy fear, grant me, such supplies, of grace, that I may, persevere, exhortation,

[41:44] I am not, fitting any caps on, but I am bound, to say, from the, preacher's viewpoint, that exhortation, as a rule, is not, so generally, acceptable, to the people of God, as is, that which, comforts, and confirms, their souls, and yet, there must needs be, exhortation, exhorting them, to continue, in the faith, and that means, to, sometimes, hope, against hope, because, sometimes, faith, is very, very low, I have been glad, to, look in our hymn books, sometimes, and other hymn books too, and find, what some, hymn writers, have felt, according, to what they recorded, in their hymns, and sometimes, you have to, argue, like this, could I, joy is saints, to me, choose the ways,

[42:55] I once abhorred, find at times, the promise, sweet, if I did not, love the Lord, oh, you get down, very low at times, in your soul's feelings, but what God, has done, for your soul, will never be, undone, however low, you may sink, in regard to it, and be cast down, because you cannot see, your signs, the Lord, will appear, again, but meanwhile, it is for you, to be concerned, to continue, not to give up, but go back, because the word of God, stresses that, as the apostle Paul, does, in the, epistle to the, Hebrews, there, he says, and oh, that you and I, may say it, say it too, now the just, shall live by faith, but if any man, draw back, my soul, shall have no pleasure, in him, and remember, there have been, many who have done it, who have drawn back, given up, walked no more, with him, as the dear sinner's friend, and this question, must be answered, will ye also go away, and can you, consider it, and then say,

[44:27] Lord, to whom can we go, if we do, thou hast the words, of eternal life, and we believe, and assure thou art, the Christ, the son of the living God, and in a right mind, it is the very last thing, you contemplate, to go away, and drop back, into the world, surely, surely, you sometimes, feel, nearer, nearer, to thee, clinging, oh, may, my healthless soul, be found, and that you might, be able to say, we are not of them, who draw back, onto perdition, but of them, that believe, to the saving, of the soul, to continue, in the faith, to hope, against hope, and it means, to believe, in God, at all hazards, even when, in his dealings, with you, they are hard, to be understood, to believe, that he is still, too wise, to earth, and too good, to be, unkind, unkind, and it means, this, as again, you read, in the Hebrews, take heed, therefore, brethren, that there be not, in any of you, an evil heart, of unbelief, in departing, from, the living God, unbelief, at times, makes sad havoc, with us, in our souls, experience, and crowds, of ifs, and buts, and hows, come upon us, we are very poor, specimens, of Christians, dear friends, when the truth, is told, if you look, in the glass,

[46:09] I mean, the glass, of the word, of God, itself, we come, very far, short, of the standard, the word, of God, sets up, as to what, a real, Christian, should be, and yet, we do hope, we are, deep down, I sometimes, drawn, a little comfort, from what, one hymn writer, said, and, it may, comfort, you, where, he says, that, they who, fain, would serve God, best, are conscious, most, of wrong, within, you, think, that over, and, some of you, who, every day, are ready, to drop a tear, or two, it may be, or, if not, like that, every day, you are cast, down, thinking, of what a failure, you seem, to be, in all that you, ought to be, and ought to do, and you can, only say, glad you are, to say it,

[47:14] God be merciful, to me, a sinner, or else, like Ezra, oh my God, I am ashamed, I blush, to lift up, my face, unto thee, what does, that denote, it denotes, that you have got, the scriptural standard, of what it is to be, a real Christian, although, you have to, lament, it is so high, I cannot attain, to it, but you are still, following on, to know the Lord, and he says, to such as you, from me, is thy fruit found, and sometimes, you are made, very conscious of it, and you say, a guilty, weak, and helpless, worm, on thy kind arms, I fall, be thou my strength, my righteousness, my Jesus, and my all, you will never have, more religion, than that, and God grant, you may have as much, my soul, into thy arms,

[48:21] I cast, I trust, I shall be saved, at last, confirming, the souls, of the disciples, and exhorting them, to continue, in, the faith, it means, to continue, in the simplicity, of it, and to continue, in the practice, of it, hoard up, the sacred word, feed thereon, and grow, go on, to seek, to know the Lord, and practice, what you know, to live, according to that light, God has already, given you, and ask him, to lead you, into his truth, and give, yet more light, and then, as I come, toward the amen, here is, a deep down truth, it is, very often, quoted, in pulpits, and pews, alike, we must, through much, tribulation, enter, into the kingdom, of God, and now, the word, that is underlined, there, is must, you cannot, escape it, we must, through much, tribulation, enter, into the kingdom, of God,

[49:48] God has, so ordained it, this is the way, walk ye in it, and you know, at least, most of you do, that this word, tribulation, comes from, the Latin word, tribulum, which was, equivalent, to the flail, which in olden times, they used, to, thresh, the wheat, and divide, the wheat, from the char, and that is just, what the Lord, designs to do, when he uses, his tribulum, on you, you have got to learn, and so have I, that which is born, of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born, of the spirit, is spirit, and what is the char, to the wheat, saith the Lord, the char, is essential, to the wheat, while it is growing, but it is, valueless, useless, yes, it is the wheat, that is essential,

[50:51] Lord of harvest, grant that wheat, pure, and wholesome, grain, may be, and now, this tribulation, God will, ordain, for you, according to, his infinite wisdom, because you, and I, need discipline, and we do not, all need, the same discipline, there are some, children, where, if the father, looks, his looks, tell, and obedience, will follow, and a word, of correction, a word, spoken, a warning word, is sufficient, but there are, other children, that they need, chastening, need the rod, of discipline, so it is, in God's family, as many, as I love, I rebuke, and chasten, be zealous, therefore, and repent, but there are, some in his family, and he says, to them,

[52:01] I will bring you, under the rod, into the bond, of the covenant, whatever tribulation, has come into your life, accept it from God, and remember, if he has ordained it, for you, it is, that he may fulfill his word, take away the dross, from the, silver, and there shall come forth, a vessel, for the finer, and that you may learn, he knoweth the way, that I take, and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth, as gold, or we must, through much tribulation, be it loss, or cross, disappointment, bereavement, affliction, adverse circumstances, whatever its nature, we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom, of God, the kingdom of God, here, does not primarily, refer to heaven itself, but it means, the kingdom of God, which is within you, the kingdom of God, is not in word, but in power, the kingdom of God, is to enter into, the things of God, and prove their, reality, in your soul's, experience, existence, the kingdom of God, is within you, the saviour said, and what did,

[53:34] Paul say to the Hebrews, wherefore, we, receiving a kingdom, which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby, we may serve God, acceptably, with reverence, and godly fear, and as regards tribulation, if you are a disciple, indeed, you will be confirmed, in this truth, trials, make the promise, sweet, trials, give new life, to prayer, trials, bring us to Christ's feet, lay us low, and keep us there, and it is a great mercy, when they do, have that blessed issue, in the dealings of God, with our souls, and what will be, the blessed outcome, of all this, if you and I, are confirmed, in our souls, as being disciples, indeed, there is a day to dawn, when, with the redeemed host above, it will be, declared, who are these, arrayed in white robes, and whence came that, these are they, which came out, of great tribulation, but while they journeyed on, through life, they were in it, and now, their sufferings, have reached a close, and heaven affords them, sweet, repose,

[55:12] Amen. the ordinance, the Lord's time, and