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

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THE COMIVIENTATOR PAGE FIVE bury her face in her hands. Miss Jones glanced at Susie, and both bowed their heads in shame. Was Patty a Christian? Was Patty saved? Was she safe in the arms of Jesus? Well, we hope she was. We hope she had trusted Jesus and received Him as her Saviour, but no one knew. That pre- cious little girl had been neglected by those who loved her most- her pastor, her uncle, her mother, her Sunday School teacher- and Susie, her friend and play- mate. CPoint to each figure in turn.J APPLICATION Christian boys and girls, how about your playmates- are they saved? And how about you who have never trusted Jesus and been saved? You know you've sinned: you know that Jesus died on the cross for you, but have you ever received Him as your personal Saviour? Perhaps you are saying, There,s plenty of time yet. Maybe so, maybe not. Re- member Patty. The safe thing to do is to trust Jesus now. Then if you live a hun- dred years you'll never be sorry you ac- cepted the Lord Jesus while you 'were young. Do it now, wOn't you? This little story is an adaptation of one by the same title in Little Miss Grumpy Susie Book, number 14, by J. C. Brumtield and is used with his permission. BOOK REVIEWS A Trumpet in Zion, by Carrie E. Gruhn CMoody Press, Chicago 10, 285 pages, 33.005 This book of fiction has as its setting, places and events which could possibly be a part of that thrilling period of time so close upon us- when the Lord calls to Himself a remnant of His brethren, the Jews. The story is told entirely from their standpoint and introduces a possible city of refuge for them, the ancient Arabian hideout of Petra in the Edomite Moun- tains. Because it presents so much of prob- ability, the book will fascinate the student of Scripture and cause the unbeliever to examine his own provision for refuge. William Carey, by F. Deauville Walker CMoody Press, Chicago 10, 256 pages, 32.751, is one of the Tyndale series of great biographies. The pioneer in all of modern missions is himself a miracle of God's pow- er. His earnest determination in the face of the indifference of the 18th century church and his accomplishment in spite of the opposition of India's paganism makes inspiring reading. It should be made available to Christian young people ev- erywhere. The Journal of John Wesley, edited by Percy Livingstone Parker CMoody Press, Chicago 10, 438 pages, 53.505, is a welcome reprint of the autobiography of this man of God. NO dry recital is this, but a mov- ing drama which evaluates for us his de- votion to the will of God and his purpose to daxalt Christ. He being dead yet speak- et . The Jolly P's Make Decisions, by Brenda Cannon CMoOdy Press, Chicago 10, 125 pages, 75 centsj, is another i.n the series of stories about these three happy Chris- tian young people. Teen-agers will enjoy reading more of the advancing lives and deeper experiences of the Jolly family. UESTl 'l Ox By Rev. Wade K. Ramsey 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 does God. personally lead the believer today? ANSWER: God's methods and means of guidance are often different, but the prin- ciples remain ever the same. In His wis- dom He always uses the methods and means best suited to the circumstances and character of the one to be guided. The matter of first importance on our part is that we be willing to be guided of Him, and turn ourselves unconditionally Over to Him for His leadership. When this is done, the ways are simplified. God will make His leading suHicient1y clear to us through various means. Sometimes He will lead through a scrip- ture passageg at other times He will lead through circumstances or the advice of Christian friends: and at still other times, through the combination of all of these. Then in addition to these outward means, there is an inner guidance by impulse and feeling, by intellect and reasoning. In His infinite wisdom He uses whichever of these means may be best suited to the individual. If the individual is particularly impuls- ive and emotional, the guidance may be of impulses or feelings. On the other hand, if the individual is more inclined to be of the quiet thoughtful type, then guidance is likely to be through the mind and rea- soning proc-esses. The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus said that the Spirit would guide His disciples into all truth. If we surrender all of our being to the indwelling Spirit, He will guide us by the means best adapted to our particular p-ersonality. Whether the means used are extraordi- nary or natural will depend upon the cir- cumstances. In the extraordinary exper- iences of leading the whole nation of Is- rael on a long journey through the wild- erness, He chose the colorful and spec- tacular pillar Of cloud by day and the pil- lar of fire by night. But in less spectac- ular circumstances, He has consistently used less spectacular means. How ever this may be, two things are important to remember: the first, that He will never lead us contrary to the