The j King's Business % i VOL. 1 JANUARY, 1910 ' NO. 1
THE BIBLE IS ALIVE.
'The Word of God is Living and Active" (Heb.
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'The Gospels possess a secret virtue and mysterious efficacy, a warmth which penetrates and soothes the heart * * * * The Gospel is not a book, it is a living being, with vigor, a power that conquers every- thing that opposes."—Napoleon. "When we read: 'The Word of God is living' we are to understand thereby that it lives with a spiritual, an inexhaustible and inextinguishable life—in a word, a Divine life. If the Word of God be indeed living in this sense, then we have here a fact of the most tre- mendous significance."—Philip Mauro.
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Published Monthly by the BIBLE INSTITUTE
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
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J t t U i t i t t i ?
(Incorporated )
260-264 South Main Street (Second Floor) L»os An g e l e s , Ca l i f o rn ia
BISECTORS:
E. A. HACKETT
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MEBBILL
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W. E. BLACKSTONE LYMAN STEWART REV. A. B. PBICHABD B. C. ATTEBBUBY..
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BEEN
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President
Vice-President
Secretary and Treasurer
T. C. HOBTON.... B. A. HADDEN
Superintendent
Superintendent Extension Work
The Institute is interdenominational. Its chief text book is the Bible. The management holds to the Oivine Origin, Inspiration, Integrity and Supreme Authority' of the Seriptures of the Old and New Testament. It is in accord with the historic teachings of the church and holds neither new theologies, fads nor vagaries. The Institute trains accredited men and women, free of cost, in the knowledge and use of the Bible da^U^unlT"* 6 ClaSS63 - held da!ly 6XCept Satur " (2) Extension Work. Classes and conferences' held m neighboring cities and towns. (3) Evangelistic. Meetings conducted by compe- tent evangelists under our direction. (4) Spanish Mission. Meetings every night for Spanish-speaking people and house visitation. (5) . Shop Work. Begular services in shops and faetones all the year. (6) Jewish Evangelism. Personal work in home» for the Hebrew people. (7) Bible Women. House-to-house work and neigh- borhood classes. (8) Aqueduct. Work among the 4000 men on the new aqueduct. (9) Oil Fields. A mission to the men on the oil fields. (10) Books and Tracts. ' Sale and distribution of »elected books and tracts.
Doctrinal Position Purpose Departments
The Business of the Believer
"Do Business till I come," It is enough that the disciple shall be as his Lord. Our Lord \?as a business man. "My Father worketh hitherto and I work," arc 1 lis words. What ceaseless energy was manifiested by Him "who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the < levil." While He lived here He labored hard. When He left the a Srorl,d He laid the burden of service upon His followers. In t-he parable of the pounds, the Lord represents Himself as the nobleman going into a far country. To His servants He commanded, (occupy (do business) till I come. The supreme business in this world is that which a loving Lord has committed to His servants—the giving of the glorious gospel fo a perishing people. \ This work was not left to the church in a general sort of a way, so that no one is sipecially responsible for it, but in a definite way, so Ahat there is an individual responsibility for it. It is a personal business. Every servant had some pounds. "To every man his work." "The Spirit divideth to every man severally as He will," but there is an every man in that division. "Every man shall give an account of himself." There are no exceptions. It is a practical business. There has been a good deal of non- sense about this matter of spreading the Gospel and telling out the s tory of salvation. There has been a tendency to shift the responsi- bility upon a f a vop ii class, to evade the personal relation under the cfover of a prevailing belief that certain qualifications were essential t o the work, and the not possessing them was sufficient excuse for mon-service. Every believer is an authorized ambassador from the Court of Heaven to do business down here on this mundane sphere. He is empowered and directed to deliver the King's message to the p|eople. He is not responsible for the message, but will be held to a strict account for the delivery of it. Education, special equipment, environment and a lot of other things play no part in this matter. Education, equipment and environment may largely increase the re- sponsibility, but the obligation is upon each and all to stress the ¿tory to the people. Some of the most successful agents of the Lord ,;ire poorly equipped from the world's point, but God uses them. The business is simple. Get your message, go and deliver it. So long as man or woman lives anywhere in the world who has never heard elf Christ and the cross, every believer is obligated to get the news of reconciled grace to such an one. ; I It is a paying business. Does it pay? Yes, a thousand times yes. (trood, reliable dividends. There is a sense of satisfaction, a real joy in doing the will of God in this business that nothing else gives. It is the incomparable work. It pays now and will bring returns through- out eternity. f The Lord help us to attend to our business which is His business.
BIBLE BRIEFS. Our Ground of Confidence.
