Page 19 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

The verses proceed to demonstrate ing His slaves (10:14-15). The question is,
that there is no universal acceptance of Are we available? Do we hear the call and
this message, particularly on the part of respond?
the Jews, as pictured in the parable. Says The servant’s first venture was disap-
Romans 10:16, “They have not all obeyed pointing, and he reported back to his
the gospel.” The world will never be lord. Do you sometimes feel frustrated
“Christianized”; the spread of the gospel by the lack of response? Are you tempted
will not introduce God’s kingdom. Rather, to curtail your endeavors? You can be
the destruction of opposing forces by the
appearing of Christ will be the precursor like the man in the story and unburden
to His universal reign (Rev 19:11-21). yourself to your Master; take recourse to
the throne of grace and spread it before
The Commission the Lord (2Ki 19:14).
The fact that there is only one servant in His service was then redirected, and the
the parable with the ability to “compel” city became a fruitful field. The equivalent
(constrain) people to attend the great of sinners who are “without strength”
supper likely points to the man’s being (Rom 5:6) responded, and still there was
illustrative of the Holy Spirit. However, room. With the city having been so pro-
for the sake of being practical, we will ductive, a return visit might have been
view him as someone like ourselves, a anticipated, but no. Rural areas had to
man with responsibility to carry a message have opportunity. When there has been
of invitation to the needy. He is a slave, blessing, the temptation is to try to repli-
and again in Romans Paul depicts former cate the experience, and so we anticipate
slaves of sin as being now slaves to God the same venue, the same time of year, and
(6:22). We have a duty to “yield [ourselves] the same preacher. That’s fine if there’s a
unto God,” and that is equated with total green light from heaven, but God’s will
obedience to Him (vv12-19). The nature of could be for something different. When
bondservice is disclosed by the centurion David came to the throne, the Philistines
of Luke 7: “I say … to my servant, Do
this, and he doeth it” (v8). Romans 6 has tried to take advantage of the fledgling
to do with God’s slaves behaving righ- king, but he inquired of the Lord and
teously, but elsewhere the concept relates won the day. The enemy regrouped, and
to service. The gospel sounded out from despite the similarity of the circumstances,
the assembly at Thessalonica, and Paul David again inquired of the Lord; this time
describes them as “serv[ing] [as slaves] a different strategy was to be used! Ensure
the living and true God” (1Th 1:9). you inquire of the Lord (2Sa 5:17-25).
This servant was “sent” (Luk 14:17); he Briefly, let’s apply further lessons. The
was told to “Go” (vv21,23), and in Romans servant had to go out “quickly” (Luk
the preacher must be sent. People will 14:21). He had to explore different loca-
never “call” if they don’t believe; they will tions (see Acts 1:8 and 1 Thessalonians
never believe if they don’t hear; they will 1:8). He had to “compel.” Preaching
never hear if there’s no preacher; there will involves persuading (Act 28:23), beseech-
be no preaching if there is no sending. It ing (2Co 5:20) and exhorting (Act 2:40); it
all starts with God's mobilizing and send- should never be a dull lecture!

243
TruthandTidings.com I August 2026 243