Word of God: and second, that He will never guide us con- trary to what is right. It behooves us then to be thoroughly familiar with His Word and His ways, and to be attuned to all the movements of the Spirit. God says that He will guide His people with His eye, and this presupposes intimacy. Eye guidance is the guidance of lovers. If we would know God's will for us, we must know God and His Word. QUESTION: What does the Saviour mean in John 15 when He speaks of those who abide in me and those who abide not in men? ANSWER: Generally speaking, we believe that Christ is simply dividing people into two main classes- those who are saved and those who are not. Those who abide in Christ are saved, and those who do not are unsaved. In this parable of the vine and the branches He makes specific reference to those who have merely pro- fessed faith and those who have real faith. The professed Christian who is not one in fact may be said to be a branch in Christ in an outward way- a kind of par- asitic growth which must be cut away for the good of the other branches. Judas was such and so were the many disciples who went back and Walked no more with Him as recorded in John 6: 66. ,They were cut away by the pruning hook of the hard saying which Christ had just ut- tered. This type was referred to in the par- able of the sower as the seed which sprung up quickly only to wither away in the heat of the sun, because it had no depth of earth. All men, natural as well as spir- itual, are dependent upon Christ for their life as it is said, He be not far from ev- ery one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being CActs 17:27-283. The same general truth in regard to Is- rael is emphasised in Romans 11 where Paul taught that they were not all Israel which were of Israel. There the apostle uses the figure of the olive tree and shows that the natural branches Ctbose that were of Israel but not true Israelj were broken off. Those who abide in Christ are the true believ- ers, they are said to abide because they are never broken off. They are joined to Christ forever by faith, for He gives un- to them eternal life and they shall never perish. PAUL AND HIS BOOKS It is not sane to say we should never read any book but the Bible. There are extremists who do say that, who claim that they teach and speak only what they have found in the Word of God, indepen- dent of any man's teaching. But we have a very fine authority for the study of thoughtful books interpreting the Bible. Paul, anticipating a visit from 'I'imOthy, said: The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchmentsn CII Tim. 4: 13D. I-Ie had previously said to Timothy, Give heed to reading CI Tim. 41133. As Mr. Gaebelein points out in a recent niunber of Our Hope, Paul was the greatly inspired apostle, who had preach- ed for over thirty years and had a far wider, moiie spiritual experience than perhaps any other man, yet he wanted the books. He had been caught up into the third heaven, and heard there things un- lawful for a man to utter, more than that, he had seen the Lord and then received the great and marvelous revelation put into his hand by the Spirit of God, yet he Wanted books. Bible teachers are gifts of the Lord to His church CI Cor. 12, Eph. 4:11, 123 for the purpose of the per- fecting of the saints. Their ministry may be through the written as well as the spoken word. -S. S. Times

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PAGE FOUR TI-IE COMMENTATOR Was Patty A Christian? By Mrs. D. E. Wisner Child. Evangelism Instructor , PREPARATION Three outdoor scenes may be used ef- fectively with this story- one in the school yard, one showing Patty's home with sidewalk leading to the door, and another picturing the church at one side with an old log in the yard on the other. A fourth scene could be used to show the bedside scene in Patty's home if a more elaborate story is planned. The figures consist of 10-year-old Susie, standing and facing left, Patty, the same age, facing rightg Dr. Blake, carrying medical case and facing right, Patty's mother, facing rightg Patty's uncle and her pastor, facing each other, Miss Jones, facing leftg and a seated figure of Susie on a log. These may be sketched on con- struction paper, appropriately colored, backed with outing fiannel, and cut out. PRESENTATION It was recess time at lVIilville School, and Susie noticed little Patty Mason standing alone just around the corner of the school house. CSet up the first scene as sketched.D She had a very troubled look on her face. Hello, Patty, Susie greeted her with a smile. You look very serious about something. Thinking about anything spe- cial? Come on, tell me. What's it all about? Well, its about me, mostly, confided Patty. About you? Say, that reminds me, said Susie, 'Tve been intending to ask you- are you a Christian, Patty? Do you know Jesus as your Saviour?i' The timid little girl's eyes filled with tears, That's just what l'm thinking about, Susie. I'm- I'm not sure. The bell's ringing, we'd better run,', interrupted Susie, 'ibut say, Patty, I want to talk to you about that- sometime. CRemove figuresj aisle ....,. QW? X H :.