T h e : K i x g I s B ir'siN e s s
A p r il1930
213
ENotes on Ghristian Endeavor
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By Alan S. Pearce
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prayer, special talks, recitations, and tes timonies. Also, some older Endeavorer may be invited to give “memories” of the society in earlier days. In every way try to avoid the “after-Easter slump.” * * * T rea tm en t of t h e T opic In the majority of cases where this question is asked, the answer would un doubtedly be, “The most useful life is a life spent in the interests of our fellow men.” In deciding upon the profession in which such an aspiration •could best be realized, possibly the one that comes first to mind is that of a physician, one who is constantly engaged in alleviating the physical sufferings of mankind. And in deed, that would be a useful life. But in the consideration of this subject we desire if possible to discover what is the most useful life one can live. Someone might say, “A life lived in the interests of sci ence is indeed a useful life.” Yes, scien tific research has meant much to the com forts and enjoyments of life. But again we ask the question, “Is it the most use ful life?” A third person who is certain that he has discovered the most useful life says, “Surely the life of the preacher of the Gospel is the most useful life one can live while here upon earth.” William Penn wrote: “The truest end of life is to know the life that never ends.” It cer tainly seems, then, that in the life of the preacher who is engaged in telling others how they may become heirs to eternal life we have found the most useful life. Let us find in the Scripture assigned for this lesson God’s estimate of a useful life. It is given in three words—“APPROVED UNTO GOD.” Herein lies the secret of living the most useful life, no matter in what profession or occupation we may be found. The most perfect and useful life lived upon earth was that of Jesus Christ. He it was who said: “I came not to do mine own will, but the will of him who sent me.” Surely, then, as followers of Him, no matter what our labor may be we are liv ing the most useful life in the sight of God when we are living in the center of God’s will. Many are the promises of His Word given to help us live this life. Let us by His grace lay hold upon them and live that life. * * * S ide -L ig h t s I pray that I may not be cast aside— A broken, useless thing— Unnoticed by the busy throng, to wait Release that death alone can bring. But rather let me labor, love, and serve, Until some calm and starry night, When, tired with honest toil, I lay me down To wake in heaven’s morning bright. —Grace H. Poffenberger.
fellowship by yielding to temptation in the Garden of Eden, and suffered the penalty of sin, which is death (Gen. 2: 17; Ezek. 18:20). This punishment fell upon the human race, “for all have sinned.” Praise God for the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son (Rom. 5:12-21)1 * * * S ide -L ig h t s Lift up your heads, ye sorrowing ones, And be ye glad of heart; For Calvary and Easter Day, Earth’s saddest day and gladdest day, Were just one day apart. What if we knew the flower-language, and we should hear the tender violets, and white-rimmed daisies, and golden buttercups whisper, “The sun has gone far down to the south, and has forgot ten us” ? If the sun heard them thus giv ing expression to their hearts, would he not say to them, “I am but for a time gone south; I will come to you again, and I will find you out, and every one of you shall come forth; for while I live ye shall live also” ? The seasons’ pledge to all things that grow is not half so broad and certain as is the pledge of God that those who are His shall be led by His power unto eternal salvation. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof of immortal life beyond the grave, that death does not end all, but the soul lives after the body dies. A fox once came upon a cave, into which he saw many foxes had entered, the. sand being full of footprints. He was about to pass in when his cunning de tected that all the footprints pointed one way. All were turned inwards, and there were none leading out of the cave. We have come to a great cave—the grave— and its entrance is marked by man’s foot prints. All lead in and none out. But Christ has set His feet the other way; and now, if. we go into this cave, we shall follow Him out again.— London Sunday School Chronicle. —o— April 27, 1930 What is a “Useful Life” ? 2 Tim.'2:3-15, 21, 22 S uggestive O rder of S ervice Elsie W. Wells gives the following in teresting suggestion for the meeting of this date: A Memory Meeting Every part of the program is carried on from memory; the songs, Scripture,
[Note: Arrangements are being made for the publication of these helps on C. E. Topics, one month in advance, as is the policy with t h e Sunday-school lesson helps. To avoid the necessity of running two full months’ helps in one issue in ac complishing this, the Managing Editor is kindly inserting an extra topic each month until all of the topics shall be found to be treated in the issue of the month previous to their use.] April 20, 1930 Why We Believe in Life Forever Opening songs: “Christ the Lord is R i s e n Today,” “Low in the grave He Lay.” Prayer. Scripture reading, John 20 (responsive or in turn, each member reading a verse). Song: “Crown Him with many Crowns.” Announcements and offering. Special number in song or reading on subject of resurrection. Leader’s remarks (see helps below). Two-minute comments on side-lights by members. Closing song:. “One Day.” Benediction. * ' * * T r ea tm en t of T opic The importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, is seen in the fact that the subject is mentioned di rectly 104 times in the New Testament; it was the most prominent point in the apos tolic testimony; it is one of the two fun damental truths of the Gospel, the other being the crucifixion of Christ; and the truth of the resurrection of Christ from the dead has power to save any one who believes it in his heart (see Acts 1 :21-22; 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 14-17; Rom. 10:9-10). The chief reason why Christians be lieve that they will live forever is because the One who died for their sins promised eternal life to all who put their trust in Him (John 3:16, 36; 4:14; 10:10, 28; 11:24-26), and for our assurance of such life He Himself arose from the dead (1 Thess. 4:14; 2 Cor. 4:14). Man is a threefold being; spirit, soul, and body. At death the body decays and goes back to dust from whence it came, but the spirit and soul of man continue throughout eternity. It was the great purpose of the eternal God in creating man that he should live forever in fellowship with his Creator; but Adam, the father of the human race, created a free moral agent, broke that John 11:23-26; Mark 12:26, 27 S uggestive O rder of S ervice
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