The Citizens of the Kingdom Organized for Work

The Citizens of the Kingdom Organized for Work THE CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
ORGANIZED FOR WORK
By L. R. Wilson My subject presupposes that the kingdom of Christ has already been set up and all Christians are now citi-zens thereof—-indeed, the theme of this entire lectureship assumes this fact. It is superfluous therefore for me to elaborate on this phase of it. Paul took it for granted the Philippians well understood his meaning when he said, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Php_3:20). They were so familiar with the idea that the apostle used an elliptical sentence—putting the term “heaven'1 for the church, or kingdom of heaven. Matthew often referred to it as “the kingdom of heaven,” while Paul frequently spoke of it as a “heavenly place.” It is designated by these high terms because it is a spiritual institution, heaven-born, and blood bought. An article appeared in one of our papers a few days ago from the pen of a very able brother in which he de-clared the terms “organize1’ and “organization” were not to be found in the Bible. Such timely warnings are needed; I thank God we have brethren with the vision and foresight to warn of the dangers which some of us might not see were it not for them. However, we should not beat a retreat at the sight of the first danger signal. Danger signs should serve to keep us on our guard but they should not deter us from pressing the battle for truth and right. Ideas are sometimes expressed in the word of God where more than one English word may be used to convey the meaning. The term “organize” has been so overworked by the religious bodies that the very meaning of the word is repulsive to some of us. When I lived in Tidsa, Oklahoma, I was told that one of the denominational churches there had thirty- seven organizations within the congregation. A member of another denomination there told me they had eighteen different organizations in the church she attended. The denominations are top-heavy with organi-zations. No one knows this better than they. For several years many of the denominations have been seeking to get rid of some of their organizations but they do not know how. The organizations have fastened their tentacles around them with a death grip; it is impossible to destroy the organizations without destroying the denominations also. This fact is so clear that those of us who are free from the encumbrances of human organizations are determined never to become a victim of them. Although these men-made organizations loom before our eyes as huge monsters, threatening to devour us, we ought not to be afraid of anything of which God is the Author.

Let me now give you a picture of the New Testament church—which is the kingdom of Christ—and the Divine arrangement which God has ordained to govern this sacred institution.

I. Christ is the head of the church.
Paul very specifically says, “And he is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). Again he says, God "wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:20-22). From these scriptures we learn that Christ was made the head of the church—or kingdom—after his resurrection. Since he was raised to die no more (Korn. 6:9) it is not possible for him to die out of office. He cannot then have any successor or vice-juror on the earth. Christ is as much the one and only head of his church today as he ever was, and all our orders must come from him.

II. The apostles of Christ are still in the church.
While Jesus was in the flesh he chose twelve disciples to be with him, whom he later named apostles, and gave them the first place in the church (1 Corinthians 12:28).

These twelve were his plenipotentiary representatives and assigned to special duties.
(1) They were chosen to be Christ's witnesses. Just before his ascension Jesus said, “ye shall be my wit-nesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Ten days thereafter Peter boldly declared, “This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). At the house of Cornelius the same apostle again said, “Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, not to all people but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead" (Acts 10:40-41). We still have the testimony of these witnesses today, and it need not be repeated. This testimony will stand as long1 as the world stands.

(2) The apostles were chosen to be Christ's Ambassadors. Paul said, “We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). As Christ’s ambassadors the apostles were the executors of his will. They had authority to bind and to loose on earth {Matthew 16:19; John 20:22-23). This work was of such a nature no one could succeed them in it. What they bound—by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and special powers giv-
en unto them—is still binding1, and what they loosed is still loosed,

