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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
August, 1933
Ten Two-Minute Talks by Previously Appointed Members, Giving Reasons for Failure. Hymn—“ Onward, Christian Soldiers.” Leader’s Talk. Quiet Hour. Closing Hymn—“Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow.” Benediction—Psalm 1 in Concert. If possible, secure an outstanding speaker who can speak with authority on conditions in our country, concerning the prohibition situation. Our young folk need to be instructed in regard to the law and law enforcement, that they may be able to vote intelligently and also be better citizens. If it is impos sible to secure a speaker, have a program on temperance. After all, the real thing that hinders the success of prohibition is the fact that too many citizens prefer the gratification of their appetites to the good of the country. Selfishness is the root of it, and selfishness is sin. Leader’s Helps I. T he B ible T eaching on P rohibition The teaching of God’s Word concerning the use of any kind of intoxicating liquor is definite and decisive. From the sad story of Noah’s fall clear through the Bible to Revelation, where God expressly declares that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth” (Rev.'21:27), the Word of God stands on record against intemperance. In Ephesians, we are exhorted to “be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess,” but to “be filled with the Spirit.” The priests were forbidden to touch wine or strong drink (Lev. 10:9). A bishop, a leader o f the people, must not be “given to wine or strong drink” (1 Tim. 3:3 ). Those who would live near to God must not touch the intoxicating cup. H. S entence S ermons Drink is death’s prime minister. —A ddison . People dread cholera, but brandy is a far worse plague.if|BALZAc. Every moderate drinker could abandon the intoxicating cup, if he would; every inebriate would, if he could. —J ohn B. G ough . If the state does not control the liquor traffic, the liquor traffic will soon control the state.— L ord R oseberry . “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). “Every man that striveth for the mas tery is temperate in all things” (1 Cor. 9:25). SEPTEMBER 24, 1933 H O W M A Y W E KNOW WHEN W E R E A L L Y A R E CHRISTIANS? 1 J ohn 2:3-6; 3:13-24 Suggestions for the Meeting Hymn—“ How Firm a Foundation.” Hymn—“ ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Scripture Verses from M em ory on Salvation. Prayer. Hymn—“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.” Vocal Solo—“ I Am Saved from Sin.” Leader’s Talk. Testimonies. Hymn—“Blessed Assurance.” Quiet Hour. Benediction—Jude 24.
Meditation on the Lesson The Scriptures do not leave us in doubt as to our eternal salvation. Over and over they give us promises o f assurance so that we may have the confidence of perfect peace. In our passage for today, the as surance of knowledge is asserted repeat edly. Note the facts: “We do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” “We know that we are o f the truth.” “And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” In order to answer the question which forms our topic, “How May We Know When We Really Are Christians?” let us consider some of the conditions here laid down. The first one is keeping His command ments : “We do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). To know Christ is life eternal. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee . . . and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”. (John 17:3). How important it is then that we know Him and know that we know Him! We are reminded also of the blessed words of Jesus as He spoke to His disciples on that last night before His betrayal : “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” The second condition for perfect assur ance is love for the brethren : “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3: 14). How marvelously connected these two conditions are ! They dovetail into one an other perfectly. We have just read that Jesus gave as His commandment that we love the brethren and, if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. There fore the logical conclusion is that, if we love the brethren, we shall know we are His. In the third place, we have assurance because of the knowledge o f the abiding Spirit: “And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:24). Perhaps this is the most assuring of the three, for as it is by the work of the Holy Spirit that we are regenerated and baptized into the body o f Christ, it is therefore the logical blessed work o f the Holy Spirit to testify to the believer’s heart o f the finished work of Christ. Romans 8:16 says: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children o f God.” Could we need further proof? “ God said it; Love on our part is the evidence of our justification and regeneration; not the cause o f them. Let each go to his own heart ; if he find there love to the brethren, let him feel assured that he has passed from death unto life. Let him not mind that his glory is only hidden; when the Lord shall come, then shall he appear in glory. For he has vital energy, but it is still wintertime ; the root has vigor, but the branches are as it were dry; within there is marrow which is vigorous, within are leaves, within fruits, but they must wait for summer. —A ugustine . II. T he B eliever ’ s A ssurance The believer’s assurance rests upon a be lieving knowledge o f : Christ did it; I believe it ; That settles it.” Leader’s Helps I. T he I nner E vidence
1. The completeness of the atonement (John 19:30; 17:14; Heb. 1:3; 10:12; 1 Pet. 2:24). 2. The promises (John 10:28; 3 :16; 2 Tim. 1:12; Phil. 1:6). 3. The intercessory work of Christ (John 17:11; Heb. 7 :25; 2:18; 1 John 2 :1). 4. God’s own nature received by new birth (John 1:12, 13; 14:19; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:23; Col. 3 :4; Gal. 2:20). —S cofield . III. T he S ame K ind of L ove The first thing that the Spirit o f God does when He begins to deal with persons after they are willing to turn from their sins is to shed abroad the love of God in their hearts. You will find that it will be the same kind of love in all. I remember in ’67 going to London almost a stranger. I found the Christians there had the same kind o f spirit and the same kind of love as in New York or Chicago. If I should go to China, or Africa, or the islands of the sea, I should find that every one born o f the Spirit would Have the same spirit o f love. In the early church, nothing aston ished the pagans so much as the life o f love lived by the Christians. “ Behold how they love one another,” they said. “They love each other without knowing each other.” If you have not that spirit o f love, you have not really the Christ of the Bible in your heart, because God is love, and when we are born o f God we get God’s Spirit. When we have that Spirit, it will be natural for us to love, just as it is the nature of the dove to be gentle. “If any man have not the Spirit o f Christ, he is none of his.”— M oody . IV. A C onversation with D. L. M oody I asked a man one day: “ To what part of the body o f Christ do you belong?” He said: “I don’t know.” “Well,” said I, “do you belong to the eye in His mystical body?” “ No,” said he, “ I don’t weep enough.” “Do you belong to His heart?” “ No,” said he, “I don’t love enough.” “Do you belong to His hand?” “No, sir, I don’t do enough.” I said: “Man alive, if you are a Christian, you are in some part o f the body of Christ. Where are you ?’’•:..4 “Well,” he said, “ I may be in His feet.” “Well, if you are in His feet, that will serve my purpose, for it is written, He will put all enemies under His feet.” And so it is proved beyond doubt and forever more that the man who has.got Christ in him is devil-proof. The devil cannot touch him if he abides in Christ. —M oody . A Pedlar’s Prayer The Duchess o f Gordon and a compan ion were visiting at a cottage in Scotland, when a pedlar came in, threw down his pack, and asked for a drink of water. The woman o f the house handed the water to him, and said, “Do you know anything of the water o f life?” “By the grace o f God, I do,” he said. He drank the water, and then said, “ Let us pray.” And this was his prayer: “ O Lord, give us grace to feel our need of grace; give us grace to receive grace; give us grace to ask for grace. O Lord, give us grace to use grace when grace is given.” He then took up his pack and went away, having preached a powerful sermon in those few words.—M. J.
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