-9'- f, H we Z 0 s. It R '51 an -., if f 'gp . lt .1 Wi' -Qt , The next two mornings when the roll was called, Patty did not answer. The teacher seemed alarmed. I wonder if she's sick. Who goes by her house on the way home? Susie raised her hand, I do, Miss Smith. I'll stop and ask. That afternoon when Susie called, she met Dr. Blake coming out of Patty's house. CSet up scene 2, using Susie from the first scene and Dr. Blakej. Oh, Dr. Blake, you're here? Then Patty is sick, exclaimed Susie. Patty's very sick, Susie, said Dr. Blake seriously. It seemed to Susie that the whole world was spinning around in big crazy circles. She could see Patty's little troubled face as she said, That,s what I'm thinking about, Susie- I'rn not sure. Then she could hear her own answer, I want to talk to you about that, sometime. Oh, she thought, if I only hadn't said 'sometime. ' She swallowed hard and asked, Is she-bad?-I mean-could I see her? The old doctor laid his hand on her shoulder in a kind way that made her think he understood how she felt, but he said, 'Tm sorry, Susie. She's too sick for anyone to see. tRemove figures.J Susie tried repeatedly to see Patty only to be told Patty was too sick. She knocked again, Could I see Patty? I've just got to talk to her. CUse same figure of Susie and figure of motheixl 'Tm afraid she wouldn't hear you, answered Pattyls mother. May I just come in and look at her?,' pleaded Susie. Yes, you may stand beside her a few minutes while I run next door. I'll be right back. CRemove flguresj Susie tiptoed into the little bedroom. She gasped as she saw Patty's face. Her face is so white, she whispered, and her breathing is so strange. She bowed her head, Dear God, I've just got to tell her. Help her to hear me, won't You? Susie did not hear the door open behind her as she leaned over the bed and whis- pered Patty-Patty-can you hear me? She leaned over and Whispered right in her ear, Patty, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Did you hear, Patty? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved- do you hear me? Just then a big hand was laid kindly on her shoulder. Susie looked up through her tears, Oh, Dr. Blake, I didn't hear you come in. I didn't disturb her. Really, I didn't. I just whispered in her ear. The doctor gave her a squeeze. Yes, I you, he said. Susie was glad he Christian. Do you think she heard me, Doctor? I thought she smiled. I hope so, Susie, he said slowly. But the way he said it made Susie know that he didn't think she did hear. Susie became suddenly frightened, Is she- is she going to- ?l' Dr. Blake turned away, 'Tm afraid so, Susie. CRemove scenej The next morning Susie had the sad news that Patty was dead. Oh, it can't be,', she sobbed. It just can't be. Patty's uncle who was a minister came to help with the funeral. CSet up scene 3 with uncle and pastor.J As he talked with Patty's pastor, he asked with a lump in his throat, Mr. Olsen, was Patty a Christian? When I was here last summer I meant to have a talk with her, but I just never got to it? There were tears in his eyes, and he looked so ashamed. heard was a The pastor looked ashamed too, I was afraid you were going to ask that. I'm sorry, I don't know. I called the day after she took sick, but it was too late. A few weeks ago when I was preaching on heav- en, I noticed how serious Patty was. I meant to have a talk with her, but I never got to it. A tear rolled down his cheek. I hope she was saved, but I'm not sure. I see, said the uncle. We've both failed. Let's see if her mother knows? CAdd figure of motherj 'Tm sure she does, said Pastor Olsen. She's one of the best members of our church. When asked this question, the mother wept, I don't know. I've thought of it ever since she became so ill. We have family worship, and she's heard the story of salvation many times. I've thought lately I ought to have a talk with her about the Saviour, but- well, you know how it is, I put it off- and I'm not sure. Then Pastor Olsen had a happy thought, Here comes Miss Jonesg she will know. They hurried to meet the Sunday School teacher. CAdd Miss Jones.D f' X1 A X 533 l ligiltiag-eQlI 1 .....- f, ...J -f 'fWe were just wondering, Miss Jones, if Patty Was a Christian. She stared blankly at the two men, 'Tm sorryjl she sobbed, but I don't know. It was only last Sunday that I noticed such an eagerness in her face. I meant to speak to her right after class, but something happened, and I was going to do it next Sunday. But that's tomorrow and tomorrow's her funeral. 'Tm sure Susie will know, Miss Jones said eagerly. I think she's talked about Jesus to everybody. Of course, said the pastor, why didn't I think of her? They found Susie sitting on a log in the church yard with her face buried in her hands. CShow seated figure of Susie and move other figures toward her.D When Pastor Olsen and Miss Jones had greeted her and Patty's uncle had been introduced, Susie burst into tears, Oh, Pastor Olsen, she said, Was Patty a Christian? Did she ever really trust Jesus as her Saviour? I meant to ask her lots of times. I started to talk to her about this on the school ground this week, but, well- the bell rang and I was going to do it the next day, but the next day she was sick. I whispered in her ear while she was sick, and I think she smiled at me- I think she heard and was trying to tell me, but I really don't know for sure. Patty's funeral was the saddest day of Susie's life- Patty, one of her friends, one of her playmates, a member of her Sunday School class- and Susie didn't know if she were a Christian. When the organ played Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Susie wondered if Patty was really safe in the arms of Jesus. She looked up just in time to see the two ministers ex- change glances. She saw Patty's mother