itself. "The words that I speak unli you they are Spirit and they are lifl (John). Third, the Word is seed. " The Sed is the Wo r d" (Luke 8:11). Now v e know that seeds are alive; they a e vitalized matter, the spirit of life* is a them and God's Word is vitalizi d speech, the Spirit of God is with it ai d in it. Fourth, the Word increases, it grow s. " Bu t the Word of.God grew and mul- tiplied" (Acts 12:24). Herod " g a ve up the ghost," but the Holy Ghost, tlie Eternal Spirit, was with the Word. W e know that only that which has liie grows. • ' . .'?„< Fifth, the Word imparts life. "QuicK- en—make alive—me," said the Psalm- ist, ''according to thy wo r d" (Psa. llfi; 25). So Peter says that we are " b om of . . incorruptible seed by tlie Word of God.'' But life is from tlie living only—life from life. ( Sixth, the Word is sustaining, it is food. "Man shall not live by break alone, but by every word that procee^ eth out of the mouth of God" (Matt, f : 4). Life is maintained only by orga ized, vitalized substance. Seventh, the life of the Word is Ete nal Life. " The Word of the Lord e i- dureth forever" (1 Pet. 1:24). There- fore no weapon that is formed again; it it can prosper, nor can they who receh it perish. WATER FROM OLD WELLS. " The death of Christ is a historic fact universally admitted, but the do< trine of the cross of Christ is purely matter of revelation to be received wit] uncavilling humility and rested in vm peaceful assurance, because it is tlie Word of God.''—James Inglis. • The Agony of Christ. " H e filled tt silent night with His crying, and wate 1 ed the cold earth with His tears, moi precious than the dew of Hermon, any moisture, next unto His own blood, that ever fell on God's earth since th creation (See Heb. 5:7).—Traill. Amen. " The Rabbins say that ou 'Amen' in the close of our prayers must not be said, first, 'hastily,' but wit consideration (1 Cor. 14:16); second!j nor 'maimed' or 'defective;' we mus stretch out our hearts after it, and b swallowed up in God; thirdly, no ' alone' nor ' an orphan,' that is, witfc out faith, love and holy confidence.''- • Trapp. The Love of Christ. " I t is a peculia kind of expression (Eph. 3:19) whi<$ i the apostle prays that they migh)t
Logically the most miserable of men should be those who believe in the Word of God, but not in the assurance of sal- vation. To hold thai; some shall rise to everlasting life and ¿ome to shame and everlasting contempt and to remain in doubt as to which company one belongs to, would be hell on earth to such a soul. There is ground enough for our consolation in the Gospels. First, God certainly is able to keep us. " I f God is for us. who can be against u s " (Bom. 8:31)? Who? Not man (Isa. 40:17); not angels (Heb. 1: 14); not Satan (Heb. 2:14); not any- thing (Rom. 8:38-39). Second, God is our keeper, not we our- selves. "Who are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation" (1 Pet. 1:5). Thus we are specifically taught that God keeps us. Third, we depend neither on our abil- ity, nor stability, since it is written " B y grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves" (Eph. 2:8). If grace is grace, and we are saved by it, how can we be lost ? Otherwise grace would not be grace. Fourth, it is particularly taught that God is not an "Indian giver," for " t h e gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29). Fifth, why should God begin this sav- ing work in us, and like the man who is " n ot able to finish," leave the foun- dation without superstructure or cap- stone? "Being confident," says Paul, " t h a t He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Sixth, which of the saints that trusted in Him, that called on Him, did He ever abandon? "These all died in faith, not having received the prom- ises, but having seen them afar o f f" (Heb. 11:13). Why should He bitterly disappoint us? Seventh, what is His testimony about His Son? " H e that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting l i f e " (Jno. 3: 36). Are we going to tell God that He lies (1 John 5:9-13)? The Bible Alive. The quotations on our cover declare that the Word of God lives. This mar- velous fact alone accounts for its power and imperishable vigor. The Bible has life because: First, it afiSrms it. " The Word of God is alive" (Heb. 12:4). It is there- fore a living Word. Second, our Lord Himself calls it life
John 7:17; Psa. 119:18; John 14:26; Acts 8:30, 31; 1 Cor. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Cor. 2:13; Acts 17:11. Pray before reading, pray while read- ing, pray after reading. January 16. SIN AND ITS WAGES. Sin is the transgression of God's Law (1 John 3:4). All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). All men and women all sinners (Bom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22). Sin came by Satan (Bom. 5:12; 1 John 3: 8). The penalty of sin is death or sepa- ration from God (Ex. 18:4; Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:18). Be sure your sin will find you out (Not, be found out.) (Numbers 32:23). Anyone is a fool that mocks or makes light of sin. All that we know of sick- ness, sorrow and suffering comes from sin. Hate every tendency to sin and flee to Christ for refuge (Ezek. 18:4; 1 Tim. 5:6; Eph. 2:1; Psa. 89:48; Heb. 9:27; Gen. 3:19; Prov. 29:1; Matt. 25: 41; Bev. 20:15; John 5:28-29; Matt. 25: 41-46; Mark 9:42-48). January 23. WHAT GOD HAS DONE WITH SIN. Laid them upon Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Made Him a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). Redeemed us from sin (Bom. 8:24; 1 Thess. 2:14). Taken away (John 1:29). Purged us from (Heb. 1:3). Does not remember (Heb. 10:17). Does not impute (Psa. 32:2; 2 Cor. 5:19). Separate from (Psa. 103:12; Isa. 53: 6; Pet. 2:24; John 1:29; Lev. 16:20-22; Isa. 38:17; Bom. 4:7; Micah 7:19; Dan. 44:22; Ezek. 18:22; Isa. 43:25). January 30. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. The Blood is the life (Gen. 9:4). Jesus Christ, God's Son, shed His blood (gave His life upon the cross). The blood is the purchase price paid for the church (Acts 20:28). The blood the only ground of peace with God (Col. 1:20; Acts 10:36). The blood secures our redemption (Eph. 1:7).. The blood removes the guilt (1 John 1:8). The blood justifies believers (Bom. 5:8-9). The blood is the bond of union be- tween believers (1 Cor. 10:16). The blood gives victory over Satan (Bev. 12:11). Hebrews 9:22, 9:12; 1 John 2:2; Isa. 53:8; Bev. 5:6; Bom. 5:9; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:19; Bev. 12:11. • Washed us (Bev. 1:1). Blotted out (Isa. 44:22). Cast behind him (Isa. 38^7).