(3) The apostles were to be judges of God’s people. This Jesus stated in the following words: "Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. 19:28). It cannot be denied that “the regeneration” of the world is not going on, and Christ is now seated upon the “throne of his glory.” This being true the apostles are now seated upon thrones and judging “the twelve tribes of Israel.” Certainly the “twelve tribes” signify all of God’s people. God no longer regards the flesh of any man. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter” (Rom, 2:28, 29). Again Paul says, “There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:28, 29). The “twelve tribes of Israel” signified all of God’s chosen people in ancient times; all Christians are his chosen people today, and as such they constitute the “true Israel of God.” The apostles were seated upon thrones from the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ and have thus remained ever since. They do not occupy material thrones any more than Christ now occupies a material throne; they are enthroned in the hearts of men, and are now judging the Lord’s people by what they wrote. Not only are we judged by the words which Christ spoke while he was on the earth (John 12:48) but we are also judged by the words of the apostles—his chosen ambassadors. The threefold work of the apostles was of such nature it was to continue throughout the ages. It was not such that other men could ever take their places; nor was this necessary. What they did is as much alive today as it was while they remained on earth. We have apostles in the church then today, but they are the same apostles we had when the church was first begun.

III. In apostolic times the Holy Spirit ordained elders in every congregation (Acts 14:23).
These were called overseers, pastors, presbyters or elders (Acts 20:17, 28). It was the duty of these to take the spiritual oversight of the congregation. They were God’s shepherds—under Christ, the Chief Shepherd. They could make no laws for God whatever. Their duty was to familiarize themselves with the law which the head of the church has already given and declare it unto others. Moreover they were to protect the flock from false teachers and look after the spiritual needs of the individual members, just as a shepherd looks after the needs of all his sheep. The chief business of a shepherd is to see that his flock is properly fed, watered, sheltered and protected from wild animals. This is the relation God’s under-shepherds sustain to the congregation over which they are today. Let us not forget that a shepherd goes before his sheep and leads them, but he must exercise care not to get too far ahead lest the sheep lose sight of him and wander away. God’s shepherds should lead their flock, but they should be careful that all the ahee.p remain in sight lest they be lost. It would be interesting—though tragic, I am sure—to know how many members are lost every year because the elders lose sight of them, and they lose sight of the elders?

IV. In apostolic times each congregation had a plurality of deacons (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).
The term “deacon” signifies a servant. It is not the word for bondservant, or slave. It signifies one who serves in some special sense. The duties of the deacons were of a material nature. This is evident not only from the word itself but from the need which arose in the Jerusalem church, which occasioned the appointment of the first deacons (Acts 6:1-6). When it was called to the attention of the apostles that the Grecian widows were being neglected in their daily needs they “called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business,” The deacons then looked after the “business” of the church. This is a broad term and may comprehend all the material needs of the congregation. A man chosen as a deacon should be a man of some business ability. Any real business man will exercise judgment in the conduct of his affairs; so also with the affairs of a congregation—if they are the sort of deacons they should be.

V. The New Testament church had evangelists in it.
The apostle Paul stated their duties in these words: “I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside unto fables. But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry” (2 Tim. 4:1-5). The primary job of an evangelist is to “preach the word.” No greater work was ever given to any man than this. We need to keep on our guard lest we make the preaching of the gospel a secondary matter. Kinging door bells, making good-will speeches for women’s clubs, and directing young peoples’ social activi-ties may be important but they should never over-shadow the preaching of the gospel. Whatever else an evangelist may be he should make his preaching first and foremost. To come before an audience with a re-hash of illustrations and incidents which have been used over and over is inexcusable. Although an evan-gelist has the same gospel to preach ever and ever he should strive to present it in the most simple, powerful yet pleasing manner of which he is capable.

Before I pass from the work of the evangelist let me observe that the amount of traveling a man does has nothing to do with the message he preaches or the duties he performs. The tendency to distinguish between a man who settles down to preach in one place and a man who travels about is growing. We often speak of the "evangelist” assisting the “local preacher” in a revival. Sometimes we see reports in the papers from brethren who are giving up “local work” and going into the “evangelistic field.” Our intentions may be good but our use of terms may cause a misunderstanding in the duties and the labors of those who preach the gospel. An evangelist is any one who preaches the word. He may devote all his time to preaching or he may devote very little to it. But whether he gives much or little of his time to preaching he is an evangelist. Only a few years ago we heard much about whether the New Testament churches (congregalions) had “full-time” preachers to labor with them. The truth is they often had several evangelists who devoted all their time to preaching. It is a great mistake to look upon preaching as a “profession.” It is no more a profession than is the work of an elder or deacon. Preaching the gospel is a work which is inseparably bound up with our Christian life. Every Christian .should be an evangelist. Do not misunderstand me. Not all Christians should leave all secular work and expect others to support them liberally while they preach. Only those who can render a service of such importance that brethren are glad to support them should wish to do so. It is regrettable that some brethren are always “hunting a place” to preach—i.e,, they are hunting a place where they may receive enough for their services that they will not have to do any other work. A man should make himself so useful in preaching the gospel, his brethren will not let him do anything else. No man is worthy to be called an evangelist who looks upon his work as a profession.

VI. A church must have a membership.
We should not think of “the membership” however as excluding the evangelist, the elders, and deacons. The membership of any congregation embraces the entire body. It is unfortunate that we have created somewhat of a gulf between the general membership and the men who take the oversight of the spiritual and material affairs of the congregation. Every member is important to the body. When every member comes to realize he has an important place to fill, and a work which is vital to the body as a whole, he will be more concerned about his duties.

You can now understand what I mean by the organi-zation of the citizens of the kingdom. Christ is the head; the apostles whom he chose are his plenipotentiary representatives; the elders in each congregation are the servants especially chosen to look after the material needs of the local body; the evangelists are those who preach the word, whether they devote all their time to this particular work or only a part; the membership of any congregation comprehends the entire body, regardless of the work each does. This is a very simple arrangement, and the beauty of it is this simple arrangement is the most efficient known to man. The reason is, it is God’s arrangement. Men err when they seek to improve on God’s divine order. This simple order, however, should not prevent us from doing the work God has given us to do in a systematic way. The truth is, it should afford us the very opportunity we need for doing all our work in a decent and orderly way. Nothing can be done effectively in a haphazard and indifferent manner. It has been said, "Order is heaven’s first law.” In doing the work God has assigned to us let us do so in the most orderly, systematic way of w'hich we are capable. One of the qualifications of an elder is that he should be "orderly.”

It is generally conceded that God has given us a throe-fold work. The first is that of preaching the gospel, by which the world is to be saved. The second is that of edifying the membership of the body. This must be done through the constant teaching of God’s word. The third work is that of caring for the material needs of the membership. The first two duties have to do with man’s spiritual needs, and come under the direct supervision of the elders. In this work they may be assisted by one or more evangelists whom they may choose. The material needs of a congregation belong primarily to the deacons. The first requirement is for each and every individual to know what his work is and to qualify himself for it in the most efficient manner, then perform his work with diligence.

