Kansas City Bible College - Armour Bearer Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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THE COMMENTATOR PAGE FIVE Rewards and Crowns By Mrs. D. E. Wisner Child Evangelism Instructor Pnsrmmrion The figures for this story may be used against a plain background. They in- clude: a large red cross with a door that opens, a throne made of goldg a strip of blue construction paper' with the word Joy in yellow lettersg a larger strip with Joy in larger lettersg a still larger strip with Joy in still larger lettersg 5 gold crowns: Jack and George, boys about 12 years of age: reclining figure of Bill, about 16, Bob, the same age, reading his Bible, Jim, about 24, carrying a brief case, Jerry, wearing a sun helmet, standing before a grass hut. These figures may be selected from magazines or sketched on construc- tion paper and colored, or stick figures may be used. They should be backed with outing flannel and cut out. PRESENTATION Did you ever receive a prize? If you did, you had to work for it, didn't you? Today we are going to go exploring in the Bible to discover something about the prizes, or rewards, God offers to Chris- tians. Since they are only for Christians, we should first make sure that we are eligible. CPlace the cross with open door in the lower left corner of the board.J Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved fJohn 10:93. It doesn't cost anything to enter the door: in fact, you receive a gift when you enter- the gift of eternal life. Are you inside? Would you like to be? Just tell the Lord Jesus about it. Ask Him to come into your heart and save you. He'll do it, and that very minute you'll enter the gate of salvation. Then you will be eligible for God's rewards, or prizes. Will every Christian receive rewards? No, only those who have earned them. CRead I Cor. 3:12-15.5 We cannot live just any old way down here and expect rewards in heaven. When are these prizes to be given, and what are they? CRead II Cor. 5:10.J It is there at the Judgment Seat of Christ that the rewards are to be given. CPlace the throne in the upper left corner.b All Christians will be there, but some will receive no rewards because they did nothing to earn them. Let us first see what God says about joy in John 15:11, That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. so it seems there must be de- grees of joy: joy for everyone, more joy for those who are ready for it, and much joy for those who have lived the closest to the Lord. CPlace the three sizes of strips reading Joy as they are men- tioned.J Do you know anything about the joy of Bible study, and prayer, and soulwinning? Then the Bible speaks of crowns that the Lord offers as rewards. We will read about five of these. First, the crown of life is offered to those who endure suffer- ing patiently for Christ's sake. fRead Jas. 1:12 and place the first crown.J Has anyone made fun of you or mistreated you for being a Christian? Enduring suf- fering patiently for Christ's sake will mean a reward for you. In I Corinthians 9:24-27 we read about the incorruptible crown. CRead the pas- sage and place the second crown.J The Grecian wrestlers and runners exercised much and lived on a diet of coarse food to obtain a corruptible crown- one made of leaves that would soon wither. God offers a crown that endures forever to those who do not allow the fiesh to rule in their lives. The crown of rejoicing is offered for winning others to Christ. fRead I Thess. 2:19 and place the third crown.D If you have ever known the joy of leading a soul to Christ, you will understand why this is called the crovim of rejoicing. The crown of glory is mentioned in I Peter 5:1-4. CRead the passage and place the fourth crown.l This is for those who teach, God's word. Even boys and girls can earn it if they teach other boys and girls more about the Lord Jesus and the Bible. iii as .iii Then there is the crown of righteousness fRead II Tim. 4:8 and place the fifth crown.J This is for those who long for the return of the Lordg for those who pray, Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Now let us take a look at some Chris- tians and see what they are doing about these things. Jack and George accepted the Lord Jesus at camp one summer, then they went back to Junior High. CPlace Jack and George before the cross and bring them through the door.J George refused to smoke, but he didn't say much about the Lord Jesus. He seemed afraid to. But it wasn't long before Jack had led Ted and Andy to the Lord, then Ted led his brother and another pal to accept Christ. Let us imagine these boys at the Judgment Seat of Christ. CMove the figures up to the throne, placing one above the other.l Here is George alone. Here is Jack with four others. There will be joy for George. CPlace small Joy be- side George.J There will be at least one crown and more joy for Jack. CPlace one crown and larger Joy beside Jack.J Bill and Bob are young Christians. fRemove Jack and George and return other figures.J Bill takes life easy. QPlace reclining figure of Bill.D He sleeps until breakfast and just never has time to look at his Bible. He means to do it in the evening, but after reading the comic books and hearing his favorite radio programs he is too sleepy. He listens to the fiesh, of course. I think we would call him a lazy, careless Christian. But you ought to know Bob. He made the football team and scored in every game, but he never forgets to get up fifteen minutes early to read his Bible. CPlace figure of Bob, reading.D You never catch him without his New Testament in his pocket. He gives out tracts, though some ridicule him for doing it. He teaches a class of boys and has led some of them to the Lord. Now let us show Bob and Bill at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Bill will have joy- all will have thatg but Bob ltas earned all the crowns and much joy will be his. CPlace small Joy beside Billy place larg- est Joy and all the crowns beside Bob.J Jim and Jerry are two other young Christians. God called them both to the mission field, but Jim decided to stay at home and send some money to the mis- sionaries instead. CPlace figure of Jim carrying brief case at the lower edge of the board.J He feared the hardships of life on the mission field. but Jerry went out. He lives in a grass hut with no conveniences, but he doesn't mind, fPlace figure of Jerry and the grass hut beside Jim.l He is happy to be where God wants him to be. You can just tell by looking at him that he wouldn't want to be any place else in all the world. If he had not come to Africa these natives would still be living in sin with no hope of heaven. When Jim and Jerry stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which do you think will be the happier? APrL1cA'r1oN All six of these boys were Christians, but three of them missed the rewards and much of the joy that might have been theirs. They must have been quite asham- ed to meet the Lord, and very sorry they had no gift for Him CI John 2:28J. How will it be with us when we stand before Him? Do we need to meet Him empty- handed? No, we can serve joyfully and well, and then some day we'l1 hear His Well done. This story is one of a set of ten object lessons called. The Good Enough Fami1y, published by Hollenbeck and McCall. P.O. Box 1275, Aberdeen. South Dakota, and is used by their permission. FOR PLACING CHILDREN Dr. Harold L. Lundquist, nationally known Christian leader and author, has resigned from the pastorate of the First Evangelical Free Church of Chicago to be- come Executive Director of the Evangel- ical Welfare Agency. This licensed child placing agency, with a charter to serve Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Southern Wis- consin, has its headquarters at 542 South Dearborn Street, Chicago. Dr. Lundquist will be supervising the placing of children for adoption and foster care in Christian homes. Licensed in 1950, the agency has found a tremendous opportunity in serv- ing the needs of evangelical Christians. 'Supported by churches and organizations of more than 30 denominations, the Evan- gelical Walfare Agency is rapidly expand- ing its services to help meet the needs of homeless children. Every life is a signpost. Which way are you pointing- toward God or othefr- wise. --Selected.

