The Attractions of the Christian Ministry
T. F. Burnham. 1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; It was a wise proverb that the king of Israel quoted to a boastful Syrian invader, when he said, "Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." Our text is not the boastful exultation of an untried soldier, but rather the calm, joyful expression of the gratitude of a veteran. He had faced the angry eyes of those who at Damascus regarded him as a heretic, because he had seen more light than they. The estimate which a man of such experiences puts upon his vocation, after a trial covering about thirty years, is worthy of careful consideration. Paul was thankful for the privilege of these thirty years in the ministry of God's dear Son. Let us consider some of the attractions of the Christian ministry. It is not forgotten that earnest, scholarly and religious men are needed in all the ministries of human life. We may, perhaps, best set forth our theme by an examination of the grounds of our satisfaction and joy in the ministry of Jesus Christ. I. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL. Paul had zeal and joy in his work because he knew he was presenting a religion which is the outcome of — 1. A Divine revelation. God has spoken. Paul went forth, not with a Bible, but with the Word of God. 2. A system of Divine power: not a philosophy, a guess, a theory to be entertained; but a life, a present working of a Divine energy in the soul. 3. The remedial character of the gospel gives zeal and joy to those who preach it. 4. The historic connections of Christianity have given and now give impulse to zeal and joy to those who are set for its defence. This thing was not done in a corner. Christianity is no beggar in the world of thought, asking for recognition, but a system rooted firmly in the soil of human history, and bearing fruits of which its adherents need never speak with hesitation. 5. Its power to satisfy the wants of the human soul. II. THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE WORK ITSELF. 1. Our contact with good men. In religious and charitable work, much of our time is spent in contact and converse with the excellent of the earth. 2. The affectionate regard in which we are held by our people. 3. The opportunity afforded for the growth of character. 4. The opportunities afforded in the ministry for the cultivation of scholarship. III. THE CROWN SET BEFORE US. The work of the Christian ministry is not completed on earth. Allow me to conclude with a few words of fraternal exhortation as to the claims of this work and the kind of men that are required in it. And need I say that, first of all, men are wanted of an unworldly spirit. The spirit that was in Agassiz when he said, "I have no time to make money," is that needed in the ministry of reconciliation. Again, the ministry needed calls for men of good common sense, and a good stock of it. Finally, the times demand in the Christian ministry men of solid learning. (T. F. Burnham.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; WEB: And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;