Sunday at Home
THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Rev. J. Gibson Smith, who was inducted last week to the charge of the First Church to fill the vacancy caused by the Rev. John Ferguson’s removal to Sydney, preached his opening sermon to a crowded church last Sunday evening. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. J. Gibb, of the First Church, Dunedin, who, in the course of his remarks, referred to his personal knowledge of Mr Smith’s high qualities, which eminently fitted him for this new charge. His earnest wish was that the Church would prosper under its new pastor, whom he commended with confidence to the prayers and good offices of the congregation.
“The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke XVII, 20) was the text chosen by the Rev. J. G. Smith as the basis of his remarks, at the evening service. These words were a clear and sage to -all, the first claused- “ The Kingdom of iGod cometh,” being especially addressed to believers. Among unbelievers were men who had tried to grasp the truth, and failed, a»d others who have trampled upon their better natures and silenced the voice of conscience. Between these two extremes —the honest, earnest, doubter, and tha arrant hypocrite —are the weak and cowardly who have drifted on in worldliress until they have become blinded by it. Living as though they could fulfil life’s destiny without God’s help, they demand some sign or irrefutable logic as a proof that the Kingdom of God will come. The essential demand they made was that they may be saved the necessity for exercising faith. Through their blunders men did not see that the Kingdom of God was as much with us now as ever it was —through that blindness that existed by their neglect to have faith in God, whom they did not trust even as they would their fellow-men. Faith in God was the same faculty as that employed in confiding in a well-tried friend, and it could aotcome from an insincere heart. Trust Him, and it would be found that he could do more for us than any other friend. He had forgiveness and sympathy for those with cares and troubles that weigh down the heart. He could give us enlightenment and His guidance. Even believers were apt to allow their opinions to be influenced too much by the adverse verdicts of outside criticisms hurled at the Church by those who knew nothing of life within the Church. Why should we be led by the misguided views of others who though enlightened in some respects were blind to the truth of the Gospel. In this matter the opinion of the mother who nurtured and trained her child was more to be valued than that of he who used the telescope or made a show of learning. Why not be independent of the verdict of men blind to the real truth ? It would be found that there was no nobler work than serving in God’s Kingdom, and that no greater service could be rendered to men than bringing them to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, As in the time of Christ, there were still many who would willingly give their lives for His sake. Might God grant that men should have their eyes opened that they might serve him in the spirit of confidence and hope, for the Kingdom of God cometh quietly but with power, and those who looked for it would find peace and their great reward.
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Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 29, 13 October 1894, Page 11
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586Sunday at Home Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 29, 13 October 1894, Page 11
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