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PAGE FOUR - THE COMIVIENTATOR The Blessed Way of Life Matthew 5:1 -12 By Rev. Leonard J. Larson It ls our plan to present a series of articles by members of the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Bible College in order that the friends of the College may become acquainted with the men of God who are ultimately res- ponsible for its welfare. Rev. Mr. Larson, who is pastor of the Mis- sion Covenant Church of Kansas City, Mis- souri. has worked to promote the school almost since its inception, as a member both of the Board of Directors and of the faculty. .At the present time he is teaching courses in Church History and World History. His deep spirit- ualit and wide ex ri n m y pe e ce ake him a bless- ing to the school. lEditor's note.J Everywhere men are seeking for the blessings of life. Jesus understood this deep yearning in the hearts of men, and here in a matchless message He proclaims the nature of the blessed life and how men may find it. Delitzsch has called the Mount of Beatitudes the Sinai of the New Testament. But what a contrast these two reveal! On Mount Sinai, far out in a desolate wilderness, God was hidden in the fire and smoke and thun- ders of a mountain that trembled at the awful presence of the Almighty. It was a mountain of wrath and death to any whose feet might touch it. Its command- ments were stern and unyielding de- mands. Here on a beautiful mountain-side fill- ed with the fragrance of lilies, the song of birds, and the laughter of happy chil- dren, to a wondering multitude the Son of God proclaims the constitution of the spiritual kingdom He would bring to men. Here is set forth the only true and bless- ed way of life. No promise of a worldly kingdom or material blessings and gross delights does He bring, but the challenge of a new spiritual kingdom of righteous- ness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit CRom. 14:17 RVJ. Jesus proclaims that true blessedness consists, not in what men have, but in what they are. The em- phasis is not on doing, but on being. Life and character are the supreme considera- tions of this blessed way of life. FINDING 'mr BLESSED LIFE The Beatitudes consist of trinities with- in a trinityg there are three groups of 'three each. Taken together they form a gospel in miniature, the details of which are supplied by the subsequent gospel story. The first three beatitudes reveal the way by which men may find the bless- ed life. No man can enter this kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit except by the narrow gate of spiritual poverty, a consciousness of his own sin and utter unworthiness. The proud, the self-righteous Saul of Tarsus must first become the chief of sinners, before he could become a recipient of the grace of God. When Isaiah cried out, Woe is me! for I am undoneg because I am a man of unclean lips, then came a seraphim with cleansing fire from the altar to touch him. Beloved, you, too, must become undone because of your sins and spiritual poverty before the por- tal to this blessed life will open to you. Secondly, the way to this blessed life is by a crushed and boken heart. Out of this sense of spiritual poverty and conscious- ness of sin, must come the agonies of deep spiritual mourning and penitence. The Sermon on the Mount is no easy re- ligion of good works, for we are imme- diately brought to the cross of Calvary where sins are revealed and forgiveness is given. The tragedy of much shallow, joy- less Christian living lies in the fact that there, has never been any deep sorrow over sin, no soul anguish that has given birth to a new life. Only those who peni- tently grieve over their sins to forsake them can ever taste the sweetness and joy and comfort which a gracious, for- giving God can give. Finally, entrance into this blessed life must be by way of a meek and humble heart. Mighty achievements, earthly riches, worldly honors avail nothing. Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhab- is Holy, I place, with iteth eternity, whose name dwell in the high and holy him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, the contrite and to revive the heart of ones Usa. 57:157. Jesus himself once said, Verily I say unto you, except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall hum- ble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven cMate. 18: 3, 4, R.V.J. LIVING 'rua BLESSED LII-'E The next trinity of beatitudes presents the virtues that are essential to living this blessed life. It is not enough to have discovered the way to this blessed life, we must find grace and power to live it. To live as a Christian, we must first be 'right with God and deeply concerned about the things of God. There must be a CCo'nti'n.ued on Page 75 UESTIOV7 5. x By Rev. Wade K. Romsey Dean, Kansas City Bible College In this column Mr. Ramsey will be glad to answer questions sent in by our readers which concern Bible in- terpretation or application and are of general interest. -Editor QUESTION: How can we explain the fact that Moses' pagan education neither wrecked or seemed to weaken his early training in faith? ANswER: That trained in Egypt in Egyptian learning is 7:22, And Moses was Moses was thoroughly attested by Acts learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. That this training neither wrecked nor weakened his faith in the true God is equally attested by all of his life and teaching. The remarkableness of this fact is emphasized to us when we remember the wreck and ruin that has been wrought by the present day pagan learning. Not too long ago, a college president said, . . . I have met hundreds of young peo- ple reared in godly homes who went off to college believing the Bible from cover to cover and came out of college with wrecked faith and blighted morals. What, then, is the explanation of Moses' faith? His preservation from the impiety and immorality of the world despite his pagan education like all other such pre- servation can finally be traced to Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Uude 241. But since God often uses ordinary means to accomplish his wise ends, it still remains for us to ask what were the means used to preserve Moses in the faith. In answer to this we think there are at least four factors which contributed to the stability of Moses' spiritual life: Q15 His parents set before him a very consistent, godly life CHeb. 111231. 125 They faithfully taught him in spir- itual things. CBJ They succeeded in actually bring- ing him to a personal knowledge of God lHeb. 11:2-17. C41 He had a long period of training under God Himself in the wilderness. As Paul had his time of training in Arabia, so Moses had his in the desert of Midian. QUESTION! Was Lot a saved man? ANSWER! It seems clear from the Scrip- tures that Lot was saved. This is ap- parent from the following considerations: C15 Abraham evidently numbered him among the righteous when he said to the Lord, Wilt thou also destroy the right- eous with the wicked? CGen. 18: 232. See also Genesis 18:24, 25, 28, 30, 31 and 32. CCo'rLtinued on Page 71

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PAGE SIX THE COMIMENTATOR APRIL 6- A Fel- lowship of Many Fol- lowers. John 15:5- 95 Philippians 2:14- 165 Romans 16:1-7. Golden Text: 15:8. The interesting les- son presented to us today on the subject of fellowship among Christians may well --f- be divided into three parts. In John 15 the fellowship is based on relationship, in Philippians 2, on a mu- tual faith, in Romans 16, on service. God did not intend that Christians should live or serve alone, as all of the similes and metaphors used about the church and about individual Christians clearly indicate. As members of the body of Christ, each member serves each other member, as branches on the vine, each branch assists and helps each other branch, as stones in the temple, each stone supports and assists each other stone to stay in place and to serve its purpose. The branch has no interests outside of the purpose of the vine. Whatever the activity of the vine is to be, the branch also enters into it and executes it. The branches all look alike, produce alike, though not in like quantity, and all have the same purpose since they all draw and are sustained from the same source. In the second aspect of fellowship, where a mutual faith is the basis, we find that there cannot be fellowship if there is fault-finding, adverse criticism, murmur- ings, or disputings. We must be willing to let our brother serve the way he chooses to the extent that he wishes. It is one of the principles of fellowship that we bear with one another as each one serves to the best of his ability in his own way and time, The Lord did not tell us to be bosses: He told us to be fel- low-heirs and fellow-laborers in the truth of God. We are to be blameless in regard to our relations with other Christians, and harmless in that we don't hinder any of God's people in their services, seeking rather to make each other as useful and as profitable as possible by exhortation and encouragement. In the third passage in our lesson, Ro- mans 16:1-7, fellowship is based on serv- ice wihch is rendered within the church 'to one another. Mention is made of, a number of God's dear people, and in each case it is in connection with the ministry freely given to help others. Phebe sought to bring blessing, comfort, and help of every kind to everyone. The details of the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila are not given, but they were helpers in time of need. Then he gives honor to Adroni- cus and Junia because they were there with him in his bonds and brought a blessing to his heart. The Lord enable each one of us to be devoted, fellow- helpers to all other believers. APRIL 13- Thomas and the Risen Lord. CEaste'r Lessonj John 11:14-163 14: 1-6: 20: 24-29. Golden Text: John 20: 29. Sunday School Lesson Notes By Dr. Walter L. Wilson President, Kansas City Bible College Thomas was devoted to both the person and the work of the One who had called him out of the world to be His follower, yet like the others he had not fully under- stood the purpose and plan of our Lord Jesus. Jesus could not die until His time came: He could not be murdered by His enemies but must be legally put to death in order to fulfill the Scriptures and in order to die for us as a vicarious sacrifice. The loyalty of Thomas is here revealed in that he was willing to give his life for and with this One who had won his heart. Let us note that He wanted to go with the others, in fellowship with those who had been chosen to be disciples as he was chosen. This is another mark in proof of real leadership and real Christian fellowship. Peter had also offered to die for and