'know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.' We may know experi- mentally that which we can not know comprehensively. We may know that in its power and effeet which we cannot comprehend in its nature and depths. A weary person may be refreshed from a spring who cannot fathom the depth of the ocean from which it proceeds.''— Owens. "Could I with ink the ocean fill, Were the whole earth of parchment made, Were every blade of grass a quill,- And every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above Would drain that ocean dry; •Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though spread from sky to s ky ." —Anon. SUGGESTIVE THEMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETINGS. January 2—THE BOOK. The Bible iB God's Book (2 Peter 1: 21). It is a supernatural book. You must not treat it like any other book. Treat it reverently. The author is the Holy Spirit. The writers were con- trolled in a supernatural way. It has been preserved in a supernatural way.. It is a record of supernatural events. The key is the supernatural being, Jesus Christ. The first sentence is prophetic of the whole book, " I n the beginning God." If you start with God you will have no difficulty in believing all things (Matt. 19:26). The Bible is the wonderful book. It i is full of wonderful pictures, wonderful stories, wonderful teaching. Bead care- fully and prayerfully the following texts: 1 Thess. 2:13; Ex. 4:16; Deut. .18:20; Isa. 42:9; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 2: 1:13; Luke 24:27; Isa. 8:20; Heb. 4:12; iMatt. 5:18. ianuary 9. STUDY OF THE BIBLE. Jf There have been many rules and sug- gestions for Bible study. All are good, ¡if only followed. The principal thing is to make up your mind to study it, and ' ,then do it. Let nothing interfere with your purpose to know the teachings of the greatest book in all the world. Bead ¿t (Deut. 17:19). Search it (John 5:39). Mediate upon it (Psa. 1:2). Compare passages (1 Cor. 2:13). Study it (Acts '17:11, last clause). Mark it (2 Tim. 2: 15. last clause. Use it (Eph. 6:17). Obey it (Psa. 119:9-11). Prove its promises (1 Thess 5:21, first clause). Memorize at least one verse each' day. Believe every word of it (2 Tim. 2:15;
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" T h e King's Business" will be issued monthly, taking the place of our weekly Sunday School slips. We hope to make the little paper a means of blessing to many hearts and a stimulus to definite service for the Lord. INSTITUTE ITEMS. The winter term commences Wednes- day, January 5th. Special classes will be conducted by J. R. Pratt and Mark Lev during this month. Mr. C. L. Harris is supplying the Con- gregational Church at Barstow and giv- ing good satisfaction. The enforced absence of Dr. Tucker was greatly regretted by his classes. We are praying that he may be fully restored to health again. E. H. Barrett makes a long trip of 25 miles to Tehachapi each Saturday in order to give the Gospel. He supplies the only means of grace at that place. Mr. Mark Lev, the converted Jew, has been giving some helpful studies in the Old Testament. He expects to re- main in the city for several weeks, ministering to the Jews and Gentiles in the Word of God. Mr. Grubb has taken a room near the River Station and will open a Mission early in January. There is a large and needy field in that neighborhood, and we trust great blessings will rest upon our brother in this good enterprise. M. C. Faucette, besides his care of the Institute, takes the classes and sup- plies two preaching stations, and does some teaching and preaching in other places. He found time during the holi- days to take a wife and has located with the rest of the saints in Highland Park. There has been an increasing spirit of prayer in the School and an intensified spiritual atmosphere is the result. The Fishermen fellows do a great deal of knee work and the influence of their example is contagious. We have set aside a small room adjoining the Audi- torium as a prayer room, where all who desire may retire for intercession. The monthly meeting of the officers, faculty and workers, is one of the most
enjoyable gatherings we have ever at tended. After dinner together, report are given from the different depart ments of work, many interesting am touching incidents are recorded whicl can never find their way into print Praise, prayer and testimony are fol lowed by a communion service in whicl the hearts of the workers are drawi together in closest fellowship. The Bible women did a great wor« last year. We have found this house] to-house visitation, with the heart-to! heart talks, one of the most fruitful missions of the Institute. The workerJ are all competent, strong teachers, anil all capable of meeting the difficulties^ resultant upon the changed conditions! of our city life. The many fads and fancies connected with the latter-day religions, necessitate intelligent and wise dealing upon the part of those who seeW to rescue the misguided women who falj so easily a prey to the snares of thej" enemy. Many homes have been madr~ bright and beautiful, and telling tes timonies come from many sources con cerning the work of these consecrate« i women. A few extracts from the report givi i some intimation of its scope: Homes visited 6040 Special interviews 493 Accepted Christ .... 90 Reclaimed .......;. 60 Bible classes ...!.. 568 Other meetings conducted ..358 Visits were made to many of th( " s hut i n s " and to the hospitals. Hun dreds of Gospels and tracts were dis tributed. EVANGELISTIC. Our evangelist, Mr. J. R. Pratt, hai 1 been in Oregon and the northern para of California for the last three months/ His work has been abundantly blessed! Unusual good results were had. Att Enterprise, Ore., the whole town was! reached. The business places were} closed in the afternoon for the Bible) study. The churches were thoroughly 1 united and the Christians stimulated to a devoted life. Many confessed Christ, both young and old. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Thompson have labored in the city and the neighbor- hood at Sherman and splendid work was done. Many Christians made a com- plete surrender of their lives. Much was accomplished among the young peo-
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consented to believe in a book which no thinking person can clearly apprehend. They learn to put aside their own con- sciousness of suffering to deny that they feel, to contradict their own intelli- gence, and to see supernal wisdom in a revelation of wordy nonsense."
e. They are now working in Haw-
Mr. W. S. McClurken has returned om an extended trip in Texas. In 9rt Worth he organized a City Mission ith one of the best-equipped rooms in e country. Marked blessings at- nded his work. He is now in Downey d is assisted by Mr. Geo. Trotter of ie Union Rescue Mission. SHARP ARROWS. A reviewer says, of a late book: "We hi ive in this book a fine example of th e young minister. His mission is not solely to prepare souls for heaven, but to become the guide and director of the m iw order of humanity, political and social. The new minister is to have g reat power in making democracy the fiiial form of the State, and in making Christianity the final form of democ- i acy.' | The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle tpi the Nations, wrote three treatises, I aiid I I Timothy and Titus, on the duties off the "Young minister." He says nothing of a "Christian S t a t e" or / ' d e - mocracy;" or of ministerial association with either; nor yet of "bring(ing) in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.'' He mentions "perilous times" coming on; a> " f i g h t " till Jesus appears, but not a §§Christian State." He speaks of the '(appearing" of a Potentate, a King oft Kings and Lord of Lords, but not of democracy. j A new order of humanity, indeed, the y oung minister is the guide and director df, but it is one after the order of Welchisedec, a spiritual priesthood, par- taking of eternal life and separate from sSnners; not of the world. Let us be slhy of " t h e young minister" and " t h e ew ," and, also, "shun profane and ain babblings." The Independent says: " I t is not asy for the unitiated to understand 'hy Mrs. Eddy's religion should be ailed Christian Science, for there is othing of science in it, and it is a ueer kind of Christianity which gives i is followers a new Bible, provided at a i round price per copy to its believers, s well as a new prophet. In this -it luch resembles Mormonism, which in he Religious Census is not classed as branch of Christianity.'' Wordy nonsense of the Eddyites them- elves, it goes on to say: "They have
PROPHECY FULFILLING.
