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

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THE COMMENTATOR PAGE SEVEN I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA fContinued. from Page 47 The lion is used as a symbol of strength, the gazelle suggests speed, the he-goat signihes sure-footedness, and the king stands for supreme sovereignty. Each one is beautifully descriptive of the func- tions Christ Blls when carrying through the work of redemption. Our attention is attracted in the fourfold portraiture to the mastery of His prevailing as the lion, the ministry of His purpose as the gazelle, the mystery of His passion as the he-goat, and the majesty of His power as the king against whom there is no revolt. The Guide even unto death, Psalm 48: 14. T'he importance of having a trustworthy guide is inestimable. He made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock QPsa. 78:52, 533. The location of the forty-two encampments where the nation rested, the training and testing, were all associated with His guiding hand. All the bounties and benefits we enjoy during the pilgrim- age of life are bestowed by our beloved Guide. The Governor among the nations, Psalm 22: 28. Man's need in his interrelationships is government, but where are we to turn for a qualified governor capable of legis- lating and administering for all the nations of the earth? The greatest need of the world is for centralization of authority un- der one scepter, with one absolute gover- nor permanently administering. A Caesar may enact law and justice, insure peace and progress, and estabilsh security, but Caesar cannot represent God, reveal truth, redeem man, regenerate lives, and remove death. Christ can and is the only one qual- ified to be world Governor among the nations. The Gatherer of lambs, Isaiah 40:11g John 11:52. The effects of sin the world over have been to divide and disperse mankind, but Christ came as the great Gatherer to unify the people of God. He cannot be frustrated in His purpose, for in the new ord-er of the fullness of times He will gather together in one all things in Christ QEph. 1:9-103. The Apostle Paul indicates the final gathering of the re- deemed in II Thessalonians 2:1. Christ is the only one who can gather His people into harmony, amity, and unityg and there is no one else that can overcome the di- versities, disruption, and disparities of the entire world. The Glorious Lord, Exodus 15:11. The description of the wondrous deliverance from the dominion of Pharaoh which is incorporated in this song of Moses, records the victorious tribute of praise in one su- perlative statement, Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in prais- es, doing wonders'? The magnificence of he might that wrought the exodus makes ajestic music that never dies away. Be- side the crystal sea of commemoration a great host that no man can number will ing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb CRev. 15:31. o wonder the question is twice asked in he passage, VVho is like unto thee ? One of the main differences between a ew and a Christian is, that wherein the ew mistakenly says, Jesus was a man ho wanted to become God, the Christian ightly declares, Jesus was God who anted to become a man. -Bible Tid-Bits CHRIST AND GOVERNIVIENT fContinaed from Page lj of the bad. Inferior persons who are su- perior by brute strength are now kept at bay by a government which preserves from extermination those of intellectual and moral caliber. If civilization is to be saved at all, it is necessary that a nobler type of citizenry be preserved- and this entails a nobler variety of government. We wonder if fundamentalism has done the right thing in shunning participation in government. Does the Christian ethic mean withdrawal from the world in a twentieth century variety of monasticism? If morality is not available to society's machinery from Christian circles, from where will it come? To disparage government and call for freedom from control involves a dreadful end. Probably we little realize how cor- rupt government could be and how unsafe society could be apart from the seen and unseen power of the presence of Christ. At this season of the year when Christ seems a little more real, let us take stock of how much His power is made knovsm through us in our society. After all if our gospel cannot promote good and restrain evil, of what value is it? CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS CContin'aecZ from Page lj He never wrote a book, yet not all the libraries of the country could hold the books that could be written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has fur- nished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined. He never founded a college, yet all the schools together can- not boast of as many students as He has. He never marshaled an army, drafted a soldier, or used a weapon, yet no leader ever had more volunteers who have un- der His orders made rebels stack arms or surrender without the tiring of a gtm. Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on. Herod could not kill I-Iirn, Satan could not seduce Him, death could not destroy Him, the grave could not hold Him. He laid aside a purple robe for a peasant's gown. He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor. How poor? Ask the wise men! His cradle was a manger. He cruised the lake in another's boat, He rode on another's colt. He was buried in ?nother's tomb. All failed, yet He never ails. The ever perfect One- He is Chief a- mong ten thousand. He is altogether lovely. -Selected QUESTION BOX fContinfaed from Page 41 Jesus Christ: whom having not seen ye loveg in whom, though now ye see him -not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspezfkable and full of glory CI Pet. 1:7, 8 . But the question is: How can it be done? It will be Well for us to remember that this requirement is for the Christian alone. It is utterly beyond all who are out of touch with God, but the believer has power from on high. Our Lord declared that all things are possible to him that believeth fMark 9:23J. He said to Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Paul replied, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my inflrmities, that the power 'of Christ may rest upon me CII Cor. 12:95. Again Paul declared, I can do all things thzrough Christ which strengtheneth me. All true Christians will immediately recognize these things to be true, but some may still be perplexed as to just how God brings it about. One may appear joyful in pain, but actually to be joyful is something else again. Joy is a state of the mind and heart, and so is sorrow. How can they both occupy the mind and heart at the same time? To explain this fully is impossible, but some helpful hints are given in the Word of God. There are several ways God produces joy in the midst of sorrow. Peter and the other disciples rejoiced in persecution because they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. The thought of the Lord brought joy in spite of persecution. The writer to the Hebrews says that chastening is the sign of both sonship and God's love CHeb. 12:5-SJ. Paul was made to rejoice because the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us CRom. 8:18J. He calls all his sufferings light affliction, which is but for a moment, because they work for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory QII Cor. 4:17J. Jesus' rea- son for telling the disciples to rejoice and be exceeding glad was that great is your reward in heaven. The method God uses is to count the suffering so eminently worthwhile because of the reward, that we gladly suffer it. By comparison with eternal rewards which they make possible, the trials and testings seem mean and insignificant. Men of the world often endure privations, hardships, and inconveniences gladly and happily if only they are assured sufficient reward. How much more will the believer be able to endure for the eternal rewards. CHRISTMAS SWAPPING CContin'aed from Page 53 ' has crawled back on the Throne. I need 'to swap places. Same here, said Father. I guess things are a little mixed up for me, too. Let's both put Him in His rightful place- ,the throne of our hearts. Together they knelt by the big chair in front of the fireplace, asking the Lord Jesus to rule over the hearts and lives of the three of them forever. CReplace standing with kneeling figures.J And so it was that Swapping John and his parents did their Christmas swapping! APPLICATION P-erhaps you will want to do some Christmas swapping, too. If you have never let Him take your load of sins and give to you His righteousness, His peace, unending joy, everlasting life, and a home in heaven, will you not do it just now? This story. was written by Miss Mildred Holler. who IS workmg under the International Child Evangelism Fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand, and is used by her permission. Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare Him romn, And heaven and nature sing!

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PAGE SIX THE COMMENTATOR XJ P Aw was 5 'f 22 if ' . -... b:i:3bt.-25255, :-'cease ' nr-1. if. -.s,,,:3,:,5:fs.g,g V-ve...-:--1-v .. ,-sf . -we ,. Kev .- K., 53 , R, 4 1 6 148- , Y Q, f 2' ' I av Q 1 X,2gS f Jig X A 3 'Z fig 3 fishesg professional the church in orde Sunday School Lesson Notes ' By Dr. Walter L. Wilson President, Kansas City Bible College J A N U A R Y 6- Finding the Christ John 1:35-49. Gold- en Text: John 1:41. The Lord is al- ways interested to know why we fol- low Him and still asks the question, What seek ye? Some follow Jesus for the loaves and men sometimes join r to et business and 8 Q politicians to get votes. When the Sav- iour asked the question of the two disci- ples in our lesson, they answered, Where dwellest thou? They were interested in th-e place where Jesus lived rather than in His precious Person. Too often men's hearts are not occupied by the Person of Christ, but with the mechanics of living. 'I'he secretary in the office may be more occupied with her letters and filing than she is with the Lord of glory. The care- taker of the church property may busy himself in gathering up the hyrnnbooks and the Bibles but have little interest in the Saviour of sinners. The kindness of our Lord is seen in that He made no comment or criticism but in- vited them to come and see. What did they see when they came? There is no record of it whatever. As His Word is oc- cupied with His Person, so our attention is to be turned toward Him and not to- ward things. The effect of this visit was that Andrew became a missionary. It is nearly always soy those who keep company with Christ find that the spirit of soulwinning some- how grips the heart. No wonder Andrew sought out his brother Simon Peter. An experience with Christ gives a heart a hunger for others who have not yet known Him. Andrew did not say he had found the right church or the right religious society, his message was, We have found the Mes- sias. That is what counts. Jesus found another willing heart and spoke just two words, Follow me. These were satisfying words to Philip, who heard, believed, and followed. His visit with the Saviour had the same effect as Andrew's -he must go and tell what he had seen and heard to Nathanael. Andrew found his brother, but Philip found an outsider, and so it goes. JANUARY 13- The Call of the Fisher- men. Luke 5:1-11. Golden Text: Mark 1:17. What our Lord taught that day from the boat is not revealed in this passage. It was intended only for them, or else it would have been preserved for us. Un- doubtedly He gave them, as He always did, just the truths that they needed. Hav- ing finished His sermon, He at once sought out others who would carry His message to hungry hearts and continue to go with the Word of Life after H-e had returned to His Father. This passage verifies our own experience that the Lord has no single plan for call- ing all his servants. In the case of Simon, he had to learn that his own efforts did not avail in the business of winning souls for God. He had toiled as an expert fish- erman, in company with others who were experienced, nevertheless, he had failed. We don't serve God by our own wisdom, but by and through the Spirit of God. Zerubbabel had to learn that it is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts CZech. 