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

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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.

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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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TI-IE COMMENTATOR PAGE SEVEN OVERCOMING fContinued from Page 15 back door, and then she heard the windows being tried. After that all was quiet. Later when she was getting supper, her pastor came to the door. He brought a gift of money from her church friends, who had heard of her need. As he pre- sented the gift, he said, I came this morning but. did not find anyone, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to bring you the help earlier. How often we are like that with God. Our fears keep us from getting a blessing. The fear of man worketh a snare. Do not be afraid of what men will say, if you want to live for God. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth it. -Revelation 2:17 The context tells us that the believers at Pergamos were to overcome false doctrine. They had in their midst one like Balaam, who taught false things to Israelg and others who held the doctrine of the Nic- olaitanes. The reward for rightly dividing the truth is an understanding in a unique way of the name one bears as a believer in Christ. He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -Revelation 2:26. Following naturally after false teaching is false living, or ineffectual works. The risen Lord spoke to the church in Thyatira, I have a few things against thee, because thou suiferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornica- tion, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. They needed to overcome such sinful conduct by not tolerating it in themselves and by being antagonistic to it in others. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. -Revela- tion 3: 5. Here the Christians at Sardis are to overcome a false profession. In verse 1 we read of those who had a name to live but were deadg they professed to be Chris- tians but were not: they had the form but not the faith. The Lord wants us to get behind that mask of hypocrisy and see whether our friends are truly His. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new J erusalefm., which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. -Revelation 3:12. Verse 11 gives us the warning here, Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. We are to avoid going after a false reward. Satan is ready to suggest that his rewards are more plen- teous and satisfying than the promise of future ethereal crowns. We must hold fast to Scritpural values, which will bring the best reward of all, His Well done, good and faithful servant. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. -Revelation 3:21. Here the Lord is asking His own to overcome their lethargy or coldness of heart which leads to a false sense of se- curity. 'I'he heart is to be on fire for Christ. He said, Because thou art luke- warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Sit at the cross, see his sufferings, and remember that it was for you. How your heart will glow with love and affection for Him, and with a desire to do His perfect will. There is a progression in the warnings we have seen in these chapters. If we have a false motive and lack love, a natural re- sult will be a false fear, the fear of man and what he may do to us. As our eyes stray from our Lord, false doctrines creep into our thinking. 'I'hen follow without fail, false living, ineffectual works, and sinful conduct. A false profession is set up, and we find ourselves enticed by false rewards. Utter coldness of heart gives us a false sense of security, and indeed we have gone down in defeat. Let us heed the warning words of the Christ of glory, and love Him with a pure heart fervently. Earning maketh an industrons mang spending, a well furnished mang saving, a prepared man, giving, a blessed man. I w A LASTING PEACE CC'ontinued from Page 13 God pick up the cudgel of war against His creature? No, He had a plan unique in the universe: instead of slaying man God slew Himself. This strategy to save man from eternal defeat had two aspects. God once again revealed Himself to man in the person of Christ as the God of holiness, and in that same Person He lifted from man the load of sin which was the cause of separation. He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. If I go .... I will come again, and receive you unto myself. God will Himself restore peace. God signs no treaty of peace with sinful and warlike man. He knows better than to do that. Instead, He makes man a new creation in the second birth and thus es- tablishes peace. Treaties will come and, go, and in their wake awful wars will follow. Only God's method works be- cause changed hearts mean changed ways. Would that the nations of the world might seek to change hearts that they might effect a lasting peace. Is it not a privilege to be of the number of God's remembrances in these days of sore need! qw , ,Q Q GATH E I? I, up the 'dn' A, ..- Il 'Hx' I' A ' '1 f r '-- ,,,,, , , E., thi? Kmart: Q Sf lf? 7 be I .42 ' 59 Z'-3 ,1 l LOii.l.3..,. Q., fi? i . 'K ,g -H., 'Q - W X - R 437 What you invest for God xs eternally saved and will be re- turned to you in precious souls! The Alumni Scholarship Fund presents to you the opportunity for such an investment. Send your gift today to Anita Welch, Financial Secretary, Alumni Association, 3326 Brown Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.