In an article on " The Jewish Out- look," and the offer of Mesopotamia to the Jews, the editor of Watchword and Truth says, in the June number: "How all this stirs the blood, appeals to the imagination, and thrills the ex- pectation that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 'When ye see all these things begin to come to pass, then lift up your heads: your redemption draw- eth nigh.' And it is nearer than we know. Everything will come with a rush towards the end. How many things the fulfillment of this scheme will make possible! No longer will the world wait for railroad communication from the Occident to the Orient—from Canstan- tlnople to the Persian Gulf. Turkey will build the railroad through its own territory by Jewish capital, developing a State under Jewish control, insuring protection of life and property, and the administration of equal justice to all, upon the unequalled basis of the Mosaic law. Babylon will be rebuilt, and the richest, most commercial and energetic race on earth, will restore commercial supremacy to its base—to the spot where it started—to a new Babylon, re- built with greater splendor than ever flashed out in the days of the kings who ruled the world. Gradually, from this point, Palestine will be recovered and restored to Jewish control—indeed, the Jewish people, even now, outnumber any other race covering these sacred hills and valleys. Jerusalem will be inhab- ited, its temple will be rebuilt, the Jewish sacrifices and worship will be re-established, and there will be two capital cities—Babylon and Jerusalem —the one controlling the commerce of the world, and the other—shall we tell it?—becoming the center of the actions of the Antichrist, first getting control of the Jewish race by flatteries, then by coercion, and then by a despotism, a tyranny, a persecution and a tribula- tion, never before equalled, and never again to be repeated. Behold, it cometh quickly!"
Brief Thoughts For Busy Teachers
LESSON I. SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1910. JOHN, THE FORERUNNER. Matt. 3:1-12. - OUTLINE.
people to put the highways in proper condition. John's life fitted him for his future service. Simplicity of food and dres s enabled him to devote his life to medi- tation upon the Word of God. He wa« independent. He cared not for the favo:- nor feared the frown of any. He ha I lived alone with God and had imbibe-1 His thoughts. While his heart wa 5 heavy by reason of the sins of his peo - pie, his soul was strong. His persona' - ity was potent and gave weight to hi 3 words. The testimony of a teacher i s helped or hindered by the life livec. A sweet, strong, sturdy, surrendered lif 3 lived in the power of the Holy Spiri; will make a message mighty. John Was a Voice, breaking the silencJ of centuries. He came in the spirit oi Elijah, but was not him (John 1:21 Matt. 11:14). Elijah will restore al things (Matt. 9:12). In his first adven ; John is the herald in the spirit off Elijah. In the second advent Elijali himself is the herald. (2) THE MESSAGE. | ' Repent Ye.'' There was no small stir in Jerusalen and Judea. The preaching of the proph - et aroused universal interest. The mes - sage was direct and definite. "Repent —change your attitude—change you r mind—turn away from your old life o f sin—the Kingdom is at hand." The Jews believed themselves to be the subV jeets of the Kingdom and the term was a familiar one to them. The conception of the Kingdom rested upon Ex. 19 :C? when God proposed to make of them a kingdom of priests, and which they act cepted, professing their willingness to obey God's voice and to do His will. Added to this was Daniel's prophecy concerning the Kingdom of the heavens] They looked forward to the coming of the King and hoped through Him to have deliverance. j The term " k i n g d om" implies a realn ruled by the Messiah as an absolute monarch. John specifies nothing of de tails, he only announces the fact—the long-looked-for Kingdom is at hand Matthew alone uses the term "K i ng dom of Heaven." Luke uses the tern] "Kingdom of God" referring to the same kingdom, and they are in some respects interchangeable terms. En; trance into the Kingdom of Heaven oi God is always by a new birth—neveij
(1) The Messenger of the Messiah..l- 4 (2) The Message of the Messenger..5- 7 (3) The Mission of the Messiah 8-12 Matthew, a Galilean publican—an apostle. His Gospel is Jewish—written to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah—King of the Jews. This fact must be borne in mind throughout the study of this Gospel In Matthew the predictions of the prophets concerning the Messiah are mirrored in the mar- velous life of Christ. Prophecy becomes history. In Those Days—The known world was ruled by Rome and had now reached its summit. Philosophy and religion had done their best. Confusion and uncer- tainty were everywhere manifested. The type of the rulers was found in Liberius, Pontus Pilate and Herod. Caiaphas and Annas were typical priests. The Jews chafed under the imposed restrictions and longed for de- liverance—it was the fullness of time. (1) THE MESSENGER. "The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness." John the Baptist was the son of Zeehariah and Elizabeth, of the priestly tribe (Luke 1:5). Elizabeth was cousin to Mary the mother of Jesus, making John second cousin to the Lord. John was a consecrated Nazarite (Luke 1:15). His early life is recorded in the verse, Luke 1:80. His youth and manhood were spent in the wilderness in prepara- tion for his mighty mission. The Predicted Messenger —'' Behold I will send my messenger" (Matt 3:1). " T h e voice of Him that crieth" (Isa. 40:3). He was the last link binding the old to the new dispensation. Last of Old (Matt. 11:13); first of New (Acts 10:37). John's manner of life accorded with his profession. He was a reflection of that hardy, holy, gritty giant prophet Elijah. His coarse cloth- ing, desert diet and pungent preaching bore telling testimony to the fact that this servant sent by God was preparing the way for the coming of the Christ. In olden days the march of a monarch was heralded in season to permit the
of their separation from the chaff. Unquenchable fire must mean the fire which cannot be extinguished or over- come by any lapse of time. These are solemn words of John—Bear them home upon the hearts of scholars. The contrast between the works of John and Christ is marked. John a voice; Jesus the "Word (Jno. 1:1). John decreased and Jesus increased (John 3: 30). John was sent (Jno. 1:20). Jesus was Christ. John a witness of the Light (John 1:7); Jesus the Light. John the friend; Jesus the bridegroom (John 3:29). There are many lessons growing out of the imagery—vipers, stones, trees, ax, fan, fruit, wheat, water, fire, etc. PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) John was sent from God with a summons to the souls of men. (2) Neither forms nor ceremonies of the Pharisees, nor doubts or denials of the Saducees satisfied the conscience. (3) If you follow the finger of proph- ecy it will point to Christ. (4) The fruit of real repentance will be found in conviction, contrition, con- fession and conversion. (5) If your words are not weighed with a well lived life, they will be as the tinkle of the cmybal. LESSON II. JANUARY 9, 1910. THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS. Matt. 3:13-17, 4:1-11. OUTLINE. (1) The Divine Testimony to the Deity of Jesus. (2) The Devil's Threefold Test of the Son of God. Two lessons in one—either full enough for an hour's consideration. It will be difficult to do justice to both. (1) DIVINE TESTIMONY. "This is my Beloved Son." John had been preaching for some six months. Multitudes had responded to his call to repentance. Now Jesus pre- sents Himself for baptism. Why Was He Baptized? He needed no repentance: He had no sins to con- fess: He did not permit it as a mere form. John's baptism was from Heaven (Matt. 21:25). Jesus desired to fulfill all righteousness—to be subject to God's ordinances. In infancy He was circum- cised—Mary was purified—He went with His parents to the temple. At Bethabara Israel crossed the Jordan and passed into the Promised Land. Joshua succeeded Moses—now Jesus is
t y any external rites. The Jews were \ rithin the sphere but not into the King- c om, so God calls for a repentance v rhich should be unto life. Repentance was preached by Christ (Matt. 4:17), My Peter (Acts 2:38), by Paul to the (»entiles (Acts 26:20), and is implied in every true Gospel message—for no 0 Qe can be saved who does not change his attitude toward God, turning from t he old and turning to the new. Many Pharisees and Saducees —Why did they eome? The Pharisees pro- fossed to be the leaders in spiritual things. Did they need to repent? The Saducees denied the resurrection and s airit—they certainly did not need to b e concerned about future punishment. J ohn had sized them up and saw the s hallow pretense of their profession. He dalled them vipers —the emblem of de- « eit and wickedness. They might de- ceive the people, but they could not deceive John. They may have been 1 laying politics as some men do when tlhey join the church, but John demand- ed the proof of fruit. The ax at the root of the tree was significant. The tree was marked for removal. Israel was the tree (Isa. 10: 3 3-34; Dan. 4:11—20-23). It was also fflri individual matter. The life deter- nkined the character of the fruit. Is- rael 's assumption that because they were the children of Abraham, there- fare they were entitled to the heritage ok Abraham, is swept away by John, *rho assures them that God could do Better with stones. fl3) THE MISSION OF THE ME3- / SIAH. "He will baptize with the \ Holy Ghost." I John proclaims the coming Christ as tJhe mighty man and himself as un- worthy as a servant to carry his san- dals. John's baptism was with water, bait the Mightier One would baptize \fith the Spirit and fire. .John's bap- tism was preparatory to the real one by Vyhich believers would be baptized by ofne Spirit into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). •I John no doubt had in mind Ezekiel SlB:25-27 and Matt. 3:2, where both water and fire are used as symbols of purification. May it not mean that those who are baptized by the Spirit | | e the purified ones and those baptized t y fire are the lost ones? The fan is a figure of the winnowing work of Christ. Hand expresses per- sonal agency in judgment. Floor sug- gests the sphere of the Lord's action in this world. His wheat speaks of pro- prietorship over those who are His and
to succeed John. Moses died in the wilderness. The Law was to be super- seded by Christ. Moses testified of Joshua whom God selected, and John testified of Jesus whom God sent. .Jesus was of legal age to enter the ministry (Numb. 4:3, 3:23). f John shrank from the task. He felt as did Peter when he said, "Depart i ™ ™ f o r I am a sinful ma n" (ohn ld:t5-s). The Heavens were opened to him as they were to Stephen (Acts 7:53) When upon the Cross they were closed against Him (Luke 23:44-45) and after- wards opened again (Acts 1:9) The same heavens are opened unto all who are identified with Him. Self-surrender will bring us to the open door. The Visitor from Heaven— The Holy bpint descended in the form of a dove He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke l:3o). Set apart now by the ? i Q y o f ? l r V ! a T e m P l e o f G o d (John 2 . 1 9 - 2 5 ) God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). The dove is the only form ever taken by the Spirit —it is emblematical of purity (Lev 7- 7), harmlessness (Matt. 10:16). Noah's dove found no place in a ruined world for its feet. Now the dove finds a rest- ing place and abides. In the consecra- tion of the High Priest there was a threefold operation—washed, anointed sprinkled with blood. Jesus was bap- tized, anointed and on tlie Cross the blood applied, and He now performs His priestly work. The dove qualities characterize the ministry of Christ The Voice from Heaven— The Father speaks—testifies that Jesus is His Son— not a son, but the Son of God. With Him God is well pleased. We have here the manifestation of the eternal mys- tery—the Trinity. Coming out of the water is the Son—resting upon Him the Spirit, and smiling upon Him and' speaking of Him is the Father. Glory streams from the open heavens, and we behold the blessed, holy; mighty, won- derful Father, Son and Spirit—three in one and one in three. (2) THE DEVIL'S TEST. "To be tempted of the devil." This portion of our lesson projects ns into the crucial crisis in the life of our Lord—the beginning of the battle with the Prince of this world. In 1 John 3:8 we are told " F or this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil." In redeeming a lost world he must be able to overcome -Satan. This conflict is to be continual until the enemy is