4:63. The blessing Peter received in this case was greater than he had anticipated. In their last fishing experience the Lord tells how many fish there were and that they were large ones, but here we do not know whether they were large or small. We need not always be concerned with the size of the catch or the character of the folk. Sometimes the Lord saves little children and enables them to grow up into great servants of God. Sometimes He saves men of giant intellect and women of un- usual talent. The number and the kind is the business of the Lord of the har- vest, while we are only His servants to carry out His will. Does it seem strange that the effect of this great catch was to make Peter feel he was a sinner? It is still the same. Most servants of God have a feeling of great weakness and inferiority when they see God working, hearts melting, and lives being changed. The gentleness of Christ is revealed when He said to Peter, Fear notg from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Nat- urally, Peter might well feel afraid, for he had not been trained to be a preacher. His training was at the seaside with a group who knew little of culture, tact, or wisdom, except as it applied to fishing. At Jesus' words, however, he and those with him turned their backs on all, in order to follow Him only, in the great business of wirming men. JANUARY 20- Matthew Becomes a, Fol- lower. Matthew 9:95 Luke 5:27-39. Golden Text: Luke 5:31, 32, Most of those who tell about their con- version make a great deal of the occasion and relate in a dramatic way the wonder- ful things that took place when the soul and the Saviour met together. Matthew, however, tells the story of his conversion in one verse. He had listened to a ser- mon of two words, and without taking time to consider the results of his action or to ask for any assurance of future se- curity, his whole desire was only to heed the call made by the Master. 'I'hose two Words transformed his life. He did not hold onto his office and seek to ,follow Christ as well. He severed completely his old associates and connections and laid his life at the disposal of the sovereign Son of God. Levi, or Matthew, was so enthused over this new and wonderful relationship that he invited his friends to a f-east. This was no ordinary affair, for the Scripture calls it a great feasti' with a great company who came to hear Matthew's Lord. This was a genuine conversion by a man who was to be out and out for Christ. Matthew was chosen by the Holy Spirit to write the first book in the New Testa- ment, and his name has become honored throughout the world. He never could have known that this experience with the Lord Jesus would make him a winner of souls in over a thousand languages and dialects throughout the world. Not any of us know what God will do with us when we trust Him fully and give our- selves to Him without reservation. We may be sure of this that the Lord who bought us with His blood and the Holy Spirit who led us to Christ will not leave us stranded and bewildered, but will teach us the way of the Lord more perfectly and will fit us for places of responsibility ac- cording to His will. It is quite evident that our Lord con- sidered Matthew to be one who was ill and a sinner because He said that He call- ed that kind of person. Probably the associates of Matthew thought of him as a very fine citizen and a worthwhile neigh- bor. The Lord, however, sees through the outward appearance and reads the heart. How sweet it is to know that He calls us even though He knows what kind of folks we are. JANUARY 27- Nicodemus, a Hesitant Follower. John 3:1-10, 7:45-52. Gold- en Text: John 323. Nicodemus was a religious man, yet in all of his religious exercise he had missed the Lord Jesus. In his study of the Old Testament he had failed to see that those Scriptures testified of Christ. It is easy to be occupied with religious affairs and even to teach and preach many things in the Word of God without discerning the simple figure of Jesus Christ our Lord. Nicodemus also failed to find the need of the new birth. He possibly took the position of many in our day who feel that all men have a spark of God in their hearts and that this ember just needs to be kind- led afresh and made to glow. The Sav- iour certainly refuted this idea by His def- inite statement, Ye must be born again. It was not enough to say to Nicodemus, Except a man be born again, He must make it more personal so that this great religious leader would know that he him- self must be changed by the transforming power of the Spirit of God. This message from One who was almost unknown and who was not recognized as a teacher nor a leader by the rabbis was revolutionary in character. Nicodemus had never heard such a statement before, it confused and distressed him. He wanted to enter heav- en, yet here was an experience which Christ declared was essential, and he ha never heard of it. This definite statement from the Lord Jesus should cause everyone to stop an think. He did not make this statement to a drunkard, a thief, or an outlaw, but to a very good, upright, moral, religious man. Possibly, this man was better than mos of us who read this article. Certainly he was above reproach. He could not hav held such a responsible position unless he had the confidence of the people. With al of this, however, it was necessary for hi to be born again and rec-eive from heave th.at life which can enjoy heaven. There was real hatred in the hearts 0 the religious leaders to the Lord Jesus Even today many religious men refuse t permit the gospel in their Sunday 'School and church services. The people must no hear about the sorrows and suffering o the 'Saviour for their sins, nor of the s punishment awaiting the sinner.