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PAGE SIX THE COMMENTATOR :'1' ': 'ia:': X T Sundoy School Lesson Notes ' 1 gf Q' M, By Dr. Walter Wilson 'W QS? N O V E M B E R 4- God Reveals Him- self to Moses. Exo- dus 3:1-7, 10, 13-15. Golden Text: Exodus 3:15. God usually calls into His service those who are busy doing the thing that is at hand. Moses, W110 ' H ' M' was well-taught in all of the Egyptian sciences and arts, and trained in court procedure, had been oc- cupied with the king's business for many years. Now he was just as diligent in caring for the sheep. It is a great honor to be called of God for any work He may want us to do. On this occasion God called Moses to perform the greatest service ever given to any man to accomplish. He was to go Fback to Egypt, not fearing the wrath of fthe king, and in one night he was to lead over two million people out of their com- fortable homes, away from their business, and into a desert where there were no comforts or accommodations. Just before doing so, he was to perform miracles that would arouse the wrath of the king and all of the hosts of the Egyptians. God used the burning ,bush as an object lesson to attract the mind of Moses and arouse his curiosity. Probably he was to learn from this that the living God, who is a consuming fire, could dwell in the midst of His people without injuring them or bringing harm. Here God introduced Him- self to Moses, and revealed His plans and purposes concerning Israel. Just as most of us do, Moses began to make excuses and to avoid responsibility. His first objection was found in the ques- tion, Who am I? God very graciously refrained from answering that question, but He did promise to be with Moses. Again he asked, What shall I say to the people about you? God did answer this question and instructed Moses to tell the people about the name and the power of the One who had sent him. We should learn from this that God can take our in- sufficiency and inability and in a miracu- lous way make us invincible. 'I'he Lord assured Moses that his path would not be an easy one, that Pharaoh would not believe the message, and that the Egyptians would be antagonistic and hostile. The promise was given, however, that Moses would eventually be successful and the people would be delivered with wealth. NOVEMBER 11- Deliverance from Op- pressionf' Exodus 12:30, 31, 14:15-22, 31. Golden Text: Exodus 15:2. The Scripture tells us that the mercy of God is revealed by the punishment of Pha- roah and his host. We see the ease with which our Lord can punish and the cer- tainty of His judgments. The king had proudly asserted that he would not let Israel go, but he did not know that he was talking against the living God, whose power was unlimited and whose word was sure. Throughout the land there was death in every home, brought about with no flair of trumpets and no heralding of f ' .-:r:'s:::-:f-:aww 1 . .::: ra- 3... 1 ,,.-' 5, 2- Q.: . - : ' xr. - - -1.-:fr-:zrfr:' +:r:e..':-:-:r:..:. f .:rW::1-:mfr - , ',ig'..5-5,1-na -., -e ,.i2...,-spa. sa 1 .r ri: 11. :attkztgafiii ' 131125: . 1:.er:s:f ct::se1-:.-' t. - - :::z-as: 1 ze' f . - 4 1 .,:si.:e:af1is5. , - W1 -5 .. 1. I as f 3 ,, s if NY Sf? President, Kcmsas City Bible College armies. The destroying angels from heav- en silently entered each home as well as each barn, and the eldest among the people and among the animals died. God sent for His servants Moses and Aaron during that dark night. Those who were under the blood were preservedg those who believed God were saved. That home in which there was a dead lamb had a live child who escaped the judgment. God's mercy is revealed in His love and ample provision for those who believe Him. Those who do not believe Him must gag the fruit of their own attitude toward o . Moses was just beginning to live a new life. He, too, must learn to know God, to know that He keeps His word and is rich in assets for His people. Fortunately, Moses prayed to God even when his heart was filled with doubts and fears. The Lord approved him for this and informed him that the people who were in such desperate straits were to move into the impassable sea. As they moved, God also moved, and Israel marched through safely and comfortably. The enemies of Israel, following closely behind, thought that they too could enjoy the