bound m prison. When Adam was givei his inheritance the sceptre was put into, his hand and he was earth's ruler— hi was God's representative on earth Satan came and through sublety wo* his heart from God and Adam yieldeS obedience to God's enemy and the scep- tre passed from Adam to Satan. Wh ei Jesus, the seeond man and the las Adam, is accredited as God's Son, H. proceeds to challenge Satan in his owl stronghold, the wilderness, with the wild I beasts (Mark 1:13). This was the M sential opening of the campaign whic was to decide who was to be the rule of this world. Only by victory ove Satan could He vindicate God's char aeter and His own claims. It is essen tial to remember that while Jesus it truly God that it is as man He is beinc proven in this combat, and man "aparl; from sin." Great violence can be dond to our Lord if we fail to emphasize the j words " a p a rt s i n " as it should be rendered in Hebrews 4:15. Forty Days' Fast— Forty is the peri or of probation, and corresponds to the forty years of Israel's testing in the wilderness. Moses and Elijah fastec to meet God, but Christ fasts to meet. Satan (Deut. 8:3). The fast strengthens! Him in spirit but weakens Him in body , The battle occurs at the close of this fast, when hunger was heavy upon Him). Satan Appeared' —The lesson will los its significance if the doctrine of Satan is not clearly understood. In fact, the) whole Bible is a riddle impossible oi' solution if the personality and power of Satan are not recognized. Satan's Personality— The names anc acts ascribed to him in the Scripture commencing with Abaddon, and end witl the Wicked One. All sorts of wort are ascribed to him. He tajks, walks] fights, opgrssses, binds, tempts, etc/ His personality is proven by the follow) ing tests: Gen. 3:1; Job 1:6: Luke 104 18; Acts 5:3; 1 Pet. 5:8. V Satan's Position —He is the acknowl) edged rnler of this world. The Prince of this world (John 12:31, 13:40). The King over an organized Kingdom (Matt. 12:24, 26). Prince of the powei of the air (Eph. 2:2). Dragon and his angels (Rev. 12:7). God of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). How suggestive are these four titles as to the authority of this enemy. Satan's Power—As ruler of earth and air and having access into the heaven- 1 lies, Satan has power second only to God Himself, and this power must be wrested from him by the man whom
This corresponds to the appeal to Eve "pleasant to the eyes"—the price of life. It was a challenge to God to de- liver Him from a peril into which He has cast Himself—not in the service of men but for His own display; to put Himself into Satan's hands in the field of lying wonders (2 Thess. 2:9). To trust God is to abide in His will: To tempt God is to have your own way, yet claim God's protection. Jesus im- mediately met Satan with another thrust of the sword (Deut. 6:16), " Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God." The Third Test—From a high moun- tain he gives Him a vision of the earth's kingdoms and proffers them for his wor- ship. An appeal to the Kingship of Jesus. The world kingdoms are Satan's, otherwise there is no test here. Jesus so recognizes them. This comports with Eve's last temptation—the lust of the eye. This is the most searching of all— all is Satan's—all may be His—if He wills to bow to him. If He refuses He must set Himself against all the' powers of these kingdoms and their head— begin a line of warfare and die an ig- nominous death—but the Lord Jesus proves His real Kingship by spurning the offer. "Get thee hence" and gives the final thrust from the Scriptures (Deut. 10:20; James 4:7), says, "Sub- mit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you," and this tells the story of our Lord's wonderful victory and points plainly to the path of victorious living for us. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) Through prayer the heavens were pierced and the presence of God mani- fested and the Spirit poured out. (2) We see Christ in His humiliation, in His consecration and in His. commen- dation. (3) There is a threefold testimony to Christ's Deity in preparation for the threefold testing of the Devil. - (4) Satan seeks by subtlety to snare the Son of God. Deliverance is by de- light in the will of God. ( 5 ) ' It is not harmful to be hungry, but it is wrong to bake bread from the Devil's dough. (6) Pride will bring the Prince of this world to the bottomless pit. Hu- mility will give power to the Prince of Life in the highest heaven. (7) The kingdom shall be wrested from Satan and subdued, and King David's son shall have universal sway. (8) Meet every test with unhesitat- ing obedience to the will of God and unswerving loyalty to the Word of God.
Grod has sent into this world. He walks u p and down over the earth, his king- dom (Job 1:7.). He stands in the pres- ence of God (Zeeh. 3:1). He binds on earth (Luke 13:16). Exercises power over man (Acts 26:18). ' Works with silgns and lying wonders (2 Thess 2:9). * Dleceives the whole world .(Rev. 12:9). Humanity is in his grip. He lords it 4 oyer the children of men. He drives like a taskmaster. With the forces of air and earth, with demons and fallen angels and wicked men and women under his sway, to do his bidding. A st ranger to mercy—giving no quarter— h«i is indeed a hard, harsh, cruel tyrant, ti e unchangeable foe of God and man. The First Test—Satan appeared prob- ably in the role of an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), his most subtle manifesta- ti on. Satisfy your hunger. Your desire .for bread is natural and legitimate— show your power as the Son of God. Make bread of stones. This is the test off His Deity, " I f thou be the Son of Gjod." This parallels the first attack uvion Eve. The appeal is to the lust of tllie flesh. Assert yourself. Use your power. He was hungry, the power was His. Jesus answers him with the Word off God. He could have answered him f3r Himself, but He answers as a man, the representative man, using the sword oi the Spirit and a message pregnant with meaning (Deut. 8:3). "Humbled tttee, suffered thee to hunger —fed thee •Jith manna—that He might make thee Miow that man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceed- elh out of the mouth of God." How iriarvelously the Word was applied. Humbled, hungry, He waited upon God fair food. He is the servant of Jehovah a i d the servant does not command, but oiieys. He will not take Himself out off Jhe will of God. He has power but will not use it. He multiplies loaves aiid fishes but will work no selfish mira- cle. He has conquered with the un- answerable Word of God. The Second Test —Conveyed to a. pin- nacle of the Temple. Again the tempter says " I f thou be the Son of God." The appeal now is to His Messiahship. Satan qliotes Scripture (Psa. 91:11-12), for he learned in all the wisdom of the aijicients and modern. He omits the words ' ' to keep tlliee in all thy ways," wresting t f e Scripture to his own hurt, as j many others (2 Pet. 3:16). The t< st is—prove your power as the Mes- ah; claim the adherence of the people; ake them marvel at your miracle.
