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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
April, 1938
cross. It is easy for the human mind to concentrate on one aspect of truth and to refuse to see the other. The disciples, it is true, could see nothing but His Kingly glory and could find no place in their theol ogy for His death. But some of their critics are just as blind to His coming glory. We are inclined to see what we ’want to see. But why were the disciples “afraid to ask him” ? Certainly as the great Teacher He would have welcomed their questions on the truth that He wanted above all else to teach. And they knew His patience and kindness. There is something else wrong. Perhaps they were “ afraid” to ask Him lest His answer might destroy some of their fondly cherished notions in which there was no room for Calvary. They had already made up their minds how things ought to be, and they would risk no questions which might upset the direction of what modern psychology would call their “ wishful think ing.” How foolish, we say. Yet we have ministerial disciples today who are actu ally “ afraid” of Biblical prophecy and want nothing to do with it. Is it perhaps because they are fearful of learning something about the coming glory of the Man of Sor rows, for which they have no room in their theological systems? General Grant had been for several months in front of Petersburg apparently accomplishing nothing, while General Sher man had captured Atlanta, and had com pleted his grand “ march to the sea.” Then arose a strong cry to promote Sherman to Grant’s position as Lieutenant-General. Hearing of it, Sherman wrote to Grant, “ I have written to John Sherman [his brother] to stop it. I would rather have you in com mand than any one else. I should emphat ically decline any commission calculated vo bring us into rivalry.” Grant replied, “ No one would be more pleased with your advancement than I ; and if you should be placed in my position, and I put subordinate, it would not change our relations in the least. I would make the same exertion to support you that you have done to support me, and I would do all in my power to make your cause win.”— O. S. Marden, in Architects of Fate. Golden Text Illustration M ark 9:40 Memory Verse: “ As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them like wise” (Lk. 6:31). Approach: After the Lord Jesus had taken the demon-possessed child and healed him and had told the disciples that only through prayer and waiting on G od could When We Want to Be First M ark 9:30-41
was starting back to Jerusalem where He knew that soon He was to be crucified. As they walked along, Jesus told them once more about the cruel things that soon were to be done to Him. But the disciples were thinking of something very different. They began arguing among themselves. What do you suppose they were talking about? They were arguing as to which of them was the greatest! The Lord Jesus knew what they were talking about, and He must have been very sorry about it. When they reached the city of Capernaum, He called them to Him and sat down with them and explained to them what being truly great really is. He said, “ If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Then He took a child in His arms and said, “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me.” Then the disciples began to tell Jesus about a man they met on the way who had been casting out evil spirits in Jesus’ name. They said something like this: “W e told him to stop, because he was not following with us.” How selfish and proud they had been! Jesus wanted to make them under stand that whoever was calling on God through Jesus’ name, was working for Him. This is true today just as it was in the day when Jesus talked to His disciples. bound together with a rubber band. Lesson: Did you ever see a good ball game where there was no teamwork? No, I am sure you never did. You must have teamwork in the game of life to make it worth while. As long as these matches have teamwork and allow this rubber band to bind them together, it would be very difficult to break them. One, alone, can be broken easily. But, notice, the rubber band pulls the match back as soon as I start pulling it away. Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill. Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him. One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, Object Lesson M igh ty M atches Objects: About twenty-five matches,
This bundle of matches reminds me of ihe people of God, who are bound together with the bands of love. Believers when bound together with the love of God will stand against all the power of Satan. As long as the rubber band holds them to gether, the matches stand. (Stand them on end.) They have to stand together or they fall. They, too, have to use team work. It has always been God’s desire that His people should work together. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, it was necessary that there be teamwork so that the work might progress and the walls might be completed. In speaking of teamwork, Jesus' Christ said, of a man who had been doing mir acles in Jesus’ name: “ Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part” (Mk. 9:38, 39). God is looking for people in this day who are willing to do teamwork and re main bound together with the bands of love. When He finds them, He uses them for His glory. Suppose we were required to go into a dark basement, and were given our choice of taking with us this bundle of matches, or a single match not bound to the others. Which would we choose? The single match might not be strong and bright, or at best it soon would be burned out. True, we must “ shine” - independently, but we need each other in order that our lives may give strong and continual light.
M A Y 15, 1938 TESTING DISaPLESHTP BY SERVICE M a r k 10:17-31
saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive a hundredfold now
they have the power to help others, you would suppose that the disciples would have spent their time in prayer. But how quickly they forgot what Jesus had said! L e s s o n S t o r y : They were leaving the northern part of the country, for Jesus
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