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PAGE EIGHT THE COMMENTATOR THE LOVE OF MONEY Money is a good servant, but a danger- ous master. -Bonhours. - The uses to which money is put deter- mine its value. In the hands of a benevo- lent man it becomes a great blessing, but when it is hoarded it has a withering effect upon the hoarder and does no one any good. Colton says that gold is an idol wor- shiped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes without a single ACCORDION God depends upon our dependence upon hypocrite. The motto of: The The The The The The The The vain man is: Win gold and wear it. generous man: Win gold and share it. miser: Win gold and hoard it. haughty man: Win gold and lord it. profligatez Win gold and spend it. broker: Win gold and lend it. gambler: Win gold and lose it. wise man: Win gold and use it. Money has enriched its thousands and damned its tens of thousands. If you make it your servant, it will do you good, its mastery will ruin you. The love of money is the root of all evil CI Timothy 61105. -The Fellowship News Prayer for Christmas The Lord grant you- the Prosperity of Psalm 1:3g 4 the Prayer of Hebrews 4: 16: the Praise of Isaiah 61:35 the Peace of Philippians 4:73 the Purpose of Colossians 3:1- while you Walk in the light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day when faith shall be sight and you behold the. Presence of the altogether lovely One for whom the chimes ring out at this glad Christmastide. -Betty Barbour LaSalle Engineering Corporation LaSalle Bldg., 8 East Ninth Street Kansas City, Missouri For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 Midwest Plumbing and Heating Co. 6243 Prospect Ja-5757 Kansas City, Mo. CHRISTMAS WORSHIPERS When He fGodj bringeth in the firstbe gotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews When Elishas servant Gehazi became frightened because the Syrian armies were approaching their city of Samaria, the prophet prayed saying: Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw: and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of Ere round about Elisha QII Kings 61171 . Similarly, we believe, that if the eyes of those who surrounded the newly born holy Infant were opened by the Lord to see the supernatural there would have appeared before them a sight, the like of which the world never saw. They would have seen angels and archangels, cheru bim and seraphirn, Gabriel and Michael and all the hosts of heaven, including per- haps the seven spirits of God, the four beasts, the four and twenty elders the spirits of just men made perfect, and all ministering spirits, leaving heaven, descending to earth. hovering over Bethle hem, and finally forming a close array of holy spectators, at the signal of God fall -ing prostrate and crowning the Child Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords Oh that with yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall Well goin the everlasting song And crown Him Lord of all Moses H Gitlm Him New opportunity to gave them o lg gospel witness by trained personal workers Your ' I 'lg part In tlns plan will be unknown TI1e lord I5 greully blessing tlns program SEND 254: FUR A SAMPIE OUTIINE THE BIG' BROTHER TIIACT BAND'BOX 888'AKRON9 OHIO You Can Win Souls for Christ with Gospel Films Send for free booklet today explaining It will be a revelation to you. Also tree booklet describing revolutionary lifetime MIRACLE SOUND PROJECTOR that does not wear out' quiet as a clock needs no oiling' has no belts' needs no servicing' trouble-proof C O BAPTISTA FILMS Sunnyside Avenue Wheaton Ill BIBLE READING CALENDAR It delights our hearts to hear from time to time of those who read the Bible through each year following our print calendar For this reason we will con tinue to print it for each month of 1952 for there is no substitute for the readm of the Word under the ministry of th Spirit of God JANUARY DATE PRIVATE FAMILY Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Matthew Mark Mark Mark FAMOUS ITALIAN MAKES Avarlablo to B bla Students Christian Worker! and Missionaries at SPECIAL DISCOUNTS Wnlo Today for FREE lrlaraturo CHICAGO ACCORDION CENTER Inc Dept CT 754N Damen Av Chicago 22 Ill MONUMENTS Memorial Art Company Salina and Hutchinson Kansas Finest display of Modern Memorials in the Midwest The Sunday School Lesson Helps You Need For Every Department of Your Sunday School! 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