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THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
March, 1941
thé finest fruit, the bush that bears the most beautiful roses, the branch that bears the finest cluster of grapes, has been tended and pruned and purged of everything that would hinder fruitful ness. 2. What about our fruitfulness? Are we, as individual branches of thè Great Vine, bearing the “fruit” of the Vine, the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22- 24) ? Check up, let us look over our “crop” and see whether the harvest shows a healthy condition in the branch. What have we allowed to come into our life that has shadowed our fellowship with Christ? HI. ARE WE LIVING THE "LOVE- MASTERED LIFE” ? (John 13:34, 35; 15:9-13). 1. Do we show ■forth the outward proof of discipleship in our love “one to another” (John 13:35).? 2. Are we continuing in the love of Christ (15:9, 10) ? Without love to God, and love of our fellow man, we cannot bear fruit, and our discipleship is noth ing but a vain and wordy show. “The lové of Christ constraineth us,” says Paul (2 Cor. 5:14). Have we that con straining force in our lives? The “ Christ-centered” life is the fruitful life. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (v. 10). The communion is broken if we fail to abide in His love. “ Abide”—meditate upon that word. What does it convey to our minds? It means to dwell, continue, so journ. It implies, not a transient “stop over,” not a sort of spiritual migrancy, but a permanent residence in the in vigorating strength-giving love of Jesus Christ. 3. Let us test our love. Is it a love even unto death (15:12, 13) ? Has it that quality of utmost self-abnegation? 4. Do we have, in our daily life, 'the “joy of the Lord” (John 15:11; Heb. 12:2)? IV. ARE WE OBEDIENT IN OUR RESPONSE TO CHRIST’S COM MAND?. (John 15;14, 17). 1. “Ye are .. . . if ye do” (v. 14). Those who desire the friendship of the Lord Jesus must pay the price of obe dience or forfeit joy and reward. 2. Christ’s disciples have a new name and a. hew state—they are no longer bond slaves, but friends (v. 15). A slave works because he must, a friend because he loves, and his joy is in service. 3. Christ’s disciples are not self-ap pointed but are chosen of Him (v. 16). There might be envy and jealousy among slaves, but among friends there should be nothing but love, each striving to outdo the other in service, not for self ish reasons, but because of the unity between the branches brought about by the flowing life of the great life-giving Vine (v. 17).
For the Leader 1. .
Dr. Rodney O. Lilyquist d e n t is t
A young woman came to her pastor and said: “I no longer have any joy or any sense of approval in my Christian
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life. What is the matter?” “Did you once have it? ” “Yes.”
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“Are you conscious of having refused obedience to some distinct command which came to you?” “Yes, years ago I thought God re quired something of me whiob I felt I could not do.” Ah! This was the test. Blessings lie only in the path of obedience.—Selected. 2 . A little girl often followed her father around with this question: “Father, what can I do for you?” And never was she happier than when he gave her something to do for him. Once he said, perhaps tired with her asking, “Child, why do you ask that question so much?” “Oh, Father,” she answered, with tears swelling in her eyes, “because I can’t help it.” Were this our attitude toward, God and His service, the opportunity to serve again would be the richest reward for servioe already rendered.—Selected. APRIL 27, 1941 THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP L u k e 14:25-33; J o h n 15:18-27 By Lyman A. Wendt Introduction There are not many “disciples” of Jesus Christ! "Discipleship” is based on a personal, passionate devotion to a Person—our Lord Jesus. Plenty of peo ple are devoted to doctrines, or beliefs, o r (creeds, or causes, or principles. Few are devoted to Christ. How wonderful if this generation of young people would show this lukewarm world what real “ discipleship” means! Here is a challenge for the best that is in us as Christian youth. It is not easy to be a “disciple” ! It costs a sinner nothing to be saved, but it costs a Chris tian everything to be a “disciple.” For Those Who Have Topics I. THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP IS SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL. Read Luke 14:25-33. 1. Social: Discipleship means the for saking of earthly ties (v. 264: a. If a Christian says, “I prefer to belong to my mother, to my brother, to ’myself,” then, says our Lord, in effect, “You cannot be my ‘disciple.’ ” These sound like very stern conditions—and they are—but very glorious con ditions. Oh, the joy of being wholly His! b. Note the “if” (v. 26). Jesus Christ never insists on obedience!
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