blessing of God and the results of His miraculous working power though He had kept the Egyptians in darkness all of the time that Israel was passing over. For a while it seemed as though God had forsaken them, for the enemy was progressing, yet God was only preparing them to see a great victory. When the hosts of the Egyptians with their chariots and horses, their horsemen and their armor, had all entered the path of the sea, then the waves returned and the enemy was destroyed. Moses at one time had begun to kill off the Egyptians one at a time, but God stopped that procedure because it was too slow. It was His plan to bury all the Egyptian soldiers in one grave at one time, and He did. God's ways are better than our ways. NOVEMBER 18- Laws for the New Na- tion. Exodus 19:7, 8ag 23:1-13. Gold- en Text: Exodus 19:8. Self-confidence is a weed that grows in ahnost every heart, and any boasting of self accomplishments does not have God's approval. God gave to Moses some stag- gering promises and expressed to him His great desire for Israel. The people listen- ed attentively to Moses and then asserted boldly that they would do all that the Lord had spoken. This was a presump- tuous statementg for, though their spirit was willing, certainly their fiesh was weak. Let us remember that rebellion against God is found to a greater or lesser degree in the heart of every person. The enemies of Christ said, We will not have this man to rule over us. The enemies of God said to Jeremiah, Find out what God wants us to do, and we will do itg but when the prophet told them what the Lord wanted, they at once exhibited their rebellious spirit and refused to carry out God's program. Only the Spirit of God dwelling in us can make any of us not only willing to do the will of God but al- so able to do it. If we consider the various laws given to Israel, we shall find that they present the basis for a perfect society. Courts, police departments, and penitentiaries could all be done away if the laws of God were ap- propriated by men. God speaks against gossip, ingratitude, and neglect of oppor- against against tunities to do good. He warns perversion of justice by bribes, falsehood and murder. He puts His own claim for a part of their love, devotion, and gifts. They were to give themselves to Him and a part of the increase of the land and the flocks. He had a right to expect their full cooperation in carrying out His will and plan, because He had delivered them from Egypt and had caused t.he Egyptians to give liberally to them when they came out of that affliction. The land was to rest, the animals were to rest, and the people were to rest one day in seven. God never planned a five day weekg His word is, Six days shalt thou do thy work. The Lord knew very well that An idle mind is the devil's workshop, and very often we see that the extra day is not used for improving one's knowledge or usefulness, and observe the tragic results in our social life. NOVEMBER 25-- The People at Wor- ship. Exodus 29:43-463 35:21-29. Golden Text: Exodus 35:5. God has in every generation shown a desire to be among people of the earth. He walked in the garden when there were but two. He had Moses build a tabernacle, for He said, That I may dwell among them. The Lord Jesus said to His dis- ciples, Lo, I am with you always. The living God in heaven said, The taber- nacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them. Even in our own day the church by the will of God and by His planning is the habitation of God through the spirit. Because God is with us, we need con- stantly to be in an attitude of worship and adoration of God the Holy Spirit, God the Son, and God the Father. Often the Lord reminded Israel of what He had done for them, in order to arouse their hearts to love Him, and our hearts bow in wor- ship at His feet as we meditate on what He has done for us. Worship is manifested in many ways. We should note that the head, the heart, and the hands are all occupied in this precious experience of adoration. The heart gets stirred, the spirit is made will- ing, and the hands become active in the service of the King. It was the willing hearted who brought of their treasures to give to their Lord. They gave so will- ingly and so freely that every need was met. In chapter 35 verses 21, 22, 25, 26, 29, 34, and 35 all mention the willing, loving, giving heart. Worship is the outpouring of the heart to each of the three persons of the God- head. It is a realization in the soul of the wonderful persons of God, each of whom is marvelous in His own right. The power of each one, the grace and good- ness of the trinity, the witness and pre- ciousness of each one incites the heart and affections so that the soul is led to exclaim, O God, thou art my Godg early will I seek thee. Asking God for things or asking Him to do things is not worship, neither is thanksgiving for blessings re- ceived. True worship is occupied with the wonderful One who is so great and glor- ious, so majestic and powerful, so loving and sufficient, that the heart bows in His presence to love Him and adore.