Badge of Christ
The sermon emphasizes the importance of manifesting a heavenly spirit and temper in daily life, being a witness for Christ, and imitating God's love and character.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the significance of the ribband of blue worn by the Israelites as a reminder of God's commandments, symbolizing a heavenly spirit and the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God. He challenges believers to reflect God's glory and beauty in their daily lives, being witnesses for Christ in every aspect, just as the ribband of blue was carried by people from all walks of life. Cowman urges Christians to imitate God and walk in love, embodying a spirit of Godlikeness in all circumstances.
Text
"...bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments...and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue...that ye may took upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord" (Num. 15:38-39).
God would have all His people wear a badge. They were to make them fringes in the borders of their garments, and to put upon the fringes a ribband of blue, that they might look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them, and might be a holy people. Blue is the color of heaven. When the clouds come between, then, and only then, is the deep blue lost. It is the will of God that there should never be a cloud between His people and Himself, and that as the Israelite of old, wherever he went, carried the ribband of blue, so His people today should manifest a heavenly spirit and temper wherever they go, and should, like Moses, in their very countenances bear witness to the glory and beauty of the God whom they love and serve.
How interesting it must have been to see that ribband of blue carried by the farmer into the field, by the merchant to his place of business, by the maid-servant into the inner most parts of the dwelling, when performing her daily duties. Is it less important the Christian of today called to be a witness for Christ, should be manifestly characterised by His spirit? Should we not all be "imitators of God, as dear children," and "walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given Himself for us"? And should not this spirit of Godlikeness be carried into the smallest details of life, and not be merely reserved for special occasions?
Sermon Outline
- The Badge of Christ
- The Importance of Witnessing for Christ
- The Call to Imitate God
- Walking in Love as Christ
- Being Characterized by God's Spirit
Key Quotes
“Blue is the color of heaven. When the clouds come between, then, and only then, is the deep blue lost.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Is it less important the Christian of today called to be a witness for Christ, should be manifestly characterised by His spirit?” — Charles E. Cowman
“Should we not all be 'imitators of God, as dear children,' and 'walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given Himself for us'?” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- You should strive to manifest God's spirit and temper in the smallest details of life, not just on special occasions.
- Being a witness for Christ is crucial, and you should aim to be characterized by God's spirit wherever you go.
- You can be an imitator of God by walking in love as Christ and carrying the spirit of God into the smallest details of life.