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Seven Changes In the Believer 1. A changed relationship (John 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:23). 2. A changed heart (Heb. 10:16, 22). 3. A changed mind (Eph. 4:23). 4. A changed life (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 2: 20 ) . 5. A changed standing (Rom. 5:1; 8:1). 6. A changed service (Rom. 6:13, 18; Col. 3:23, 24). 7. A changed body (Phil. 3:21). — Selected. — o — How to Pray Matthew 6 I. Pray Genuinely. “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites.” The word “hypocrite” means primarily “a play actor.” In prayer, do not act a part. “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.” “When thou prayest” means literally “whenever thou prayest.” “When ye pray, use not vain repeti- tions, as the heathen do.” “Use vain repetitions” is one word in the Greek and means primarily “to stammer.” God wants us* to express our needs in a clear, intelligent manner. “Our Father.” He rules supreme. He is great enough to fill the infini tude of space. Because we are under His care, the sun shall not smite us ■by day, nor the moon by night. “Hallowed be thy name.” Though children, crying familiarly, “Abba, Father,” we must not forget to be reverent. VI. Pray Loyally and Hopefully. “Thy kingdom come.” Our Father is a King, and while we are permitted to be lovingly familiar, we must be loyally true. Disloyalty to the King is treason. VII. Pray Submissively and Aggres sively. “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” “Heaven” here is singu lar, and evidently refers to the high est heaven, where God rules in right eousness. VIII. Pray Dependently. “Give us this day our daily bread.” ' “This day,” of course, refers to time. But the word “daily,” which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, has in it no thought of time. It means “needed” or “necessary.” IX. Pray Penitently. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The word translated “debt” means “that which is justly or II. Pray Secretly. III. Pray Definitely. IV. Pray Fraternally. V. Pray Reverently.
legally due.” Our sins against God are all debts overdue, and we are bankrupt. The love of God in Jesus Christ makes full payment for all who will confess their sins a,nd gratefully accept the payment. “Lead us not into temptation, but de liver us from the evil one.” We should keep as far from danger as possible. But if, with all our cau tion, we fall into the snare of the devil and are caught in the meshes of his wiles, there is One able to de liver. — A. C. Dixon. — o — The Man Who Stopped Jesus Mark 10:46-52 1. He was helpless in his blindness. 2. He knew what he wanted. 3. He was persistent in seeking for what he wanted. 4. He had faith enough to appropriate what he sought. —Isaac Ward. — o — The Bible B—Buy it. I—Investigate it. B—Believe it. L—Love it. E—Exemplify it. —Brookes Quarterly. — o — How Christ Gives Strength 1. Through His intercession (Lk. 22:32; Heb. 7:25). 2. Through His Word (John 6:63). 3. Through His Spirit (Eph. 3:16). 4. Through His presence (Phil. 4:13). 5. Through His power (Isa. 40:29). — G. B. M. Clouser. — o — When Isaiah Saw the Lord Isaiah 6:1-9 Introduction—His vision (vs. 1-4). 1. He was convicted.of sin (v. 5). 2. He was cleansed from sin (vs. 6, 7). 3. He was called to service (v. 8). 4. He was commissioned for service (v. 9). —Selected. — o — X. Pray Cautiously. 1. Blind—the sinner’s darkness (2 Cor. 4:4). 2. A beggar—the sinner’s destitution (Rev. 3:17). 1. Nigh unto Jericho—place of the curse (Heb. 6:8). 2. Where Jesus came—to seek and save (Lk. 19:10). II. His Place. Bartimaeus the Beggar Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35 I. His State..
III. His Reward.
1. Salvation (Isa. 42:20). 2. Sight (Acts 26:18).
IV. His Response.
1. Followed Jesus—devotedness. 2. In the way—discipleship. Believer’s Magazine . — o — Jottings on Jude Judge not this letter by its length, buf by its strength. It is invaluable to the church for five reasons: I. Its Historical References. It names Adam, Cain, Enoch, Core, Moses, Balaam. It refers to Egypt, Sod om, and Gomorrah. It introduces Mich ael the archangel, the fallen angels, and the devil. It speaks of the three Persons in the Godhead: God the Father (v. 1), Jesus Christ (v. 1), and the Holy Spirit (v. 20). II. Its Denunciation o f Sinners. It calls them mockers, murmurers, com- plainers, dreamers, ungodly, sensualists* and brute beasts. III. Its Exposure o f Those Who Merely Profess Religion. Such language as the following is used: spots, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, raging waves, wandering stars, self-sep arators, spiritless. IV. Its Appreciation of Saints. They are called “beloved” three times in this terse letter—the same word which is used concerning God’s blessed Son. They are called “saints” (v. 3). They are sanctified (v. 1). They are preserved (v. 1 ) . V. Its Description of Assemblies. The epistle gives a vivid description of all the assembly meetings of Christians, on earth and in heaven, for time and for eternity: 1. The Bible reading—“Building up yourselves on your most holy faith” (v. 20). 2. The prayer meeting—“Praying in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20). 3. The worship meeting—“Keep your selves in the love of God” (v. 21). 4. The oversight meeting—“Of some having compassion” (v. 22). 5. The gospel meeting—“Pulling them out of the fire” (v. 23). 6. The “upper air” meetingS“Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 21). 7. The eternal meeting—“Present you faultless” (v. 24). The Doxology (v. 25). MS<. Baird in “Citadel of Truth." An Invitation Readers of this department are cordial ly invited to send in outlines for sermons or Bible readings which they have found useful.
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