Isaiah 41:27

One that bringeth good tidings

Divine ordination

I. MINISTERS ARE DIVINELY ORDAINED. They come from God. “f will give.” The ministry is not one of the literary professions, nor a secular office. Colleges and seminaries do not make them.

II. THEY ARE A GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE. Neither the Church’s merit, wealth, or respectability has s claim to them, nor does a salary hire them, nor ordination commission them in the highest sense. They are a benefaction.

III. THE MINISTER’S CHIEF WORK IS TO BE THE BEARER OF GOOD TIDINGS. It does not exclude other things that accompany salvation, but the Gospel proclamation is to be his specific, constant, cheerful, enthusiastic, confident employment. In season, out of season, in pulpit and private, his heart and lips are to overflow with the “good tidings.” Because--

1. They are what men, all men, all men everywhere and always need, and need most imperatively.

2. The more the good tidings are preached the more open is the way for everything else connected with the pastor’s work, and the more effective all departments of his ministry.

3. It, and it alone, is the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation and sanctification. (Homiletic Review.)

.