February 1926
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
82
Pointers for Preachers and Teachers ( H o m i l e t i c a l H e l p s )
THE BELIEVER’S INTERESTS IN • CHRIST As Set Forth in 2 Timothy 1. Life in'Christ Jesus (1 :1 ), power of His life. . „ . 2. God’s calling, etc., in Christ Jesus (1 :9 ), Power of His calling. 3. Faith and love in Christ Jesqs (1 :13 ), Power of faith and love. 4. Grace in Christ J e s u s (2 :1 ), Power of His grace. 6. Salvation in Christ Jesus (2 :10 ), Power of His coming. 6. Live godly in Christ Jesus (3: 12), Power of the world. 7. Faith in Christ Jesus (3 :15 ), Power of the Word. — F. E. M. "ACCORDING TO HIS CONSCIENCES" ^ One of the witnesses before the grand jury appointed to inquire into a case of alleged bribery in a local elec tion stated that he had received $25.00 to vote Republican, and on cross-exam ination it was elicited that also he had received $25.00 to vote Democrat. The jury foreman, in amazement, repeated: “ You say you received $25.00 to vote Republican?” “ Yes sir.” “ And you also received $25.00 to vote Democrat?" “ Yes sir.” "And for whom did you vote at the finish?” The witness with injured dignity in every line of his face, answered >with great earnestness: “ I voted according to my con science!” The moral question which is aroused by the above incident, is, had the man any conscience at all? It rather re minds me of what I heard Spurgeon say once: “ Some men are all things to all men to save a sum!” What kind of a conscience have we? JACOB had an elastic conscience and stole his brother’s birthright and blessing (Gen. 27:36). PILATE had a weak conscience and gave Christ to His murderers (Matt- 27:19-25). JUDAS had a seared conscience and sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16). JONAH had a sleepy conscience and had to be awakened to his disobed ience by the mariners (Jonah 1 :6 ). BALAAM had an accommodating conscience and compromised with the commands of Jehovah (2 Pet. 2:15). GEHAZI had a scheming conscience and tried to please his master and get what he could out of Naaman as well (2 Kings 5:20-27). SIMON MAGUS had a covetous con science and thought the power of God could be bought for money for his own advantage (Acts 8:18-24). — F. E. Marsh. ©
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Some notable examples of
CHRIST IN 1 PETER Resurrection of Christ our Hope (1 :3 ). Appearing of Christ our Reward (1 :7 ). Suffering of Christ our Glory (1: 11 ) . Blood of Christ our Redemption (1 :19 ). Sacrifice of Christ our Acceptance ( 2 : 6 ) . Footsteps of Christ our Example ( 2 : 21 ). Death and Resurrection of Christ our Pledge (3:18, 22). Suffering of Christ our Joy (4:12, 13). . . Eternal Glory of Christ our Call (5: 1 0 ) . Preachers’ Magazine. OLD TESTAMENT BEATITUDES ( 1) "Blessed are they that dwell in thy house,” or, The Blessing of Wor ship (Psa. 84:4). (2) “ Blessed are they that keep his testimonies," or. The Blessing of Obe dience (^sa. 119:2). ( 3) “ Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters,” or The Blessing of Gener ous Faith (Isa. 32:20), (4) “ Blessed is he whose transgres sion is forgiven," or, The Blessing of Pardon, (Psa. 32:1). (5) “ Blessed is he whose strength is in thee,” or, The Blessing of De pendence (Psa. 84:5). (6) “ Blessed.are all they that wait for him,-” or, The Blessing of Patience (Isa. 30:18). (7) “ Blessed is the man whom thou chaBteneth,” or. The Blessing of Trials (Psa. 94:12). — Selected. PRAYER AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (1) To whom should prayer be of fered? (Matt. 6:9; Eph. 3:14, 15). ( 2 ) How does God feel toward His children when they address Him in prayer? (Luke 11:5-13). ( 3 ) What is the simplest definition of prayer? (Phil. 4 :6 ). ( 4) What other elements are there in prayer beside petition? a. Adoration (2 Cor. 1 :3 ). b. Confession (Psa. 51:1-4). c. Thanksgiving .(Col. 1:12; 2:7; 4 :2 ). (5) Should we have regular seasons for Prayer? (Psa. 55:17; Dan. 6:10). (6) How can we hope to pray with out ceasing? (Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 6: 17). (7) What are the benefits of secret prayer? (Matt. 6:6). (8) What encouragement do we have to pray for others? ( Jas. 5:16; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; Eph. 6:18). (9) What are some of the thing! that hinder the answer to our prayers? a. Sin £Psa. 66:18). b. Selfishness (Jas. 4:8). c. Unbelief (Mark 11:24-26).
prayer:
a. Jesus (Luke 3:21; 5:15, 16; 9:18, 28; 11:1; 22:31; 22: 32, 41-45). b. Elijah (Jas. 5:17, 18). c. Nehemiah (Neh. 1:14; 2:4 ). — Preachers’ Magazine- LESSONS FROM LITTLE THINGS Suggestion: Assign the following references to different people, and call for more examples of the significance' of “ little things.” (1 ) A Helm (Jas. 3 :4 ). (2) A Little Fire (Jas. 3 :5 ). (3) The Tongue (Jas. 3 :5 ). (4) The Ant (Prov. 6 :6 ). (5) A Pin (Ex. 35:18); (6) A Lie (Acts 6 :4 ). (7) A Doubt (Mark .11:23). (8) A Little Faith (Matt. 17:20). (9) A Little Kindness (Acts 28:2). (10) A Little Disobedience (Gen. 3*0) (11) A Little Cloud (1 Ki. 18:44). . (12) A Little Time (Jas. 4 :14 ). (13) A Little Strength (Rev. 3:8)- — Selected. TEMPTATIONS AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE We cannot escape temptation: 1. The angels in heaven (2 Pet. 2: 4).» 1 2. Eve in Paradise (2 Cor. 11:3). 3. Jesus in the wilderness (Mark 1: 12,13). The real author of temptation (Job 1:6-12; John 13:2^ 1 Pet. 5 :8 )... Some of the ways in which men are tempted: r. By their lpsts (Jas. 1:13-15). 2. By the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:17-21)'. g. Cares of riches (Mark 4:19). 4. Love of money (1 Tim. 6:9, 10). 5. Poverty (Prov- 30:8, 9). Encouragement to overcome tempta tion : ' 1. Never tempted beyond o u r strength (2 Cor. 10:13). 2. Jesus is a living and loving Helper (Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15, 16),. 3. God can keep us from falling (Psa. 27:23, 24; Jude 24). 4. Jesus prays for us (Luke 22:31, 32; Heb. 7:26). How to overcome temptation: 1. Watch and pray (M a t t -26:41; 6:13). 2. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14). 3. Resist the devil (Jas. 4 :7 ). 4. Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17).1, ’■ 5. Not consenting (Prov. 1:10). What can we learn from - Jesus’ temptation? (Luke 4:1-13). Promises’ to those who overcome (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 27; 3:6, .15, 21. — Selected.
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