Hay, 1941
T H B K I N O ’ S B U S I N E S S
192
in. T hird L esson (.10-15)
2. “Even as unto babes in Christ” (v. 1). We all know that for several years, until the child has grown and learned by careful discipline, the ordinary child tends to follow his own fleshly desires and inclinations. It is the same in Christ, where the “babe” is inclined to follow his “carnal” tendencies until he has been taught, and. disciplined, and grows in knowledge and grace. While this process is going on, we should deal firmly but tenderly, as we would with a .child of our flesh. It is not easy to pre serve the fine balance of Paul, in deal, ing with “babes in Christ,” to avoid un due harshness without any compromise with carnality. But is should be done. 3. “We are laborers together with God” (v. 9). Many discussions of this text miss the point because of the mis leading translation in the King James Version. The relationship is hot affirmed between the laborers and God, but be tween the different ones who labor. The American Revision makes it clearer, “We are God’s fellow-workers.” Or to put it another way, We are all fellow workers, and as such we belong to one God. The ordinary interpretation» that we work with God, doubtless expresses a truth, but it is not the point in this text. This is no mere linguistic technicality. What the apostle is trying to drive into the minds of his readers is that men are unimportant, that one minister is not to be exalted above another, that they are all merely joint workers in a common task, but God is above all, the owner both of the work and the workmen. To miss this point is a serious matter, and throws the whole passage into confusion. Golden Text Illustration 1 C orinthians 3:11 A short man wanted to drive a nail in a wall to carry a big picture. He stood on a chair; he was not high enough. His wife put on a small box, and, balancing himself precariously, he began to give the nail hesitating taps with the hammer. His wife said, “Why don’t you give a brave blow or two, and settle it?” He replied, “How can a man »give a brave blow or two when he is standing on a foundation like this?” The question of certainty or uncer tainty depends upon the foundation on which the preacher or teacher is stand ing. One need have no note of uncer tainty if he believes the Bible and has “Thus saith the Lord” for all he preaches or teaches.—The Globe, Toronto, Gan. In Our Church 1 C orinthians 3:1-15 MEMORY VERSE: "Let us love one another: for love is of God” (1 John 4 :7 ). APPROACH: Did you ever stop to think what it would be like if the Lord Jesus should open the door of your home
TWO GREAT SONG BOOKS! c f tfje Cijrtgtian Life
The third lesson is that, while the increase is from God, and the building is God’s, the reward also is from Him. The apostles, after whom the parties in Corinth . were calling themselves, had nothing of reward to b e s t o w . The foundation had been laid, and that foundation is Christ Jesus the Lord. What remained to do was to build upon that foundation (vs. 10, 11). Every one’s work will be tested at last to reveal of what sort it is. The quality, not so much the quantify, will be in view. There is much of So-called Christian work that makes an excellent showing before men. But the question is: How will it stand the final test be fore the Lord? There are many who are quietly going on with the Lord, si lently doing His will, never accomplish ing anything spectacular. But at the testirtg time, at the judgment seat of Christ, their work may be found to be of the sort that stands the fire of test ing and receives the reward. The teaching of this passage does not concern the eternal salvation or loss of the souls of men. It is the work, not the worker, that is tested here. If the work is found unto the praise and honor and glory of the Lord Himself, it will be rewarded; the work w r o u g h t for some other purpose, however high or estimable it may be, will be burned, and the destruction of it will constitute the loss that is suffered. Points and Problems 1. “As unto carnal” (1 Cor. 3:1). This frank statement should not be toned down to mean that Paul had to speak to the Corinthians as if they were car nal. These Christians were carnal, as the apostle writes in verse 3, “For ye are yet carnal,” and proves by their "envying, and strife, and divisions” (v. 3). Yet these same people are addressed as “saints,” “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1:2). From this we should learn that all Christians are “sanctified” in a cer tain sense, even though some of them are yet very “carnal.” The word “sanc tify” means to “set apart.” And all be lievers are set apart as God’s own pos session in Christ at the moment of sali vation, in order that He may set them apart from their sinful and carnal ways progressively and continuously. The first sanctification is accomplished by blood and is once for all. The second is wrought by the Word of God moment by moment.
A large, dynamic hymnal for general church use and evangelis tic purposes, emphasizing Evan gelism» Missions and the Deeper Life. 504 songs. Responsive
Readings. Complete indexes. Round notes and cloth edition only at the remarkably low price of $65.00 a hundred. Single copy, 85c postpaid. Get this book and you will get the best! f E f j e J I e t o /
Crttfabe &ong£ Especially designed for Evan gelistic Campaigns, Bible Confer encesandMissionaryConventions. 107 numbers includingmany pop ular choruses. A new book, ideal and inexpensive. Covers in two colors; reinforcedmanila binding. 15c each; $12.50 a hundred.
Returnable sample copies will be furnished EDITITV Catalog of sound religious books, or samples of Sunday School papers and quarterlies. CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. 1562 N. Third St. Harrisburs, Pa. REAPER, are you interested enough In Biola to patronize King’s Business advertisers? Hooker's Electric Shop will give 10% discount on electrical merchandise and supplies. Cal}, Write or Phone TUcker 9976 700 W. Sixth St. Los Angeles, Calif. ^ New Analytical, DID L th Scofie,cl' Oxford Scripture Mottoes & Greeting Cards BIBLE BINDERY Flexible Leather Covers a Specialty GRACE WHIBDEN 1040 Bermuda Long Beach, Calif. n I n I “ OBJECT TALKS” 20 bright, talks to boys and girls illus trated by familiar objects. ^ “ Talks on Texts” 20 Children’s Sermons. Illustrated by fascinating illustrations. “ P ap er Tearing Talks” 15 Gospel talks. Paper is folded. Inter esting to old and young. Full directions. One Pastor writes: “Your talks are the heat 1 have ever used or have been able to find.’’ Over 47,000 in use. Each set $1.00 All Three $2.00 55 talks—whole year with the Children. , Haridon Service, Box 164B, Fairfield, Conn.
Please Mention THE KING’S BUSINESS
Dr. Frank H. Guernsey OPTOMETRIST 415 Park Central Bldg. 412 West Sixth Street, Near Hill
[ m m
VAndlke 1928
Dos Angeles
WrW^ÊÊ' ' nffllw
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker