EDITED BY WM. CARSON LANTZ, M.A., Chairman, Dept, of Speech, Biola Bible College
SERMONETTES Some people grow under responsi bility, others swell.—-'D.B. A feather in itself is nothing; but, organized as a part of a wing it has unlimited possibilities.—W.S. There is nothing more simple than a wise man and nothing more wise than a simple man (Psa. 19:7; 119: 30).—F. L. ILLUSTRATIONS It was during the spring vacation that I saw a fellow from one of the local high schools practicing alone on the athletic field. Neither the coach nor anyone else was around, yet he was out there training to better pre pare himself for the coming athletic events. He was only one of many who would perform, yet he was the only one to prepare himself. I thought how true that was of some Christians today; they want to star in the Christian life, yet so few are willing to take the time out and really prepare, getting alone with God and doing serious Bible study and prevailing in prayer.— D.W. OUTLINES Eli o r God 1 Sam . 3 :1 -1 1 A. Problem : God has planted within the human heart a hunger — a calling that must be satisfied. We mistake this call for various “ Eli’s” : B. Solution: God is the One who calls and is the One to whom we must go for satisfaction (Heb. 3:7, 8). — KJP. Sanctified liv in g A c ts 2 :4 3 - 4 7 A. The cause of sanctified lives: The fear of the Lord. B. The practice of sanctified lives: 1. Devotion to spiritual things (v. 42). 2. Unity. 3. Daily Christian living. C. The result of sanctified lives: 1. They praised God. 2. They had favor with all the people. 3. The Lord added to their number. Discussion questions: 1. What do we mean by “ the fear of the Lord?” 2. How big a part should the “ spirit ual” play in our lives? Does it? 1. Pleasure — Eccl. 2:1-11. 2. Money — Eccl. 5:9-6; 12. 3. Philanthropy. 4. Religion.
3. What part does uniting •among churches have in this idea of unity? 4. Perhaps there is no such thing as true atheism, but do we not dem onstrate “ practical” atheism in our lives? 5. If we live the true Christian life, will we really have favor with the men of the world? — K.P. Go Ifoirn P o v e r ty 2 Cor. 9:6-15 A. Problem : Christians are suffer ing spiritual poverty. 1. They are poor because they have limited the resources of God (v. 6 ). 2. They receive nothing themselves because they have given to God with a reluctant heart (v. 7). 3. They are in want because they have considered presentation of gifts to God to be a duty (v. 7). B. Solution: Christians must give liberally. 1. They may avail themselves of an unlimited supply (w . 8, 9). 2. They should determine before hand the amount of the gift, un der the direction of God (v. 7). 3. They will realize God’s power to multiply the gift (v. 10). 4. They should seek in their giving only to glorify God (w . 11-13). 5. They should pray for the ones to whom they give (v. 14). 6. They must realize Jesus Christ, God’s gift, to be the sum total of all giving (v. 15).— J.M. On the Ocean o f the Good ¡Vein* Heb. 2:10 A. The relationship of our salvation. (John 1:12). B. The guardianship of our salva tion (John 10:28). C. The companionship of our salva tion (Matt. 28:20). D. The captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10). 1. He guides many sons to glory Heb. 2:10). 2. He calms the storms of life (Luke 8:24-27). Visual aids: pictures or drawings of ships. — R. J. The Na ture o f God and Man Jonah 3:1 A. The nature of God: 1. Patient to the persistent (Rom. 15:5). 2. Helpful to the headstrong (Psa. 23:20; 46:1; 124:8).
3. Cares for the careless (1 Pet. 5:7). 4. Proves His providential purpose (Eph. 3:10, 11). 5. Faithful to the faithless (2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:12). B. The nature of man: 1. Alienated from God (Col. 1:21). 2. Disobedient (Titus 1:16). 3. Rebellious (Isa. 30:9). 4. Inattentive (Jer. 6:17). 5. Unfaithful (Mark 9:19). Questions for discussion: 1. What does this passage prove about nature of God and man? 2. What can God do for man? — E. L. fin d in g the W o r d s Prov. 4:20-22 A. Problem : The importance of finding these words of life and health. 1. These verses imply state of death outside these words (v. 22). 2. They also imply sickness, both mental and physical (v. 22). 3. There is a universal note here of death and sickness (v. 22). 4. There is a note of imperative ac tion here (v. 20). B. Solution: Finding the words. 1. God’s Word can be found (Jer. 15: 16). 2. God’s Word does heal mentally and physically (Psa. 107). 3. God’s Word gives life (John 5:24). Universal appeal. 4. God has made imperative provi sions (Isa. 1:18).— E.L. P ea c e In stead o f F ea r Isaiah 57:21 A. Problem : Fear instead of peace in the heart. 1. No peace in the heart because of the fear of material insecurity. 2. No peace in the heart because of the fear of physical insecurity. 3. No peace in the heart because of social insecurity. 4. No peace in the heart because of the fear of spiritual insecurity. B. Solution: God gives peace in the heart to those who receive Christ as Lord and Saviour (Rom. 5:1). 1. Christ gives peace in the heart by assuring one of material security. 2. Christ gives peace in the heart by assuring one of physical security, in spite of afflictions of the body (Jas. 1:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7). 3. Christ gives peace in the heart by assuring one of social security (1 John 1:7). 4. Christ gives peace in the heart by assuring one of spiritual security (Rom. 8:1; 6:23.).— D.H.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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