June 1931
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character of his faith. The Lord must often sljow us ourselves before He can grant our requests. The best way to meet this seeming rebuke is to repeat the cry in the light of the new- understanding. We should pray and repeat our petitions, “Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.” How simple, how maj estic! Christ granted his heart’s request, yet He denied his expressed desire. The times and the methods are in His hands. Our duty is to request and to trust. 6. A Believing Act. “And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way” (v. 50). What a change was accomplished in this man in the minute of his contact with Christ! He went, believing Christ’s bare word, confident that he possessed the un seen gift. 7. The Confirming Evidence. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Two lessons are apparent: a. The word of Christ is as powerful as His presence. b. If we believe, we shall see. A partial faith exercised brings expe rience which will enlarge and confirm faith. Believe when you do not see, and you will see that you may believe the more perfectly. ♦ * * W h o C a n P ray John 4:19-24 The first revelation in the New Testa ment concerning prayer was to an un saved woman. 1. Christ Reveals Here a Threefold Worship. a. The ignorant worship of the Sa maritans—“Ye worship ye know not what.” b. The worship of the Jews, having the true knowledge of God-fei‘We worship that which we know, for salvation is of the Jews.” c. The new form of spiritual worship which He was to introduce—“The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” 2. These Three Classes are in Evidence T oday. a. The unbeliever who “prays to that which he knows not.” He may pray sincerely—yet receive no an swers. b. The powerless prayer of the un taught, unsurrendered Christian. He often prays with much earnest-: ness, yet the results are meager. c. The prayer “in spirit and in truth” on the part of the surrendered Christian. 3. What Does it Mean to Pray “in Spirit To understand these two words, it is essential to understand Christ’s mission, for He is here speaking of His own work. Notice that He says twice, “The hour cometh.” He adds, “and now is.” That is, the hour would come and had now ar rived when Jesus would send the Spirit, but there is no hurry. 5. The Lord’s Method. and in Truth"! a. “In spirit.”
woman, and note the de velopment of her faith. Write out and memorize verses 35 to 38. Study the growth of faith on the part of the noble man as recorded in verses 46 to 54. Using some portion of the text as the theme, prepare a short devotional talk or personal testimony to be used at the first opportu nity. Expression
rienced this new birth ? Why is it difficult for men to understand these things (1 Cor. 2:14)? 4. Is it God’s fault that men are lost? Read verses 16 to 21. What is it that keeps men from coming to Christ? See verses 19 to 21. Is there anything else that God could do to save men, and still allow them the freedom of their own lives? Discuss the relationship between the love and the justice of God in His solution of the sin question. 5. Is the statement true that “men love darkness rather than light” ? What is the natural tendency of man apart from the working of God in his heart? From your observation, would you say that the vast majority of the population of our country today is seeking to do those things which would please God? Is the world as a whole very rapidly approaching a state of righteousness ? 6. Study the characteristics of John the Baptist, as found in verses 27 to 30. Note his honesty and his humility. Apply to your own life his statement: “He must increase, but I must decrease” and com pare with the following passages: Gal. 2: 20; Col. 1 :18; M att 6:33. 7. Can we be sure that we are saved? Study verses 34 and 35, analyzing the four statements which are made there. Do you question the truth of the first statement, “The Father loveth the Son,” or that of the second, “He hath given all things into his hands” ? If not, why doubt the third, namely, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” ? When does this life come? Note the present tense. Have you ever accepted Christ as your Saviour? If so, what is your eternal heritage ? 'T H E narrative in John 4 presents one "*■ of the finest pieces of dramatic writ ing to be found anywhere in literature. The artless simplicity of the dialogue be tween Christ and the woman is balanced by the tact and graciousness displayed by the Lord. In this chapter is to be -found a splendid example of soul-probing on the part of the Master, as well as a reve lation of the character and nature of the indwelling Spirit of God. The miracle of the healing of the nobleman’s son, re corded near the close of the chapter, presents a worth while study in the de velopment of faith. P reparation Read the chapter prayerfully each day. Monday July 26, 1931 THE WATER OF LIFE John 4 Tuesday Write out in your own words the material con tained in the ten quota- tations of Christ to the woman at the well. Wednesday Compare and c o n t r a s t Christ’s method of dealing with the woman at the well and with the noble man. Thursday Study the tender courtesy Prepare a full outline of the contents of the chap ter. Try to reproduce this outline without the use of notes or the text.
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S e e in g I s B eliev in g John 4:43-54
There are two great methods of teach ing truth. First, by means of precept, or the logical and concise statement of prin ciples of action. Second, by means of parables, the i l l us t r at i ve story. There are seven suggestive lessons in this mir acle which illustrate the meaning of Christ’s words, “Ask and ye shall re ceive.” Some of the practical problems which are met by this story are the fol lowing : 1. A Real Need. “And there was a certain nobleman . whose son was sick at Capernaum . . . at the point of death.” We do know that we all have times of trial. What we should ever remember is that often “God’s brightest blessings come to us in the hour of greatest testing.” If this nobleman’s son had not been sick, he might never have known what real faith was. Let us patiently examine every trial for the lesson which is there for us. 2. An Urgent Request. “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.” There are millions in the world who have a real need today. Sin and sickness have fastened themselves upon them and their families.- There are comparatively few who are following the example of this nobleman. . The way of salvation made plain. a. He heard. Oh, that men might stop and listen to the gospel mes sage 1 b. He went. The second step is vital- Many hear who will not act. Faith is a word of action. c. He besought. The universal need is expressed in the words: “Come, Lord Jesus, come and heal 1” 3. An Imperfect Faith. In striking contrast with the eager hurry of the father is the calm and gen tle rebuke of the Lord. The poor man comes hot and breathless from his rapid journey. There is not an instant to lose, for his son is dying. He impatiently be seeches Christ to come and heal his son, and, like a dash of cold water on his hot impatience, he hears strange words from the worker of miracles: “Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.” He would not believe if he did not see. 4. A Repeated Petition. The Lord’s first answer to this man is given in order to show him the imperfect
and tact displayed by Christ toward this outcast
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