T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
453
October 1932
Q lo t e s on CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR B y M ary G. G oodner
NOVEMBER 6, 1932 W H A T ARE THE EFFECTS OF MILITARY TRAINING IN OUR SCHOOLS? J ames 4:1-10 Although military training in the "schools is the topic assigned for our study this week, we have chosen another topic, which offers, we believe, the key to the whole sit uation ; namely, the second, personal, vis ible, bodily return o f our Lord. He, by His glorious coming, will bring eternal peace to a war-stricken world. As Endeav- orers, we have not had a lesson on this subject this year. It may therefore be help ful, instructive, and inspiring to study what God’s W ord says on this important theme. Suggestions for the Meeting Secure your véry best leader for this day. Announce the meeting often. Make it a Bible Endeavor meeting. Divide the mem bers into three groups; let one group speak on the importance of the second com ing, one on the power.of the second coming, and one on the results of the second com ing. I f the topic is well studied and pre sented, you will have a soul-stirring meet ing, for nothing so grips the heart as the blessed hope of our Lord’s return. The fol lowing songs would be very appropriate to use : “One Day,” “Jesus is Coming to Earth Again.” “ Christ Returneth.” “ Is it the Crowning Day.” Outline T he S econd C oming of J esus C hrist I. The Importance o f This Truth. 1. ' It is mentioned oftener in the New Testament than any other doctrine, except salvation. One out o f every twenty-five verses refers to it. 2. More prophecies in the Old Testa ment refer to the second coming than to the first advent o f Christ. 3. It was mentioned among the last words o f Jesus before leaving this earth (John 14). 4. It was the' first message sent back by angels (Acts 1:11). 5. It is the last message in Scripture (Rev. 22 :20). II. The Power o f This Truth. 1. It is a distinctive “blessed hope” (Tit. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:11). 2. It is kept before us in communion and resurrection (1 Cor. 11:26; IS: 23). 3. It is a means o f comfort (1 Thess. 4:13-18). 4. It holds power for transforming lives. a. Purity (1 John 3:2, 3). b. Steadfastness (Ph il.3:20 t o 4 :l ) . c. Abiding in Christ (1 John 2:28).
d. Moderation (Phil. 4 :5 ). e. Calmness o f mind (Heb. 10:36, .37; Jas. 5:7, 8 ). . £. Missionary zeal (1 Thess. 1 :8). III. The Results o f Our Lord’s Return. 1. God’s glory will be revealed (Isa. 40:3-5, 9-11). 2. The dead in Christ will be resur rected, and the living saints trans formed. 3. Prophecies relating to Israel will be fulfilled (Zech. 12:10-14; Isa. 66:20; Zech. 13:1, 2; Jer. 31 :27-36; Isa. 40: 1-11; Jer. 23 :3-8; Isa. 49 :8-26). 4. War will cease (Isa. 2 :4 ; Mic. 4:3, 4 ; Psa. 72:7, 16). “ To many, the doctrine o f the second coming o f Christ seems like an impractical doctrine. I'o n ce so regarded it. In my early ministry, one of my members came to me and asked if I would speak upon the second coming o f Christ. I knew nothing about the doctrine and put him off, think ing to myself, ‘You will be a much older man than you are now before I speak upon a doctrine so impractical.’ But the day came when I found it was not only one of the most precious, but also one of the most practical doctrines in the whole Bible. This truth transformed my whole idea o f life. It broke the power o f the world and its ambition over me and filled my life with the most radiant optimism even under the most discouraging circumstances.” Illustration D r . T orrey ’ s T estimony When purple twilight gathers, And friendly stars appear— When the day’s long task is ended, And quiet time is here. I fold my hands and listen, For I think my Christ may come, And I want Him now at twilight, When my day’s long task is done. So I’m watching and I’m waiting, Each moment in the day, For it may be noon or evening When He calleth tne away. And it makes the day go faster, And the trials easier borne, When I’m thinking every minute, “ Today, the Lord may come.” — S elected . II. T ill H e C ome “Till he come,” oh, let the words Linger on the trembling chords; Let the little while between In their golden light be seen; Let us think how heaven and home Lie beyond that “till he come.” ■—B ickersteth . Discussion Material I. A t T wilight
NOVEMBER 13, 1932 GOOD AND EVIL IN NEWSPAPERS A cts 8 :30; P hilippians 4 :8 Suggestions for the Meeting
Hymn— “ O Zion Haste.” Hymn— "Praise Him, Praise Him.” Scripture—Read Responsively. Prayer. i, Special ftiusic—“ Give o f Your Best.” Leader’s Message. Round Table Discussion o n : What constitutes news? What good do newspapers do ?
How much o f crime should news papers report?
Quiet Hour. Benediction— Psalm 19:14.
In Acts 8 :30, we see the eunuch reading from the Old Testament in the book of Isaiah. Not being a Jew, he could not un derstand, but he was seeking light. As in the case o f Cornelius, God. was near one who would draw near to Him. So He had Philip, the deacon-evangelist, ready to run to the chariot o f the eunuch. Philip’s first question was, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” Philip, by God’s grace, was able to open up the holy Scriptures and preach Jesus unto him. What a privilege! What an incentive to every Christian En- deavorer who has taken the pledge that he will strive to do whatever He would have me do,” to be so familiar with God’s pro gram and purpose that he, too, can open up the Scriptures to those in doubt! Also what a good example the eunuch set for all of u s; he was reading the Bible! The topic for today is “ Newspapers” ; but strange to say, the Bible- reference is on reading the Bible—how significant! O f course, newspapers have their place in this world, and a large and important and use ful place it is, but when they crowd out Cod s Word, they are a menace to the Christian instead of a help. In our next Scripture, Philippians 4 :8 we see the Apostle Paul, now an old map’ with body broken, in prison in Rome, await ing trial—yet rejoicing in the Lord and admonishing us to concentrate on the love ly, the pure, and the true. The. expression “whatsoever things are true involves not “merely accurate things, but accurate things which unveil the face Ot Hod. The phrase “whatsoever things things are just” brings one face to face with the fact that to be really just is to be right with God. The classification “ whatsoever things are lovely ’ applies to some o f the rich est o f life s experiences. For instance, Dr. Matheson tells o f a young woman who came to him in great distress over her fail ure to fulfill the religious duties of life. He was aware that, at this very time, she was living a life o f sacrificial devotion to a blind father. I asked, he relates, “ if this service of
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