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

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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

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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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THE COMMENTATOR PAGE SEVEN Jesus individually, hence they care prac- tically nothing about the Word of God or the will of God. Dr. Luke presents this truth very clearly as he records the statements of Jesus in this matter. There are those who have a religion and a name to live by. They have great loyalty to their church, main- tain its rules and principles, and engage in its activities, yet there is no love and devotion to the Lordof the church. Christ is the Head of the church, and therefore His Word and His will should control our works and our ways. In the passage just before us we find a very strong statement in regard to the strongest loyalties of our lives. Devotion to family is usually paramount in every well developed life. The wishes of par- ents or relatives very frequently are sub- stituted for the will of God. Family gath- erings take precedence over the gather- ing together of the saints of God for the work of God. The purposes and plans of God must be laid aside for the personal wishes of relatives. Someone's feelings must be hurt, and the decision must be made whether the Holy Spirit will be grieved because we are not with His people or the family will be grieved be- cause we did not meet there. We must choose which one has the first place in our affections and our time. To take up the cross in this particular respect means that we lay aside the desires of the family at those crucial times when the church calls for our presence and counsel. TI-IE QUESTION BOX CCofnttnued from Page 45 C25 God confirmed Abraham's opinion of Lot's status by actually saving him from the burning city and thus making a distinction between him and the wicked CGen. 19:15, 165. C35 Lot received the angels of the Lord gladly and respected them highly, being willing to make great sacrifices for their protection CGen. 19:1-3, 6-105. Also he gave heed to their message of warning and fled from the city. All of this seems to indicate that although he had allowed some worldliness to creep in, yet at heart Lot was a real believer. Q45 The question is quite definitely settled hy the Holy Spirit's statement through Peter. After referring to the extinction of the wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah, he declared, And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversa- tion of the wicked. CFor that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds5 QII Pet. 2:7, 85. Here God definitely says that Lot was just, that is, justified, and that his righteous soul was vexed daily by the wickedness of his soul's surround- ings. To us this statement definitely an- swers the question in the aEirmative. In calling Lot just and righteous, of course, God does not mean that he was blameless or righteous in himself but rather that he was justified by grace through faith. He, like Abraham, be- lieved God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness CRom. 4: 35g it was the righteousness which is of God by faith fPhil. 3:95. Unfortifnately, some preachers and teachers have exaggerated Lot's worldli- ness and sin. As far as the Scripture reveals, he possibly was not any more worldly than hundreds of true Christians today. Peter reveals that though Lot al- lowed himself to be somewhat attracted by the world and compromised his testimony, he nevertheless did not abandon himself to the world. Its ways daily vexed his righteous soul. His escape into the world cost him dearly- it cost him all of his loved ones and his worldly possessions, but he himself, was saved yet so as by ire. THE BLESSED WAY OF LIFE CConti'n.ued from Page 45 passionate hunger for spiritual things. Like hunger and thirst, this eagerness for spiritual things must be a continuing con- dition. This hunger and thirst will re- veal itself in the devotion with which we appropriate all the means of grace and spiritual growth, such as the Word of God, the place of prayer, the fellowship of the saints, the place of worship, and the serv- ice of God. Alas, how often a .soul is stirred and enters the blessed way of life, but the cares of life, the appeals of the world, sap his interest and rob him gradually of his joy and love for the Lord. Only the soul that goes on ever yearning and eagerly seeking for more of righteous- ness and of God will be filled. Robinson says that the word filled. means, literally. to be made fat as cattle are fattenedf' So the soul that lives with an intense desire for spiritual things will grow ro- bust and radiant in faith. To live the Christian life, we must be in a 'right relation to our fellowmen. This Jesus sums up in the word merciful in the fifth beatitude. This word refers, not to negative qualities, but to the active virtues of kindness, tenderness, gentle- ness, and love. It is that quality of good- ness which Jesus showed as He lived among men. Oh, how desperately the world today needs this kind of Christian living! The great hurt of the world will never be healed by more victories, by peace treaties, United Nations agreements or by education in morals. Only as men learn the mercy of God to live it among their fellowmen, will justice and mercy prevail in this wicked world. Finally, to live this blessed life, there must be a right relation in the heart. Christian living calls for heart-holiness. Once more' we are driven to Calvary, for only there can a sinful, darkened heart be rnade pure. Like David of old we must cry, Create within me a clean heart, O God. Only through the power of Cal- vary can a cleansed heart be kept pure. Blessed. is the man who lives right with God, right with his fellowmen, and right within his own heart. He shall know the joy of the old fisherman who, when asked by his little friend where God lived, an- swered with tears in his eyes, Lad, it's getting so I can't see anything but God everywhere I look. And some day with unveiled eyes we shall behold the King in His glory. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Vrcronv IN 'ri-IE BLESSED LIFE ' Christ was a realist. He does not prom- ise that this blessed life will be a way of ease and worldly joy. On the contrary, those who choose the Christ-way of life must be prepared for testings, trials, and persecutions. But with all its persecutions and oppositions it is still the blessed way, for it is the way of victory. 'I'his is the consolation .of the last trinity of beati- tudes. The true saint of' God will live among men bringing peace between man and man, and between man and God. Wherever he goes, the winsome Chris- tian will leave behind him peace and light and joy. Blessed are those great souls whose victorious living among men helps to resolve the strifes and enmities and misunderstandings of life. Even a scoffing world must at last call them sons of God. Best of all, God accepts them as His sons. Where other men Hnd only failure, disappointments and de- feags, these radiant souls find victory and Go . Then, too, there will be victory over the trials and persecutions of life. So surely as men live consecrated Christian lives, so surely persecution in some form will come. All that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution CII Tim. 3:125. But the Christian has learned the mystery of making each trial a step- ping stone to bring him closer to God. Lastly, the Christian will not only find that he can live victoriously among men and mount victorious over the persecutions of life and simply endure them, he will find in this blessed life a victory of joy. Rejoice and be exceeding glad. Only the saint of God who is living this Christ- way, richly and fully, can find joy in pain, can smile in the long hours of sorrow, and rejoice in-the midst of tribulations. With courage and strength and joy he can face a hostile world. He has met Christ and found the blessed way of life. Dear friend, even now deep in your soul you hunger for this sweet peace and joy and power. In your loneliness, your days of suffering and pain, you long for comfort and grace to bear these trials. Quietly, just now, lift your spirit in hum- ble surrender to the blessed Christ, and He will give thee the desires of thine heart. EXPLAINING A MIRACLE CCo'n.tinued from Page 15 tried to help. God says in John 5:24, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ljudgmentjlg but is passed from death un- to life. And as many as received him, to them gave he power Ilauthorityl to be- come the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name CJohn 1:125. That's all there is, it is just that simple- believe, receive, and leave it to The Management. Mr. Rodabaugh carries on an interesting ministry for God in small towns not far from Kansas City with his station wagon which is equipped for sound amplification. On Satur- days and many summer evenings he takes a team of workers who provide an excellent musical program. At the close he gives a short, clear. pungent message with a gospel appeal. Before and after the broadcast the workers give a tract to every person who will receive it on the street and in the stores. A different tract is used each week. This article is one of his Gospel Cargramsf' I LITTLE THINGS Little leaks of idle speaking, Little leaks of sin, Little leaks of self-indulgence, Let the waters in. Little leaks, great ships are sinking, Little rifts may swamp the wholeg 'Tis the little sins, make often Shipwreck of the soul.