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MAY 1943
INTERNATIONAL LESSON Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Children s Division Object Lesson Golden Text Illustration By B. B. S u tc l if f e By G r e tc h e n S ibley By M ildred M . C ook By E lm er L. W ilder By A l a n S. P earce . Points and Problems By 'H omer A . K ent , Professor at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind. y
pected. God allows the trial in order to test, try,, or prove His child to whom it comes. The instructed Christian will meet with a spirit of rejoicing whatever . trial comes. It brings him into fellow ship with the sufferings of Christ, and assures him of b e i n g partaker in Christ’s glory when He comes (v. 13, R.V.). In'. the world, Christians have tribulation; but when the Lord comes, they .will, enter'into their joy (cf. John 16:33; 14:1-3). This teaching is folly to one who lives for time and sense alone, but the Christian lives by faith, looking beyond all present experiences to the ultimate goal ahead. The Christian is assured that the Spirit of glory and of God -rests upon him in his trial when the name of Christ is *involved. Hence the Chris tian should not be surprised (v. 12), nor disheartened (y. 13), nor asháméd (v. 16). However, Peter writes a warn ing that no Christian is to suffer as a busybody, such as Miriam, but aS a true Christian, such as Stephen, Who would not exchange places now with Stephen? (cf. Num. 12; Acts 7). III. . C onfidence un d e r A t t a c k :; (1 Pet. 5:6-10) Confidence comes through humility; God gives grace to the humble. .While walking in humility, there may be always relief from burdens—the bur dens of trial and attack from Satan. The relief comes by one’s casting of all burdens upon the Lord, knowing “he eareth fDr you” (v. 7). Care or overanxiety shows that the person is actually saying there is no God, or if there is, He is not interested, or He is powerless to help. These attitudes are enemies of humility. \ Added to the humility there will be soberness or self-restraint, and vigi lance pr watchfulness: the former against self, the latter against the devil. These are needed because of the activity of the devil, always seek ing to destroy. The adversary is to be resisted by steadfastness in faith, and by the knowledge that all the members of the Body of Christ en dure his attacks and may be victori ous over them. Confidence increases as the -Chris- . tian remembers that, for him, suffer ing and trial are only temporary. In
'¿t JUNE 6,1943 PETER COMFORTS PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1 P eter 3:13-17; 4:12-16; 5:6-10
“all things work together” for his good (cf. Rom. 8:28). The Scriptures abound with examples of this truth as it appeared in such individuals as Mephibosheth, Daniel, Caleb, John the Baptist, etc. (cf. 2 Sam. 4:4; 9:6-13; 16:1-4; 19:27-30; Dan. 6; Num. 14:1-10, 24; Mk. 6:14-34). The thought here is: have confidence in God; regardless of what present experience may be; do not lose your poise, even und.er un just treatment; consider the end of following in—or being zealous ok— the way of Christ. Christ, as Lord, is to be sanctified in the heart (v. 15). He is to be con sidered in each experience: how does this experience affect Him? And what is His word of command concerning it? By thus recognizing the sover eignty of Christ, the believer will have the proper answer “to every man that asketh” concerning the hope that is Within him. He will also obtain there by the proper meekness and fear in which to give that .answer. The meek ness will come from knowing that even the sense of confidence must come, from Him. And the fear (or reverential trust) will result from the believer’s remembering that God is almighty and supreme over all things. In the midst of false accusations, confidence will be maintained by a good conscience (vs. 16, 17). Freedom from inward condemnation will bring a confidence that puts to silence those who falsely accuse one of evil doing. And, finally, the Christian will re member the -suffering comes, by the permissive will of God. / II. . C on fiden ce un d e r T r ia l (1 Pet. 4:12-16) All iSiristians are subject to trial (V. 12), The word here means pain ,-and other distress. But it is, for the Christian, nothing strange or unex- [Lesson material is based on outlines of International Sunday School Lessons copyrighted by the International Coun cil of Religious , Education and is used by its permission. Scripture portions quoted are from the King James Ver sion unless otherwise stated .]
1 Peter 3:13 And who Is he that will harm you, If ye be followers of that which Is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubjed; 15 But sanctify the Lord God In your hearts: and be ready always to give an an swer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that Is In you, with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, where as they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation In Christ, 17 For it is better, if the will of.God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evildoing. 4:12 Beloved, think It not strange con cerning the fiery trial which Is to try you, as though.some strange thing happened un- to you: 13 But rejoice, Inasmuch as ye are par takers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he Is evil spoken of, but on your part he Is glorified. ‘ 15 But let none of you suffer as a mur derer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody In other, men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 6:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he eareth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your ad versary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are ac complished in your brethren that are In the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by. Christ Jesus, after that ye have-suffered a while, make you: perfect, stablish, strengthen, set tle you. GOLDEN TEXT: “ For It is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evildoing’’ (1 Pet. 3:17). DEVOTIONAL READING: Heb. 11:32 to 12 : 2 . :Outline and Exposition I. C onfidence un d e r I n ju st ic e (1 Pet. 3:13-17) F REEDOM from fe^r is one of the 13, R.V.). And even if suffering for - n , righteousness’ sake shall be his lot, even then he can rejoice, knowing
Christian’s privileges (vs. 13,14). None can harm him when he is “zealous of that which is good” (v.
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