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T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
S e p te m b e r 1 9 3 1
(1) Decision is e ssen tia l. Make up your mind. (2) Practice must follow. Get busy. c. “Bring forth fruit”—the method. (1) Sign up your decisions before God and man. (2) Work out your own salvation in service. a. Abiding fruit. God will carry the heavy end. b. Answered prayer. God will an swer our earnest plea.
TUESDAY: Go through the chapter underlining verses suitable to be memorized. Copy these in your notebook. Select one to be memorized. WEDNESDAY: Select two or three other verses from the chapter and memorize them. THURSDAY: Commencing with the eighteenth verse of the fifteenth chapter, list in order the different points which Christ makes concerning the persecution, hatred, and tribulation which will be the lot of His followers. FRIDAY: Study carefully all that is said in this chapter concerning the Holy Spirit. Write a 200-word comment on His work. 1. In relation to the disciples—as Com forter (v. 7) and Guide (v. 13). 2. In relation to the world—as One who reproves (v. 18). SATURDAY: List and study carefully the promises found in this chapter. SUNDAY: Selecting one or more verses, prepare an outline to be used as the basis for a devotional talk or a brief personal tes timony. Analysis I. The Coming of the Holy Spirit (vs. 1-15). 1. The need for His coming (vs. 1-4). The Holy Spirit was needed as a helper in the time of persecution. 2. The condition of His coming (vs. 5-7). Some one has said: “Christ had to go, taking humanity into the character and presence of God, before the Spirit could come, bringing divinity into the charac ter and presence of man. The bodily absence of the Redeemer was to insure the spiritual pres ence of the Helper.” 3. His work in the world (vs. 8-11). He was to convict'of sin, of right eousness, and of judgment. 4. His work in the church (vs. 12-15). a. A guide into all truth (v. 13). b. A revealer of things to come (v. 13). c. A glorifier of Christ (v. 14). d. A revealer of the things of Christ (v. 15). II. The Temporary and the Permanent (vs. 16-23a). 1. The disciples’ temporary separation would be turned into permanent union through the Holy Spirit (v. 16).. 2. Their temporary sorrow would be turned into permanent joy through the Holy Spirit (vs. 20-22). 3. Their temporary questionings would be satisfied by enlarged knowledge through the Holy Spirit (vs. 15, 23a). III. Prayer, Power, and Peace (vs. 23b- 33). 1. Christ’s revelation concerning prayer (vs. 23b-27). Ask through Me in prayer. 2. His revelation concerning Himself (vs. 28-30). Believe in Me for power.
It Inspires and Encourages We enjoy T he K ing ’ s B usiness very much. It is sound in doctrine and is fine in its exposition of deep spiritual truths. Its articles on prophecy are inspiring in these troublous times. We are encouraged to lift up our heads as the “blessed hope” brightens.— H udson , N. H. words? From a practical standpoint, how can we abide in Him? List and discuss the conditions laid down for abiding. 4. Verse 11 presents the subject of joy. It is rather a strange subject to in troduce into the conversation on the night of the betrayal. Can you explain what Jesus was talking about? What are the “these things” upon which the disciples’ joy must depend? Analyze the passage in this light. 5. In the light of Christ’s definite and repeated commands to “love one another,” is there any justification for holding a grudge against or for hating one’s fellow Christian? Is the love which Christ here refers to a mere absence of hate—an in different attitude toward other Christians —or is it a positive, active relationship? In what sense is it true that there are Christians whom you can love but not like? 6. What is the condition laid down for answered prayer in verse 16? Suggest some other conditions to be added to the one presented here. 7. Discuss Christ’s statement concern ing the world and its attitude toward the Christian. Are His words true today? Suggest some of the ways in which His prediction was literally fulfilled in the early days of Christianity and down through the centuries. Is the Christian hated and persecuted by the world today? If so, in what sense? OCTOBER 18, 1931 The Holy Spirit of God J ohn 16 ohn 16 brings to a close the fare well message of Christ before He went to the cross. As is the case in the chapters which precede, He was still preparing His disciples for the things that were to come. They were to undergo per secution ; they were to be sorrowful, to weep, and to lament; but their sorrow was to be turned to joy, and their troubled hearts to be quieted with His peace. Their loneliness at the loss of the physical pres ence of their dearly beloved Lord would be turned to heart-comforting, power- filled satisfaction through the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God. P rep aratio n These closing chapters of the Gospel of John are so full of precious mementos of the last days of the earthly life of our Lord that we turn to them repeatedly for comfort, for strength, for cheer. Spend much time in reverently and prayerfully reading this chapter. Reading the passage aloud is an excellent practice. The words are then impressed upon the mind both audibly and visually. MONDAY: Write in your notebook an outline of the contents of this chapter.
3. Promised.
4. Commanded.
To love one another (v. 17).
IV. Servants of Christ—Sharing in His Sufferings (vs. 18-27). 1. Hated by the world (v. 18). 2. Separated from the world (v. 19). 3. Persecuted by the world (v. 20). 4. Witnesses to the world (v. 27). Expression T he S ecret of P ower "Abide in me, and I in you . . . without me ye can do nothing ” (John 15:4, 5). The world is calling for a demonstra tion of a Christianity that works; the church is dying for the lack of a demon stration of a Christianity that works; /Christ, today, as nineteen hundred years ago, is challenging us with the only way through which there can be given a dem onstration of a Christianity that works. A Christianity that works must be a Christianity of power. It must be a Christianity that can master men’s minds and move men’s hearts. It must be a Christianity that brings to pass the prom ise: “Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (v. 7). It must be a Christianity that will enable the man with out strength of his own to stand like granite in the. midst of the most complex and baffling problems the world has ever known. Is such a Christianity available? Christ promises much fruit, full joy, and an swered prayer: “Ask what ye will, and it shall be done.” Surely we can not wish for more! But union with Christ is the secret. We have His power if He dwells in us and we dwell in Him. His words and His jife must rule, dominate, master our be ings. And in Him we shall have power, unlimited power that can move mountains and give poise, peace, and victory in every hour of need. Are you willing to pay the price? Discussion 1. Discuss the relationship of Christ and the Christian believer as set forth in this chapter. Discuss the three classes mentioned in verses 2 and 6. a. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit.” b. “Every branch that beareth fruit.” c. “He t h a t is cast forth as a branch.” Can you suggest the three classes of people which these figures represent? 2. Much is said in this chapter con cerning fruit. To what do you think the figure refers? Undoubtedly, winning men and women to Christ is one form of fruit bearing. Is it the only form (cf. Gal. 5': 22) ? Are not Christian virtues and spirit ual service and experience included in the idea of fruit? List some of the ways in which every one can be a fruit-bearer. 3. The Lord says much concerning abiding in Him. What is meant by these
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