D c m ' v V The following article was so un usual and penetrating that we are publishing it for the interest o f our readers. WE HAVE A THIEF IN OUR CHURCH L ast S unday a thief entered our church during the eve ning service and stole money from purses, a camera, and oth er articles. Total loss was val ued at about $750. Evidently that thief qualifies as one in whom there is “ no fear of God before his eyes.” Certainly he wasn’t expecting the imminent return of Christ. Nor did he seem to believe that “ Thou God seest me.” His understanding of right and wrong was corrupt. His un derstanding of God was as one who is dead to God. He did not believe the Word of God in his heart. Every Sunday we have a thief visit our church, and he often takes far more than could be valued at $750. As the Word is being preached he snatches it out of people’s hearts. Sometimes he does not even permit it to reach their hearts. Often there are those present who want to hear the Word, but this thief sees that someone around them is irreverent so as to distract at tention. He loves to use the very best of people, too, if he can. This thief will rob people of the joy of their salvation by giving them a gossiping tongue or itch ing ears to listen to mischief. Or he will steal from them God’s best by leading them into a spir it of murmuring or a heart of fault-finding or a mind given to declaring half-truths. Yes, a thief entered our church last Sunday, and we are sorry. But the spirit of that same thief never misses a service at our church either. In fact, he often circulates among us during the week. We need not tell you what his name is, nor would we even spell it with a capital “ d.” He is opposed to everything that glor ifies Christ. He is dead-set against the work of God. His favorite place to work? — a Bi- ble-believing, missionary-minded, aggressive, growing, dedicated assembly of believers called the local church! Dr. Blaine Bishop, Pastor, F irst Baptist Church, Los Gatos, California
T A L B O T T H E O L O G I C A L
S E M I N A R Y
MISSIONS
PASTORATE
Gives a basic introduction to home and foreign missions and provides constant challenge, through numerous missionary chapels and faculty emphasis, to carry the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.
Provides the student with the content of his message, the manner of delivery of his sermon, successful methods of pastoral work, opportunities for practical experience, and an active place ment service after graduation.
EVANGELISM
TEACHING
Believes the successful pastor must be a soul winner, challenges him to this task, supplies him with the tools requisite to winning souls for Christ, and instructs him in their use in the local church and in evangelistic campaigns.
Lays a firm foundation for theological graduate study for students desiring education as their life work, and equips its graduates to be successful Bible teachers in the local church and upon the mission field.
For further information, catalogue, bulletin, and other data, write to DEAN, TALBOT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 13800 BIOLA AVE., LA MIRADA, CALIF.
BIOLA FAMILY BIBLE CONFERENCE
La Mirada Campus
June 21-27
I M B U E Affiliated with: THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES, INC. Write today for Catalogue, — ■
Registrar, ARIZONA BIBLE COLLEGE, 3025 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Arizona-
19
JUNE, 1964
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs