March, 1942
THE K I NG ’ S BUSINESS
98
the Urgent need for workers, and the correct method of obtaining laborers. In another Connection, Jesus exhorted disciples to “look” on the fields (John 4:35). The word means to examine and study the fields, then a,llow what is seen to influence the mind, reach the heart, and set the feet in motion. This outcome will be the result of real prayer for more laborers. The seventy were sent into danger ous ways, and they were to go as lambs among wolves. They were to know also that their present visit was a temporary one, hence they need carry no purse nor extra requirements. They were to find their support wher ever they went, and in the houses they entered there was to be lodging and sustenance as long as their, business required. As long as the Lord delays His coming, the harvest will be great and the laborers few. The need will ever be in the church to pray for labor ers of the Lord’s choosing, the Lord’s equipment, and the Lord’s placing. II. - T heir R eport (17) s When they returned, the seventy re ported with gladpeSs and rejoicing that everything had gone as the Lord had indicated; to Christ they could say with joy that even, the demons were subject to them “through thy name” (v. 17). The Lord’s witnesses realized that in themselves there was no power over demons; or even over men, but the name of their- Lord had proved ail powerful, and what was be yond the natural power of man be came subject to the supernatural power of that Name. The verses im mediately following should be read carefully as a warning against pride. III. T heir A ssurance (21-24) It pleases God to,reveal spiritual things unto “babes,” rather than to the wise and prudent. The reason for this might be that men think too highly of their natural mental ability, •and propose to discover the truths of God with no other aid than their own reasoning powers. Though there need be no conflict b e t w e e n ihtelligent understanding and soul-saving faith, the Lord desires simple believers rather than reasoning understanders (cf. 1 Cor. 2:6-15). The more humble is the “ babe” in Christ, the greater will be his understanding as a saint. The disciples were told that only through the Son can the Father be known, and that this is true because the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father. No one knows the Father except “the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him” (v. 22). Only as the Son is seen can the Father be seen, but the Son has so fully revealed Him that Christ could say: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Only to those
and the stone for its .door. The enemies of Christ had sealed the door to the tomb, fearing that His body might be removed by His disciples. As we open this flap, we read the word “DE FEATED.” The people of earth thought that Christ had been defeated. The disciples felt that they, too, were de feated. Their faces were sad. Something happened early in the morning of the first day of the week which changed everything—an angel from heaven rolled the stone away from the door of the tomb, and the followers of Christ saw that He had already arisen from the dead. As we roll this stone, which sug gested defeat, away from the door of the tomb, we shall see what happened on the first resurrection morning. We now read “DEATH CONQUERED. FAITH RENEWED. ACCLAIMED VIC TOR. DEFEATED DEVIL.” The resurrection of C h r i s t pro claimed Him to be Victor over death and the grave. We can rejoice with those who on the first resurrection morning realized that Christ was vic torious. Outline and Exposition I. T h £I r A ppointment (1-7) S HE CHOICE of the seventy was seventy were-to go to places the Lord Himself would visit, going as a sort of preliminary visitation; hence they knew where their place of visitation was. v Jesus told them of the plentiful har vest and the lack of workers, and ex horted them to pray for more laborers. They were to remember that the Lord alone could appoint, equip, and place the laborers. The disciples were to pray the “Lord of the harvest” to send the workers—-workers w h o w o u l d acknowledge the Lord’s authority, an swer His call, and be ready for His service. Such workers can be secured only through1prayer; but prayer will reveal them. The church needs to realize the greatness of the harvest, BLACKBOARD LESSON
middle of the doorway,, begin close to the top and print down the word “DEFEATED.” Cut a door-like open ing in the smaller piece, about %x6 inches, near the middle. Place this piece of paper over the large paper, allowing the word “DEFEATED” to show through the opening. Remove the small piece of paper, and using the letters in the word “DEFEATED,” complete the following words: DEATH, CONQUERED, FAITH, RENEWED; -ACCLAIMED, VICTOR, “ DEFEATED, and DEVIL. With thumb tacks fasten both pieces to the wall in the posi tion indicated.) LESSON: These two pieces of paper on the wall represent Christ’s1 tomb Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also* and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place» whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he nnto them» The harvest truly is great, bat 'the laborers are few : pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would, send forth laborers into his harvest. 3 . Go your ways: behold, ■. I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And If the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: Jf not, It shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eat ing and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. * . 17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. . 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, •and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Fathcrf for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23 And he turned him unto his dis ciples, and said privately, Blessed are the Cyes which see the things that ye see: j 24- For 1 tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things Which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. LESSON ^TEXT: Lk. 10:1-7, 17, 21-24. GOLDEN TEXT : “The harvest truly Is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his har vest»» (Lk. 10:2). DEVOTIONAL BEADING: Psa. 67.
APRIL 12, 1942 THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY L uke 10:1-24
made by the Lord in a different manner and for a different purpose than that of the twelve. The
PRRV yE THEREFORE <5® ISK- > — HARDEST,'» IZ -J THAT HE WOULD 5E0D FORTH LABORERS BK. MYTOHIS WflR.UEST.' K p . LU.IOÎ2. " « Ull
HARDEST
« 3 Î S Ï S .
ô / j / s
4 /i !/• « .
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter