F. Arguments in Prayer for the Orphan Work
The speaker presents 11 arguments in prayer to God, emphasizing the importance of His glory, faith strengthening, and provision for the orphans.
A.T. Pierson passionately pleads with God in his sermon, presenting 11 powerful arguments to seek divine provision for the orphans under his care. He emphasizes the importance of demonstrating God's glory through answered prayers, highlighting God's willingness to provide for His children. Pierson appeals to God's fatherly nature, the reception of children in Jesus' name, and the strengthening of faith through continued provision. He also addresses the potential stumbling of weak believers, the mockery of enemies, and the danger of compromising with the world if God withholds supplies.
Text
THE arguments which I plead with God are:
1. That I set about the work for the glory of God, i.e., that there might be a visible proof, by God supplying, in answer to prayer only, the necessities of the orphans, that He is the living God, and most willing, even in our day, to answer prayer: and that, therefore, He would be pleased to send supplies.
2. That God is the "Father of the fatherless," and that He, therefore, as their Father, would be pleased to provide. (Psalm lxviii.5.)
3. That I have received the children in the name of Jesus, and that, therefore, He, in these children, has been received, and is fed, and is clothed; and that, therefore, He would be pleased to consider this. (Mark ix.36,37.)
4. That the faith of many of the children of God has been strengthened by this work hitherto, and that, if God were to withhold the means for the future, those who are weak in faith would be staggered; whilst, by a continuance of means, their faith might still further be strengthened.
5. That many enemies would laugh, were the Lord to withhold supplies, and say, "Did we not foretell that this enthusiasm would come to nothing?"
6. That many of the children of God, who are uninstructed, or in a carnal state, would feel themselves justified to continue their alliance with the world in the work of God, and to go on as heretofore, in their unscriptural proceedings respecting similar instituions, so far as the obtaining of means is concerned, if He were not to help me.
7. That the Lord would remember that I am His child and that He would graciously pity me, and remember that I cannot provide for these children, and that therefore He would not allow this burden to lie upon me long without sending help.
8. That He would remember likewise my fellow labourers in the work, who trust in Him, but who would be tried were He to withhold supplies.
9. That He would remember that I should have to dismiss the children from under our Scriptural Institution to their former companions.
10. That He would show that those were mistaken who said that, at the first, supplies might be expected while the thing was new, but not afterwards.
11. That I should not know, were He to withhold means, what construction I should put upon all the many most remarkable answers to prayer which He has given me heretofore in connection with this work, and who most fully have shown to me that it is of God.
Sermon Outline
- Arguments in Prayer for the Orphan Work points: - God's glory and willingness to answer prayer - God's role as the 'Father of the fatherless' - Faith strengthening through continued provision
- Consequences of God's withholding points: - Weakening of faith among believers - Justification of worldly alliances - Burden on the speaker and fellow labourers
- Reminders for God's consideration points: - The speaker's relationship as God's child - The needs of fellow labourers - The consequences of dismissing the children
Key Quotes
“That I set about the work for the glory of God, i.e., that there might be a visible proof, by God supplying, in answer to prayer only, the necessities of the orphans, that He is the living God, and most willing, even in our day, to answer prayer” — A.T. Pierson
“That God is the 'Father of the fatherless', and that He, therefore, as their Father, would be pleased to provide” — A.T. Pierson
“That I have received the children in the name of Jesus, and that, therefore, He, in these children, has been received, and is fed, and is clothed” — A.T. Pierson
Application Points
- We should pray with the intention of demonstrating God's glory and willingness to answer prayer.
- God's provision for the orphans is a reminder of His role as the 'Father of the fatherless'.
- Continued provision strengthens faith among believers, while withholding supplies can lead to weakening of faith.