WiùB a p a w mnomàiamsKem
MARCH, 1965 (With features from the February broadcasts)1
B IO X u A broadcaster
CALIFORNIA Arroyo Grande-San Luis Obispo KCJH 1280
9:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:30 A.M. Sun. 9:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. Sun. 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:00 P.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 11:00 A.M. MTWTF 10:00 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:30 A.M. Sun. 8:30 A.M. Sun. 7:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:30 A.M. Sun. 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF
Bakersfield-W asco KAFY Chico-Marysville KHSL Fresno-Dinuba KRDU KWSO
550 1050 1290 1130
Monthly Publication of the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP Voi. 5 No. 3
KCIB
94.5 (FM)
Lodi-Stockton KCVR Los Angeles KBBI KCVR
1570 1570
MARCH, 1965 CONTENTS
107.5 (FM)
KTYM 1460 Los Angeles-Long Beach KGER 1390 KGER 1390 Oxnard-Ventura-Santa Barbara KAAR 104.7 (FM)
THEY MAKE LIGHT OF IT ........... 3 FORCE OF RIGHT WORDS ........... 5 THE ONLY ANSWER .......................... 7 THE OX AND THE ASS ................. 9 THE EYE AND THE HEART .........11 A BETTER COVENANT .....................13 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .........16 WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING .........................................21 CHANGES .................................................... 26 "I W ILLS" OF JESUS .......................29 PHILIPPIANS 1:1-5 .............................32 PHILIPPIANS 1:5-9 .............................34 COVER: One of the beautiful scenes along California's wind-swept coast line. Photograph is by Kenneth Farson. Y O U R C H R I S T I A N W I L L Did you know that there is a way to invest in Biola for the training of students while saving costly estate taxes. Ultimately you may be able to leave more money tor your loved ones. As a Fellowship member you are under no obligations when you write for information or counsel. BIOLA STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT STAFF President................................S. H. Sutherland E d ito r.......................................................Al Sanders Production .......................Virginia Schwepker Printing ..........................................Church Press Published monthly by the Radio Dept. BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Cal. Controlled circulation postage paid at Los Angeles, California.
KOXR
910
Redding-Red Bluff KQMS 1400 San Bernardino-Corona KCKC ' 1350 KFXM 590 Santa Cruz KSCO 1080 San Diego KBBW 102.9 (FM) XEMO 860 KDEO 910 San Francisco KFAX 1100 Santa Maria KCOY 1440 Turlock KHOM 93.1 (FM)
7:00 A.M. Sun. 9:30 A.M. Sun.
OREGON
Albany-Eugene KWIL Ashland-Medford KRVC Coquille-Coos Bay KWRO KWIL
8:00 A.M. MTWTF 3:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MWF 11:30 A.M. MTWTF 11:30 A.M. MTWTF
790 790
1350
630 800
Portland KPDQ KPDQ
93.7 (FM)
WASHINGTON
Diame- y ancouvi KARI Seattle-Tacoma KGDN Spokane KCFA Walla Walla KTEL Yakima
:r, D.v.
550 11:30 A.M. MTWTF 630 11:30 A.M. MTWTF 1330 11:30 A.M. MTWTF 1490 8:00 A.M. MWF 1390 10:00 A.M. MTWTF OTHER STATES
KBBO
Albuquerque, New Mexico KARA 1310 7:00A.M. MTWTF MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:00 A.M. Billings, Montana KURL Caldwell-Boise KBFM Denver, Colorado KLIR KBGN 94.1 (FM) MTWTF MTWTF MTWTF MTWTF 11:00 A.M. MTWTF 3:30 P.M. Tues. 11:00 P.M. MTWTF (Radio Log continued on page 6) 8:30 A.M. 910 990 8:30A.M. 12:00Noon 100.3 (FM) 12:00 Noon Kansas City, Missouri KCCV 1510 Lapeer, Michigan WMPC 1230 Miamisburg, Ohio WFCJ 93.7 (FM) KLIR 730 KARA 99.5 (FM)
thing, then will you believe it? ” He said he would. I quoted Proverbs 30: 33, “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wring ing of the nose bringeth forth blood.” He came back with the quick response, “Oh well, any fool knows that’s true!” I said, “Then you admit you’re a fool?” How strange it is that men love darkness rather than light. At the crucifixion they loved Barabbas, the robber and murderer, instead of the wonderful Saviour who gives all of life meaning and purpose. There is the human tendency to, make light of things about which we know little or nothing. When the first automobile appeared, people made fun of it; yet almost any hour of the day or night we can travel across the na tion at nearly the speed of sound. Such is true with so many things we take for granted today. Whenever you hear anybody make light of the things of God, you can put it down that they just don’t know their Bible. They make these statements out of ignorance. Shortly after I was saved, my Here are Dr. and Mrs. Waller L. Wilson in our recording studio. The Lord willing, Dr. Wilson will be featured in the Family Conference on the Biola Campus, June 27 to July 3.
I t was P aul ’ s testimony that he would rather speak five words with his understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. This gave me a suggestion to go through my Bible seeing how many five word sentences there might be with vital messages for us. What a blessing this proved to be (as is every study of God’s Word). All the doctrines, proph ecies, and various challenges brought spiritual refreshment to my soul. Let me give you an example. In Matthew 22:5 we read, “But they made light of it.” The context is the parable about the kingdom of heaven. The Lord Jesus tells the story of a certain king who prepared a marriage for his son. He sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding. When they would not come, he sent forth other servants saying, “Behold I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage. But they made light of it." What a sad remark to have to make. Yet the same is true today. So frequently Christian things are held up in ridicule. People make light of the miracles of the Bible. They might say, “Actually, the sea didn’t roll back the time when Israel passed over it. It was just an unusually low tide. The crossing had been made easier through strong winds.” Isn’t that interesting! In Daniel’s case, the lions were already tame. They had been taught not to eat any flesh. As far as the Lord Jesus coming back from the tomb, such people will say, “He did not really die, but just ‘passed out’ or ‘swooned’ from the or deal.” To these same people, hell and the punishment of the wicked is held in scorn. After all, a good God wouldn’t punish anybody. One day a man said to me, “There isn’t a thing in the Bible that’s true.” I asked him, “If I can show you some
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physics professor said, “Look here Wilson, the Bible says ‘God weighed the mountains in scales.’ How did He weigh Pike’s Peak? What kind of scales did He use?” I couldn’t an swer him. But the next year, when I studied chemistry, the teacher said, “Remember young people, all chemical A COVETED TRUST Lord, give me, I pray Thee, the spirit of prayer, Burn this in my heart day by day; Make me to feel deeply the weight and the care Of perishing souls as I pray. Oh, help me to love with compassion ate love; To love till I weep with the pain; To travail in birth till the Lord from above Gives proof that I pray not in vain. Oh, help me to feel more, to care more, to see The danger so many are in; My Lord, let this burden be heavy on me; These souls that are dying in sin. Oh Lord, make me pure, pure in heart as I pray: Thy blood is my title for this; Forbid aught should hinder or stand in my way: Forbid I should ask aught amiss. Oh, Jesus, for souls let me pray, make it bliss To be on my knees before Thee: Let nothing on earth give such pleas ure as this; Lord, give this blessing to me. Oh, Lord, in Thy name with Thy blood as my plea, I ask with my face in the dust. Give me, as I seek, power to plead. Lord, with Thee: Lord, help me to covet this trust.
A recent Campus gathering finds Dr. Louis T. Talbot (standing), Biola Chancellor, with Mrs. Ray A. Myers, wife of Biola's Chairman of the Board of Directors. Dr. Daniol Rose, eldest Beard Member, is seated. put the mountains together by weight and not by volume. While the Bible is not specifically a scientific book, it is scientifically correct in every aspect. If you hear someone making light of it, pin them down and find out exactly their point of problem, and deal with that. In every case, such doubt and scorn is due to unbelief and ignorance of the truth. I remember one fellow asking me, “How can an axhead float ?” The Bible speaks of this. I responded with the testimony, “Why, not too long ago I saw 42,000 tons of iron floating on the ocean. It was a beautiful ship bound for another country. It is not impossi ble.” Take time to deal with a person in love and patience. Don’t get upset and perturbed. Your purpose needs al ways to be to lead him to see the truth of God’s Word. Let the Bible be your perfect rule and the Holy Spirit by your Guide. When Christ has full control of your life the Bible will take on new meaning and importance for you. When the world makes “light” of the Word of God, you will have a way of answering “every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 4
elements are put together by weight and not by volume.” He pointed out such facts that in water there is twice as much hydrogen by weight as there is oxygen. There is the answer. I went back to my physics professor to show him that the Bible tells us that God
O UT of t h e MANY five-word sen tence sermons found in the Bible, one of my favorites is Job 6:25, “How forcible are right words.” Haven’t you found it true that one man can talk for 30 minutes about something and when he is finished you are not really able to tell what he has said. Or again, another man will speak for five minutes on a similar subject and you have readily grasped his message. I heard of a very learned professor who once addressed an audience on the subject of economics. At the end of his lengthy discourse, during which time many impressive words were given out, he sat down. A pastor pres ent was next to speak. He told the au dience that he didn’t have too much education, however, what the previous speaker was attempting to say was that “If your income isn’t more than your outgo, then your upkeep will be your downfall.” Everybody knew what these words meant! In the Bible God uses words to ex press His thoughts, wishes and de sires to us. When we preach or teach, we ought to use His words as much as possible. They are certainly not to be taken out of context, nor given our personal interpretation. The Lord’s vocabulary is larger than ours, and readily understandable. It is reported that there are more than 230 different religious groups here in the United States. The many false cults have their bases in mis applied Scripture and the writings of man (many of them are women). When we hear an individual speak, we can usually determine to what re ligion he belongs; there are peculiar phrases which he may use and which were devised by different leaders. He will take teachings put forth by these different people. Many times folks are led astray by tricky words and cunningly devised phrases. The Scrip
ture warns us that such would be the case. But aren’t you glad that the Word of God is so written that no one needs to mistake its meaning? These real truths are forcible words. The Scriptures illuminate the mind and inspire the heart. They bring salvation to those who are dead in sins, and they assure believers of eternal life. I used to carry a ten dollar bill with me so that when I met anybody from a false religion, or an atheist who didn’t believe anything, I could offer it to them if they could find SAVED— but I am saved, but is self buried? Is my one, my only aim. Just to honor Christ my Saviour Just to glorify His Name? I am saved, but is my home life What the Lord would have it be? Is it seen in every action Jesus has control of me? I am saved, but am I doing, Everything that I can do, That the dying souls around me, May be brought to Jesus too? I am saved, but could I gladly Lord, leave all and follow Thee? If Thou cal lest can I answer "Here am I, send me, send me?" their false views supported by the Bible. (In the case of the latter, if they could find any errors in Scrip ture.) After carrying this for about a decade and offering it to many people, I finally gave up, for no one could claim it. How easily some people are led astray by every kind of doctrine. They go into these religious systems being swayed by beautiful phrases, which, on the surface may sound lovely and impressive. You see, the devil doesn’t bait his mousetrap with cabbage. In every system of man, in 5
they should say, for the Spirit would speak within them. Just take the Lord at His Word, and tru st Him to fulfill what He has promised. Hasn’t He told us, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” As we think of our speech, it is well to cultivate a large vocabulary to use. But le t us make sure we know the words which are found in the Scrip tures, the words the Lord uses. In this way, you will be better able to unfold the beauties of the Word of God to others. Don’t be vague and vascilat- ing, but right to the point. You remember the prophet said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). I love that. Do we feast on the truths of God? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Think of our Lord’s wonderful words of comfort. How people all about us need the blessing you can be to them as your life is filled by the Holy Spirit. Did you know that we have three blessed Comforters? We have the Father, Who is the God of all com fort; the Lord Jesus, Who came to comfort those who mourn; and the Holy Spirit, Who was sent to comfort us in all our tribulations and sor rows. Let us learn to love the Word of God, and to use the right words of God. Memorize them; read them over and over again until they are a part of your very life. Saturate your soul with His truths. Then you can say with Job, “How forcible are right words.” B IO LA HOUR RAD IO LOG (Continued from inside front cover) Newton, Kansas KJRG 950 Phoenix, Arizona KHEP 1280 Providence, Rhode Island WRIB 1220 Pueblo-Colorado Springs KFEL 970 Springfield, Ohio WEEC 100.7 (FM) Tuseon, Arizona KAIR 1490 KAIR 1490 Windermere, Florida WXIV 1480 Inchon, Korea HLKX 1060 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 12:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MWF 11:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 12:30 P.M. Sun. 10:00 A.M. Sat. 1:30 P.M. Sun.
all of these false religions, they seek to glorify man while actually degrad ing God. Each of them has something good to say about man and what he can do. But the Bible lets us see our real picture. We are just a mass of sin from head to foot. Even the very best we have is nothing more than filthy rags. Man cannot improve upon God’s realistic pronouncement, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Everybody believes something, even though it may be fa r from the truth. The average “man in the street” doesn’t like to be reminded that he is a sinner, needing salvation. I was saved way back on December 20, 1896. That is a long time ago! But I believed the Word of God when it tells us that our lovely Saviour was wounded for our transgressions, that He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, and in this manner that God made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. What a wonderful peace flooded my soul. This was such a blessed revelation to me. I was not interested in men’s words. I said, “Thank you, Lord! I don’t care what men say, You said You put Jesus to grief for me and laid my sins and my iniquities on Him. I believe just what You say!” Our blessed Saviour has told us, “He that heareth my word, and believ- eth on him that sent me, hath ever lasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Isn’t that wonderful, beloved? His words are so clear and so plain. Most of them are monosyllables that a small child could readily grasp. This is why we should store God’s Word in our hearts and lives. There is something very practical for every circumstance which we might face. Our problem can sometimes be learning to say the right thing at the right time and in the right place. Jesus instructed His disciples that should they be brought before kings for His sake, they were not to take any thought about what
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FIVE WORD SENTENCE SERMONS
by Dr. Walter L. Wilson
THE ON LY ANSWER W HEN YOU GET INTO TROUBLE and difficulty, to whom do you go? The Christian’s only hope and stay is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. One five-word sentence sermon I fre quently use is the question of our Saviour given in John 6:68 where He asks Peter, “Will you also go away?” The disciple answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” There was usually a great multi tude which followed Jesus. In verses preceding our text, we find the com mentary that, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” This is what prompted His inquiry of Peter. How this event must have filled the Lord Jesus with sorrow, pathos and grief for the souls of men. He made the heavens and the earth; He created all things, and yet man wanted nothing to do with Him. The Scripture doesn’t tell us where this crowd went when they left Christ, but I can assure you that it wasn’t to a place of soul-rest. Without the blessed Saviour, man can never know true satisfaction or con tentment. It is hard for us to imagine any one in those days turning his back on the Lord. After all, He was the One who raised the dead and healed sick. Yet, the same crowd would do it again today if He were here in the flesh. Let me ask your heart, “If you were to turn from Christ, just where would you be able to go?” That is a solemn question. A backslider is like a lovely garden which has become overgrown with weeds. He is like a harp with its strings broken, or a home which has become delapidated and tumbled down. If this is your state as you read these lines, our Lord asks, “Will you also go away?” How easily the world allures us. The devil holds out all sorts of en ticing treasures. It may be that pleasure or business calls us. There
are so many demands made upon our time. Just think of the many oppor tunities there are; once in a lifetime opportunities perhaps to make money. We listen to the call and turn our backs on the Lover of our souls. Don’t you be misled into thinking other things will give you what only Christ can and will supply. Did you ever stop to realize that all educational processes that amount to anything are found in Countries where the Lord Jesus Christ has been known and taught and where the Bible can be used by anyone? No wonder Scripture affirms, “Blessed is the na tion whose God is the Lord.” Turning from Christ means dark ness in its many and varied forms, for only He is the Light of life. You think of the lawless tide of wicked ness which is sweeping across our United States right now. We don’t hesitate to say that it is because, in most homes, the Bible has been com pletely shunned. For most there is not the fear of God. Every attack has Biota Chorale members, part of the 60 voice group on tour this month, are gathered around Professor Edward Heppner. From left to right are Sylvia Gocke, Albuquerque; Janet Dollar, Riverside; Dave Bandimere, Denver; and Roland Gangsle, Medford, Oregon. Sealed is Janet Maurer, Montezuma, Kansas.
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been made by the enemy to destroy the spiritual battlements of the home. Our Supreme Court has made it im possible to have any testimony of God within our educational system. It is absolutely against the law. Now when we turn away, and when God is shut out, what else can we expect to result? We have but to pick up one issue of the newspaper to see the reality of this. The results are terrible and be yond human comprehension. Since Christ is the Bread of God, when man turns from Him all he has left is garbage. For proof just look at the '‘stuff” to be found in magazines, bill boards, television, radio, and in every other area of life. Think how “trashy” today’s popular songs are. It would even be stretching a point to call them musical. When man turns away from Christ, he turns to confusion, hatred and wickedness. These things can and do readily break down the physical body. Look at the trouble the army is ex periencing in getting men who are able-bodied. I have read that they sometimes have to reject as many as fifty per cent whose bodies can’t stand the rigorous and necessary tests for the armed forces. It is my earnest suggestion that you be honest with the Saviour. If you can truthfully say you don’t want what He has to offer, just tell Him so. There is no use kidding yourself. If you think you can find peace and satisfac tion elsewhere, let Him know. In the long ago David said, “In thy pres ence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Can you find this to be true someplace else than in Christ? Is the world, the flesh, and the devil sweeter to you than this? Be honest with yourself. A beautiful girl, in her early twen ties, came to me one time with a prob lem. I didn’t know her and she didn’t want to confide in any friends. She was in a real predicament and I sim ply suggested she face the truth about herself realistically. When she had fin ished, I kindly asked her, “Aren’t you tired of living this kind of life? You haven’t enjoyed wickedness, have
you?” “Oh no,” she wept. “But it just seemed that the only way I could find satisfaction was to get a little deeper each time.” That is the way Satan works; that is one of his clever tricks. We knelt down together to tell the Lord just how she felt. It enabled her to see the truth. She told the Lord, “I don’t want to go on living in sin like this. I need Your help. Will You save me?” She came to the only One who could really help her. She had been going away from Christ and found that it didn’t pay. Nothing but grief, sorrow and trouble had been her lot. What an exchange when she was born again. The Lord Jesus wants you! Every thing He has is for your good. He may be saying to you, “Will you also go away?” Young person, will you go to the high school teacher? Will he give you anything for your soul with the false theories of evolution? What is there for you. The same is true for every age. Only the Saviour has the answer. He is the One who meets the need. The question is being pressed to your life: “Will you also go away?” Look up into His lovely, wounded, precious face and say, “Lord Jesus, I will not. I believe You have the words of eternal life. I believe You will give me the Bread and Water of life which will sustain me. I believe You will give me everything my heart wants and needs for satisfaction and peace hereafter. I believe You will take care of me now and in the here after. I trust You completely with my life,.my soul and my heart.” I urge you to do this right now. * Too many people believe they're thinking, when actually, they are merely rearranging their prejudices. * * * While scientifically speaking the world may be round, yet spiritually speaking it is flat. * * * It is not enough to merely carry Christ as the compass of our life. We will need Him to keep us away from all of the mag nets. 8 * *
FIVE WORD SENTENCE SERMONS
Dr. Walter L. Wilson
THE OX AND THE ASS
T here are some very peculiar and yet precious five-word sentences ih the Bible. One, of which I ana espe cially fond, is Isaiah 1 :3, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” Why do you suppose the Holy Spirit would want that testimony, “The ox knoweth his owner,” included in Scripture? F irst of all, every time you read of an ox in the Bible, remember that this animal is sometimes likened to a Christian (or vice versa). The ass, meanwhile, typifies the unbeliever. In this portion, the prophet is contrast ing the two creatures. The ox is interested in the one who provides for him. The ass, however, only thinks of the food anyone will give him. People can easily train an ox to be a friend. It loves to be petted. In the first chapter of Job we learn of the oxen which were plowing. They were of use to their owner while the asses were merely feeding. This is strangely symbolic with people, too. How many just have the “gimmes” when they talk to God. They are inter ested in Him giving them health, strength, a happy home, a lovely wife, beautiful children, a nice car, the mortgage paid off, and the grass growing around the house. But seldom is a word of thanks or gratitude of fered. You see, we read here, “The ass knows his master’s crib.” How like the materialistic and atheistic people of the world. They are only in terested in physical sustenance and they do not take care in provisions for the soul. A man once called me asking that I pray for him to get well. I love to do that. I believe in prayer, and I have seen God do some wonderful and mir aculous things thereby. In this case, however, this person had not lived for God at all. He very seldom came to
