One thing every preacher of the gospel of God's grace must guard against is defeatism. I do! We come Sunday after Sunday and see the same faces who listen to us. Where is the multitude? And if we are not extremely careful we become down in heart, and may even say, "Well, God is not using me. I might as well hang 'em up."
Wait a minute now. We DO see the same faces, and what a blessing that is. Here are some who have believed the gospel of free grace in the blood of the sovereign Redeemer. WHAT A MIRACLE! God's elect hear, and they love the hearing. They come, sacrifice, and encourage, and the light of the truth of God is radiant in their faces. What more could a man desire? These faithful are here to worship the same Christ that the prophets and apostles worshipped and spoke of.
Thank God for His faithfulness in THEIR faithfulness. He has caused this. These are part of the great congregation of God Almighty. WHAT A BLESSING! WHAT A RESPONSIBILITY! I say to them, "Therefore, my brethern dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Philippians 4:1).