574
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
T h e
December 1930
between the true and the false, is found in Eph. 5 :18 : “Be not drunk with wine . . but be filled with the Spirit” (cf. Acts 2:13). V. 16. Many . .,. shall he turn. The word translated “turn” iff sometimes ren dered “ convert” (cf. 22:32; Mali 4:6). Repentance and conversion were to be his great watchwords. V'. 17. He shall go before his face. Just as a herald goes before a monarch tp annpunce the coming of the royal vis itor and to prépare the people to re ceive him. Spirit and power o f Elijah. John and Elijah were similar in their ex ternal appearance (cf. 2 Ki. 1:8; Matt. 3: 4), and also in their manner of life and their stern attitude. toward unrighteous ness. To turn the hearts. This was also a quotation from Malachi (4 :5 ). The dis union and discord which sin had brought were to be remedied by his ministry. The disobedient. Those who had willfully turned from the path of righteousness would be led back into it—a prediction which was exactly fulfilled. To make ready for the Lord. His message would so change the attitude of the people that they would be disposed to welcome the Gospel of Christ. It is evident that “the Lord” is here none other than Jesus Christ. III. John’s Growth and Training. (80). V. 80. The' child grew. Physical growth is 'fneant. He had need o f a strong body. "Waxed strong in spirit. This would include mental growth. Some what Similar language is used concern ing our Lord (Lk. 2:40-52), except that in His case it is added that He “advanced in favor with God and men.” * sjt * L e s s o n Q u e s t io n s V. 8. To what tribe did Zacharias be long? What were his duties? V. 9. What special privilege did Zach arias receive? Who were permitted to enter into the sanctuary o f the Lord? How did he obtain this privilege at this time ? What typical meaning was there in the incense? 10. What does the presence of a multitude suggest as to the occasion ? What were the people doing? V. 11. Who appeared to Zacharias? What was his name (cf. v. 19) ? V. 12. What effect did the vision have upon Zacharias ? ; Is it to be expected that supernatural manifestations will cause fear ? Had Zacharias any reason to fear ? V. 13. What were the first words ut tered by the angel? For what had Zach arias prayed? Did it seem humanly pos sibly for this prayer to be answered? What name was given the son who was promised? What does the name signify? V. 14. What would be the result of the birth o f the son? How many were to rejoice at his birth? V. 15. In what sense was he to. be great? In whose sight was he to be great?. FrorBuwhat was he to abstain? What does this signify, typically? What .'does it mean to “be. filled with the Hdly Spirit” ? : V. 16. Whom did he turn to the Lord? What had caused them to turn away from the Lord? In what peculiar sense was the Lord called “ their God” ? V. 17. Like whom was John to be come ? What were to be some of the effects of his ministry? Did he actually
9. It is the privilege and duty of every believer to have his every faculty posses sed and controlled by the Holy Spirit. 10. A good son brings jòy and glad ness fo the home. He may also bring comfort to many oth.er hnmes by causing them to “turn unto the Lord.” 11. We may not have the special min istry to which John the Baptist was called, but we can, like him, be witnesses, pre paring the way for the -Lord. 12. F. B. Meyer has suggested that John had three, schools : the school of the home, the school of the Nazirite vow, and the school of the desert. In each he was. an apt and faithful pupil. * * * G o l d e n T e x t I l l u s t r a t io n In ancient times, it was customary to send messengers before an advancing army to proclaim its approach, to remove ob stacles, to make roads, to level hills, to fill up valleys, etc. There is a reference to this practice in Isa. 4Q:3 where the return from Babylon is described. In the picture, a herald or crier is seen. In the vast desert that lay between Babylon and Judea, he is represented, as lifting up his voice with authority, commanding that a public road be made for the; use o f re turning Israel under the leadership o f the Lord, their deliverer. John the Baptist was a messenger with a similar mission. He was sent to remove obstructions and to prepare the peoplè for thè coming of Messiah in the same way that a herald, preceding an army, would make neces sary preparation for it,
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prepare many people to believe and to receive the Lord Jesus? V, 80. In what ways did John develop? Where did he make his dwelling? Why? * ' * * P r a c t ic a l P o in t s 1. Zacharias means “Jehovah remem bered.” God remembered his righteous walk (v. 6) and his prayers (v. 13). God may sometimes, for a season, seem to be indifferent to the needs and the pleas of His people, but He never forgets (cf. Acts 10:4). 2. The Christian must not expect to be always approved o f men (cf. John 15: 19). If one is righteous in the sight o f God, it makes little difference what one’s enemies may think. 3. When Christian parents are in con stant accord with one another in the train ing of a child for God, there can be little doubt as to the outcome. From such homes have come the men and women who have been the greatest powers for good in the world. 4. Every Christian has the high privi lege of “executing the priest’s office be fore God” (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9). In his min istry of intercession, he enters not an earthly but the heavenly sanctuary (cf. Heb. 10:19-22). 5. There were many elements in John’s greatness which are not appreciated by worldlings. He was great in his humility, willing to be effaced that Christ might be exalted. He was great in his moral and spiritual ideals, having a., keen sense of right’.and wrong. He Was great in his boldness, attacking evil at the1risk and finally at the loss o f his life. He was great in his utter lack o f selfishness. He Was ready today down his life for others. 6. In the presence o f the supernatural, mortal man has reason to fear. Con sciousness of sin makes him tremble. 7. What will more assuredly remove fear and give peace and joy than to have' God say, “Thy prayer is heard” (cf. John 15:7; 1 John 3-:22; Jas. 5:16; Phil. 4:6, 7 )? 8. It is only those that do great (though not n e ce ssa rily spectacular) things for God who are worthy to be called great. The world’s heroes may have no recognition in heaven.
John the Herald of Good News Luke 1 :3-17, 80
, Memory Verse. —“ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me” (Mai. 3:1). Approach .—Have you ever received a gift which came from another country? If you have, then you will know that the postman first brings you a letter telling
you that, the pack age has arrived. W hen God was about to send His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the world, He first sent a mes- sengér to tell the people in the world that the great gift was coming. The name of, the mes senger was John.
Lesson Story. —John the Baptist knew from the time that he was a little boy that he had some special work to do in this world. His parents, Zacharias and Elisa beth, knew it too, and they wanted John to understand just what his work was to be and to find out how best to do it. So, for many years, John thought and prayed about his work. He went off by himself so he could, think and pray better. Then ,£ od told him that he was. the one who was to tell the people about the coming of the Lord JeSus Christ Wasn’t John hap py that he was the one chosen to be the herald? He spent many more years plan ning how he should bring the glad news to the people. Do you know that God has something special for each one of us to do? Yes.
Helps the Young Pastor I want mou fa know how much I cm enjoying each issue o f T he K in g ’ s B u s in e s s . Its many de partments are filled with inspira tion and suggestive thoughts for a young and busy pastor. - —From Newark, New Jersey.
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