LESSON ra. JANUARY 16, 1910. BEGINNING OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY. Matt. 4:12-25. Theme: The Gospel in Galilee of the Gentiles. OUTLINE. (1) Darkness and Death—Light and Life. (2) Finding Fishermen—Forsaking and Following. (3) Heralding the Message—Healing the Multitudes. Following the victory of .Jesus over Satan, we find the record of the early ministry recorded in John's Gospel— a record of the first disciples, first mira- cle, first cleansing of the Temple, first discourse (John 4:5). This first Judean ministry occupied about a year and a half. After the first call of the four disciples (John 1) they probably re- turned to their fishing nets for a season. The King's headquarters are now in Capernaum. The King's motto is, " I must work the works of Him that sent me ." (1) DARKNESS AND LIGHT. "The people which sat in darkness saw a great light." Galilee was the mixing of the nations —the trade route between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. "Large cities tinctured with Greek culture," using the Greek language, dotted the shores of the lake. Jesus oscillated between seasons of solitude with His Father and His ministry with men. John was im- prisoned and Jesus braved the risk of a like fate in taking up His public serv- ice in Galilee. The conditions existing in Galilee correspond to the prophetic portraiture (Isa. 9 :1-2; Isa. 42:9). Sit- ting in darkness and the shadow of death. It was a triple night, of ig- norance, superstition and vice. The in- fluence of the infernal regions shadowed the land. The grossest darkness was caused by the apostasy of Israel. There is a striking parallel between disaster, destruction and death and the spiritual calamity which befalls the sons of men Light Appears—Like a meteor, flash- ing the bright shining light of the Gos- pel, the Messiah appears. Jesus was in strong contrast with John, as was Elisha with Elijah. John was terrific in his denunciation of sin—scathing in his arraignment of the hypocrites. The message of repentance as voiced by Jesus had another note. The long night of darkness was broken by the dawning of a new day. The King Himself has
come and preaches to the people the gospel of the Kingdom. He was the light which lighteth every man tha t Cometh into the world (John 1:9). John bore witness to the Light (John 1:8 ), but Jesus was the Light. Steadily bi i surely the light has penetrated the dar k places of the earth. Light can only b e manifested where there is darkness- - the darker the night the more conspim >- ous the light. Woe unto him who re- jects such light (John 3:19). (2) F I N D I N G THE FISHERMEir. "Simon Peter and Andrew . . . f< it they were fishers." Simon, Andrew, James and John had become disciples of the Messiah, leai •- ing John the Baptist. They had nc t entirely abandoned their occupation, bi t had spent some time with Jesus i a Judea. Now He calls them to a definite service. When the Lord sought thos e who were to be His intimates durin y the three and a half years of His mil i- istry He found them among the humbl e toilers. They were not men of rani:, but men of character. The history o f the church is full of illustrious exair - pies of this character: Bunyan, th b tinker; Zwingle, the shepherd; Melam - thon, the smith; Luther, the miner' s son. They were not idlers. God never ealls an idle man. They were faithfu , following their vocation. Men ar s chosep for service who are working we 11 in their own sphere. Men who dreain of doing great things and who havip never done well the least things, will be left to their dreams. Moses wa 3 tending sheep. Joshua was a soldie r doing service under Moses. Gideon was threshing wheat. Elisha was plowin g corn. God wants men who know how to do things and then to do them. Saul, of Tarsus, as a persecutor was hot with hatred for the Christians and gave his best effort to put them in prison. When he surrendered and became a preacher he was full of fire for the spread of the Gospel, and went about as a flaming evangel telling the story of redeeming love. Christ found them busy wit i their nets and from their humble, homely service called them to the high- est honors in the Kingdom. Follow Me—Here speaks the King— He commands these disciples to follow r Him. The seal of prophecy is upon Him and He has the right to command. Borib at the right time (Dan. 2:44), in the right place (Micah v. 2), brought out of Egypt (Hos. 11:1), reared in Nazall reth (Judges 13:5), a prophet of Galilee (Isa. 9:1-7), with the testimony ot
every real fisherman finds fishing a labor. For this reason and because it is often hard, tiresome and unsuccessful work, many people do not care for it. You must love the lost' souls of men or you will never be one of Christ's true followers. If you are not catching men it is because you do noi have the love of Christ in any. large measure in your heart. Ponder this carefully, for it must be true. His love never changes. He loved and loves the lost. His love developed in you will compel you to love them. (3) Equipment. A fisherman needs the boat, bait, net, tackle, according to the kind of fish and place of fishing. We need to have the bait of the Bible. Some portions will do for some men, others for other men. Some will be hooked easily and quickly. Some will have to be played for a long time. There are many kinds of hooks and lines and rods. Fishing is an art. There is always something new to be learned about the business. Patience —No one will make a fisherman without this qualification. The .wind is wrong one day—water too rough the next—weather too cold the next—but keep at it. Let patience have her perfect work. Per- severance —Sometimes men have fished season after season for a certain fish.. Often men have failed repeatedly with certain tackle—keep on—try again— keep on trying. What has been done can be done. What ought to be done must be done, and you must do it. You are called by your Lord to do it. Courage —It will take courage to tackle some kinds of fish—be brave—life is full of hard things. To testify, to talk personally to people—to tell the story in public, whichever it may be, will call for a courageous heart. Finally Faith —You must believe that men can be eaught. You must have confidence in your call and in Him who has called you. You must go where the fish are. You will not find many of them in the church, but in the school, in the home, in the shop and office, on the street car, in the daily occupation. The creeks and rivers and seas are full. In your own neighborhood, in the city; in the outlying districts, in the regions be- yond, they swarm, there are multitudes. This is a call for abdication —deny yourself—surrender a.11—leave all—give up the dearest project—forsake all and follow always. A call to activity— catching men—getting at it—commenc- ing—doing it now—today—at once. A call to assertion. Announce yourself a
