---

Assuming that these words apply to Christ, they present Him in a capacity with which the world has ever associated its loftiest ideas of heroism, glory and renown. In many other places Christ is spoken of as an illustrious Chieftain (Joshua 5:13, 15; Isaiah 63:1-5; Hebrews 2:10; Revelation 19:11-16). He is the Captain of the Lords hosts. His relation of Commander to His people suggests to us certain ideas concerning the Church.

I. THE CONFLICT OF THE CHURCH. The state of the good here is not a state of conquest but of battle.

1. The enemies are principles, not persons. Error, corruptions, impiety, immorality, wrong in all its forms.

2. The inspiration is benevolent, not selfish. None of the selfish passions, ambition, avarice, revenge, fire the heart and nerve the arm of the true Church in battle. It is pure benevolence, that benevolence which seeketh not its own, which bears each other's burdens.

3. The weapons are spiritual, not carnal. Not civil taw, worldly policy, but truth, example, love: we persuade men. Moral suasion, founded on truth, instinct with love, backed by example, is the grand weapon.

II. THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. All the members of the true Church are as one united army, in one campaign, under one Commander.

1. They unite in the aims of their Commander. All loyal armies are of one mind as to aim, and that aim is the purpose of their chieftain. His aim is to establish judgment, rectitude on the earth, and every member of the true Church has this one master-aim.

2. They unite in the direction of their Commander. His will is their law.

3. They unite in the spirit of their Commander. Every commander seeks to give his master-passion to his army. It is only as he succeeds it can be true to him. The Church of Christ is united by the spirit of Christ, that spirit permeates, centralizes and controls all.

III. THE SUBORDINATION OF THE CHURCH. The subordination of the Church to Christ is —

1. Unconditional.

2. Cordial. It is not so in the martial life of men. Many a soldier is forced, contrary to the wishes of his heart, to subordination to the will of his commander. All the instincts of his manhood often recoil at it. Not so with those under the command of Christ.

3. Permanent. human commanders die while the campaign is being accomplished, and soldiers recover their independent wills and become their own masters. Not so with the soldiers of Christ.

IV. THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH

1. Your Commander is all wise. He knows the number, the resources, the stratagems of your antagonists. Nothing in the future will take Him by surprise.

2. Your Commander is all-mighty. There are no difficulties He cannot overcome; no exigencies that He cannot supply

3. Your Commander is all-generous.

4. Christ is a Commander who leads all His soldiers to glory. He makes them kings and priests unto God. Conclusion: Let the battle of our life be a battle fought under this banner. Let this love inspire us to brave deeds. It is said of Trajan that he won the heart of his army because he tore up his robe to bind up the wounds of a soldier who had been stricken down in the field. Let the memory of Christ's unparalleled love win our highest sympathies and undivided powers.

(Homilist.)

---

---

KJV: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

WEB: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.