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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
May, 1936
prominent in their thoughts, and that is the reason they are not concerned enough about their children to really pray for them. Furthermore, we do not believd God. Theoretically in our hearts we believe. But I wonder whether we truly believe this statement in John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life : and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” We read that declaration repeatedly, and then we go right on, and we let these children slip out past us into eternity, and we do not say a word. Can you by any stretch of your imagination realize what the wrath of God means ? Thank God, those of us in Christ Jesus never will know what the wrath of God .means. But these unsaved ones— the wrath of God is on them now. And then, we do not obey God. God gave the Great Commission and told us all to go out and preach the gospel. I used to console myself that I did not have to do personal work because my ministry was to edify the saints. But one day a word utterly upset that complacency. A man said to me, “Well, you have a special dispensation, then, haven’t you? The Great Commission does not apply to you.” It made me go home and think. And if any of you are on that edifying bench, I beg you to move and get on the fisher men’s bench. T h e G od -G iven R emedy What is the remedy for the danger and disaster into which our failure has brought us? First, we must believe God and obey God. I like this word in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”’ Do you believe that promise? Why do we not do this that God requires? How we hate to humble ourselves! “And pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways . . .” Remember, God is talking to those who are called by His name: “. . . and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear.”
It all rests with us. Every particle of the blame is ours. Then, too, we are to study and to teach God’s Word. Many people do not believe this statement, but children would far rather have you teach them out of the Bible than out of the quarterly. Children love to read the Bible. Whether your class is a primary group, junior, teen age, college—whatever it is, read the Bible in your class. Some of you would rather tell the story. I think God told the story very much better than I can, and I think He told it a good deal better than you can. Have your pupils read God’s Word in the class. P oints C oncern ing I ntercession Next to God’s Word in importance is the ministry of intercession. First, intercession must include love for the children, whether they are big or little. This is a commonly expressed complaint: “Oh, I am so disgusted with young people now. Young people are not what they used to be. They are just so giddy and so worldly. I haven’t any patience with them at all.” I heard a Sunday-school teacher of a class of high-school girls say that. She does not have much influence with her girls-—-and no wonder ! One has to love them. I want to bring just a word to those whose hair is as gray as mine. Young people are exactly the same today as they were when we were young people. But never in the history Of the world has Satan had all his cohorts massed against youth as he has today. Had we had to face the things that our children face today, we would have found out we are built of the same material that they are. Don’t get a self-righteous streak and think that you are good and they are bad. They have the same heart, the same express ions, the same desires, the same loves and hates—and a thousand times more temptations. Therefore, if you can not love young people, do not teach a Sunday-school class. Do not do it, because they know how you feel about them just as quickly as}you come into the classroom. If you cannot sympathize with them, get down on your face before God and pray until'He gives you a love for modern youth. In teaching boys and
girls, do not give them stale comments. How would youliketo be served for your meals something that had been prepared a couple of weeks ago ? When you have six or seven Bible classes a week, you think, “I used that the other night. I be lieve I could just give, it again.” But be sure that your message is new and vital in your own heart. And if you do not know every single thing about that les son, study it again on your knees. Your class wants something fresh and living, and God will give it to you. Is your intercession per sonal?. Have you a prayer list with every member of your class on that list? If you have not, what is wrong? Is any one being saved in your class? If not, there is something wrong, and the fault is not with God. [Continued on page 174]
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