J94
June, 1933
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
friends’ weaknesses rather than their ex cellencies. “The best Friend to have is Jesus.” We cannot afford to have continued friendship with any one who may weaken our friend ship with God. Our supreme business in life is to keep our lives so in the center of God’s will that He can truly say o f us, “Ye are my friends, because [if] ye do what soever I command you.” Abraham was the “ friend o f God” ; therefore, Abraham refused to live in the city of Sodom, because contact with those godless folk might interfere with his close walk with God. Sometimes separation is difficult. There may be very lovable people whom we en joy associating with, and yet who are worldly—perhaps moderate drinkers, irrev erent story tellers, “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” These constitute a real problem. W e love them, we want them for God, and yet if they will not change their ways, we must break away. To will fully associate with such persons is like taking up our dwelling in. a district infected with disease. James said, “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). Leader’s Helps I. T he C ourage of F riendship “I f thy brother . . . which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and Serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; . . . Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him” (D eut 13:6-8). II. C ompanions to C hoose 1. Godly—like David (Psa. 119:63). 2. Loving—like Paul.(Acts 19:29). 3. Faithful—like the martyrs (Heb. 10: 23). 4. Holy—like John (Rev. 1:9). 5. Busy—like Epaphroditus ( Phil. 2 :25). III. F riendship with the W orld F orbidden Rom. 12:21 2 Cor. 6:17; Jas. 4 :4; 1 John 2:15.' IV. D angers A rising from E vil F riends Prov. 22:24; 25 :19; Zech. 13:6. JULY 30, 1933 FRIENDSHIP W ITH THOSE OF OTHER RACES M ark 7:24-30 Suggestions for the Meeting Hymn—“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.” Hymn—“Sowing in the Morning.” Hymn—“Look all Around You.” Prayer. Scripture. Quartet4-“ Saved by Grace.” Testimonies— from Endeavorers of local church. Testimonies— from Endeavorers of other races, if possible. Leader’s Message. Hymn—“Throw out the Life Line.” Benediction—Numbers 6 :24-26. Meditation on the Lesson The story o f the faith of this Syro- phoenician mother is one of the most grip ping narratives in the gospels. Matthew also gives an account o f it. Here was the daughter of an alien race seeking favors o f the Jews, God’s chosen people. Jesus manifested His marvelous grace toward her, and as He rewarded her faith, His
The words—cut likewise in this brain of mine— Wouldst have a friend? wouldst know what friend is best? Have God thy friend: He passeth all the rest.— R iley . IV. W orthy of F riends The strong arms of a comrade kind To help me onward with my load; And since I have no gold to give, And love alone must make amends, My fervent prayer is, while I live, God make me worthy o f my friends. A friend is a priceless gem for the crown of life here and a cherished star in memory forever .B N u sbaum . VI. B ible F riendships Ruth and Naomi—Ruth 1 :16, 17. David and Jonathan—1 Sam. 18:1-4. Paul and Timothy—1 Tim. 1 :2. Advantages of friends—Prov. 18:24; 27:6,9, B 9 H VII. Two G ood D efinitions A friend—one who understands our si lence. A friend—one who multiplies joy and di vides griefs. JULY 23, 1933 PROBLEMS OF FRIENDSHIP 1 C orin th ians 15:33; 2 T im o th y 4:16 Suggestions for the Meeting Hymn—“ Take the Name o f Jesus with You.” Hymn—“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.” Scripture. Prayer. Violin Solo. Leader’s Talk. Quiet Hour. Benediction—Hebrews 13:20, 21. Meditation on the Lesson Paul has been discoursing in a most re markable manner on the great fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He has challenged the Corinthian Chris tians with this question, “Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?” Why should Christians expose themselves to the peril of their Christian testimony as Paul him self was doing daily, if the resurrection of Jesus and o f His disciples were not a fact ? Why not live to please the flesh ? But he reminded them, in the very next verse, that if they persuaded themselves that they would die like beasts, they soon would live like beasts also. “ Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” True it was when Paul wrote it, as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and true it still is—companionship in this life is absolutely necessary, and how important it is that we choose the right kind of com panions I Companionship often leads to friendship, and friendships influence us for either good or bad. As disease is more contagious than health, so a bad companion drags down faster than a good companion can lift up. One rotten apple can spoil a whole barrel of good ones, if left there long enough, while one good apple will have no effect on a barrel o f bad ones. We have a tendency to partake of our It is my joy in life to find At every turning of the road — S h erm an . V. T h e S acredness of F riendship Friend! how sacred the word. Born in the heart of God, and given to man as a treasure from the eternities 1
Response—“ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John IS: 13,14). Hymn—“What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Hymn—“Friendship with Jesus.” Prayer. Duet—“ There’s no Friend like Jesus.” Testimonies and Scripture Verses. Leader’s Message. Quiet Hour. Hymn—“Oh, the Best Friend to Have is Jesus.” Mizpah Benediction. Meditation on the Lesson This little bit of personal testimony to the faithfulness o f the Philippian Chris tians in their friendship for Paul is touch ing. It is also a challenge to all o f us in the matter o f our treatment of God’s ser vants. Paul had left all to follow Christ. Perhaps he often longed for human com- radship. Therefore, the unusual friend ship of the saints at Philippi was one of the sweetest things in his life. The whole epistle is one of joy and rejoicing for their loyalty and love to Jesus Christ and their love for and fellowship with him. In the first chapter, he says, “ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (1 :3 ).' And now, at the close of the letter, he again cries out triumphantly: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care o f me hath flourished again” (4:10). He calls the Philippian Christians his “dearly beloved and longer for,” and he adds: “I joy and rejoice with you all.” Oh, they were wonderful friends to Paul! The common expression, “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” was made a real ity in Paul’s case. He labored willingly, having no salary or fixed income. In the supply of his needs the Philippian church had a large part, “sending once and again unto his necessity.” Paul appreciated this exceedingly and told them (if we may boldly paraphrase verses 17 to 19) : “You ministered unto me and supplied my need so that I am full. Now while I have noth ing material to give you, I can assure you that in return for what you’ve done for God’s servant, H e will supply your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Today we, too, may claim Philip- pians 4:19, if we have cared for God’s servants. Leader’s Helps I. F riendship Friendship is one of the most beautiful conditions in human society. It grows slowly, but when grown, it stands ten thou sand jars. Real friends are rare, and there fore precious.— S elected . II. T he G ift of M ak in g F riends Blessed is the man who has the gift of making friends; for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all the power o f going out of one’s own self and seeing and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another man. ■ — H ughes . III. T h e E nduring A misty memory— faint, far away And vague and dim as childhood’s long last day— Forever haunts and holds me with a spell O f awe and wonder indefinable— A grimy old engraving tacked upon A shoe shop wall—an ancient temple drawn O f crumbling granite, sagging portico, And gray, forbidding gateway, grim as woe; And o’er the portal, cut in antique line,
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