Post by Get off of TMB on Jan 19, 2020 19:27:27 GMT -5
Don Garland - Dumaresq, New South Whales, Australia – 1962
Don Garland - Being Examples - A sister Worker in America, at Convention, told of her nephew. He lived on one island and her grandfather lived on another island. The boy was taken by his parents to visit his grandfather. He went through the house, looking the house over from room to room and afterwards he said to his grandfather, Grandfather, I love you, and I love your house.- It would be good if we could have this same kind of attitude when we have looked the house over, the house of God. It would be good if we could say the same concerning our Heavenly Father. David was one who loved Him and loved His house. David said, in Psalm 27:4 - One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lordall the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. - because he loved Him and he loved His house. That was exactly the way the prodigal son felt when he returned home. He could say to his father, I love you and I love your house. Think of the provision and all that is in God's house. It is wonderful just to be in this house. So many in their testimonies, have expressed how grateful they are.
A few years ago Clarence Anderson told about their Conventions in Mexico. Garrett Hughes was a visiting Worker there. After Convention was over, one of the native Mexican Workers came to Clarence and asked him, How do you say Thank you, in English? - Clarence asked her, Why do you want to say that? - She said, I want to say Thank you, to Garrett in a language he understands. - That was a nice kind of a spirit and attitude to have. It would be good if we could all leave Convention with that kind of a feeling in our hearts, I want to say Thank you to the Lord in a language He understands.
Sproulie Denio, before he passed away, was quite ill and the doctors had advised him not to speak more than five minutes in any meeting. A young lady had attended the Convention and she had listened to the Gospel for over a year, but she had not yet made her choice. The day before his death she came for a visit and Sproulie spent two hours trying to help her to more clearly understand the way of God. She told him she had made her choice to walk in the Lord’s way so Sproulie had great joy the day before he passed away.
A couple of weeks after that, two young men went over to the cemetery and were looking at the tombstones. By the grave of a foreigner they saw a young lady standing alone so they went down and spoke to her. Why are you here? What interest have you in this foreigner’s grave? - She told them about God’s faithful servant who had come to that land to help them to understand the Way of God and of how he had spent the last bit of his health and strength to help her to know the way of God. She said, I am here because I feel so thankful. There are others just like this, preaching the Gospel and giving their lives as he did. You go and listen to this Gospel.- They went and today one of them is rejoicing in God’s salvation and that young lady is now in God’s harvest field because she had a grateful heart. It is a good thing to have a thankful heart.
I Timothy 4:11- These things command and teach. 12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. - A number have mentioned in their testimonies of wanting to go home and be an example. If you are going home with that purpose in your heart, you are going to be a great help to God’s servants. It must have meant a lot to Timothy to have received that letter from Paul. Timothy had been about twelve years in God’s harvest field. He was young in the Work but he had a lot of responsibility in Ephesus. A good deal of trust had been placed in him. Paul said, Be thou an example ,...These different things he mentioned: word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity were for him to be an example in. They were not just for Timothy but if Timothy were an example, the believers were to follow the example. If we follow an example, we will also be an example. Every one of us can have a little part of this being an example.
I Timothy 4:12- Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. - Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Let your speech be alway with grace ...”If our speech were always with grace we could always be an example in Word. All the people wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus. I was with one of the Brothers in Korea for two different years. We were walking along a road one day and he pointed to a certain place and said,”Do you remember that place?”- I did not think of anything special about that place and said, “What about it?” -He said, “That is the place where the only time you spoke sharply to me during the two years we were together occurred.”I realized my words had not been with grace and I felt ashamed. We might speak sharp words and forget it, but the person on the other end may not forget. It is a terrible thing to offend in word. There are three gates through which our words should pass like a strainer. First of all, is it true? We may hear some rumor and before finding out if it is true, we quickly pass it on. Check first if it is true. The next gate is, is it necessary? Lots of things are true but are not necessary to speak. The third gate is, is it kind?
If our words are passing through these gates there is not so much danger of our words being without grace. Jesus’ speech was always with grace. Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. - not with pepper. Salt is used for the sake of preserving, for medication and for seasoning and it is a good thing if our speech is like that. I thought also of James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. - Let your yea be yea and your nay, nay.It is a good thing if, when we say yes, we mean yes, and if we say nay, we mean nay. One faithful Brother I know in Canada, a neighbor spoke about him, “His word is as good as gold.”- He has been an example in word, he could be counted on, depended upon. If we say yea as we have to Jesus, it is good if our yea means yea, and we have all said nay to the world and it is good if our nay means nay. In this respect we could be an example in word.
We could be an example in the fellowship meeting by our little word. At a Convention over twenty-five years ago, in a Sunday morning meeting an elder Brother asked all those who could give their testimony in one sentence to stand. About sixty stood up. One dear, faithful Brother usually had so many things to speak about at each Convention because he was always bubbling over. The elder Brother, who knew his tendency, pointed to him and said, “Just one sentence.”The man said, “My cup runneth over.” - That was a good example in the word he had in the little meeting. God’s people, being the most thoughtful and considerate people you will find anywhere, would surely want to consider others in their testimony.
Be an example in conversation and our manner of living. It is true that the world is taking far greater notice than we could ever imagine. They are taking stock of what we are doing. A young lady made her choice in Korea. She was a university student and used to take her Bible and hymn book with her each day and in the lunch hour she would find a place separate from the others, sing hymns and look up her Bible. Another young lady saw this girl by herself and went over and talked with her. She was a Methodist and wanted to know why she was doing this and she was told, “This is my joy in life.”- She listened to her sing some hymns and said, “I do not know those hymns.” - The first girl said, “You come to the Gospel meetings with me.” - She went and a few weeks later she also professed and together they were able to enjoy singing the hymns and having a quiet time during the lunch hour. They were good examples in their manner of life.
Paul wrote to the Philippians 1:27 - Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; -If our conversation becometh the Gospel of Christ, God will be able to use us in the work of the Gospel. There is no greater work going on in New South Whales than the work of the Gospel. Be an example of the believers in charity. Jesus on the cross is the greatest example of charity we could ever find. - Hymn #217 – My Saviour's Love – The chorus says, “Love led Him to Gethsemane, Love led Him on to Calvary, - Love in His flowing wounds I see, The Lamb of God who died for me.” - It is true we can sacrifice without love, but we could not love without sacrifice. It would be wonderful if we could all seek to be an example in this matter of love. Be an example of the believers in spirit. We need to watch our spirit because it is a thing that can get out of control very easily. At the end of Timothy Paul wrote, II Timothy 4:22 - The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. - The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. - If the Lord Jesus is with our spirit, we will be an example to the believers in spirit.
What a wonderful example Elijah must have been to Elisha when Elisha desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. If we could just be that kind of example that others seeing our spirit, would desire a double portion of it. We would like to have a forgiving spirit. It would be a terrible thing to hold an unforgiving spirit towards someone. There was a lady with a son and daughter over in Japan some time ago and they professed. The women were very decorated and painted up although taking a nice part in the meeting. Sproulie tried kindly to tell them, but eventually he had to get them quietly and tell them straight about this matter. The mother began to cry and cry. Sproulie tried to comfort her but for some reason he could not and this was most embarrassing for Sproulie. Then eventually she said, “I am not crying because of what you have told me, but because I have caused God’s servants worry and concern.”- She was an example in spirit. It is a wonderful thing when God’s children have that kind of spirit. They realize something is causing grief and sorrow to God’s servants who are giving their lives to help them. Be an example in faith. It is something we surely need while here in this life. We want to keep true to the vows we have made. In Hebrews 11 we read many examples of faith. We read of things those faithful ones, of old, did just because of having faith. One of the best ways of being an example, in faith, is to keep the faith. We don’t have to do something spectacular. I looked at my mother’s and father’s graves whilst I was in America last time, and my heart was filled with gratitude when I thought of them having kept the faith. Where would I have been today if they had become discouraged and had given up the faith? It made me feel very thankful.
Be an example in purity. So much is impure in this world that would stir up, in us, an impure mind. II Peter 3:1 - This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: - I write these things unto you to stir up your pure minds. One thing that would help us is just to read the things that are in God’s word. If we are faithful in reading God’s word it is going to do a lot towards stirring up a pure mind. There is so much that is impure and would defile and corrupt our minds. Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Paul speaks about things to think upon. That list of things is written there for us to think on. It is so easy to let other thoughts come into our minds. If we could go forth, by the grace of God, with a purpose in heart to be an example, how good it would it be. Jesus said to His disciples, I have given you an example.- It is much easier to give counsel and instruction, but if we can be an example, we can be a greater help to one another.
I’d rather see a sermon lived, than hear one any day,
I’d rather one would walk with me, than merely point the way;
For the eye’s a better pupil, than the learning of the ear.
Fine counsel is convenient, but example’s always clear.
We would be a help to one another and to God’s servants, and to those who are without Christ and without hope in this world, if we would be an example.
Don Garland - Being Examples - A sister Worker in America, at Convention, told of her nephew. He lived on one island and her grandfather lived on another island. The boy was taken by his parents to visit his grandfather. He went through the house, looking the house over from room to room and afterwards he said to his grandfather, Grandfather, I love you, and I love your house.- It would be good if we could have this same kind of attitude when we have looked the house over, the house of God. It would be good if we could say the same concerning our Heavenly Father. David was one who loved Him and loved His house. David said, in Psalm 27:4 - One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lordall the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. - because he loved Him and he loved His house. That was exactly the way the prodigal son felt when he returned home. He could say to his father, I love you and I love your house. Think of the provision and all that is in God's house. It is wonderful just to be in this house. So many in their testimonies, have expressed how grateful they are.
A few years ago Clarence Anderson told about their Conventions in Mexico. Garrett Hughes was a visiting Worker there. After Convention was over, one of the native Mexican Workers came to Clarence and asked him, How do you say Thank you, in English? - Clarence asked her, Why do you want to say that? - She said, I want to say Thank you, to Garrett in a language he understands. - That was a nice kind of a spirit and attitude to have. It would be good if we could all leave Convention with that kind of a feeling in our hearts, I want to say Thank you to the Lord in a language He understands.
Sproulie Denio, before he passed away, was quite ill and the doctors had advised him not to speak more than five minutes in any meeting. A young lady had attended the Convention and she had listened to the Gospel for over a year, but she had not yet made her choice. The day before his death she came for a visit and Sproulie spent two hours trying to help her to more clearly understand the way of God. She told him she had made her choice to walk in the Lord’s way so Sproulie had great joy the day before he passed away.
A couple of weeks after that, two young men went over to the cemetery and were looking at the tombstones. By the grave of a foreigner they saw a young lady standing alone so they went down and spoke to her. Why are you here? What interest have you in this foreigner’s grave? - She told them about God’s faithful servant who had come to that land to help them to understand the Way of God and of how he had spent the last bit of his health and strength to help her to know the way of God. She said, I am here because I feel so thankful. There are others just like this, preaching the Gospel and giving their lives as he did. You go and listen to this Gospel.- They went and today one of them is rejoicing in God’s salvation and that young lady is now in God’s harvest field because she had a grateful heart. It is a good thing to have a thankful heart.
I Timothy 4:11- These things command and teach. 12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. - A number have mentioned in their testimonies of wanting to go home and be an example. If you are going home with that purpose in your heart, you are going to be a great help to God’s servants. It must have meant a lot to Timothy to have received that letter from Paul. Timothy had been about twelve years in God’s harvest field. He was young in the Work but he had a lot of responsibility in Ephesus. A good deal of trust had been placed in him. Paul said, Be thou an example ,...These different things he mentioned: word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity were for him to be an example in. They were not just for Timothy but if Timothy were an example, the believers were to follow the example. If we follow an example, we will also be an example. Every one of us can have a little part of this being an example.
I Timothy 4:12- Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. - Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Let your speech be alway with grace ...”If our speech were always with grace we could always be an example in Word. All the people wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus. I was with one of the Brothers in Korea for two different years. We were walking along a road one day and he pointed to a certain place and said,”Do you remember that place?”- I did not think of anything special about that place and said, “What about it?” -He said, “That is the place where the only time you spoke sharply to me during the two years we were together occurred.”I realized my words had not been with grace and I felt ashamed. We might speak sharp words and forget it, but the person on the other end may not forget. It is a terrible thing to offend in word. There are three gates through which our words should pass like a strainer. First of all, is it true? We may hear some rumor and before finding out if it is true, we quickly pass it on. Check first if it is true. The next gate is, is it necessary? Lots of things are true but are not necessary to speak. The third gate is, is it kind?
If our words are passing through these gates there is not so much danger of our words being without grace. Jesus’ speech was always with grace. Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. - not with pepper. Salt is used for the sake of preserving, for medication and for seasoning and it is a good thing if our speech is like that. I thought also of James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. - Let your yea be yea and your nay, nay.It is a good thing if, when we say yes, we mean yes, and if we say nay, we mean nay. One faithful Brother I know in Canada, a neighbor spoke about him, “His word is as good as gold.”- He has been an example in word, he could be counted on, depended upon. If we say yea as we have to Jesus, it is good if our yea means yea, and we have all said nay to the world and it is good if our nay means nay. In this respect we could be an example in word.
