JULY, 1946
311
4.
BI BLE INSTRUCTION ABOUT
For Those Who Have Topics 1. BIBLE EXAMPLES OF PRAYER. Luke 11:1-13. This passage contains three prayers which pertain to public life. The first is the prayer of activity. As we pray this prayer publicly, we express our heart’s desire for the glory of God, the coming of our Lord Jesus, and the growth in the knowledge of the Word of God wherein is revealed the will of God. We express our attitude of for giveness toward others, and our de pendence upon God for daily needs. Bible prayers are short. None of them have a long prelude. Each person who prayed arrived immediately at the point of his prayer. He prayed about a specific thing, and did not give God explanations of the Bible as some do. Bible prayers are prayers of faith. They are not oratorical exhibitions, but they express the heart hunger of the one who prayed as Hannah prayed. Public prayers s h o u l d always be Scriptural, specific, and short. They should be in a natural tone of voice without repetition of God’s Name. 2. B I BLE TEACHI NG ABOUT PRAYER. Phil. 4:6. We ar.e to pray about everything and omit nothing. We are to pray "in everything” and "for everything.” We are to pray without ceasing. We are to pray and watch for the answer. We are to come to God believingly, for if we waver in our faith, we shall not receive from God. The Bible reveals that anyone may pray, anywhere, any time. God is no respecter of persons in this matter. It is not necessary to have correct grammatical construction. “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire . . . ” With a Bible in our hand, and the prayer of faith on our lips, we may become able leaders and teachers for the glory of our Lord. The Bible con stantly calls on us to feel our need of divine help. It gives us assurance of expecting that help as we come with believing hearts. 3. BIBLE ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRAYER. Jas. 5:17. Moses was a man of prayer. His cry to God is recorded so that we, too, will become intercessors. The Bible tells us that Elijah was a man of like pas sions with us, yet he prayed and the answer came. The Lord rebukes us all through James and Paul. Through James, He said, “Ye have not. because ye ask not . . . ” thereby encouraging us to pray. Through Paul, He tells us that He is “able to do exceeding, abun dantly above all we ask or think.” He is rebuking us, because we ask so little from a God who is so big. Jeremiah said, “ I prayed and he "rswered.” The Lord has preserved that record for us so that we will go and do likewise.
AUGUST 18, 1946 MUSIC IN PUBLIC WORSHIP P sa . 98 and 100 Where there is no Bible, there is no music. The heathen have disassociated and disconnected s o u n d s without harmony. Wherever the Bible goes, there is singing with melody and sweetness. Throughout the Scriptures, harmonious music accompanies the service of our Lord. It was music that caused the demons to leave King Saul. It was music that caused the walls of Jericho to fall. It was "when the song of the Lord began, the enemy was put to flight.” Singing char acterizes Heaven. “They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb.” They sing about the One who loves them and who gave Himself for them. So it is to be expected that in our public serv ices, music will have a prominent place. The heart expresses itself in adoration, love, and trust in the sweet cadences of the Gospel hymns. The heavy heart is refreshed by the sweet songs of Zion. For Those Who Have Topics 1. MUSIC AT THE OPENING OF THE SERVICE. Psa. 100:4 The hymns should be in harmony with the subject of the message to be given. This will help to prepare the hearts of the people for the message to follow. The music should be suit able to the character of the friends present. The aged will not be inter ested in jazzy, rhythmic songs. Chil dren will not be interested in the sad, solemn songs of their forefathers. Ar range the music to fit the audience for the best r e s u l t s . The hymns should be those that all can sing, or can learn to sing easily, and they should have a message for the heart. 2. MUSIC AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE. Psa. 98:5. The hymn or hymns which follow the message should press home to the hearts of the people the message that has been given. The character of the music as well as the words should be carefully chosen so that the effect of the message will be enhanced. The songs should carry an appeal to both saint and sinner. There should be the watering after the planting. The closing music should be a final touch from Heaven upon the hearts of those who have listened. It should seal home the effects of the ministry in such a way that the message will remain in the heart after the friend has left the service. This closing message in song is as important as the sermon that has been given. Care should be taken that the closing music does not blot out from the memory the thoughts given by the pastor. There is no time for frivolity after serious thought.
PRAYER. Jas. 5:16. The'Lord tells us t h r o u g h His servant, James, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer should be effectual in its logic and fervent in its character. We are to be reasonable in our re quests. Christ informed us that we must ask in His Name. Therefore, what we ask should be of such a char acter that the Saviour can approve it. The Holy Spirit l e a d s us to pray
IT’S AN IDEA Rev. Carlton C. Buck Idea 1. For August 4: Isaiah was not ready for service until he had actu ally seen the Lord. Relate the experiences of others: Paul, Peter, Matthew, Zac; chaeus, etc., to prove this point. Idea 2. For August 11: Slides, films, posters and other materials on the sub ject of the Bible are avail able through the American Bible Society. Ask your pastor for the address, and secure an impressive dis play. Idea 3. For August 18: Why not have your choir director give a brief talk on the history of Church Music or some related sub ject, which would fit in with your topic of the eve ning? Idea 4. For August 25: Order in advance copies of some good tract on “The Lord’s Day” and distribute them at the August 25 meeting. Your pastor will be happy to help you with this selection.
prayers that God will hear and accept. We look to the Spirit to bring our petitions before the Father and before the Saviour acceptably, for “we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” We pray for the things that are for God’s glory. We pqiy for things which are for our good so far as we know it. We ask that He will do or give acording to His infinite wisdom, knowledge, and love. The Eible er •' courages us to ask and to believe that the answer.' is Gcd’s good will.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker