Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
A question for parents and pastors
Here is a flock that is being inquired about, not a flock only, but a beautiful flock.
1. The question comes into our family life, and asks us where all the children are, those lovely children, that banished the silence of the house and made it ring with music. They were fair, they were charming, they were affectionate; what a sweet, merry little fellowship they made!--where are they? Have they been spoiled into evil, flattered into self-idolatry, neglected into atheism? Have they been over-instructed, over-disciplined, wholly overborne, so that the will has not been only broken but shattered? He is no shepherd, but a tyrant, who does not cooperate with his children, lure them, fascinate them, and give them sacred instruction without appearing to do so, and who when offering religious privileges offers them as if offering coronation, yea, and all heaven.
2. The question enters also into our Church life, saying to every pastor, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?”--not large, perhaps, but so expectant, so sympathetic, so cooperative. What the flock wants is pastoral preaching. The difficulty is to overcome the temptation to preach to somebody who is not there. The preacher must always know himself to be set for the healing and nurture of men. In every congregation there am the broken-hearted, those who are shattered in fortune, feeble in health, spiritually-minded; women who have great home cares; souls that cannot thrive on criticism; lives that need all nourishment and comfort and loving sympathy. (J. Parker, D. D.)
God’s claim on parents
I. What is here shown us respecting the flock.
1. It is not yours in proprietorship, only in charge. Children are peculiarly and specially God’s. Authority over them is God’s gift to parents but He has a claim prior to yours. He continues His work of creation in every child born. Its existence is wonderful. Much more so its capacities--physical, mental, social, spiritual.
2. Christ highly estimates the flock. Christian hospitality to a child is homage to God.
II. The responsibility of parents to whom God has entrusted His flock.
1. They have to impart religious ideas. At home the first principles are instilled: indeed, the child’s mind is there made acquainted with the germ of all truth--sin, forgiveness, righteousness, salvation, love human and Divine: all the ideas involved in religion.
2. Parents represent to their children the character of the Invisible God. The Gospel is a declaration of the paternal love.
3. The inquiry for the flock will be addressed to parents.
III. The way in which this responsibility should be met. If you would prepare to answer joyfully this question, set it before you as--
1. A distinct purpose. The wish for your children’s salvation is not enough. Register a purpose in the sight of God.
2. Intense devotion is necessary. To have converting power over your own children you must love their souls, and hold them fast for God. (A. Davies.)
Where are you
What a question this for ministers and for people! For ministers. Where are the few sheep whom He has put under our care? What have we done for them? And for the flock likewise, God’s people and children. What a question for them! Where are you?
I. You are God’s flock. “The people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” He acknowledges you as His sheep, and like the Good Shepherd, He knows you every one. He looks at you as you are, and thinks of the difference between one and another.
II. His flock is “beautiful.”
1. For what He has made them. Look how beautiful He has made us all in body, mind, and soul.
2. Because of what they are capable of. Look at the wonderful things which man has been enabled to do, and then think what more God may intend him to do. Look at him sailing over the sea, and travelling over land by means of fire and water! And then think what may not man’s mind and body be capable of doing. But look at man sanctified by the Holy Ghost, his soul filled with grace, and bringing forth fruits of righteousness. How beautiful is a Christian, when he is gentle, forgiving, loving, forgetting himself, and seeking to help others, bearing trials without murmurs, and rejoicing even in sorrow!
3. Because of what they are intended for. You, poor creatures that you are, disappointed and disappointing yourselves so constantly, promising yourselves so much and performing so little--God intends you to be lights in this world, to show the way to those around you, and to be His companions in heaven.
III. “Where are you?” “Where am I?”
1. We are here, whilst so many others have been called away.
2. Judge yourselves where you are in spiritual things.
(1) To this end review your opportunities, and see what they have done for you, where they have left you. They are like the wind or steam to a ship, like the carriage or train to the traveller; they are intended to help you on your way, and you ought to find yourself nearer home since you have had the use of them.
(2) Judge yourselves about open, plain public sins. What have there been of these in the year? drunkenness, swearing, thieving, cheating, lying, uncleanness, wasting Sunday, slandering your neighbour. Have you done such things as these?
(3) Judge yourselves whether you are more in earnest about religion than you were. Are you ever anxious about yourself? Are you taking any pains? (W. H. Ridley, M. A.)
Christian responsibility
To the minister of Christ, when looking back on the irremediable past, and forward on the dim future, the thought must naturally arise,--How much have we to answer for, and what answer shall we make? But let all seriously minded Christians consider how great is the responsibility of us all, with respect to children and young persons, that they be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Everyone knows that example is more forcible than precept, and especially evil example than good precept. When grown-up persons then, whether parents or others, use themselves to violent and intemperate language, swearing, or indecent expressions, or slander, it is as if they took pains to instruct children in the language of lost spirits. Or, to glance at another case; many there are who, while they preserve a decent exterior of conduct, yet leave their children, or other young persons for whom they are in any manner responsible, to shift for themselves; I mean in religious matters, take no personal care or trouble to give them an education substantially Christian. But I ask, Is not that which is true and good for the parent, true and good for the child? Must not fathers and mothers be answerable for the bringing up of their little flock, the children whom God has given them, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? And can this be true Christian nurture and admonition, to habituate them to those unfixed and unprincipled notions and ways in the great matter of Divine worship, and communion with Christ’s Church here militant, but in heaven triumphant? This responsibility lies on us all--all grown-up persons--all have an influence either for good or evil on the younger; and happy will they be, who shall be found to have exerted this influence to the honour of our Almighty Lord and Master, and the edification of that flock which He purchased with His own blood. Such persons, if parents, have made it a principal matter of their thoughts and cares that their children should be also God’s children. (Plain Sermons by Contributors to the “Tracts for the Times.”)