Let us note some matters now regarding the sys-tematic methods which may be used in doing the work God has assigned to us. We cannot give too much study to a question of this kind. Evangelizing the world is a much bigger task, and far more important than many of us have suspected. In order to accomplish the greatest good we ought to have some well-laid plans. The man who ambles along, trying to decide where to go, usually goes nowhere. The same is true with a congregation. The elders of a congregation should carefully consider the various ways of teaching the gospel and the most effective means of doing so. In selecting a man who can give all his time to the preaching of the word the elders should use the greatest care possible. When they have made a choice they should then do all they can to assist the one they have chosen. Evangelists sometimes find their task quite difficult because they have so little encouragement and cooperation from the elders. On the other hand the man who has been asked by the elders of a congregation to devote his time to the preaching of the gospel in any locality should keep close to the men who have placed their confidence in him, and who hold his hands up while he thus labors. Most church troubles originate with the elders and evangelists. Sometimes a preacher is so devoid of judgment and sincerity that he divides the elders of a congregation in the hope of achieving some selfish purpose. Such a foolish act is a heinous sin before God. As long as the elders and the “full-time" evangelist of a congregation labor together in perfect accord there is little likelihood of any serious church trouble. The first duty of the elders is to map out a constructive program of teaching—with the full cooperation of the evangelist and deacons—then pre-sent the program to the whole congregation in an in-telligent manner and ask the entire membership to co-operate in carrying it out. When this is done seldom will there be any difficulty in accomplishing that which has been planned. We often complain at the membership generally because they do so little, when as a matter of fact they have never been given anything to do; and if they undertake to do anything of any importance without the advice and approval of the elders they meet with a rebuff. In addition to the “pulpit preaching*' expected of the “full-time” evangelist most congregations have some class teaching on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and through the week. If such teaching is systematically and effectively done some one must supervise it. Usually it is best to have one of the elders do this directly. For example, one elder may be appointed to have the direct oversight of the Sunday morning Bible classes for a period of one year. He then may ask those to assist whom he thinks will serve best. All the teachers and helpers in this work are then directly responsible to this one, who is responsible to all the other elders. Another of the elders may be asked to supervise the Sunday evening classes, who likewise selects the teachers, leaders, and those who are to serve in a public way in this work. Another may be asked to look after the services which are regularly conducted through the week. Every congregation should have some systematic plan for distributing printed matter. One of the most effective means of teaching is through the printed page. Every congregation should set aside a certain amount each year for the distribution of gospel literature. One of the elders may be given charge of this part of the work. Where there be any radio work one elder may be assigned the job of looking after it. Usu-
ally the “full-time evangelist” does most of the actual work, of this kind, yet there are many details which must have special attention in this work, and the as-sistance of the elders can mean much toward its suc-cess. Nearly every congregation stresses “visiting” by the members. Certainly we cannot emphasize personal work too much. Every member of the congregation should be a personal worker. But in addition to this some systematic order of visiting may be mapped out which will help. All new members should be visited and encouraged. All prospective members should likewise be called upon. Then the sick need visiting. Many times they are in need of both material and mental assistance. If the right people call on these it may mean a great deal to them. If the wrong ones call on them it may do more harm than good. There is certainly a great need for some constructive work along this line in most of our congregations. One of the elders may have charge of this part of the work. Nearly every congregation expects the “full-time” evangelist to “assume” all the duties of the elders, together with the preaching of the gospel, and to make good in all of them. If he fails then he is eased out and another man is called. We should not expect the evangelist to give all his time to preaching, and do the work of all the elders, all the deacons and sometimes the work of the janitor too. The best reason for placing one of the elders in charge of each of these various duties is that each may assume a definite responsibility. When all of the elders together presume to look after all of these duties as a body they are usually neglected. There is an old saying, “What is everybody's business is nobody’s business.” When all the elders taken together try to look after all the work together it is usually not done. But if one man be made responsible to all the ethers for the doing of a specific job then it has a chance of being done. This is simply doing the work God has given us to do in a systematic and orderly way—and in the most efficient way. The work of the deacons should likewise be done in a systematic way. The first job is to plan the finances. This should always be done in advance of the needs. For example: The deacons should carefully consider the financial ability of the congregation and the work it should do. In view of these matters they should go over each item of work carefully and decide about how much will probably be needed to take care of the various needs of the congregation. We usually speak of this as preparing a “budget.” Call it a budget, an estimate of the expenses, or whatever you wish if some foresight is not exercised in such matters a congregation will not only find itself embarrassed many times but will fail to perforin the work it should. When the deacons have estimated the expenses of the congrega-tion it should then be presented to the elders for their approval. It is certain the deacons cannot function independent of the spiritual overseers; neither can the elders succeed without the cooperation of the deacons. When the elders, deacons, and evangelist have agreed on a financial estimate of the congregation’s needs and presented it to the entire membership—together with the way and manner such finances are to be used—the congregation will nearly always support the program presented. Of course, such a program will have to be kept constantly before the members. If it is not many will forget about the needs of the work and will wonder if it really is being done. In addition to the planning of a budget for the whole congregation, which should be done by all the deacons, there are many other duties which they should see after. To illustrate: One of the deacons may be appointed by the others to look after the building and the grounds. He may watch about the needed repairs of the building, the employing of a janitor, the care of the building in every detail. If a light globe is needed, if a bench or chair needs repairing, if the roof begins to leak, if the yard needs cleaning, if the janitor is not doing his work as he should, let all reports and complaints be made to the one who has been appointed to look after such.

