67
February, 1945
First, God’s Word commands us in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Sec ond, the most spiritual man of New Testament times felt the need of Christian fellowship. Paul, in Romans 1:12 says, “That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” With a com mand and a Scriptural illustration as our basis, we believe public worship is in God’s plan for the strengthening of a Christian life. Edification and praise are the means of renewal through public worship. I. EDIFICATION OF MAN. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another.” This is the value of public worship as we look toward man. T h e r e are some young people who are firmly grounded and steadfast, permitting the Word of Christ to inhabit them. Others are weak, unsteady, and readily tossed to and fro. Because these two conditions exist among young people it is neces sary for the strong to mingle with the weak and to teach and admonish them. Perhaps some reply that it is very difficult to teach and admonish fellow Christians. But if we follow the Apostle’s instruction to yield ourselves as sacred dwellings, to be occupied and filled with the Word of Christ, our every action and spoken word will be used to strengthen and edify our fellow Christians. By the Word of Christ, all thoughts are ruled, and all enjoyments made safe, pure, and good. Not only does p u b l i c worship strengthen and edify a weaker brother, but also it ministers to the strong. A ll Christians have one Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Yet, all Chris tians have a different Lord and Saviour. Every Christian has rjeeds which differ from those of other Christians. It may never be necessary for Christ to reveal Himself to you ' as the One who can control a vicious temper; likewise, He may not have to reveal Himself to me as the One who is able to give victory over a certain sinful habit, because I have never been enslaved by that habit. Christ has manifested Himself in different ways. As we meet and fe l lowship together, you can readily see how e v e n the strongest Christian would be edified. He would realize that Christ was even greater than he had ever known, and that He was sufficient for needs that he had never experienced. This realization and revelation of new truth could only come to him through public worship. For Those Who Have Topics
George Mueller’s service, his m a i n objective was that Christians every where might see what God will do when we pray. In a l o n g life of ministry and Christian service God did not once ' “let h i m down” or fail to answer. George Mueller found the following five conditions to be prerequisites for power in prayer: Entire dependence u p o n the Lord Jesus Christ as the only ground of any claim of blessing (John 14:13, 15, 16); separation from all known sin (Psa. 32:1-7); faith in God’s Word of promise (Heh,vll:6); asking in accordance with His-will (1 John 5:14), and waiting on God with patience and perseverance (Psa. 40:1). II. PRIVACY FOR POWER. The Lord hears and answers the- united prayers of His children as they earnestly come before Him in church services, in young people’s meetings, or in smaller prayer groups (cf. Acts 12:5, 12). The Christian family receives a special blessing. as it gathers to gether to read the Word and to pray at the family altar. But in the life of every Christian there is the need of personal and private prayer (Matt. 6:6). We need a time in which the Lord may search us and speak to our hearts, a time in which we pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23. Learn to bring every p r o b l e m before the Lord, whether it seems to be great or small (cf. Phil. 4:6). The properties of personal prayer are: worship, praise, thanksgiving, and petition. As we bring our petitions to our heavenly Father let us pray first, for others (ministers, teachers, missionaries, all Christians known and unknown, and those who are yet unsaved). Then we shall want to pray for ourselves (our spiritual and tem poral needs, personal problems, and a knowledge of the Lord’s w ill in all things). Conclusion Practical suggestions for power in prayer are: 1. Have a prayer list. 2. Be definite in prayer. 3. Remember to praise God for the answers which will surely come. MARCH 11, 1945 RENEW AL THROUGH PUBLIC WORSHIP C o lossians 3:15-17 By Albert W. Kliewer The importance of public worship is questioned by some Christian young people. There are those who believe they can stand securely in solitude, and that it is not necessary for them to fellowship with other Christians. We believe they are in a twofold error.
IT’S AN IDEA •
Idea 1. A s w e a p p r o a c h , Easter it would be well to have a Sacrificial Banquet with a spiritual menu. This can be done during the regu lar C. E. time. The table may be arranged in the shape of a cross. Items on the menu are: Bread (John 6:48, 58); Water (John 4:14); Milk (1-Cor. 3:2; 1 Pet. 2:2); Meat (Heb. 5:14; John 4:34); Salt (Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6); Honey (Psa. 19:10), and F r u i t (Gal. 5:22, 23). Members may present the dif ferent items on the menu in five-minute talks. • Idea 2. We have three top ics in March on “Spiritual Ad venturing.” Let your society adventure by holding some evangelistic meetings in near by places or communities. A rural schoolhouse would be ideal. You need not have big crowds. Sing and give your testimonies, a n d adventure with Christ. • Idea 3. "Joy in Taking Oth ers Along” is the topic for March 18. This is the time to have a “human ticket” meet ing. Each member is admitted to the meeting by bringing with him another person—a human ticket. • Idea 4. Easter is a t i m e when every associate mem ber is faced squarely with the challenge of accepting Christ as Saviour. —Carlton C. Buck.
II. PRAISE TO GOD. “In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace [thankfully] in your hearts to the Lord”—this is the value of public worship as we look to God. One of the outstanding methods used by man to make known to God his heartfelt praises is the singing of hymns. Although we help one another as \ve use our voices to sing, the chief objective of songs is to render praise to God. Hymns have o f ten brought the Christian out of a state of mind in which prayer seemed
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker