January 1931
39
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
S oldiers of the C ross 1. The Personal Commission. “Thou, therefore . . . a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2. The Captain and Recruiting Officer. “Jesus Christ . . . who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (3, 4). 3. The • Standards of the Service. a. Endurance—“Suffer hardship as a good soldier” (3). b. Separation—“No man that goeth as a soldier entangleth himself with the affairs of this life” (4). c. Singleness of aim— “That he might please him who hath chosen ■ him to be a soldier” (4). * * * T he C hristian as a T horough W orkman “Give diligence to present thyself ap proved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, R.V.). The teaching of this verse is : - 1. We are to seek God’s approval, not man’s. 2. We are to show diligence, as a workman who is not ashamed. 3. We are to divide the Word rightly in order to gain God’s approval. 4. We are dealing with the true Word as contrasted w ith: a. The strife of words (14). b. The profane and vain bab blings (16). Each of the points in the above outlines may be developed in detail by using the condordant method described in last month’s notes. —o— February 8, 1931 A cts 17:24-31 JTTHE topic selected for this date by the Interdenominational Young People’s ¡Commission of the International Society jof Christian Endeavor is “What is Im- jplied in God is My Father?” It is some- itimes difficult to explain the connection ¡between the topics and the scriptures as signed. Certainly this text in Acts 17 ¡neither mentions nor refers to God as 1Father. The reference which is made to God is that of the Creator of all things ¡including mankind. !; There are four words used in the Bible ¡to describe the relationship between God and man. They are alike, but by no means identical. In Rom. 8:16, 17 and John 1: i2 the word ‘‘children" is used. It sug gests one born or brought forth, and it ¡properly refers to the maternal relation- iship, hinting parental love and care. It ;is used concerning those who are disciples, ¡“born again” into the family of God. In Matt. 11:25 and 21:16 the word “babe" re- ifers to one who does not yet talk; a mere ¡Infant, hence one who is simple and un- ilearned. In Rom. 8:14 and elsewhere we ¡have the strongest word denoting sonship, ¡that is, the "sons of God." This is a high e r relationship and fellowship. It is even used when referring to the Son of God. ¡The fourth word (used in our passage, Acts 17:28, 29) is “offspring” or “race.” The reference here is to God’s relation- jship to man as his Creator. “The word Father is not used. Nor does the passage
outlined as follows, each point furnishing the basis for further Bible study: 1. The Existence and Creative Power of God. “God that made the world and all things therein” (24). (A blow at the theory of evolution and chance.) 2. The Spiritual Character of God. Not worshiped “with men’s hands” (25) . 3. The Natural Kinship o f Man. “Made of one blood all nations” (26) . 4. The Overruling Providence o f God. “He hath determined the times be fore appointed” (26). 5. Man’s Need of God. “They should seek the Lord” (27). 6. The Universality of. the Presence of God. “He be not far from every one of of us” (27). 7. God the Source and Sustainer o f all Life. “In him we live and move and have our being” (28). Application: 1. Something- we ought not to do. “We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold” (29). 2. Something we ought to do. We should repent, for “God hath commanded all men everywhere to repent” (30). “Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteous ness” (31). —o— TN THE subject presented for this Sun day evening, “What is Implied in the Church as a Family?” we are again pre sented with a topic which would require a great deal of research to discuss intelli gently. Much scripture must be studied before any opinion can be formulated which is anything more than mere specu lation. However, we shall again adhere to the plan of the month and develop the scripture passage rather than the topic., ; Paul’s prayer in Eph. 3:14-19 is one of the high points of Scripture truth, j In Ephesians is presented some of the most profound truth in the whole Bible. It is a book which must be studied under the microscope if its marvelous teachings are to be appreciated. In this prayer there are four parts, each one the result; of the preceding and the cause of the following. Each step should be studied carefully and discussed prayerfully, for we are here in the very throne-room of God. T he P ower of the S pirit -F illed L ife “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strength ened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (16). 1. The Prayer for Power. “That he would g ra n t........... to be strengthened.” 2. The Source o f Power. “Strengthened with might by his Spir it" It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives strength. 3. The Place of Power. “In the inner man.” The entire in ner life and being of man is the abid ing place of the Spirit who gives pow er. February 15, 1931 E phesians 3 :14-19
Appreciated in Lands Ajar For ten years T he K ing ’ s B usiness has been a delight to me. —Prom Kimberley, South Africa. I would be sorry to miss a copy of T he K ing ’ s B usiness . The Sunday-school lessons are fine—full of good teaching. : —From Hunan, China. I heartily congratulate you on the splendid magazine you are giving to the reading public—so sound in teaching, so fine in spi rit and tone throughout. —From Kengtung, Burma.
affirm anything concerning faith or son- ship, which relationships are based on faith and the new birth.”— Scofield. It is therefore rather strange that the subject, “What is Implied in God is My Father?” should be attached to this par ticular passage of scripture. However, there is a splendid series of truths that are suggested to our minds. We will de velop them by the use of the following outlines. T he B ackground of the S ermon 1. The Preacher —Paul. a. Well educated. b. Truly converted. c. Definitely commissioned. d. One who had suffered for his faith. Pray that you may have the same zeal. 2. The Preparation —“While he waited his spirit was stirred within him” (16). a. The sights :of Rome, with its 30,000 gods, [ its temples, art, etc., did not attract him. b. He looked on all this with the eyes of the spirit-filled man. Pray that you likewise may see the need of your fellow man and be stirred in spirit. 3. The Pulpit —“Then Paul stood in the Pray that your life also may be a constant sermon to all who know you., 4. The Populace —“Ye men of Athens” ( 22 ). a. A critical congregation. b. Epicureans — rationalists “whose god was their belly.” c. Stories extolled virtue but denied human responsibility and future life. Pray that your words may be tem pered with wisdom as were those of Paul. * * * W hat P aul P reached The subject was Jesus Christ! “Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him I declare' unto you.” The sermon may be midst of Mars Hill” (22). a. In the synagogue first. b. Then in the market place. c. And now on Mar’s Hill, the place of philosophical discussion, Paul preaches the gospel.
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