it because the enemies of Israel had re ceived the blessing of the Lord. He somehow shared the idea with multi tudes of his day that salvation was for the Jews and that all others were outside the pale. Jonah was angry at God for showing His mercy to Nineveh (v. 4 ). He hoped that somehow the whole re action might be reversed (v. 5). God used three “ prepared” things (vv. 6,7,8) by which to deal with his servant who was so controlled in his attitude by the flesh. In the end God showed him that it was indeed a small thing for him to have pity upon the gourd which withered, whereas he had no pity for the souls of a great city steeped in their sins. There are those today in the church of Christ who have the same spirit that Jonah had. That spirit is satisfied to leave the heathen alone. It says, “ We have enough pagans at home without going across the seas to preach to them.” Such a spirit is far removed from the mercy and compassion of God. What about your missionary vision? Helps ior the Children Jonah Learns To Be A Missionary Jonah 1:1-3; 3:4 Memory Verse: “ Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created u s?” (Mai. 2:10). “ The word of the Lord came unto Jonah . . . saying. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” How thrilled Jonah should have been that God had chosen him to be His messenger to a great city! Jonah had other plans for his life, though. He en deavored to run away from God! Jonah ran away to the city of Joppa and bought a ticket for a boat trip to the city of Tarshish. Surely he thought that the Lord could not find him there! All of you will doubtless remember the story of God’s dealings with Jonah. God produced a great storm and Jonah was cast out of the ship and swallowed by a great fish. For three days and three nights Jonah lived in the belly of the fish. When Jonah repented and yielded himself to the Lord, the fish emptied him out upon the dry land. Again the Lord asked Jonah to go to Nineveh as His messenger. This time Jonah quickly obeyed God. When he told the people of Nineveh that God was going to destroy the city because of the sin that was there, they quickly re pented and were saved from destruction. God had showed Jonah that He loved and cared for all peoples and wanted those who knew about Him to carry His message to others. God has a plan for each life, and that life is never happy nor satisfied until it fits into God’s plan. Whatever your Lord asks you to do, remember that you cannot run away from Him. His will and His way are always the best and most perfect possible and only those who yield themselves completely unto Him find the peace that passes all understanding. T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
for he was giving in love all that he had. If the only service that you have in your church or Sunday school is that of placing the hymn books upon the chairs or straightening the room after the serv ice, do that task the very best that you can. These small things are as import ant for the Lord’s work as are the larger things, and they are equally pleasing in your Lord’s sight if they are done as unto Him and in the name of the Lord Jesus. June 25, 1950 WIDENING MISSIONARY HORIZONS Jonah 3:3-6; 4:1-11 Pointers on the Lesson Jonah has often been called the great foreign missionary book of the Old Test ament. Jonah, the prophet, was called upon to minister, not to his own people, but to the hated Ninevites. When the call first came to him, Jonah sought to evade his responsibility. Instead of going east to Nineveh, he set sail for the west. But the prophet found it difficult to run away from God. God followed him and dealt with him in such a way as to get him to do His will. Today’s lesson begins with the material relating to Jonah’s second call. A Fruitful Mission Field 3:3-6 Having finally acceded to God’s will, Jonah entered the great pagan city of Nineveh. The greatness of the city has been verified by archaeological research. The city proper was surrounded by a wall eight miles long and of great height. The suburban area, however, added much to the full size of the me tropolis. Taking in Khorsabad to the north and Calah to the south, with the many towns in between, which really be longed to the capital city, it has been estimated that it was as much as sixty miles in circumference. Thus Jonah had a tremendous task. But God had gone before him and had prepared the way. The result of his preaching there was without parallel. Where in history is it possible to find anything comparable to Nineveh’s reaction to the preaching of the Word of God? Truly this was God’s doing. Everyone from the least to the greatest in the city turned to God. Miracles of grace such as this are still possible when God has His way. A Failing Missionary 4:1-11 The record of this chapter is one of the most disappointing in all the Word of God. The account is almost unbeliev able. And yet it has been left to us as a warning lest we be guilty of the same narrow and heartless attitude that be longed to Jonah. God had blessed Jonah’s efforts in a marvelous way. A whole city had re pented as a result of it. But instead of rejoicing over what had happened and praising God for all the souls that had turned away from their sins unto God, Jonah was displeased. He did not like
G, To help a boy or girl chart a happy and successful life; fl. To help bring peace of mind to a dearone sorelytroubled; G, To delight the soul of one who loves the Bible but has never owned an Oxford:
iw e c m
America's Gift Bible since 1675 Your bookstore has many fine editions for your selection $1.65 to $250.00
For Your Vacation Bible School Request free Sample Surprise Gospel Object Talks for daily assembly feature. Paper tearing, tricks, chemicals, all very easy. Arnold Carl Westphal, Michigan City, Indiana
MINUTES RUNNING TIME
GOOD FOR • Children's Workers • Church Groups • Boys & Girls Camps • Sunday School Groups A story of a rugged, pioneer God fearing family trium phantly standing against the powers of evil.
Other Film Releases
The Gospel Heralds present a 30 minute musical film——just released— That Kid Buck 35 minute film on youth delinquency
THE M iA a c lt o SO UN D PROJECTOR , c has a strong heart — Prove for Dept. 5 ¡¿5 yourself, compare—
• 30% more light • Intermittent sprocket • Noiseless • Rock steady picture
Write for your free catalogue today.
C. O. BAPTISTA FILMS A non-profit Christian Foundation Sunnyside Ave., Wheaton, Illinois
Page Thirty-two
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker