Illustrated by Gladys Bowman
Elmer L Wilder, Tb.D.
We will open the doors of the church and see if we can find out what makes real fellowship. As we open the doors of the church, we will open our Bibles to the 12th chapter of Romans, beginning with the third verse. Inside the doors, we find the same words which we find in the New Testament. We see the words, “FAITH, GRACE, LOVE, RULING, EXHORTATIONS, ' WEEPING, BLESSING, HOSPITALITY, LIVE and PEACEABLY.” Each of these words helps to give us an understanding of the things which go into real fellowship. Faith in God and others is very important. Grace toward all cannot be omitted. Love toward God and others will aid in fellowship. Ruling is a word in fellowship often forgotten. There are leaders in the church, authorized by the Lord to rule with diligence. Ex hortation means to persuade others to do that which is right. Weeping must not be forgotten. In true Christian fellowship, we are to sorrow with those who grieve, as well as to re joice with those who rejoice. Blessing others is important, and we are told to bless those who persecute us. An other word is hospitality, which means to be friendly and to entertain others. The last two words tell us to live peaceably. The Bible says, “ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” When Christians follow this rule, they are sure to have fellowship. Perhaps some of you have never accepted Jesus as your Saviour, and so you do not love God’s people. Would you like to take Christ as your Saviour? If you will, you will then have the joy of knowing that your sins are forgiven, and also you will have a real love for others. Sept. 19, 1954 K n o w i n g A b o u t N e e d l e s OBJECTS: Four large darning needles, and a large magnet. (Cover the mag net with white paper and paste a red
ing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” We will let this large magnet rep resent Christ when He returns to earth. It comes near the glove, and the glove jumps to meet it. It comes near the hammock, and nothing hap pens. Christians who are found serv ing the Lord when He returns, will be glad to meet Him. Some others will be ashamed at His coming. OBJECT: A piece of paper 8 % x 11 inches. Fold each end to within V 4 inch of the middle, leaving a gap of 1/2 inch. In this space print the word “FELLOWSHIP.” Near the top print the word “CHURCH.” Open the flaps, and, using the letters in the word “FELLOWSHIP,” complete the fol lowing words, “ FAITH, GRACE, LOVE, RULING, EXHORTATION, WEEPING, BLESSING, HOSPITAL ITY, LIVE and PEACEABLY.” Close the flaps and line to represent the doors of a church.) Sept. 12, 1954 T h e G r e a t e s t S h i p
Sept. 5, 1954 W o r k , o r S h i r k
OBJECTS: A work glove, a hammock, a piece of steel about 4 inches long and a strong magnet. (A toy ham mock can be made from a piece of burlap. Hide the piece of steel in the finger of the glove.) LESSON: For what is a glove like this one used? “ It is used for work.” What is a hammock, such as this, used for? “ It is used when one is idle.”
Much is said in the Bible about idleness and working. One of the reasons for our being told so much about these two things is because God knows that it is dangerous to be idle. We read in Proverbs, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer or ruler, Provideth her . . . food in the harvest” ( 6 : 6 - 8 ). Again we read, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” (Prov. 18:9). God is looking for people who are saved and willing to work for Him, instead of being content to remain idle. In 2 Thess. 3:11-14 we read, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy- bodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well do
FAITH
GRACE
LOVE
RULING „ EXHORTATION WEEPING BLESSIN G ^
HOSPITAL !1 T LPEACEAB^
LESSON: The greatest ship in the world is FELLOWSHIP. If you want to find real fellowship, the church is the best place to look for it. In fact, there is no other place where you can find true and lasting Chris tian fellowship. The doors of this church are opened enough to let us see the word, “ FELLOWSHIP.”
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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