Another deacon may be asked to look after all the charity work. This is not the preacher’s job. Suppose the preacher is asked to give aid to a half dozen families in a single month. He modestly replies each time, “One of the deacons has been appointed to see after such work; I will call him at once and ask him to attend to this matter.” The one who has been selected to see after such work ought not to have to wait and talk it over with all the other deacons and elders before coming to a decision and doing something. The case may be urgent. Such a person may err in judgment sometimes, but the congregation should stand by him as long as he has this job assigned to him. If he should make too many errors then the deacons may appoint another to do this; but as long as one of the number is acting in this capacity he should take his work seriously, exercise his best judgment, and the others should stand behind him in it.

Another deacon may be asked to keep the books, write all the checks, pay the bills and act as a treasurer. This is quite a job in a congregation of any size. His accounts should be rendered monthly and the congregation should oe kept informed of exactly what is being done. In order to help this one to keep his books straight and allow no grounds for criticism, the other deacons—at least some of them—should aid in counting the funds when they come in so that there can be no question as to the amount the treasurer has to spend. Regardless of the particular duty assigned to any deacon he is directly responsible to all the other deacons, and they to the elders, and to the whole congregation. And lest we forget we are all directly responsible to God I may be asked now, if all these various duties are carefully and effectively looked after by the elders, the deaeons, teachers, and others who are chosen to help in certain capacities, just what is the “full-time” preacher going1 to do?

Friends, a man who devotes his time to preaching the word, if he be worthy of his high calling, will find plenty to do. In the first place, if he preaches and teaches an average of once each day—and most of them will average more than this—he will need some time for adequate preparation. But he ought to use this time and not squander it. When he goes into the pulpit he should realize the weight of responsibility resting upon him. He should understand that the destiny of souls is in his hands; hence, he should present the message of salvation in the most effective manner possible. In addition to the sermons he preaches and classes he teaches, the preacher will find many opportunities for suggesting ways and means to the elders and deacons for more efficient work; he will find numerous opportunities for preaching and teaching outside the four walls of the church building; he will find many opportunities of aiding in the circulation of gospel literature; he will have many cases called to his attention by one of the other members of the congregation where he will need to go in person and do a special work which no one else is able to do. The evangelist will find more work than he can possibly do even when all the others are doing their work to the extent of their ability. Indeed, the more work all the other members do to promote the kingdom of God the more opportunities will be presented for the evangelist to teach the word of God and thus fulfill his ministry as God would have him do.

You now understand what I mean by the citizens of the kingdom being organized for work. God has given the organization, and assigned to us the work he would have us do. We need no other organization. Every thing we need to do can be done in the most effective and efficient manner conceivable through the simple organization God has given. When each and every individual in the congregation—the evangelist, the elders, the deacons, and all the others realize the importance of doing the work for which they are fitted, and doing it gladly and thoroughly, then we will have the citizens of the kingdom at work.

Now that we have this plan of work, which is so sim-ple and so efficient, let us really work. No plan or system is of any value unless we use it. The parable of the one talent man should never be forgotten. He was lost not because of any tiling he had done, but because he failed to do anything. In the parable of the vine and the branches the dead branch was broken off, not because it bore sour grapes, but because it bore no grapes. One of the greatest tributes to Jesus was, "He went about doing good” (Acts 10:88). With the organization our King has given and the advantages we have over others because of this divine arrangement, and with God’s Holy Word to guide us, we cannot fail in the work he has for us to do—if we work. Our job is a big one, but not impossible. If we work at the task God has assigned to us with the zeal and enthusiasm he would have us work we cannot fail. I have never had any doubt regarding the final victory. Our cause is right; our Lord and King is leading; with an unfaltering trust in him, and a determination which will never surrender we will conquer in his name. Tonight I call upon every child of God to resolve in your heart that you will go forth to battle for truth and right, that you will dedicate your life, your strength, your all to the cause of King Jesus until the struggle is over and final victory has been won. To you who are yet in the kingdom of darkness, I appeal to you to remain where you are no longer. Leave the ranks of the foe, enlist under the blood-stained hanner of Prince Emanuel, and go forth to battle with us till all the world has been won for Christ. If you remain in the kingdom of darkness then you will go down in defeat and everlasting ruin at last. If you become a citizen of the kingdom of our Lord and King, and bravely fight for his cause you may be sure of final victory.