with Jesus, and it was that re- mark which called from the Saviour's lips those wonderful words of John 14. Again Thomas was in evidence, although verses one to four were given directly in answer to Peter. Thomas did not intend to miss any opportunity of being with his Lord in any place. It is interesting to note that Thomas recognized Jesus as his Lord. He real- ized that this precious One to whom he had given his life was his Sovereign. For that reason he wanted to know everything that could be known about the Saviour. It was to Thomas that those wonderful words were spoken in verse six, words which have dissolved the doubts of mul- titudes and revealed the Way of life to people in every part of the world. Thomas' question brought from the Saviour's lips an unfolding of the mysteries which had puzzled several. How can we get to God? Who will take us through those tremen- dous spaces of the skies to the throne of God and then present us to Him there? Thomas received the answer: Christ is the way. He did not come to show the way or to tell how to get to God: He came to take us to His Father. Thank you, Thomas, for asking such an important question. But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. What a tragedy, what a time to stay away. The Lord carefully covered up the reason for the absence of Thomas. Even John did not tell us why Thomas was not there, but what a bless- ing he missed. When the disciples told Thomas of their experience, he revealed in a new way his love for his Lord. Noth- ing would do but to feel the very Hesh of the Saviour. Then when he had the proof, he cried out, My Lord and my God. APRIL 20- Jesus and the Law. Mat- thew 5:17-20g Mark 10:17-22. Golden Text: John 1:17. Jesus kept the law perfectly. He could not do otherwise, for He Himself was per- fect and in Him there was no sin of any kind. He also kept the law perfectly for us. He is our Substitute in law-keeping as He is in sacrifice, yet this was not in- cumbent upon Him. He left heaven and lived here because He loved us. In Romans 5:10 we read that we are saved by His life. When we trust the Lord Jesus with our souls, then at once we receive credit for the sinless, stainless, spotless life that He lived, a condition which every person must have who enters heaven. But a man will say, I don't have that kind of a life. No one who really knows God and knows His holiness will ever think for one moment that he lives up to the glorious perfections of Christ Jesus, yet that is absolutely necessary for entrance into heaven. How then can it be brought about? God has answered the question. The righteousness of God lis manifestedl . . . unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no differ- ence: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God fRom. 3:22, 231. The scribes and Pharisees had a 'high degree of righteousness as it looked through human eyes, yet that which en- titles us to enter God's presence is im- puted righteousness, the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Ciuist. Romans 4:6 describes this righteousness of God the Father revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ and placed to our credit by the Holy Spirit. There is no failure in that righteousness, and it becomes ours by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul prayed that he might not have his own righteousness, even he with all of his wonderful char- acter and position discarded his own life as only dung in comparison with that per- fect and beautiful righteousness given to him as a gift that day on the road to Damascus. Even so, must we lay aside our own good character, our righteous acts, our Christian service as only refuse when it comes to the matter of saving the soul. It has no value in God's sight for redemptive purposes. An example of this truth is revealed in the story found in the next part of our lesson, Mark 10:17-22. This young man had a blameless character, but he knew that he needed eternal life, an important discovery to make. He came to the right Person and in the right way, for he was running and. kneeling, but he wanted God's gift, rather than the Giver. He wanted life, but he did not want the Lord. APRIL 27- Supreme Loyalty to God. Exodus 20:1-6: Luke 14:25-27: 16:13- 15. Golden Text: Exodus 2023, 4. Loyalty to God is manifested by love for His Person and obedience to His will. God has spoken, and those who really love Him will want to carry out His program. As in the home where true love reigns and lives have truly been joined together in wedlock, each one wants to know the desire of the other in order to do it. Each one wants to please the other in every possible way: thus love and obedience reign supreme. It is the same in Christian matters. The Christian life does not con- sist of an unsaved person trying to keep the commandments of God and trying to live a religious life. God gave the commandments to Israel. They were not given to the Egyptians or the Philistines or the Assyrians. 'I'he commandments of God were given to the people of God because only those who belong to Him will be interested in know- ing and doing His will. The more one knows and loves the Lord, the easier it is to carry out His will and plan. It is for that reason that commandments flourish in the worship of idols, relics, images, and medals. Riomanists are not taught to know God personally nor to love the Lord