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March, 1935
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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NOTES on Christian Endeavor B y M a r y G. G o o d n e r
the authority of a father I do not oppose the authority o f a mother, but that o f God. From their earliest years, my children have always seen the Bible upon my table. This holy Book has constituted the whole of their religious instruction. I was silent, that I might allow it to speak. Did they propose a question, did they commit a fault, did they perform a good action, I opened the Bible, and the Bible answered, reproved, or encouraged them. The con-i stant reading o f the Scriptures has wrought this development which surprises you.”—C harles H addon S purgeon . II. T he M eaning of C hrist ’ s B aptism Why one who needed no repentance should insist upon receiving a rite which signified confession (v. 6) and repentance (v. 11) is nowhere directly explained. It may be suggested: (1) That Jesus was now to receive His anointing with the Holy Spirit (v. 16) unto His threefold office o f Prophet, Priest and King. In the Levitical order (Ex. 29:4-7) the high priest was first washed, then anointed. While Christ’s priestly work did not begin till He “offered himself without spot to- God” (Heb. 9:14), and His full manifesta tion as the King-Priest after the order of Melchisedek awaits the kingdom . . . yet He was then anointed, once for all. (2) But John’s baptism was the voice o f God to Israel, and the believing remnant re sponded (v. 5). It was an act o f right eousness on the part o f Him who had be come, as to the flesh, an Israelite, to take His place with this believing remnant. —Scofield Reference Bible. III. C onsecration I. What Consecration Is: 1. Separation (2 Cor. 6:16, 17).
APR IL 7, 1935 The Consecration of Jesus M atthew 3:13-17; J ohn 17:17-19 Suggestions {or the Meeting Hymn—“Hallelujah for the Cross.” Leader: “ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Endeavorers: “ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). Hymn—“ Beneath the Cross o f Jesus.” Prayer. Solo—“Take Time to Be Holy.” Scripture—Matthew 3 :13-17; John 17:- 17-19. Leader’s Message. Personal testimonies concerning their own conversion—brought by three mem bers. Quiet Hour. Hymn—“Where He Leads Me.” Benediction—Psalm 19:14. One society has found it very beneficial and inspiring to have two or three mem bers each Sunday give their life stories, telling o f their conversion and consecration to our Lord. Such testimonies will both strengthen the faith of Christians and ar rest the attention o f the unsaved. Meditation on the Lesson By the expression, “The Consecration of Jesus,” is meant that submission to the will of God which characterized our Saviour’s earthly ministry. His consecration was not an act performed on earth, but a relationship with the Father extending to eternity. The scene at the Jordon was merely an outward manifestation o f that divine relation. The Lord Jesus Christ was consecrated1—set apart—to do the Father’s will in a manner in which no hu man can ever be consecrated, for in Him there dwells “all the fulness o f the God head bodily” (Col. 2:9 ). But when, in the will of God, the Lord Jesus Christ volun tarily laid aside the robes o f His glory and was clothed with humility that He might become the Saviour o f sinners, He gave to all o f His followers the one per fect example o f complete yieldedness to God. As believers meditate upon the Lord’s perfection, the Word becomes the agency by which they are “ sanctified [set apart] through the truth” (John 17:19), and the means by which consecration to God is genuine and habitual.
4. Willingness to bear cross (Lk. 9:23). 1. God’s command (Matt. 12:30). 2. His right to us—by creation and redemption (Psa. 100:3; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20). 3. Fa i l u r e o f self-management (John 12:25). 4. Benefits : a. Sonship (2 Cor. 6:16-18). b. Assurance (Rom. 8:14-16). c. Holy life (Rom. 6:13, 14). d. God’s help (2 Chron. 16:9). How to Consecrate Oneself: 1. Make a decision to be the Lord’s (Josh. 24:24). 2. Full dedication to Christ (Rom. 12 : 1 ). 3. Reckon yourself dedicated (Rom. 6 : 11 ). 4. Claim the Holy Spirit as yours (Gal. 3:2, 14). — A l e x a n d e r P a t t e r so n . APR IL 14, 1935 What Welcome Do W e Give to Christ Today? M atthew 21:1-11; J ohn 1 :11,12 Suggestions for the Meeting Variation could be secured by making this a three-leader meeting—with one member in charge o f the song service, an other as devotional leader, and the third as speaker. I. Song Service. Hymn—“All Hail, Immanuel!” Hymn—“Joy to the World.” Hymn—“There’s a Stranger at the Door.” Prayer. II. Reasons fo r Consecration: e. Safety (Psa. 91:1). f. Rest (Matt. 11:29). g. Service (1 Tim. 2:21). III.
2. Dedication (Rom. 6:13). 3. Active Life (Phil. 1:21).
Leader’s Helps I. P reparation tor C onsecration
“ Sanctify them through thy truth.” The mother of a family was married to an infidel who made a jest o f religion in the presence o f his own children; yet she suc ceeded in bringing them all up in the fear o f the Lord. I asked her one day how she preserved them from the influence o f a father whose sentiments were so opposed to her own. This was her answer: “To
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