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tutionary atonement, His physical resurrec tion, His appearance in the presence of God as Man, and His coming again. “Other foundation can no man lay.” He who builds upon any other is sure to face eternal loss however strenuously he may labor. The quality of the work is insisted upon (vs. 12, 13). The reward or loss will be based upon “of what sort’ the work is. All men’s work will be tested at last, not collectively but individually. Reward or loss is certain for all (vs. 14, 15). The passage does not relate to the question of the eternal salvation of the worker, but speaks rather of the results which will follow the service the worker renders during his lifetime. God says to the Christian, in effect, “ I have made you My child and saved you by My grace. Now if you will be My servant and work for Me, I will pay you wages for whatever service you render. I will give you direc tions, and in the measure that you carry them out, I will reward you.” III. T h e C h ristian W orkers ’ S upport ( G a l . 6:6-10) God has ordained that “they which preach the gospel should live of the gos pel” (1 Cor. 9:14). So “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth” (v. 6). T o communicate means to share, or to take part with an other. When the Christian worker re ceives material things from those to whom he ministers, the givers do not proffer him a gift as such, but they present something to be shared. The worker shares what God has given him, and those that hear share what God has given them. When we read, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (v. 7). the application is not to sinners concerning their sins, but to saints concerning their selfishness. While the worker must ever look to God for his support, God provides that support through His other children. However, whether the worker meets proper sharing or not, he is to continue to do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith (vs. 9, 10). IV. T h e C h ristian W orkers ’ P ursuit (1 T im . 6:11-21) The “man of God” is one who lives for God, represents God, and seeks God’s purpose. Such a one is to flee the things of which the apostle spoke, and to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (v. 11). He is to fight the fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life (v. 12). The word “ follow” is a hunting .term and means to pursue as prey is pursued, the capture being the supreme objective. Pursue these things, follow after them, in spite of all difficulties and hin drances. A solemn charge is given in the name of the Lord (vs. 13-16), followed by a word concerning the peril and the oppor tunity for good which riches present (vs. 17-19). Finally, the apostle gives to Timo thy his last word of warning (vs. 20, 21). He—and we—must “ keep that which is committed,” regarding the commission as a sacred trust.
1:15 that he was chief of sinners. By this he meant that he was a very great sinner. The consciousness that he was a great sinner made him very humble. If we can make this “ I” in “ SIN” hum ble, we will see that the word is changed. We will bend it over and see what hap pens. The middle letter is no longer an “ I” ; it is an “ O.” It was this way in the life of Paul. When you first saw him, you were re minded of his sin; but after self was hum bled at the foot of the cross, he reminded you of the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. Remembering this great change in Paul, we can understand why he said, in writing to Timothy: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16). Timothy was to live such a pure life that attention would not be attracted to sin in his life, but to his Saviour, the Son of God. His teaching was to show his listeners how sinful they were, and hoW much they needed a Saviour. The Lord Jesus, whom Timothy preached, was the only One who could take sin out of their lives. God wants one who has accepted Christ as a personal Saviour to live in such a way that others will be reminded of the Son instead of sin. G ala tian s 6:6-10; 1 T im o t h y 6:11-21 wisdom” (v. 3). Today, in too many cases when the choice of church officers is to be made, business ability, educational advan tages, and other natural qualifications are given primary consideration. The unity of the early church is mani fest in that the apostles’ order was gladly received and followed by the whole mem bership (vs. 5, 6). Promptly seven men were chosen. The effectiveness of the organization cited in this lesson was at once apparent (vs. 7, 8). The “word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly” (R .V .). It is true that God’s truth is unpopular, but whatever the great crowd may do, there are always those whom God has chosen and who receive the testimony. Among those who responded were “ a great com pany of the priests.” The power of the organization was cen tered in individual workers. One of these, Stephen, wrought mighty signs among the people, which caused the officials of the synagogue to take exception to the work and attempt to stop it (vs. 9, 10). But his wisdom silenced the objectors; and the Holy Spirit, under whose control Stephen spoke, overcame all the arguments of the critics. II. T h e C h ristian W orkers ’ R ew ard (1 C or . 3:10-15) The foundation upon which the worker is to build is Jesus Christ (vs. 10, 11). He is the One of whom all the Word of God speaks—of His preexistence, His Vir gin birth, His miraculous life, His substi
Object Lesson S in an d t he S on
Objects: Three pieces of small rubber tubing, about twelve inches long. (Insert a stiff wire in each, and fasten the wire six inches apart with staples to a. piece of board eighteen inches long. Shape the first into the letter “ S,” allow the second to stand straight up for a letter “ I,” and make the letter “ N” with the third, thus spelling “ SIN.” ) Lesson: This is a very familiar word. It suggests something that every person sooner or later experiences. The Bible tells us that “ all have sinned, and come Short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Notice, will you, how large the letter “I” is, compared to the other letters. The big “ I” always enters into sin. People sin, because they are doing something that self wants to do. Sin is always selfish. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy A cts 6:1-10; 1 C o rin th ian s 3:10-15; Golden Text: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Outline and Exposition I. T he C h ristian W orkers ’ O rg an izatio n (A cts 6:1-10) A S THE early church grew, there came a need for added workers to care for certain affairs within the church (vs. 1-4). The apostles had their time fully occupied with prayer and the minis try of the Word. But while maintaining their own place, they recognized the need for helpers and gave directions for the ap pointment of such workers (vs. 5, 6). The choice was not to be made on the ground of natural ability or fitness for the posi tion, but solely on the basis of the appli cants’ evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They were to be men “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and BLACKBOARD LESSON
NOVEMBER 21, 1937 CHRISTIAN WORKERS
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