King's Business - 1925-10

439

October 1925

TH E

K I N G ’ S

B U S I N E S S

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C omm e n t s b y Rev. V. V. Morgan

C h r i s t i a n E n d e a v o r Top i cs

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ment that owes its existence to God must not do anything contrary to God. We notice in this Scripture lesson the remarkable change from the de­ scription of the people as given in the third verse. The grace of God and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit changes men from brawlers and lawbreakers to gentle, law-abiding, loving Christians. The Christian citizen should live prayerfully (1 Tim. 2:1, 2 ). Should live peaceably (Rom. 12:18). Indus­ triously (Eph. 4:28). Truthfully (Eph. 4:25). Honestly (Eph. 4:28, f. c.; liThess. 4:12). Lovingly (Rom. 13:8-10). Soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:11-15). For God’s glory (Col. 3:17), OCTOBER 25, 1925 Our New Americans: How They Help Us and How We Can Help Them Deut. 10:12-22; Luke 7:1-5 Far more is made of hospitality in the Bible than, most people realize, as the following verses indicate: (Rom. 12:13; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9; Matt. 25:35; Heb. 13:2; Deut. 10:19; 14:29; 23:7; 24:19-22; Lev. 17:8, 10, 13; 19:10, 34; Exod. 22:21.) Notice how God admonished Israel to be very solicitous for the needs of the stranger, giving as argument the fact that they were once strangers in a strange land. In America we have a wonderful opportunity to minister to the spir­ itual, mental and physical needs of thousands who come from every nation of earth. In a sense we are able to go into all the world and yet stay in our own land, for the world comes to us. How eager we ought to be to take ad­ vantage of this glorious opportunity and yet, strange and amazing, so few are doing anything to reach these new­ comers with the Gospel. Let us not forget that this opportu­ nity involves a great responsibility. God will surely bring us to account for our attitude and actions toward the stranger within our gates. The numerous, perplexing and often alarming problems that arise because of immigrants who are foreign to our ideals, standards and institutions would be solved by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these strangers are totally ignorant of the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, of the blessed assurance that comes from faith in Him, and of the gracious keeping power manifested to those who believe in Him. Many are strangers to “the covenants of promise,” “aliens from the household of God,” “having no hope and without God in the world.” Consequently they are lost and it is our business to tell them of the Saviour, who died for them and lives for them.

Many believers are willing to do most anything and give almost every­ thing, except the one thing He asks us to give— “Son, give me thine heart.” In this chapter in Corinthians, we have a strong message on steward­ ship^—-the Exemplification of Steward­ ship (vs. 1-6). The churches in Mace­ donia had recognized and responded to the stewardship of self and sub­ stance. The Exhortation to similar endeavor in stewardship (vs. 7-8). This is followed by the Example of our Lord (v. 9). He gave Himself, that we through His poverty and His suffering and His death might become rich. Gratitude requires that we give our­ selves. “By the mercies of God” (Rom. 12:1-2). Surely after what He has done for us we ought to give our­ selves to Him. Growth in grace, experience and knowledge depend on giving ourselves to Him. Usefulness in life is determined by the extent that we yield to Him. Power with God and with man de­ pends upon the giving of ourselves to Him. This is the key to success. Honesty demands that we give our­ selves to Him. We belong to Him by right of creation and redemption. He has bought us with His own blood. We are not our own, therefore, if we keep ourselves back from Him, we are guilty of dishonesty and robbery. Our love to Him is measured by the extent to which we surrender to Him. If we love Him, we will permit Him to have His own way in us and through us. This is the acid test of our profession. OCTOBER 18, 1925 What is Expected of a Christian Citizen? Micah 6 : 8 ; Titus 3:1-8 (Citizenship Day) The Bible is the promoter and guar­ dian of law, order, peace and good be­ havior toward all men. So it behooves the Christian citizen to be ready to help his government maintain these rights and privileges. (Titus 3:1): “Ready to every good work.” The best citizen, the truest patriot, is the genuine Christian, for the pros­ perity of a nation depends upon the spirituality of a nation. The Chris­ tian citizen should live loyally (Rom. 13; 1 Pet. 2:13-17). Loyal to the in­ stitution of government as long as that institution does not demand that the Christian violate the law of God (Acts 5:29, 40-42). Our obedience and loy­ alty is to God first, and only by being loyal to God first are we truly loyal to our country. Human government is of divine origin, proving that God intended man to be under authority, and the govern­

OCTOBER 4, 1925 How Can Our Society Benefit Our C o m m u n it y ? Matt. 5:13-20. (Consecration Meet­ ing. Rally Sunday.) “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Salt Is a preservative. Its purpose is to' ward off corruption. The purpose of the presence of the Christian in the world is to check the destructive and deadly gangrene of sin. But if the salt has lost its distinctive qualities, its goodness, of what worth is it? If our lives are not right with God, of what use áre we? Salt is not useful unless it is good, so the benefit and blessing that we are to be to the com­ munity depends on our goodness. If we are not living clean, definite, sep­ arated and surrendered lives, we are “good for nothing.” Salt is of no value if it is not used, — if it is kept in a box or barrel. It must be spread or scattered about before it can do its work. So we are of benefit to the community only as we do definite, thorough, persistent, per­ sonal or soul-winning work, in our neighborhood. Endéavoring to Win souls to Christ is our main business, regardless of what community we live in. Salt cre­ ates thirst and if our lives are right we will create a real thirst in the hearts of others to know the One who has so richly blessed our lives. “Ye are the light of the world.” The purpose of light is to shine. There is a moral obligation upon each of us to shine for Him. Our first aim is that God should be glorified. If we fail to “so shine” we are guilty of robbing God of what is His due. We are to shine brightly, loyally, faithfully and constantly, radiating the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:15, 16). Men are in the dark, their eyes blinded by Satan and their minds darkened by sin. If the light fails and the world be plunged into darkness, how great will be that darkness! OCTOBER 11, 1925 They “First Gave Their Own Selves” A Stewardship Meditation 2 Cor. 8:1-15 “First gave their own selves to the Lord.” The emphasis is upon “first.” The giving of self must precede the giving of anything else. What does God need of our nickels and dimes? All the gold and silver belong to Him. What does He need of our talents? He is omnipotent. What does He need of our time? Eternity belongs to Him. What He does need and what He desires is ourselves. When He has ns completely, He has our tithes, our talents, and our time. These are ac­ ceptable, after we have given our­ selves to Him.

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