church. He wouldn’t let his companion come regularly or his children ei ther. He just lived for the world, the flesh and the devil. Now, however, it was different. He had asked me to pray. He had a need. But I told him, “I won’t do it. There’s no use my praying. When you had your health and strength, God didn’t get anything from you. You didn’t care for Him. What good would it do? If you got well and strong again, what would you do then?” This brought him to the place of realization so that I could deal with him about his salvation. There was a woman who called me out to see her. She was very sick and TRIUMPH I would to lose the hard things from my life, The rocks o'er which I stumbled long ago. The griefs and fears, the failures and mistakes, That tried and tested faith and pa tience so. I need them now; they make the deep-laid wall, The firm foundation-stones on which I raise— To mount there from stair to high stair— The lofty towers of my House of Praise. only a miracle could bring her through. But, the Lord healed her. Two weeks later she was completely restored. While she had promised to serve the Lord and live differently, as soon as she got off her back, she had forgotten her vow to the Lord. It was about six or seven months later that she had another bad attack of the same trouble. Again she sent for me to pray for her. When I got there I said, “I’m sorry but I cannot pray for you, Louise. You told the Lord if you got well the last time you would serve 9
Him. Your actions showed that you really didn’t intend to. Why should I pray for you to be restored and once again become a stumbling block for your husband and children. This wom an was hardened despite the Lord’s goodness to her. Not long after, she died. “The ox knoweth his owner.” If you are saved by grace you will love the Man who made it possible. One of the evidences that you are saved is by what you do for the Lord. Are you showing to the Lord that you are glad He saved you? Do you give Him your heart’s affection and love? Do you open up your pocketbook and “put your money where your mouth is?” God spent the best He had for you in order to redeem you. He wants to give you all the gifts of the Saviour be cause He has a desire to have our lives at rest. There is a strange expression in Jeremiah which says, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” The hour of God’s grace will sometime come to a conclusion. The farmer brings in from the field only those things which are of value to him. The others are just left out in the field. This is what Jeremiah means by this passage. Through sal vation we become His inheritance. That means we must give Him some thing of value. He wants not words but true heart-love. Did God make a good investment for His Son in you? An old soldier gave me five acres of ground down in Florida some years ago. He had bought it from a shyster some years before. When I was preaching later in the area, I went out to see my “inheritance.” My wife and I thought we might plant orange trees on it and enjoy an early retire ment. But, do you know what? It was under five or six feet of salt water. The poor old soldier had been “taken.” I gave the deed to the assessor for it wasn’t even worth the small pittance in taxes. Do you suppose God feels that way about us? Do we give Him any cause to rejoice in our love and devotion to Him? There are a great many people who rob God financially.
Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland (right), Biola Presi dent, goes over report with Dr. Ray A. Myers, Biola Board Chairman. But I am speaking about love for Him which compels us to tell others about Him. As with the ox, so the Lord wants us to know Him by intimate fellowship through his Holy Spirit. Remember the story of the prodigal son? All he could say was, “Daddy, gimme.” His father did, too. But the lad turned his back and off he went to enjoy the gifts he was freely given. Are we ever like that? Did you come to the Saviour to find eternal life with peace and pardon? Since that time, however, have you turned your back on Him so that you might enjoy the gift rather than the Giver? Oh, be loved, the Giver remains long after the gifts are gone. The prodigal only had the worthless husks that were left. He finally came to the realization of his desperate need. Have you come to this place yet as a backslider? You will never be happy until you do. How gladly the father welcomed back his son. He didn’t hold any malice or grudge against him. What grace our God shows to us when we return to Him. This is why God put in His Word, “The ox knoweth his owner.” Is this true with you? He wants our heart’s affection who ever you may be. Your service is fine, but first of all He wants just you. Beloved, get acquainted with the Saviour. It may be that you will need to do this all over again. Go to Him and lay your life at His feet. He will never turn you away, but gladly com mune and sup with you so that you may enjoy not only peace with God, but also the peace of God.
FIVE WORD SENTENCE SERMONS
by Dr. Walter L. Wilson
THE EYE AND THE HEART
H ave you ever read through the book of Lamentations? There is a wonderful five-word sermon in the 51st verse of the third chapter. Here Jeremiah says, “Mine eye affecteth my heart.” I like that sweet thought. Have you ever stopped to realize how your eye does affect your heart? That is why you bought the clothes you are wearing. You liked the looks of them. The same is true in so many areas of our lives. This is the way we want to look at the Lord Jesus. We need to be constantly looking to Him. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. This is not true with some people. If He came again today, there would be the same materialistic crowd who would have Him crucified. Lamentations is an interesting book of five chapters. The first, second, fourth and fifth each contain 22 verses. The middle one, however, has 66 verses in it or three times 22. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The four chapters have each verse beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The third chapter is similar in that the alphabet is used in sections of three. There is a per fect balance in the Bible. Jewish mothers used this book to teach their children the Hebrew alphabet. This would be a good way for parents to teach their children. It would be meaningful in bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. When I go into a sick room, the one who is ill looks to me to give him some alleviation of pain. The man who is drowning looks to the lifeguard for help. Those in need, whatever the problem may be, look to an individual for help. I remember being lost one time up in the mountains. Was I ever glad to see the rescue party. I had been looking eagerly for help. I de pended upon them to bring me out and relieve the distress.
The Lord Jesus is the One Who guides us to heaven. He is the only Person who can. Nobody in this world knows where God is, except Jesus. He went up to heaven as a cloud re ceived Him out of the sight of those who were standing nearby. Christ rightly declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the HE KNOWS He knows it all— the winding path, The sky o'ercast and grey. The steepness of the mountainside, The roughness of the way. He knows it all— the haunting fear, The doubtings that distress, And every burden, every grief. Or cross that thou dost bear. He knows it all— thy weight of woe, Thine often tear-dimmed eye, The stabbing pain, the slow, dull ache. And sorrow's broken cry. He knows it all— but it's His to choose, And thine to take His choice! He knows it all! He planned it so! Then trust Him, and rejoice! — E. Margaret Clarkson unjust, that He might bring us to God. This says “bring,” not “send!” Those who are involved in false re ligions are lost because they are not looking to Christ to do anything. They are depending on other things, or upon their own works and merits. How foolish this is. Since no man knows where God is, we can only depend on Christ to take us to Him. Some looked at Christ and 11 The wond'rings and perplexities, And all the strain and stress. He knows it all — each troubled thought, Each anxious wave of care.
cursed Him. Others spit in His face and beat Him with their fists. Others looked at Him and said, “Away with this man, we will not have him to reign over us.” Others look at Him and called Him a glutton and a wine- bibber. How sad when we consider the various ways in which people look at the Saviour of the world. I well remember the first night I saw Him. It was back in 1896. By faith I saw Him at God’s right hand. I saw the One Who bore my sins in His own body on the tree; Who was wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities. I gave my self wholly to Him. The Lord Jesus has 226 offices that He fulfills for us. Each tells of something He wants to do for you. The longer we are saved, the more we see in Him. That is why our eyes affect our hearts. No wonder David said, “Blessed is the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” The gift of right eousness is by faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something we can earn or merit. Do you remember the words of the old hymn, “Jesus the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast” ? Can you sing that from the true testi mony of your heart? The reason we look to Him is because He is the One who meets every need of the human heart and life. May I ask you this personal question? What happens to you when you look at the Saviour? How does what your eyes see affect your heart? Have you seen anything in the Lord Jesus that makes you want Him and draws you to Him? I urge you to make Him the center of your heart’s affections and through out all eternity you will be glad you did. * * * Triumph is just "ump" added to try. * * * It may be difficult to say the right thing at the right time, but it is far more diffi cult to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. * * * A hypocrite is one who isn't himself on Sundays.
WHERE ARE THE LAMBS? The Master was carefully counting His sheep. As they were enfolded for en- sheltered sleep. Each one He greeted with passionate voice— You'd think that each was His dearest choice. A lame one He halted and lovingly stroked; Anointed and splinting the leg which was broke. Not one was slighted/ though well or lame. He carefully scanned them again and again. Then choked with emotion in faltering voice, He asked sheep and shepherds, eyes full and moist: "Where are the lambs I left to your care? Where are the lambs I asked you to bear? "I love you all dearly but the little lambs, too, Are mine by redemption, I left them to you, Why did you not hasten to bear fruit for me And care for the lambs as I cared for thee? "I sought and brought you on Mount Calvary; Up, up the steep mountain, none went with me. Up Golgotha's mountain of pain and distress, On, on through the darkness till I at the crest, Transfixed by death's arrow, then bore you away; With my own blood ebbing, I saved you that day. Carest thou not for the other sheep I must bring? Does not my compassion in your heart, too, spring? Your duty is bearing-fulfilling my plans. Oh my heart is saddened, I must have the lambs." — R. W. Cooper
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TUESDAY/THURSDAY BIBLE STUDIE5 A BETTER COVENANT H ebrews 8:6 tells us, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” The author now launches into a dis cussion of the Old Covenant, in which the sanctuary and its ordinance had their rightful place. Something real is, without doubt, better than a shadow; an original has far more value than a copy. But the comparative, “better,” when speaking of Christ, is merely a figure of speech. It is relative for the absolute. Whether considered as High Priest, as Sacrifice, or as Mediator of the covenant, Christ is so much “bet ter” than His counterparts in the old arrangement that He and they can not really be compared but only con trasted. The role of High Priest of the New Covenant is Christ’s “more excellent ministry,” but it is not His only one. He not only replaced Aaron and the latter’s successors, but He is a’so the counterpart of Moses in the role of mediator of the covenant (cf. chap. 9). A covenant need not be mediated by a third party. It is necessary, how ever, that there be two parties to it, though the covenant may involve the promise of only one of them, or of both. The Old Covenant had certain promises on God’s part that were not dependent on Israel’s cooperation. For example, He promised not to forsake Israel completely and forever regard less of her apostasy (Lev. 26:44). The Old Covenant also included prom ises on God’s part that were contin gent on Israel’s keeping the laws of God. To this the people agreed when the covenant was ratified (Ex. 19:8). Also, the Old Covenant had a media tor who was Moses. God gave the cov enant to Israel through him. Moses sprinkled the blood on the Book of the law, the tabernacle and its furniture, and the people, to signify that God had cleansed and accepted them (Heb.
by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, West Covina, Calif.
Hebrews 8:6; 9:15-24
9:18-22). A sacrifice was necessary for this cleansing a n d acceptance which is type of the sacrifice Christ would make when He came to mediate the New Covenant. The New Covenant is superior to thé Old because it is a permanent cov enant superceding the Old. It is based on better promises. Above all, it is mediated by none other than the Son of God. GOD CARES When your heart is crushed and broken ■ 'Neath a heavy load of care, And the trials of life are many, Almost more than you can bear— Many tears have flowed and fallen And your heart is deeply stirred, Oh, there's consolation given— For God always keeps His Word. God is standing in the darkness, Tho' you may not feel Him near; He will never, never fail you If you cast on Him your fear. All the prayers you thought unan swered And the tears that you have shed Are recorded up in heaven As you trust in what God said. So look up my friend, and trust Him With the load upon your breast. From confusions, cares, and worries He will surely give you rest. There is victory simply trusting And in praising Jesus too— For the great Redeemer loves you And will surely see you through. — Sarah German Another meaning of the Greek word translated “covenant” is “will,” or “testament.” Commentators are divid ed as to whether the apostles used this word as the equivalent of the Old Testament word for covenant (berith), or whether the New Covenant differs from the Old by being a will or testa ment. The writer to the Hebrews says that Christ is the Mediator of the New 13
of the weakness and unprofitableness of the law of the Old Covenant ( 7 :18). In the following chapters he speaks of the fact that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant could not settle the problems of sin and guilt (9:9, 10:1-3). These were “faults,” or “defects,” of the Old Covenant which were not in the positive sense of wrongs or mistakes, but in the sense that they left some thing to be desired. The Old Covenant GOD'S KEY Is there some problem in your life to solve, Some passage seeming full of mystery? God knows, who brings the hidden thing to light. He keeps the key. Is there some door closed by the Father's hand Which widely opened you had hoped to see? Trust God and wait— for when He shuts the door He keeps the key. Is there some earnest prayer unan swered yet, Or answered not as you had thought it would be? God will make clear His purpose by and by. He keeps the key. Have patience with your Lord, your patient God, All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He, And of the door of all thy future life He keeps the key. Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest, To know of every door He keeps the key, That He at last when He sees 'tis best Will give it thee. did not contain in itself all the pro visions necessary for pardon of sin and for making the conscience pure and therefore peaceful. The Old Cov enant was designed to be merely a dispensation preparatory to the Gos pel. “Place” was sought, or needed, for the second covenant, but not, as this 14
Testament, and that since a testament does not go into effect until the death of the testator, Christ also died so that we might receive the benefit “willed” to us in the Testament, name ly, the promise of eternal inheritance (9:15-17). This passage throws light on one aspect of the New Covenant in relation to Christ’s death, but it does not exhaust the full meaning of the New Covenant. The New Covenant has a fuller, richer meaning than the Old because it is unconditional, com plete, and permanent, whereas the Old was conditional, incomplete, and im permanent. The New Covenant deals with the same basic needs as the Old one: moral law, knowledge of God, and for giveness of sin. But under the Old Covenant, the moral law was em bedded in the national code of the Hebrews; God was revealed in the history of the Jewish nation; the con sciousness of sin, and of sins forgiven, was dealt with in ordinances of sacri fice, particularly on the national Day of Atonement. More spiritually-mind ed Israelites, however, also knew the blessedness of a personal walk with God. As time went on, the prophecies became clearer and more bold in an nouncing that this personal relation ship was God’s plan for His people, but even Jeremiah’s ringing announce ment of the new, personal, spiritual covenant that would replace the old (Jer. 31:31-34) is related to the “house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Jeremiah’s picture of this New Covenant had led men to look for a more effectual reconciliation with God, and so gave the writer to the Hebrews a perfect opening for explaining that God had met this need by speaking peace “in these last days . . . by His Son” (Heb. 1:2). Hebrews 8:7, “For if that first cov enant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the sec ond. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Cov enant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” In Chapter 7, the author had spoken
gave them no power for keeping it. It could never “make the comers there unto perfect” (10:1). Because the covenant was condition al, a breach by one of the parties (Israel) put into action the penalty that had been written into the cov enant (Lev. 26:14ff.). God stopped treating Israel as a husband treats his wife (Jer. 31:32). In the begin ning, He “took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,” but after they had gone astray from Him, He “neglected” them (cf. Heb. 8:9). He withdrew His blessing and allowed the heathen to carry them off into captivity. PUT YOUR WEIGHT DOWN Perhaps some of our listeners have never been up in an airplane. On his 75th birthday a man was given a pres ent of taking his first airplane ride. He wasn’t too sure lie wanted to go, however, he was talked into it when told he would be flown over his own town. A fter a few gentle circles, the airplane landed. When he got out one of the waiting relatives asked him ex citedly, “Well, how about it? Were you afraid?” The elderly gentleman re plied with a twinkle in his eye, “No, not a bit. But you see that’s because I never put my full weight down.” He thought that by holding himself up, if any accident should occur to the air craft, he would be safe. He wasn’t resting his whole weight. Unfortu nately, there are many Christians who are just the same way. They have re ceived the free gift of salvation, how ever, they never put their full weight upon the Lord Jesus Christ. How tragic to see those who have never learned to come to Christ for rest. This is, of course, a part of the won derful message our Biola young peo ple proclaim. It is not only salvation by grace through faith, but also the victorious Christian life. * * * The true measure of one's life is not its length but rather how well it is spent. * h 1t Many people who stand up for their rights fall down miserably in their duties. 15
