The Sabbath Hour

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Sabbath Hour

(Being a sermon written by Rev. C. W. Tolley, Methodist Church, Hikurangi). Text: “I am the'way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14, 6. Most of us come to crossroads in our lives with one road leading to the betterment of cur nature, and the other to the weakening of it. So it is up to us to see what path we are on, and make sure that it leads to Christ. It is no use being like some people who imagine that if they go to church now and again, cr keep in touch with religion, they are all right. They are not. Christ wants people who are out and out for i m.

The disciples were puzzled as to the meaning of Christ's words when He said. “Whither I go thou const not follow mo now. but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” Christ knew that He was to die scon for that was the way He had to go. But note the words. “Thou canst not follow me now.” They were not to die with Him for their time was not due. but the disciples had taken up their crosses when they followed Christ. So you see that the Christian life is not an easy one. although these who have chosen Christ's way have never regretted their dccisisn. Christ did not promise an easy way, but many people find joy when they are changed because they learn that the major bad habits they had long

Following Jesus

held to now just don't matter. Christ has now entered their hearts and. where he reigns, evil can never hold sway. Christ is asking us lo follow Him. to accept His leadership in the war against sin. Lock at the world to-day. Look at those' countries which have forgotten Christ. Are they building up the long sought for Utopia? They are not. But they have to be contended with, sc let us follow Christ, let us fleck to His banner, and march along the road that He has laid down and oppose the troublemakers with Christianity. No matter who we may be, we can have a part in this. Just imagine the feelings of one who was a Jew, who had fallen as low as a Jew could fail. Such was Matthew the Publican, whom Christ cailcd. He was a middleaged man, a taxgathorer, despised, and no chance of getting another Job. One day ho noticed someone standing in front of him, and heard this person say, “Follow mo." He stood up. squared his shoulders, and followed Christ. It is lo him that we owe our Gcspel according to St. Matthew. No one won id have dreamed t hat Matthew was destined to become great, but God can use each one of us.

What docs it mean to accept Christ? It means that whereas originally we had as the centre of our being the world and nil its attractions, in its place arises a new Being. It is to Him that wo now turn in our times of

need, Instead .of turning to the world for comfort and relief, we turn to God and He affords us such comfort and relief as wc have never experienced before.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Christ is the life. too. How does your life compare with this life? In His early youth He was gracious for Re had Gcd’s grace. As He became cider. He became diligent and was subject to His parents and found favour with God and man. As He grew into manhood. He was kindly, considerate, understanding, and loved His enemies. Can we compare our lives with His clean, straight, steady life, far removed from petty squabblings and outbursts of sullen temper that so far mar many of our natures? Christ's life

was full cx action: He was always doing things. He would be up early in the morning, teaching and helping. And during the day. in the hot eastern climate,, He would be preaching and working. Then when all would be

asleep after a hard, tiring day, Christ wouid be aside in the night, holding communion with God. and praying for His enemies. Christ accomplished more in those three years of His life than others accomplish in a lifetime. How do wo compare with that life? How arc we going to face up to life and the years ahead? Are we going to go through life aimlessly, vaguely, without any definite purpose? Christ lolls us Hint those who are not for Him are against Him. so we want: to think whoso side v/e are really on. Are you for or against Him? Is your life on tlie* incline or the decline? Are you on the upward or the downward grade?

Christ is si muling at (he crossroads, the torch of life held high in His hand, beckoning us to be (rue and to accept His way. to follow linn. Just

over the horizon a now day is dawnin;; for us. Accepting Him, we fall iu under Christ's banner, and march for-

ward into a new day, with a sung

on our lips and joy in our hearts, confident in the leadership of the Saviour of the world to Whom we have just given our lives.