Our Responsibility With Us!
By Elder R. F. Tobin-1945
The Church of God is faced with the great responsibility of carrying the gospel to nations. God has made us stewards and it is required of stewards that they be faithful. There are two important factors to the spread of the gospel: The Minister and the Means.
The Apostle asks a question: “How can they hear without a preacher? And how can he preach except he be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” It is not the beautiful words for again he sayeth, “I came not with the excellency of speech, nor of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and power. We must have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, walking in the spirit according to the word of God. When we walk thus men can see our good works and they will glorify our Father which is in heaven.
The ministry is being greatly blamed today and justly so. For we are to be examples to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (I Tim. 4:12) By these things we should prove ourselves the true ministers of God. The world is watching with eager eyes to catch a glimpse of ‘old fashioned religion’ as was lived by the apostles. It is our responsibility to show them this light. Brethren, let us gird ourselves about with truth that men may see the light made manifest with truth that men may see the light made manifest by our lives. There is no people that can do these things but them that are filled with the Holy Ghost, and baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). We are contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints. While the world may scorn these blessed truths let us make manifest the Christ, it is our indispensable duty.
If we manifest Christ in our lives, He will be glorified and if He be glorified in us He will straightway glorify Himself. We should not seek position (since promotion comes from God only), but seek to glorify God and He will work in us His will that in all things He may be exalted (II Cor. 4:10-11). We are to commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God, and this can only be done by manifestations of truth.
While religious systems are fainting, let us arise not as an organization but as the chosen ministry of God to this great work. May God give grace to work as a unit and not as individuals, but for the glory of the only wise God, our Saviour Christ.
May this exhortation from the apostle follow us, “We then as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain. Giving no offense in anything that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,-” (read carefully II Cor. 6:1-10). Brethren, let us arise and be about our Father’s business. Amen.
There is a great work being done in the foreign fields by faithful laborers, that have dedicated their lives unto the Lord. Many times they are hampered by lack of necessary funds. In these countries when persons accept Christ in many instances they are made to give up their families and cannot get employment of any kind. This means that Christians must assume their responsibilities until the Lord breaks down the barrier. We are glad to say this has been done in many places and the natives can find employment.
We thank God for these faithful ones that have given up their homes and country to carry the good news to foreign lands. Many times we receive letters telling of some opportunity lost for lack of funds. They never seem to complain, but always express their thanks to the saints in the homeland for both prayers and gifts. I am sure that if we fully realize our responsibility to this work we will not fail to put forth every effort for the Missionaries.
In the words of the apostle Paul, “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you and make up before your hand bounty, whereof you had notice before the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty not as of covetousness.” (II Cor. 9:5) For years there has been set aside one Sunday each month for this purpose. While many have been very faithful, all have not. If all were faithful to this cause there would be no lack. I know it is not the will of God that some be burdened and others eased, but an equality (II Cor. 8:12-14).
It has been said, “A good missionary church will be a spiritual church.” We all delight in a spiritual church, let us glory just as much in this grace of giving also. It is written: “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” If we are liberal to this cause of God He will bless us abundantly and make our souls fat on His grace.
May the Lord give grace that every one that has been faithful to this cause continue to be so even as God is faithful to them. “We shall reap in due time if we faint not.” May the ones that have not been so dutiful toward this part of the work be awakened to this part of their responsibility. It is not how much one gives, but with them that have a ready mind that the Lord is well pleased.
There seems to be a great spirit of evangelism among the missionaries. They desire to spread the gospel where this salvation is unknown. One asking for a tent for revivals. Surely the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The bride must make herself ready. All these things point to the soon coming of Jesus. “Let us work while it is day for soon the night cometh when no man can work.”
EIder Robert Franklin Tobin was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, April 4, 1894. At the age of six he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where he was raised by his grandmother. In 1916 he and Lenina B. Smith were joined together in matrimony. No children were born to this union. She preceded him in death by two years. On May 11, 1946 he married Lillie Harper. It was in 1918 that Elder Tobin first heard Bishop G. T. Haywood preach the word of God and was saved that year. After being called to the ministry he did the work of an evangelist for a while and later took charge of a small work in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After residing there five years he was called back to pastor his home church, Christ Temple, on the death of Bishop Haywood. In 1934 he was chosen as General Secretary-Treasurer of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, which position he held longer than any other person. Numerous attempts were made to elevate him to the office of the Bishopric, but each time he declined. He was never impressed with “position.” Bishop D. T. Shultz of Louisville, Kentucky once said of Elder Tobin that “he was a lover of God and man given to hospitality. He never fought men, but fought sin.” He pastored Christ Temple with dignity, solemnity, and grace for 26 years. He went to meet God on Monday morning, April 7, 1947, three days after his 53rd birthday.
THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS TAKEN FROM EARNEST CONTENDERS FOR THE FAITH BY ELDER JAMES L. TYSON AND PUBLISHED BY PENTECOSTAL PUBLICATIONS, 1982, PAGES 25-28. THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.
