Nov. 19, 1950 WORSHIPING TOGETHER Isa. 1:11-17; John 4:19-24; Col. 3:16 Pointers on the Lesson Worship has to do with the devout recognition of the worth of God. The word itself comes from two Anglo-Saxon words, worth and ship, and so primarily had to do with the worth of a ship. Since the object of ships was to carry men and cargo to definite destinations very likely the ship was likened to God who by His grace brings willing people to a haven of rest. Thus the word worship came to be applied to the adoration and honor that men owe to God because of all His infinite worth to the human soul. Our lesson this week takes into consideration some of the elements that compose cor porate worship. It is possible for men to worship God privately but God has also ordained that they shall worship together for mutual benefit. What Worship Is Not Isa. 1:11-17 In Isaiah, chapter one, we see that God had a controversy with His people. They were not living up to their privi leges. They had not kept sacred their responsibilities as God’s chosen people. They were a sinful, rebellious people. The result could be nothing less than judgment. See vv. 1-10. One of the things of which the people were guilty was an entirely false conception of the charac ter of worship. They seemed to think that worship consisted of outward mani festations, whereas, true worship comes only from the heart. True worship does not consist merely in making sacrifices (vv. ll-13a). Nor is it a matter of the observance of cer tain days or meetings (vv. 13b, 14). It is not even saying prayers (v. 15). True worship can only come forth from a life made clean through the Word of God and which manifests itself in righteous conduct (w . 15, 16). Every teacher has the responsibility to stress the fact that real worship is not simply a matter of ceremonies and outward display. These things may be right in their place but they can never be substituted for a right heart attitude. This was the tragic failure in the passage before us. Worship Is Not Restricted to Place John 4:19-24 Jesus revealed in His discussion with the woman at the well that God was ceasing to limit Himself to earthly sanc tuaries. With the coming of Christ there was fulfilled the ceremonial system that had its beginning in Mosaic times. A more spiritual system was now being inaugurated. God may be worshiped any where now. A yielded heart is all that is necessary. The woman of our story was much concerned about her spiritual condition. The Saviour had put His finger upon the sin of her life. She appears con victed and wonders where now she must go to meet God and make things right. The Samaritans said the only place to O C T O B E R , 1 9 5 0
GOSPEL COIN The s i z e of t h i s attractive coin is between a nickel and a quarter. On one side of the coin is the t e x t — ''The gift of God is eternal l i f e through J e s u s
Harkness Correspondence Courses... 1. Evangelistic Hymn Playing For those who can play "Hymns, etc. . . . E I G H T Y Musically-illustrated Lessons. Teaches TW E LVE MUSICAL subjects— plus TEN practical Accompaniment Methods, in Chords, Octaves, Runs, Trills, Chime Forms, . etc. . . . 2. Beginners Hymn Playing Course for Piano For those who cannot play a note but wish to learn, to play Hymns and Gospel Songs. FIFTY Musically-illustrated lessons. Orig inal HARKNESS Keyboard Charts. Children study under home supervision. Send for FREE details Indicate which Course interests you. ROBERT HARKNESS 20 N . Raymond Ave., Room 7 Pasadena 1, Calif. Over SE V E N THOUSAND students have enrolled
g i g g l y
Christ.” The second side reads, “ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” An excellent item to leave with tips as a testimony. $2.00 per hundred, 25c per dozen Available at religious book stores ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICH.
Street meeting in Tokyo w ith loud speaking equipment. Our Nokao Church re sulted later, our stu dents taking the church leadership.
Japan’s Future Christian Leaders CT'HE things that thou has heard of me . . . commit thou to faithful men, who shall he able to teach others also. (II Tim. 2:2.) One consecrated Japanese pastor, a recent graduate of Faith Theological Seminary, writes that in Japan the doors are still wide open. But many signs in- dicate the days of opportunity are truly numbered. When they have passed, he expects foreign Christian missionaries of the true faith may be obliged to with" draw from Japan as from China and other heathen countries. “Needless to say," he goes on, “it is the native Chris" tian leader, not the foreign missionary, who will have the longest and most tell" ring ministry in Japan." Accordingly, it would seem that the native"born educated Japanese Chris" tian, who will remain with the indig" enous church when the testing days come, is a most profitable and fruitful investment of our missionary activities. So on October 16, 1949, To\yo Christian Theological Seminary opened its doors to fulfill a desperate need— that of providing a sound, thorough, welbrounded higher training to Japanese
Above, Faculty of Tokyo Christian Theo logical Seminary. The students, below, are all university graduates.
college and university graduates whom God has called to places of special re" sponsibility. The Seminary is controlled by a Board of Directors under the presi" dency of a consecrated Japanese minis" ter. Some of our missionaries are on the Board and several are on the teach" ing staff. Yes, the doors in Japan are open, but the clouds are drawing closer! We must help prepare the Japanese Chris" tians to stand true to the faith when the testing days come.
Write for your copy of **Biblical M issions", the illuminating monthly account of the thrilling missionary developments on all fields. Address The General Secretary, Des\ P.
f o r P R E S B Y T E R I A N F O R E I G N M I S S I O N S Philadelphia 44, Pa., U.S. A.
IT, e Independent Board 151 -B Maplewood Avenue
Page Twenty-nine
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker