December, 1940
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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c. God’s purpose for mankind is redemption. He has made a place for each of us in His plan. Are we obedient to His will for our lives? 2. According to our vision. It has been said that a missionary call is “a need; a need made known; and the ability to meet that need.” Have you ever had a God-given vision, of the need? A vision of 1,000 tribes yet without a Bible translation! A vision of 800,000,000 souls who have nev'er heard the gospel! Thousands going into hopeless eternity every hour! Ulus.: Paul considered it as an open door (l.Cor. 16:9). Ulus.: Note how men are trans formed by a “vision” of some “human” project (in the field of science, etc.). Contrast the “vision” of a life given over to God! S. According to our ability. a. This requires not only natural ability and divine credentials but definite preparation as well. Ulus.: If two people, one a crip ple and the other healthy and well, witness a man drowning, and hear his cries for aid, then the man who is capable is the object of the call for help. b. It is a glorious thing to recog nize God’s world-wide program, to be in such relationship that we hear His call (cf. Isaiah in Isa. 6 : 8 ), and to be physically and mentally able to obey. For the Leader 1. Announce this meeting in advance and urge every member to bring a young person o f another race, if pos sible; at least an “outsider.” 2. From the American Bible Society, Information can be obtained concerning translation work and “the world” as a missionary field. 3. If you have a foreign colony in your community, investigate to deter mine whether the members of this group are being included in your program of evangelization. 4. Note that the Jew has, if not preference, at least precedence, in God’s world program (Rom. 1:16). How about yours? Discuss. JANUARY 19, 1941 H O W C AN G O D BECOME R E A L T O M E ? T ohn 4:23, 2 4 ; 1 C orinth ians 2:9, 10; J ohn 14:7-10 Introduction First, read John 4:23, 24 as a basis for the discussion. Since God is a spiritual Being, unseen and unseeable (John 4:24; 1 John 4:12), men have always been asking, “How can we really know God?” “How can God become real to me?” Although we do unconsciously
accept and “believe in” many things which we cannot see (Ulus.: the wind, electricity), it is nevertheless difficult to believe in God as a real Person, rather than a force, power, or influence. Although men have always attempted to worship God, certain requirements had to be met before He became real. Ulus.: (1) Acts 10:2—Cornelius was a very religious man but did not “know” God (cf. Acts 11:14); (2) Acts 16:14, 15 —Lydia was worshiping God, whom she did not yet “know” ; (3) Acts 17:22, 23 —the Athenians were worshiping a God unknown to them. How did God become real to them? How can He become real to me ? For Those Who Have Topics I. BY RECEIVING HIS SON (John 14:7-10). 1. Christ is declared to be the Re- vealer of God. Note John 1:1, 14; John 1:18; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:1-3; i.e., if we would know who God is, we need only read in the Scriptures what Jesus was. 2. Through Christ we come into an intimate family life and relation ship with God (John 14:6). Note John 1:12; 1 John 5:11, 12; 1 John 2:1 (“the Father” ); 1 John 3:1. (Note the intimacy of this “love” in contrast to that of John 3:16). II. RECOGNIZING HIS SPIRIT 1 (1 Cor. 2:9,. 10). 1. He brings the life of God (eternal life) to us. We are bom into the family of God by His Holy Spirit (John 3:6, 8 ; cf. 1:13). 2. He interprets the truth of God for us (John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:10; cf. v. 14—God' is a Spirit). To com prehend spiritual truth (i.e., to really know God), we must exper ience a spiritual birth (see above). S. He makes possible the life of God in us.. Note thoughtfully 1 Corin thians 6:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17. a. Recognizing the Holy Spirit within, will result in the casting out of unholy things. b. Let us “reckon” true what God has declared to be true, and we will, really know Him! We (if saved) are the dwelling place of God the Father (2 Cor. 6:16), God the Son (Gal. 2:20), and God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Let ua live like it! Let us “practice His presence.” This would regulate and purify our thoughts, words, and deeds. For the Leader 1. Let the group give testimony as to ways in which God has been made real to them. 2. Suggest Scriptural accounts in Which individuals were made aware of the reality of God, and how.
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votion and Praise” to meet: their musical needs. Here at last is a really practical hymnbook for any church service. Con tains 312 musical numbers and 23 respon sive readings. Complete orchestration for 15 instruments now available: D E V O T I O N A N D P R A I S E By HALDOR LILLENAS Outstanding hymn writer of our day Everywhere churches large and small, of many, denominations, are selecting “ Devo tion and Praise.” Especially suitable for church school. Contains a choice selection of old favorites as well as the best new hymns and songs. Bound in waterproof blue cloth, reinforced for hard usage. Also comet in rope bristol. Prices: Single copies, 55c and 4 0 c ; per 100, not prepaid, $40.00 and $25.00. Returnable sample on request. Ask for FREE Music Catalogue LILLENAS PUBLISHING CO. “ The Best in Gospel Music ”, 8983 Troost Aye., Dept. KB, Kansas City. Mo. Free 1941 Catalog This lists a large variety of v a rio u s lines of everyday and Christmas greeting . cards, mottoes, plaques, religious stationery. Scrip ture calendars, special song books, sacred sheet music, Bibles, and other religious mer chandise, which make splendid gifts. AGENTS WANTED, Send order or inquiry to THE BOONE PUBLISHING COMPANY P. O. Box 200 Des Moines, Iowa À book of 168 poems oh the deep things of God, h e a rt-to u ch in g , soul-stirring, true to the Word. Tender love lyrics, songs of home, versés for shut-ins. Sunday School Times : “ These lovely pages were born in the garden of suffering . .'4 She has opened the door of Heaven to us.” Evangelical Christian: “ Good Christian poetry like this is rare today.” Velour $1. Cloth $1.50. Order from Howard W. Nicholson, 1406 Lagoon Ave., Wilmington, CaUf. IMPROVE YOUR MINISTRY Are your messages like piles of good lumber, or are they structures of salvation like the ark?- LEARN H O W TO BUILD SERMONS The 20 Lessons in Homiletics, published by Union Bible Seminary, will help the p a sto r, evangelist, S. S. teacher, prayer-meeting leader, and occa sional speaker to arrange his thoughts, to dig out new thoughts, and to . present them in a psy chological way. Fifteen’ methods of portraying Gospel truths are shown in the course. Send $1 for the 20 Lessons in Homiletics, plus The Gospel Minister weekly for 26 issues. Union Bible Seminary, Dept. 644, Westfield, ind. EVERT DAY FOOD CHART By a Christian physician, given with, a 90- page book, H IGH BLOOD PRESSURE, . giv ing latest' findings relative to cause, preven tion, control by natural methods. Only $1.00. Eight .leading nutritionists contributing. Re quest free descriptive literature. Address Pre cision Foods, 1624 E. Main, Ventura, Calif. U A R T E R ' S CHOIR GOWNS PUlPlf ROMS • EMBROIDERIES HANGINGS • STOLES • VESTMENTS ALTAR APPOINTMENTS COMMUNION SERVICE NEW CATALOG m R** m * NATIONAL A C A D E M IC C A P & GOW N C O . 821-23 ARCH'ST. .. .. . PHIL ÀD_:ELp.HIA,PA. A gift which gives glimpses of Heaven’s Glory! W I N G S A N D S K Y By Martha Snell Nicholson
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