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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
February, 1941
NOTES on Christian Endeavor
The mystery of God’s love: Two men were discussing passages in the Bible that were perplexing to them, One spoke of the verse, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,” and said he could never understand the hatred of God for Esau. “Oh,” replied the other, “the strange part to me is that He loved Jacob!” MARCH 9, 1941 THE GRACE OF CHRIST THE SON J ohn 1:15-17; 2 C orinthians 8:9; 2 T imothy 2:1-3 Introduction As he sought to fathom the grace of Christ the Son in his own life, Martin Luther exclaimed: “Thou, Lord Jesus, art my Righteousness; I am Thy sin. Thou hast takeh what was mine and hast given me what was Thine. What Thou wast not Thou didst become, that I might become what I was not.” Grace has been defined as “unmerited favor” and “the means by which a righteous God may show mercy to sin ful men.” It is one of the most won derful doctrines of the Word of God— fathomless in its depth and meaning. Urge the group to make a study of the subject, using a Bible concordance and any other helps that will throw light on the passages. To introduce this study, the following list of questions— which may be extended if desired—may be placed on a blackboard during the meeting, and certain members of the group asked to answer “Yes” or “No,” and to substantiate their answers by Scripture references. For the sake of brevity here, the references are placed alongside the questions: 1. Must one have grace in order to be saved (Rom. 3: 23-26; Titus 2:11; Eph. 2:8, 9) ? 2. Must one have grace in order to be “rich” spiritually (1 Cor. 1:3-6; Eph. 1:7; 2:7; Phil. 4:19)? 3. Is the grace of Christ insufficient under some circumstances (2 Cor. 12:9)? 4. Do YOU qualify to receive the grace of Christ (1 Pet. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:12-14; Jas. 4:6)? For Those Who Have Topics I. GRACE MANIFESTED (John 1: 15-17). 1. The Lord Jesus Christ was the embodiment of the grace of God. Apart from Him, men never could have under stood, even dimly, the unmerited favor that a long-suffering God was willing to bestow upon sinners who would re ceive it. Even in His childhood, “ the grace of God was upon him” (Lk. 2:40). His were always “gracious words” (Lk. 4:22). 2. “Grace . . . [is] the chosen New Testament word for the whole fullness
MARCH 2, 1941 THE LOVE OF GOD THE FATHER 1 J ohn 4:7-11, 16 Introduction Newspapers of the nation recently carried the account o f 'a mother who, before she committed suicide, put to death her own small soil “because she could not bear having him grow up and always be poor.” She thought she was expressing love—but in reality it was fear. In another instance, a father shielded his son, paying again and again the fines that were exacted because of crimes in which the boy was found guilty, and refusing to allow the of fender to have any punishment. The father thought he was showing love, but his action in reality manifested pride. There are mpny other motives that are erroneously mistaken for love; it Would be interesting to list some of them. But even the highest kind of human affection admits of various degrees— and all of it falls far short of that per fect standard that is found in the love of God. The most unselfish devotion that one person can have for another is narrow and incomplete when com pared with the absolutely hbly and long- suffering love of the heavenly Father for His own. The lesson today presents an opportunity for a study that is far- reaching and challenging. For Those Who Have Topics t THE UNIQUENESS OF G O D ’ S LOVE—No other love like it. 1. It is everlasting (Jer. 31:3).
2. It is salvation-bringing (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). 3. It is life-giving (Eph. 2:4). H. THE EXTENT OF GOD’S LOVE. When we sinners did not have any love for God at all, He loved us so much that He “sent his Son to be the pro pitiation [that is, the mercy seat] for our sins” (1 John 4:9, 10). And that love is extended to ALL «(John 3:16; Rev. 3:20; 22:17), for God is “not will in g that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9; cf. Ezek. 33:11). HI. THE MEANS OF RECEIVING GOD’S LOVE. The love of God as Father belongs only to those who are “bom again” (John 3:3), who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour (2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:23; 1 John 5:1). Note especially the limitation embodied in the closing words of Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,” There is no such thing as the enjoyment of the “Fatherhood of God” apart from the personal accept ance of the Lord Jesus.Christ. IV. THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S LOVE THROUGH BELIEVERS. God’s love in the heart will always be shown in the attitude of believers to ward others (1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 16). Where there is any lack of love for one’s fellow men, can we say that there is also an absence of real love for God? For the Leader Ask the group to bring in illustrations on the various aspects of God’s love. The following one may be cited, among others:
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