Rev, Elmer L. Wilder First Week F is h in g F ac ts
Illustrated by Gladys Bowman this flashlight behind this red cross. (Hold the flashlight a little way from the cellophane so that the light bulh. will not be seen through the cello phane.) Paul’s light begins to shine again, but now it does not call attention to Paul, but to the cross of Christ. We can see the cross better because the light is shining through it. Wherever Paul went, he caused the light of the cross to shine forth. In Philippi, this light shone. “And a cer tain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14). Third Week T h e S ecret of S t r e n g t h * » » » M W Objects: A yardstick and a tape measure. Lesson: In one way, this yardstick and tape measure are the same—they both have figures on them; but in an other way they are very d ifferent- one is always straight, and the other is seldom straight. One stands up without bending, and the other can not stand alone. As I look at this yardstick, I am re minded of Christ. He was always straight and strong. He always did and said the right thing. This tape measure reminds me of people. As long as you pull on it, it is straight, but as soon as the tension is released, the tape sags and be comes crooked. Many children go straight as long as their parents are pulling them, but when the influence of father and mother is no longer felt, they become crooked. T H E K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
There are many Christian people who think and act this same way to day. If asked whether they have taken Christ as their Saviour, they say, “Yes,” but the way they act indicates that they are using their liberty to live a selfish life. Just as you would not be allowed to fish in every place even though you have a fishing license, so the lib erty which we have in Christ does not permit us to live a selfish life. We should “by love serve one another."
Object: A fishing license. Lesson: How would you like to go fishing with me? The boys seem quite anxious to go, but the girls are not so. sure. Girls, I think you would enjoy going, as it is not an ordinary trip. If we are to go fishing, what must we take? ‘/Pole, line, and bait.” 'frhat is a pretty good answer, but you have forgotten something. What about a license? “Oh, yes, we forgot” I am ready to go. I have my li cense. Here it is. When you get a license, are you permitted to catch fish anywhere you choose? NO! You would not be a l lowed to fish in a private fishpond or to catch goldfish out of a bowl. If you thought your fishing license gave you liberty to catch fish anywhere you found them, it would not be long until you were in trouble. In thinking of having a license to fish, I am reminded of Paul’s words in Galatians 5:13: “Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not lib erty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Paul was writing to people who had accepted Christ as Saviour, and who, therefore, had liberty. He warned them not to think that just because they had lib erty, they had a license to do any thing they wanted to do. They were told that they should serve one an other by love. Instead of serving one another by love, they were disputing.
Objects: A flashlight and the out line of a cross cut out of cardboard, covered with red cellophane paper. Lesson: How many of you would like to have a flashlight like this one? I don't blame you—it is a beauty! But there is one thing about it that is not good. Can you guess? It always attracts attention to itself and its own light. There was a time when Paul was just like this flashlight, in that he attracted attention to himself and shone for his own glory. True, he was a brilliant man, and had a won derful education. Doubtless people thought he would make a great name for himself as a Jewish leader. The time came, however, when Paul’s light died out. (Turn off the flashlight.) He realized that he was nothing in the sight of God. He no longer thought of becoming a bright and shining light in the Jewish reli gion. What should he do? He real ized that he was a lost sinner. The cross of Christ was revealed to him. He accepted Christ as his Saviour and hid behind the cross, just as I place
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