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

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THE COMIVIENTATOR PAGE FIVE Learn to Live -. . . r . if 'ii' By Mrs. D. E. Wisner M' Child. Evangelism Instructm- PRnPAnA'r1oN The figures of this story may be used gainst a plain background since the scene hanges so often. They include: the unk, shabbily dressed, reclining against everal barrels, standing Hgure of the runkg a rosebush in bloomg a perfume ounter, showing clerk nearby, a well essed mang a counter with man serving drink, a family group of mother, father, nd boy, a group of three girls, varying gesg a girl with school books, talking to er churn, a boy walking away from a roup of boysg a set of figures to make the ospel plain- the Lord Jesus on the cross, esus knocking at the heartis door, or any ther suitable figures you may have. Most f these may be found in magazines, or hey may be sketched on construction aper, colored appropriately, backed with uting flannel, and cut out. PRESENTATION Look at him! CShow drunk asleepj sn't he disgusting? Just a good-for- othing- a dirty, ragged, drunken bum sleep among the whiskey barrels in the ear of a saloon. His beard looks as if t hadn't been cut for at least two weeks, nd what can that terrible smell be? Well, 'll tell you. While he was sleeping, some- ody played a horrible trick on him by bbing limburger cheese into his beard. pon awakening he smells the stuff and onders where the odor is coming from. CReplace with standing figure of drunk.J e snilfs the air, looks about, then smells is hands. Something around here smells terrible, e mumbles. There must be something ead in this corner. Getting to his feet, e staggers out into the street for a breath f fresh air, but the smell seems to be ll about him. Passing a park, he plucks a rose and mells it. CAdd rosebushj Queer, he utters, even the roses smell bad around ere. Much puzzled, he turns around and starts ack to town. He turns into a drug store, icks up a bottle of perfume, and asks the lerk, Would you mind my smelling some f this perfume? CRep1ace bush with per- me counter and clerk.J No, answers the attendant, remember- g that even drunks buy presents at times. 'That's all right. Go right ahead. But he is a bit surprised at the drunk's words s he recorks the bottle and shuffles out. To think that people actually pay good oney for that awful smelling stuff! On the street he passes a well dressed an. Looks nice, but smells bad, he re- arks to himself. CRemove counter and dd well dressed man.i Finally, he goes back into the saloon. 'Mister, I have just one dime. Please ive me something to drink right quick. Replace figure of man with counter and an serving a drinkj He swallows the rink, and sets the glass down on ounter, complaining, Isn't it awful? Isn,t what awful? asks the man ind the counter. Can't you smell it? The whole world mells rotten. the 3! be- Poor old fellow. He is looking every place, but the right place, for the offensive odor, isn't he? Boys and girls, I wonder if we aren't like this miserable old wretch many times. Not me, perhaps you are saying. Why I've never been drunk in all my life. I've never even tasted intoxicating liquor. That's line. We hope you never, never dog but you don't have to be a drunk to be like this fellow in the way I'm think- ing of. QRemove all figures.J wg - 22, Q if -1 J an at tsl ,r f 'rl .r li 0 gf M-, fe.. Jesus said, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but con- siderest not the beam that is in thine own eye?,' CMatt. 7:35. Did you ever find yourself wondering what was wrong with all your family as Jimmy did? CPlace family group- father, mother, and Jim.my,j Mom, where's my ball cap? Wherever you left it, likely, dear. I haven't seen it. Are you sure? It's queer the way my things disappear. Somebody is always hiding my things. It just has to be that somebody did something with my ball cap. What's this? asked his dad, dragging the missing cap from behind the door, right where Jimmyihad last dropped it. Oh, said Jimmy, looking rather foolish. I guess I did drop it there. Or did you ever meet a girl like Sally, who thought everybody else lazy? QRe- place family group with three sisters.J Jenny, won't you do the dishes tonight? 'Tm sorry, but I have homework to do. It's your turn anyway, I did them last night, O Jen, you're the laziest person I ever saw. Then she tried to get her older sister to iron a blouse for her, and because she re- fused, Sally thought her lazy, too. Finally, she went off to her unmade bed, even thinking her mother lazy because she hadn't made it for her. Strange, it never seemed to dawn on Sally that she really was the lazy one. Have you ever known anyone like Joan? CReplace sister group with two girls com- ing from school.J No use to even try to get good grades with a teacher like that! She's got it in for meg she just doesn't like me. It's all her fault. She wouldn't give me a good grade if I earned it. Or did you ever hear anyone talking like this? CReplace girls with group of boys.J I just can't get along with himg he always wants his own way, And I don't like Tommy either. I'm sick of the whole bunch, they can't get along with anybody. I think I'll play by myself. And at home in the evening he sulks be- cause all his family are so hard to get along with. Say, do you see any connection now be- tween these and the drunk? Why of course, you get the point. The drunk thought the whole world smelled like limburger cheese, but he never dreamed the cheese was in his own beard. Poor Jimmy blamed his whole family for his own carelessness, and lazy Sally thought everybody else lazy because they refused to do what she should have done for her- self. Joan blamed the teacher for her own failure, and that last fellow in the story was probably mighty hard to get on with, himself. Yes, isn't it easy to blame someone else and excuse ourselves for our own wrongdoing? Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., says, No doubt the trouble is with you. Don't start out in life blaming anybody but yourself. When you fail, don't blame the teacher. Don't blame circumstances. Don't make alibis. Start out in life always to take the responsi- bility. You are a Christian, aren't you? You have a God to help you, haven't you? Well, isn't God Ahnighty greater than the difficulties in life? There are a lot of saved people who don't know how to live. They can't fit into situations, they can't get along anywhere. Learn how to live, that is the greatest lesson in the world. Arr-L1cA'r1oN Shall we who know Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord determine now by His grace to do a better job of living in 1952? Let's stop blaming others and look closer home for the trouble. Of course if you are not a Christian, you are dead and aren't living at all. fUse salvation figures.J God says in His Word that you are dead in trespasses and sins CEph. 2:13. You need not stay deadg you may join the ranks of the living by saying to Him just now, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus: cleanse away my sins and save me for 'I'hy nam-e's sake. Then you will pass from death to life CJohn 5:24D, and you, too, by His grace and power can make this new year a glorious one by learning to live as He would have you. -- We are indebted to Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., for the story of the drunk and the quoted paragraph, which were taken from his book, Things I Have Learned. They are used with his permission. DR. WILSON'S ITINERARY Jan. 18-20 - Madison Ave. Baptist Church Paterson, New Jersey Jan. 25-27 - Victorious Life Conference Kansas City Bible College Jan. 29-Feb. 3 - Evansville Rescue Mission Evansville, Indiana - Day of Prayer Kansas City Bible College Feb. 10-14 - St. Petersburg, Florida Feb. 6 - - -

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PAGE FOUR THE COMIVIENTATOR MY TALK WITH JESUS 1 ' BY rzzszsf u ESTID I am an old man now, wrinkled and bent, and with not too many years left ere I depart from this world to be with my Lord. My life has been full and rich, and I have no complaints with my lot here. Wealth, position, and honor were mine in my younger days, yet life began to take on a newer, richer, and fuller meaning only after the first fiush of my youth was over and I was entering into middle age. At that time I met One who had a great iniiuence over me and who changed the whole course of my life by giving it a new meaning. Although my mind sometimes fails me when I try to recall events of the past, this meeting is as clear and refresh- ing to me as if it happened just yester- day. His face is as sharp in my memory as if He were standing before me. Let me tell you about it. At the time of this event I was a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhed- rin. I was a man of eminence, a leader in the ecclesiastical, political, and intellec- tual world. When I passed through the streets, everyone knew and honored me. One would think that there was absolutely nothing in the world needed to make my life perfect. No doubt there were many who were envious of me and wished that they could be in my sandals for just one day. My home was lovely, my family was all devoted to me, my clothes were the best that could be purchased anywhere. Yet, although everything seemed perfect on the surface, there was a hidden ache in my chest that seemed almost to smother me at times. What was the matter? I did not know. Nothing satisfied me. I search- ed everywhere for relief. I delved into the Scriptures, yet even the services of the Temple with all the rites and cere- monies were a mockery to me. Where could I find relief? Rumors began to come to me of One who was performing marvelous cures and miracles. We questioned one man who claimed that this Jesus had cured him of his blindness, and nothing could shake his testimony. We knew that Jesus had turn- ed water into wine while attending a wed- ding feast in Cana. The common people were turning to Him, and the talk was that this was the Messiah long promised to our people. Truly, if there was ever a time when the Messiah was needed it was now, but how could this man who was born of such lowly parents be the long looked-for King who was to lead our people to victory over all of their foes? Surely His works were those of one who had been sent of God. His name was on all tongues, and even in the chambers of the Temple we discussed Him. There was a force within me compelling me to go to Him. Perhaps He could answer my questions and give me the peace for which I longed so desper- ately. Finally the urge became so strong that I sought Him out, even though it was at night. Just seeing Him did me some good. There was about Him a certain quiet in- ner strength. I started the conversation by saying, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God. To my utter amazement He replied, Ex- cept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Here I had every- thing that a man could want and He told me that I had to begin all over again To say that I was stunned and completely be- wildered is putting it mildly. I could not help asking Him, How can a man be born again when he is old? Everyone knows that a man cannot go back over the process of life from the day of conception in his mother's womb and repeat the whole mysterious development. That which is born of the flesh is Heshg and that which is born of the Spirit is spi.rit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The Wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it com- eth, and whither it goethg so is everyone that is born of the Spirit. Was He tell- ing me that I