Biola School of Missionary Medicine students gain invaluable knowledge and experience dur ing their time of unique training. verse would indicate, only after the first covenant had failed. The second (or New) Covenant is the covenant of grace, and grace was in the world Ion" before law. The word “grace” embraces all that was promised to Abraham, and all who believe are “children of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7). The place of the covenant of grace was decided in the eternal mind of God, as was the place of the covenant of law, and each was revealed at the proner time. The prophets began to predict the New Covenant as it became more and more apparent that the law could not hold the Israelites close to God. He brews 8:8, in some manuscripts, is translated, “finding fault with it,” i.e., the Old Covenant; in others it is rendered, “finding fault, He saith to them.” In the latter case, the object of the faultfinding is left undeter mined. There is the possibility of a twofold faultfinding. The phrase may look for ward to 8:9, where it is recorded that Israel did not continue in God’s cov enant. It may also look back to the complaint against the first covenant (8:7). Actually the two faults are c&nnected. The Israelites (as a na tion) did not keep the law. On the other hand, though many aspects of the covenant were conditioned on their keeping of the law, the law in itself
questions and answers
with Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland and Dr. Charles L. Feinberg
there is no coming period of a literal reign by Jesus Christ on this earth for a thousand years. (Millennium means “thousand years.” ) It is proph esied in both the Old and New Testa ments. Amillennialism has several in terpretative principles. The subject of the future glory and restoration of Israel is spiritualized for they do not believe in a literal earthly kingdom. There are some orthodox men who hold these views, however, there are many liberals who look upon the Bibli cal passages in this manner. We be lieve in the premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His church which is made up of all born-again believers. Then there will be a time of agony and tribulation on the earth, following which will usher in the thou sand year reign of the Saviour. He will be King of kings and Lord of lords, and wherever He is, we, as be lievers, will be with Him. Q . Redding, California — “Is there any particular preparation necessary for prayer? Sometimes I feel that I per sonally rush into the presence of God." A. Too frequently prayer is made to look more complicated than it really is. Consider it as a father and child re lationship. Children will often rush into the presence of a parent. We have the perfect freedom and right to come immediately into the presence of our heavenly Father whenever a need arises. Peter cried out, “Lord save me.” He didn’t take time for prepara tion. There was a vital need. On the other hand, there are times when a
Q . San Francisco, California — “Does the Bible exhortation, ‘Come out from among them and be ye separate’ refer to attending sports and games?’’ A. The verse reads, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye sepa rate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (II Corinthians 6:17). This passage, if carried to its logical conclusion in connection with what this writer sug gests, we would have to live completely apart from the world. We couldn’t have anything to do with anyone whatsoever, unless he or she were a Christian. We believe the meaning of this particular passage does not indi cate that we are to refrain from any contact with others, but rather that we are not to be conformed to, or to set our pattern of life in accord with, the world. There are people in the world who are doing things that are honorable and upright. As far as our witnessing is concerned, unless we deal with them, how else can they be won to Christ? John tells us, “Love not the world.” This does not refer to this sphere on which we live, but rather the evil atmosphere which per vades the souls of unregenerate man kind. Q . Santa Barbara, California — “Will you please explain w h a t amillennialism is ?” A. This is the same system of Scrip tural interpretation as that which is known as “nonmillennialism.” It is a form of interpretation holding that
are Daniel 2 and 7, and Revelation 13 and 17. Out of the old Roman Empire will come a ten-fold confederacy. It has not yet appeared on the scene of history, but there will be a revival of that system. The political leader will head it up. The Bible does not state in so many words that he will be a Roman, but it is understood that this is the case. The increased interest in the com mon market should create some con sideration for us. Obviously, the world is getting ready for some kind of a confederacy in the southern part of Europe. The Wall Street Journal re cently mentioned that 10 nations will comprise the final group. There are only six now, but there will be ten. This is most interesting in view of what the Bible prophesies. Q . Tucson, Arizona — “What does the phrase, ‘The chastisement of our peace was upon him,’ mean as found in Isaiah 53:5?” A. This is a part of the marvelous portrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ in His death at Calvary. It has been suggested that this is among the first graphic descriptions in the Old Testa ment of the death of our Saviour. Israel rejected Him in His first com ing (John 1:12). They saw no beauty in Him. To those who believe, how ever, He is beautiful even with the scars. These represent His divine and unfathomable love for us. By reading and comparing the four Gospel ac counts, we can see just how literally this prophecy was fulfilled. When Is rael finally realizes the terrible mis take they have made, the only Messiah will be revealed in His return to this earth in millennial glory. He died vicariously, which simply means He endured our penalty so that we might have eternal life; “the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” The penalty had to be paid and Christ did it for us willingly. Because He suffered for us, we may have spiritual peace and forgiveness. This is the spiritual healing of which the prophet speaks. “He became sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be 17
Dr. Charles L. Feinberg (seated), dean ef the Talbot Theological Seminary, gees over plans for June Holy Land Tour with Mr. Ed Steele, Biola Extension Director. little child loves to sit on its father’s lap, talking about things in a deliber ate manner. Then, too, when the child has done something wrong, there is the need for confession so that the perfect fellowship may be restored. Prayer is conversing with God. If we possess salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will enjoy com munion with Him in any one or all of these ways. The only real prepara tion necessary is a right heart and relationship. We do not rush in in differently, but with earnestness and expectancy through His love and grace. Q , Colorado Springs, Colorado — “How do we know that the anti-christ will comg out of the Roman nation?” A. The questioner no doubt refers to the political leader in the end times. There is going to be a religious leader as well. There are four chapters which give us real light on the subject. They
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