November 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
519 One of the greatest difficulties in achieving the place of power in the Chris-' tian life is to be found in a wrong appre hension of values. All too often, there is a tendency to mistake self-righteousness for God-righteousness. We center our confi dence in the flesh rather than in the Spirit, pointing to our blue-blooded ancestry (v. 5), our high orthodoxy’ (v. 5), our zeal ous activity (v. 6), and we fail to see that these things must be counted loss if Christ is to have His proper place in our experience. Self-righteousness, mere mo rality of the flesh, is set here in contrast to the righteousness which is of God by faith. If we choose the one, we lose the other; if we lose the one, we find the other. The climax of the Christian’s atti tude toward Christ is found in the willing ness to suffer the loss of all things and count them but nothing if we may win Christ and be found in Him. II. T he P ast , the P resent , and the F uture “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ” (Phil. 3:13, 14). One of the choicest passages in all the gamut of Christian truth is given here for our encouragement. It deals with the past and all its sins and mistakes; it deals with the present and its opportunity of choice and decision; and it deals with the future and its possibilities of high achieve ment. There are two dangers which con front us in our daily experience. The first is to dwell in the realm of the past, woe fully berating ourselves for our failures and despondently agonizing over that which we have already done. A second danger is that, in the whirling rush of our mad life, we may fix our eyes only upon that which is here and now, living for the vain moment, and never reckoning with the past, or counting the cost, or think ing of the future. God’s plan, as set forth m this passage, presents a different mode of existence. That which is past is to be forgotten; that which is future is to be ever kept in mind; and the present mo ment is to be employed in determinedly driving ourselves forward toward the goal and the prize to be found.in Christ Jesus. The secret of maintaining such an ex perience lies in the opening portion of the passage, where Paul comes out with his tremendous declaration: “This one thing I do.” The only way that we can keep our eyes fixed on Christ is by resolving with the Apostle Paul, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” . Discussion 1. The Christian life may be likened to a journey in which the path to be fol lowed is clearly marked and the dangers to be avoided are plainly labeled. Discuss some of the red flags of warn ing suggested in verse 2. These are in the order given: the danger of compan ionship with evil men, the danger of lis tening to evil teachers, and the danger of accepting evil doctrine. Give practical ex amples of the existence of these dangers today and tell how they may be avoided. 2. We often assume a self-righteous attitude, priding ourselves on our birth, our position, or our zeal. Can morality
deny our Lord’s deity and the outstanding facts of the gospel message? 3. Upon the basis of material already worked out, discuss the self-humbling and the exaltation of Christ (vs. 5-11). 4. From the analysis already made, discuss verses 12 and 13. How does verse 13 safeguard the statement made in verse 12? Can you recall any other places where one verse presents one side of a truth and another presents the other side of the same truth (cf. Gal. 6:2, 5) ? 5. 6. Study the injunction found in verse 14. Some one has defined “mur- murings” as “complaints against the prov idence of God and rebellion against the ways of God.” “Disputings” are exhibi tions of the contentious spirit in our deal ings with our fellow men. They are us ually the result of murmuring against God. The murmurings express a moral revolt, the disputings an intellectual re volt, against the will of God for our lives. Discuss practical applications of these principles that have been set forth. 7. Using a Bible concordance, look up all the references you can find, in which Christians are likened to shining lights in the darkness of this world (cf. vs. 15, 16), Note that, in order to shine as a light, the Christian must hold forth the word of life (cf. John 1:4). Discuss how the life of Christ in us results in our be ing a light to men about us. In what prac tical ways can we let our lights so shine before men that they may seè our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16)? DECEMBER 20, 1931 Christian Joy in Fellowship P hilippians 3 Key Verse: “That I may know him” (Phil. 3:10). I N c h a pt e r 3, we have Christ pre sented as the goal of the Christian life. To be found in Christ (v. 9), to know Christ (v. 10), and to be like Him (v. 21) is the object of our faith, our desire, and our hope; and all this can be summed up in the fact that Christian joy comes through fellowship with' the Source of all joy, our Lord Jesus Christ. There is much practical material in this chapter, that should prove to be of excep tional value for the purpose of discussion. Much time should be given to the consid eration of the material herein presented. P rep aration MONDAY: Go through the chapter carefully, mark ing those verses which are especially worth memorizing. Copy them in your notebook and select two or three to be learned today. Some suggestions are : verses 7-9 ; 10-12; 13, 14; 20, 21 TUESDAY: Prepare your own outline of the ma terial found in this chapter. WEDNESDAY: Select two or three of the passages written in your notebook on Monday. Memorize them as your exercise for to day. THURSDAY: List in separate columns Paul’s seven fold cause for confidence in the flesh (vs. 4-6) as against his reasons for glorying in Christ (vs. 7-14). FRIDAY : Fill in and comment upon the follow ing brief outline on the Christian race:
1. Its start (vs. 7-9). 2. Its progress (vs. 10-19). 3. Its finish (vs. 20, 21).
SATURDAY: Write a 200-word comment on the sub ject, “The Christian’s Aim,” using as a basis Paul’s three ambitions: “That I may win” (v. 8) ; “That I may know” (v. 10); “That I may apprehend” (v. 12 ). SUNDAY: Select some passage or verse to be used as the basis for preparing an outline for a short devotional talk or personal tes timony. Analysis I. The Injunction to Rejoice (y. 1). II. The Warning (vs. 2-8). 1. Against evil men—“beware of dogs” (v. 2). 2. Against evil teachers—“evil work ers” (v. 2). 3. Against evil doctrines—“concision” (v. 2). 4. Against self-righteousness (vs. 3-8). III. 1 he Promise (vs. 9-11). 1. Security—“and be found in him” (v. 9). 2. Righteousness—“not having mine own righteousness” (v. 9). 3. Fellowship—“that I may know him” (v. 10). 4. Ppwer—“the power of his resurrec tion” (v. 10). 5. Purity—“the fellowship of his suf ferings” (v. 10). 6. Immunity—“conformable unto his death” (v. 10). 7. Victory—“if by any means I might attain” (v. 11). IV. The Declaration (vs. 12-14). 1. Apprehension (v. 12). 2. Action (vs. 13, 14). 3. Advancement (v. 14). V. The Exhortation (vs. 15-21), 1. To “be thus minded” (v. 15). 2. To walk in unity (v. 16). 3. To follow the highest examples (v. 4. To avoid the enemies of the cross of Christ (vs. 18, 19). 5. To look for Christ’s coming (vs. 20, 21 ) . Expression I. P rofit and L oss From Overseas Please find enclosed $1.75 to re new my subscription to T he K ing ’ s B usiness . I am still enjoying the feast of fat things that is served in it.— A uckland , N. Z. T he K ing ’ s B usiness comes to me every month. I am glad to say it is growing better. I read it, then give it away to friends.— K eith B anff shire , N. B., S cotland . I have received a sample copy of your magazine and found the spirit ual food in it to be very delicious. Between now and next month, if the Lord permits, I will send in my Subscription. —B alboa P. O., C anal Z one . “I count all things but loss for the ex cellency o f the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8).
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