Those who have received the gospel of God are made responsible to take it to others who do not have it. In times of famine and poverty those who have plenty of bread have a moral respon sibility to share with those who have none. So it is with the gospel. We are debtors to a world lost in sin and spirit ually hungry to give it the gospel. Paul felt this way about it and»so should every child of God. Carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth is a sacred trust that none of us dare evade. Preaching the Gospel Acts 8:4-8 Who preached the gospel in this in stance? Those who were scattered abroad (v. 4) and in v. 1 we read that this included every one except the apostles. For some reason the Lord kept the apos tles at Jerusalem while the laymen were scattered abroad through persecution and they preached the word everywhere they went. This emphasizes the fact that preaching or telling forth the message of the gospel is not to be limited only to the preachers. Everyone has a respon sibility. Then, too, Philip, the deacon, was faithful in preaching the gospel (v. 5). Compare Acts 6:8. It is a great thing when the deacons in the church are concerned with soul-winning as well as in serving tables (Acts 6:2). The re sults of Philip’s ministry were remark able. God had prepared the way before him. Heavenly manifestations resulted (w . 6-8). Accomplishments of the Gospel 2 Cor. 5:17-20 What does the gospel accomplish in men’s lives? First, it brings to those who receive it new life, the new birth (v. 17). Only upon the basis of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ can the holy God so deal with sinners as to make them new creatures. Com pare 1 Cor. 15: 1-4. Second, reconcilia tion is accomplished through the minis try of the gospel. Through Christ’s death and the price thus paid for man’s re demption, God is now reconciled to a sinful world. God is not angry with men. He longs to be their Saviour and does become the Saviour of everyone who will be reconciled to God. God is already reconciled to men by the gospel (v. 19). It is now the privilege of man to be reconciled to God. To this end every believer is commissioned to bear the word of reconciliation (v. 19) to lost men, to be an ambassador, beseeching them to assume the right attitude toward God (v. 20). Persistence in the Gospel Phil. 1:12-18 How diligent should the servants of the Lord be in preaching the gospel? We have a splendid answer in the example of the Apostle Paul. While in the Roman prison, he continued to preach. He might have become discouraged, bemoaned his fate, and sat down to await the end of his earthly sojourn. But this was Hot
his attitude. He rejoiced in the oppor tunity of witnessing for Christ even in prison. The effects reached unto the palace (v. 13). It is evident that through his faithfulness while in bonds many found Christ as Saviour even among the guards and servants of Rome (4:22). Moreover, Paul’s zeal acted as an en couragement to other followers of Christ to be more bold in the declaration of the truth (v. 14). May his example stir each one of us to renewed energy in the proclamation of the gospel! Memory Verse: “ Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (Psa. 67:3,4). As the number of Christians grew, the apostles were unable to properly care for the poor, the sick, and other needy Chris tians in addition to teaching and preach ing as their Lord had commanded them. The Christians were asked to choose seven men who were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to take charge of part of the work in the church. Prayerfully the seven were chosen and set aside for the service of their Lord. Among the seven was a man named Philip. When the Christians were scat tered to various cities and countries by the persecutions of those who did not love God, Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. The Hely Spirit gave to Philip the power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal many who were sick. “And there was great joy in that city.” Wherever the gospel message goes there is always great joy. In lands where the Saviour is not known the women are ill-treated, there are no hospitals, schools, churches, and boys and girls live in fear and unhappiness. You will re member that the angel who announced the birth of the Lord Jesus said, “ I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Is your home a happy home? Is your life full of joy? Only knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and as the Lord of your life can bring true joy into your life and into your home. Helps for the Children Joy in a Great City Acts 8:1-3
WESTERN BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE 528 33rd St. OAKLAND 9, CALIF. H. O . Van Gilder,, D.D., President Three-year intensive Bible Course in Mis sions, Pastoral, Chr. Ed., Music. Approved for veterans. Write for Catalog.
The strongest, handiest fold ing table made. For banquet, church and school use. Write for descriptive folder.
M IT C H E L L M FG . C O M P A N Y 2748 S. 34th St., Milwaukee 7, Wis.
Hear Favorite Hymns of Famous People
COAST TO COAST •EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON Presented by ( 5:45 PM over moststations ) CLUB ALUMINUM PRODUCTS CO .-Chicago 14, Illinois
Have Your Eyes Examined Now! DR. W. LA VERN SALTER DR. JOHN WM. SALTER Optometrists 226 Story Bldg., 610 So. Broadway Los Angeles 14, Calif. TUcker 4855 Serving Bible Institute students and instructors since 1926 Favorite Recipes M m
CHOICE, delightful •selection of recipes fo r u n u su a l m o u th - . watering dishesand heart- . w arm ing devotional ma terial. Plus suggested i menus for groups large I and small. Spiral Bindings large dear type. Available at dll religious book stores ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE B R A N D R A P I D B 2 , M I C H . favorite (Recipe*
Dec. 17, 1950 V I C T O R I O U S I N D A I L Y L I V I N G
From WIVES of . . . GREAT PREACHERS With Devotional Gems For Homemakers USED BOOKS SELECTED LOTS— GOOD CONDITION — POSTPAID 20 Religious books, all different All cloth-bound, $5.00 50 Religious books, all different A ll cloth-bound, $15.00 100 Religious books, all different % All cloth-bound, $35.00 STILSON BROS. BOOK EXCHANGE Dept. K, 1053 North California Ave., Chicago 22 Highest prices paid for good used books.
2 Cor. 11:18-30; 12:8-10 Pointers on the Lesson
Victorious living is not dependent upon outward circumstances. This is abun dantly proved by the experience of the Apostle Paul. Surely the outward cir cumstances of his life were not conducive to happy, victorious living. He was con stantly faced with trouble, persecution, affliction, and yet his life was a constant testimony to the victory there is in Christ
N O V E M B E R , I 9 6 0
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker