loved these Christians whom he had never seen; he wrote to tell them more about God’s love in sending the Lord Jesus to die for them. Paul thanked God that those in other lands had heard of the Roman Chris tians’ love for their Lord. He prayed that the Lord would allow him to visit the Christians in Rome some day. How eager he was to tell them more about his wonderful Saviour! It was in this letter that Paul wrote one of his greatest verses: “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto sal vation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (1:16). Can you, a Christian boy or girl, truly say that you are not ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you afraid to bow your head before you eat your lunch at school, for fear someone may laugh at you? Are you afraid to talk with your friends about their need of the Saviour for fear they will think that you are “ queer” ? Pray that God will give to you the courage to say with Paul, “ I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” ! July 12, 1953 Christian Behavior Rom. 12:1, 2, 9-21 Pointers on the Lesson The lesson this week brings us to the practical section of Romans. In the foregoing chapters of his letter, Paul has been dealing with doctrinal matters. He first lays a foundation, then deals with the superstructure. It is first doctrine, then duty. First the root, sifter that the fruit. It is to be noted that Paul follows this plan elsewhere in his writings, for ex ample, in his letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians. The first half of these two books is taken up with Christian principles. In the second half in each case he sets forth what ought to be the practice of the saved individual. Thus, beginning with chapter 12 of Romans, we have the Apostle teaching us how a saved man ought to walk in the world. The Believer's Walk in Relation to God w. 1,2 It should be a walk of yieldedness. The word translated present in this passage is rendered yield in 6:13, 16, 19. This yieldedness, or the presenta tion of the believer’s life to God, is on the basis of “ the mercies of God” . These mercies have been described in the foregoing chapters where the marvelous plan of God’s redeeming grace has been carefully unfolded. CON TINUED ►
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON HELPS Homer A. Kent, Th.D. • Allison Arrowood (children) Lesson material is based upon outlines of the International Sunday School Lessons copyrighted by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
is what made him the great mission ary he was. He could not be satisfied to enjoy his spiritual blessings alone. Sixth, “ I am ready”— (v. 15). He was a man of dedication. He was willing to do what God wanted him to do. Seventh, “ I am not ashamed” — (v. 16). He thus expressed his pride in the gospel. Pride is alright if its object is right. It was in this case. It is always seemly for a Christian to boast in the gospel. How much like the Pauline portrait are you? The Hopelessness of the Sinner 2 : 1,2 It is no use for anyone to condemn others because there are no exceptions in the matter of sinning. A ll are guilty. If one condemns another, be he Gentile or Jew, he in reality con demns himself because he is in the same condition. (See 3:10, 11, 23.) Every man needs to recognize the truth of God with respect to the nature of the natural heart and look to the Saviour for salvation. The Way of Salvation 3:21,22a God saves sinners by imputing His own righteousness to them. The sin ner receives this righteousness by faith. It really amounts to this: when a person believes in Christ, He applies the benefits of His redemptive work to the believer’s heart, gives him a divine nature, and sets his feet in the pathway that leads to heaven. It is all of grace apart from the works of the law. (Compare 2 Cor. 5:21 and 1 Cor. 1:30.) Helps for the Children God's Love for People Everywhere Romans 1:1-16 Memory Verse: "Th e Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works" (Psa. 145:9). Paul, the great missionary, traveled to many cities to tell the people of the Lord Jesus Christ. After he had left these cities, Paul sometimes wrote letters to the churches which he had founded. In these letters he answered the questions which the new Christians had concerning their new life. He reminded them of his prayers for them and sent greetings to those who were his special friends. The book of Romans in our New Testament is one of Paul’s letters which was written to a church that Paul had never visited. Paul dearly
July 5, 1953 God's Righteousness Revealed Rom. 1:8-17; 2 :1 ,2 ; 3:21,22a Pointers on the Lesson
Our studies this quarter will con tinue with a consideration of parts of other epistles of the Apostle Paul. These lessons will be taken from Romans, Colossians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. The series begins with two lessons from Romans, the first of which we have today. Romans has often been called the greatest letter ever written. Luther called it “ the chief book of the New Testament and the perfect gospel.” The church father, Chrysos tom, had it read to him once a week. Dr. W. H. Griffith Thomas said, “ A thorough study of Romans is a theological education in itself’. Let us try to attain at least a portion of this education as we look into the letter these two weeks! The theme of the letter is the gos pel of God or the gospel of Christ (1:1, 16). It shows how God can take sinful men and cleanse them and make them fit for His service. This is accomplished through “ the right eousness of God” (key phrase, 1:17), which He puts to the credit of the guilty sinner. The Revelation of a Saint 1:8-17 In this section Paul makes a series of assertions about himself which provide an excellent portrait of the Apostle and 6f any true saint of God. First, “ I thank my God”— (v. 8). He shows himself to be a man of gratitude. This note should never be absent from the believer’s life. Sec ond, “ I serve with my spirit”— (v. 9). Here he shows himself a man of diligence. He served zealously with his whole heart. Third, “ I make men tion of you always in my prayers”— (v.9f). He is a man of prayer. Here his prayer is definite. He asks for a specific thing. His praying is also in submission to the will of God. Fourth, “ I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift”— (w . 10,11). He shows himself one who delights in the fellowship of the saints. Christians are bound together by the tie of Christ’s blood. Fifth, “ I am debtor”— (v. 14). Paul was pos sessed with a sense of obligation. This
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