Elijah (Matt. 4:1). "Follow m e " means, come behind me. First He says unto men, "Come unto Me ." They come for rest (Matt. 11:28). Then He wants them to come with Him for serv- ice. Whoso follows Him shall not walk in darkness (John 8:12). He goes be- fore as a shepherd and they follow (John 10:4). " I f any man serve Me, let him jfollow Me (John 12:26) and him will my Father honor." Many fol- • low Him without serving Him. Multi- tudes followed Him because they saw the miracles which He did (John 6:2). Over and over again the Gospel tells us that multitudes followed Him crowd- ing upon Him, yet He had but few real, true, dependent followers. Fishers of Men —"Follow Me and I will make you fishers." The call is clear, the service is specific. They had fished in the waters of -the sea; now they were to fish in the sea of the world. They were to turn from the old to the new—they were to take men alive. The call was to an unselfish life. They were to find the other man. As the Lord had sought them and found them and bade them to follow, as Paul .did who said, " Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). Their call was to a helpful life. The waters of the world were full of men, and they needed so much to know of the rest that was to be found in Him. They were to be rewarded. They should take men and men should constitute jewels in their crown (1 Thess.- 2:20). It was a divine call to duty, a following in fellowship with their Lord, in a serv- ice of sorrow and suffering, demanding self-sacrifice and self-abasement; but it wis to be a holy, helpful work in the dcjing of which their own souls were to 1 bq enlarged and enriched and their Mas- ter honored. [Catching Men —In Luke 5:12 it reads "Ithou shalt catch men." The most wjmderful work in the whole world is filhing for men. A careful study will slow that the essentials needed in fish- irlg for fish correspond exactly to those ni eded in soul saving. Here are a few the requirements: J ( 1) Knowledge. To know the char- I teristics of the fish, their haunts and ••bits of life. This can only be acquired ' study. So we must know men. There I e three sources of knowledge in the ludv of men. Yourself, your fellow, e Word of God. The Bible perfectly ilineates the character of mankind. J (2) Love for the Work. Fishing is •n! ork. It is often a recreation, but il 1
follower—a fisher of men—a servant of Jesus Christ—let everybody know where you stand and stand before everybody. If you are not catching men you are not following. Don't be afraid to look this fact squarely in the face. (3) HERALDING AND HEALING. "Preaching the Gospel and healing all manner of diseases." The love of the Messiah for His peo- ple manifested itself in His loving mes- sages and loving mercy. Disease could not tarry in His presence. Demons, fled at His word, and death itself bowed at _ His feet and delivered up its subjects. This is an example of fishing for men and catching them. Going about in His name, seeking, loving, teaching, helping people and having the conscious joy of knowing that when the net is finally pulled on the eternal shore some of your fish will be there, having been caught in the meshes. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) When Christ caine the day dawn- ed upon a dark world. (2) The call of Christ is a summons to service. (3) Catching men is a Divine Art. Art thou an artist? (4) The seminary can make theologi- ans, but only the Saviour can make soul savers. (5) Who forsakes all and follows Him will find fishing a splendid sport. (6) The sea is a type of the world— its shores the two eternities. (7) The church is the boat—in the sea but not of it. (8) The net the means of grace— preaching, teaching and testifying. (9) Sinkers hold the net down in the water: floats hold it up—corresponding to thé two opposite truths, the justice and mercy of God. LESSON IV. JANUARY 23, 1910. Matt. 5:1-12. THE BEATITUDES. OUTLINE. (1) The Multitudes V. 1 (2) The Mountains Y. 2 (3) The Mouth V. 2 (4) The Message Y. 3-12 (1) THE MULTITUDES. "And there followed Him a great multitude of people from Galilee, and from De- capolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jeru- salem" (Chap. 4:25). The whole country was stirred. The
wonderful works of .Jesus drew these vast multitudes to hear His wonderful words. There would be larger audiences of unbelievers to hear the Gospel if there were more saving works among Christians. The works were the King's credentials and gave force to the weirds which were the principles of His King- dom. "Seeing the multitudes" (V. 1). Great multitudes assembled strangely affect thoughtful and sympathetic na- tures. Our Lord was most susceptible to this influence. The multitudes moved Him to compassion (Matt. 15:32; Mark 6:34, etc.). He saw them as sheep having no shepherd. God have mercy on the multitudes todav, shepherdless and reckless, having no hope and with- out God in the world (Eph. 2:12). Twice He fed them with loaves and fishes, in His compassion for their hunger and weariness. From a few loaves and fishes they were all satis- fied, and many baskets of fragments remained over. Here He feeds them with the Bread of Life, the nourishment of the soul. What countless multitudes have feasted on these words. They have been multiplied into commentaries, es- says, sermons, volumes and the overplus is enough to feast the generations to come to the end of time. (2) THE MOUNTAIN. We can name this mountain, but we cannot locate it. It is the Mount of Beatitudes, or Blessedness. There are many historic events of Scripture in- separable from the mountains, as at Ararat, Moriah, Pisgah and Olivet, but Sinai and the Mountain of Beatitudes must be viewed together. The La w was given at Sinai, but unfolded t it the Mt. of Beatitudes. The Sermon c n the Mount is the flower of the Law, t is the refinement of the Law, it is' tl e soul of the Law. Many speak of tl e ' ' Sermon'' as Gospel, and as a grei t advance in the way of consolation 1 o the sinner. But though not in the for i of law, it is evident that its principli s are obligatory upon us. They eonta ; a no imperative ' ' Thou shalt'' and ' ' The i shalt n o t ; " they do not so much as la r down what we must do as what we muf t be. If a man cannot keep the lett< r of the law, how shall he be able to kee j it in the Spirit? The voice of th s Beatitudes is to the quakings of Sini i as the silent stroke of a live wire t ) the shock of the thunder. If by th ; Law is the knowledge of sin, by thi i ' ' Sermon'' is the conviction of utte r
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