We could be an example in the fellowship meeting by our little word. At a Convention over twenty-five years ago, in a Sunday morning meeting an elder Brother asked all those who could give their testimony in one sentence to stand. About sixty stood up. One dear, faithful Brother usually had so many things to speak about at each Convention because he was always bubbling over. The elder Brother, who knew his tendency, pointed to him and said, “Just one sentence.”The man said, “My cup runneth over.” - That was a good example in the word he had in the little meeting. God’s people, being the most thoughtful and considerate people you will find anywhere, would surely want to consider others in their testimony.
Be an example in conversation and our manner of living. It is true that the world is taking far greater notice than we could ever imagine. They are taking stock of what we are doing. A young lady made her choice in Korea. She was a university student and used to take her Bible and hymn book with her each day and in the lunch hour she would find a place separate from the others, sing hymns and look up her Bible. Another young lady saw this girl by herself and went over and talked with her. She was a Methodist and wanted to know why she was doing this and she was told, “This is my joy in life.”- She listened to her sing some hymns and said, “I do not know those hymns.” - The first girl said, “You come to the Gospel meetings with me.” - She went and a few weeks later she also professed and together they were able to enjoy singing the hymns and having a quiet time during the lunch hour. They were good examples in their manner of life.
Paul wrote to the Philippians 1:27 - Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; -If our conversation becometh the Gospel of Christ, God will be able to use us in the work of the Gospel. There is no greater work going on in New South Whales than the work of the Gospel. Be an example of the believers in charity. Jesus on the cross is the greatest example of charity we could ever find. - Hymn #217 – My Saviour's Love – The chorus says, “Love led Him to Gethsemane, Love led Him on to Calvary, - Love in His flowing wounds I see, The Lamb of God who died for me.” - It is true we can sacrifice without love, but we could not love without sacrifice. It would be wonderful if we could all seek to be an example in this matter of love. Be an example of the believers in spirit. We need to watch our spirit because it is a thing that can get out of control very easily. At the end of Timothy Paul wrote, II Timothy 4:22 - The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. - The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. - If the Lord Jesus is with our spirit, we will be an example to the believers in spirit.
What a wonderful example Elijah must have been to Elisha when Elisha desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. If we could just be that kind of example that others seeing our spirit, would desire a double portion of it. We would like to have a forgiving spirit. It would be a terrible thing to hold an unforgiving spirit towards someone. There was a lady with a son and daughter over in Japan some time ago and they professed. The women were very decorated and painted up although taking a nice part in the meeting. Sproulie tried kindly to tell them, but eventually he had to get them quietly and tell them straight about this matter. The mother began to cry and cry. Sproulie tried to comfort her but for some reason he could not and this was most embarrassing for Sproulie. Then eventually she said, “I am not crying because of what you have told me, but because I have caused God’s servants worry and concern.”- She was an example in spirit. It is a wonderful thing when God’s children have that kind of spirit. They realize something is causing grief and sorrow to God’s servants who are giving their lives to help them. Be an example in faith. It is something we surely need while here in this life. We want to keep true to the vows we have made. In Hebrews 11 we read many examples of faith. We read of things those faithful ones, of old, did just because of having faith. One of the best ways of being an example, in faith, is to keep the faith. We don’t have to do something spectacular. I looked at my mother’s and father’s graves whilst I was in America last time, and my heart was filled with gratitude when I thought of them having kept the faith. Where would I have been today if they had become discouraged and had given up the faith? It made me feel very thankful.
Be an example in purity. So much is impure in this world that would stir up, in us, an impure mind. II Peter 3:1 - This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: - I write these things unto you to stir up your pure minds. One thing that would help us is just to read the things that are in God’s word. If we are faithful in reading God’s word it is going to do a lot towards stirring up a pure mind. There is so much that is impure and would defile and corrupt our minds. Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Paul speaks about things to think upon. That list of things is written there for us to think on. It is so easy to let other thoughts come into our minds. If we could go forth, by the grace of God, with a purpose in heart to be an example, how good it would it be. Jesus said to His disciples, I have given you an example.- It is much easier to give counsel and instruction, but if we can be an example, we can be a greater help to one another.
I’d rather see a sermon lived, than hear one any day,
I’d rather one would walk with me, than merely point the way;
For the eye’s a better pupil, than the learning of the ear.
Fine counsel is convenient, but example’s always clear.
We would be a help to one another and to God’s servants, and to those who are without Christ and without hope in this world, if we would be an example.