some; and (8) it gave standing to those who received it. In verse 2, a fourth thing is mentioned, namely, that those who had truly embraced the gospel were saved. That is the real purpose of the gospel, to save completely. It is only the gospel that can save men from sin’s guilt and power and ultimate presence. One ought to ponder long and carefully the content of that word “ saved.” Paul had received (v. 3) that gospel in his own heart and since that day never ceased to be thrilled at the wonder of his salvation. He was proud of a gospel which could accomplish such a marvelous thing (Rom. 1:16, 17). He speaks of it as “ the glorious gospel” (2 Cor. 4:4). That which made the gospel such a liv ing, powerful factor in human life was the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This is what differentiates the gospel of Christ from anything else that goes by the name of gospel. It preaches a Saviour who rose from the dead and who is able to thus raise from the dead every other individual in the world. Verses five through eight present in disputable witnesses to the great Easter fact. This thing was not done in a corner. The Guarantee of the Easter Fact vv. 20, 21 What does the resurrection of Christ mean? Just this: that in due time there will be a resurrection of all those who have gone down into their graves (Cf. John 5:28, 29). First will come the res urrection of those who belong to Christ. Later on the unsaved will be raised to experience their final condemnation (15:23). There will be order in the res urrection of men—“every man in his own order.” Did you ever observe how fruit ripens on a tree? Usually the fruit in the tiptop of the tree ripens first because it is nearer the sun. Then a little later the fruit in the lower branches ripens and takes on color until finally the fruit in the very lowest branches has felt the in fluence of the sun and ripens. Christ is like that first fruit in the top of the tree. Because He “ ripens” or rises from the dead that guarantees the resurrection of all others in the proper time and order. The Power of the Easter Fact vv. 57, 58 Christ’s victory means victory for all who die in Christ (57) and provides as surance for all of us who live now that they who live for God do not live in vain (58). Helps ior the Children “He Is Risen” 1 Cor. 15; Luke 24:1-12 Memory Verse: “ Lo, I am with you alway” (Matt. 28:20). God’s Son was dead! Lovingly some of His friends prepared spices with which to anoint His body as it lay in the tomb. When the women brought the spices to His tomb early in the morning upon the M A R C H , I 9 5 0
first day of the week, they found the stone with which the grave had been, sealed rolled away. The women entered the tomb but did not find the Saviour’s body there. Suddenly two men in shin ing garments stood by them. To the frightened women the men said, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” They remem bered that the Saviour had promised to rise on the third day. The eleven dis ciples refused to believe the women’s story. Peter ran to the tomb to see if the body of his Lord was truly gone. Does it matter whether or not the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead? Paul tells us that several things which we be lieve cannot be true if God’s Son is still dead. Preaching and the Christian’s faith are in vain if the Lord Jesus is not alive. The apostles who preached the resurrec tion are liars, no one is saved, and the dead are eternally lost if God’s Son is still dead. God’s Son is alive! He is risen! To each of His children the living Saviour gives the promise, “ Lo, I am with you alway.” Amos is sometimes called a minor prophet. But his message is not minor. He •spoke for God and when a man speaks for God his message is always important. Amos was sent by God to the northern kingdom to denounce the sins of that kingdom. He shows how God will surely bring every nation into judgment for its attitude towards Him and its treatment of humanity. In the chapters preceding today’s lesson we have some mighty speeches which were delivered to the assembled multitudes of Israel at some festival. Beginning with chapter 7 he recounts a series of five visions, which it was granted him to see: the plague of locusts, the consuming fire, the plumb line, the basket of summer fruit, and the vision of Jehovah Himself.. Each vision has a particular message. Two of them are considered in our lesson today. The Message of the Plumb Line Amos 7:7-9 Amos sees the Lord with a plumb line in His hand. A plumb line is a cord or line having a weight at one end. It is used by stonemasons to determine the verticality of a wall. It shows whether or not the structure is straight. So God says that there will be a plumb line in Israel to show the crookedness of that nation. Through their neglect of God and their idolatrous practices their national wall was leaning toward certain destruc tion. It is a very sad picture presented here. Israel had turned so far away from God that it seems useless for the prophet to pray for them any longer. God’s fiery judgment would soon be the plumb line indicating how far the nation had gone in their sin. April 16, 1950 AMOS SPEAKS FOR GOD Amos 7:7-15; 8:1-3
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