must be born from above? A glimmer of the truth was coming to me so that I asked Him, How can these things be? He told me that as a teacher of Israel these things should not be difficult for me. He said that if I had found difficulty in understanding this life as it had been manifested in purely human spheres of action, it was no wonder that I was slow in apprehending its meaning in the inner- most life of the soul. The truth which He desired me- and even the whole world- to know was that as Moses lifted high in the wilderness the brass serpent which brought life to all who looked upon it, even so when He was lifted high above all else, everyone who trusted in Him should have eternal life. . As a student of the Scriptures, I knew the full story of how our fathers had mur- mured against God while traveling in the wilderness and the Lord had sent fiery serpents among the people, causing many to die. When the people confessed that they had sinned against God and asked Moses to pray for the serpents to be taken away, the Lord told him to make a fiery serpent of brass and to erect it on a pole so that everyone who was bitten could look upon it and live. I knew that story well, and began to understand that in some manner this One sent from God must be the Christ who would have to be lifted up. I went away from Him satisfied that I had found the answer to my hunger, and I became a disciple of His. I did not un- derstand all of the mystery concerning Him, but I knew that I-Ie was the Christ. When they brought Him before the San- hedrin, I was able to stand up and plead with the members that they should be fair and just to this One whom they were hounding to death. I had not given much of a testimony before this, but I was just trying to do what I could to alleviate the suffering He was undergoing and to let Him know that I was on His side. It did not do much good, but I felt a lot better for having spoken up in His behalf. I saw what they did to Him during that black night, and was there when they crucified Him. There He was, suspended between heav- en and earth, lifted high. It was then that I fully understood the meaning of what He had told me that night, for I saw then that He had come to die in my place, tak- CCo'n.ti'n:u.ed on Page SJ By Rev. Wade K. Ramsey Dean, Kansas City Bible College QUESTION: What is the significance of the 'number seven in the Scripture? ANSWER: Seven seems to be the favorite number in the Bible with regard to spir- itual matters, and is perhaps used more than any other number. It signifies com- pleteness or perfection. In the book of Revelation, where the Bible is completed and God's dealings with the world are set forth as consummated, we have this num- ber mentioned 54 timesg in fact, the num- ber seven is basic to the entire book. Ex- clusive of the prologue and the epilogue, the book is divided into seven parts. Here, also, we have the seven spirits, the seven churches, the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars, the seven letters, the seven seals, the seven angels, the seven trumpets, the seven vials, the seven thunders, and the seven plagues. When Peter would know of the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother, the answer was seventy times seven CMatt. 18:22j. The week is made up of seven days. In Daniel's prophecy it was seventy weeks, or seventy Sevens, which were de- termined upon God's people to finish God's dealings with them before the kingdom was to be set up CDan. 9:24-275. It is interesting to note that the num- ber seven occurs in a significant way in God's creation as well as in God's rev- lation. As far as we know, the period of gestation of all animals is a multiple of seven. This is just another evidence that the God of creation is the God of reve- lation. QUESTION! What is the Bible meaning of the words prophet and prophecy? ANSWER: These words by common usage today generally mean one who predicts the future and a prediction of the future. When one announces a discourse on proph- ecy, the public generally understands that the subject is to be on future events. The Bible, however, does not limit these words to this idea. According to the Scripture a prophet is one who speaks forth the words of another, and a prophecy is the words of one in the mouth of another. In other words, God's prophets are all those who speak His words, and the words thus spoken are prophecies. Consequently, all the Bible, being God's Word, is a prophecy, and all the writers of the Bible are pro- phets. This meaning is clear from II Peter 1:21, which reads, For the prophecy came no in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The same -conclusio also is drawn from the fact that all in- spired writers, both in the Old and Ne Testaments, irrespective of whether or no they predicted the future, are constantl referred to as prophets. For example, th expression, Moses and the prophets, i used over and over again by Christ an His apostles to designate all the Old Test CConti'n.ued on Page 85

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PAGE SIX THE COMMENTATOR H Albl Y. N S d S h l L N tt dence icgfzzhe high esteem in whichhHe was un held. er Mary had finished wit thing' s C O she felt should be done for the tatge feng B D . W If L W1 while waiting perhaps for some of t e oo P .dy gi C el ' , I Smal to finish cooking, she went in to sit at the fem mf 'mm CW Bible C0 292 feet of this Master Teacher, but Martha FEBRUARY 3- The other gospels, came running to Jesus and femalned 111 th? kltchefl WOTIUIIE- Agffel' WOWLFLU Wlw WGS knelt before Him. He came to the right ? While She decided that Mary VY3S Shlfk Fo'rgi'uen', Luke 7: person, and in the right way, and vgfith a ing her share of the work. It is so easy 36'50' Golden Text: real deSiI'eg but he Went away without that for us to plan a life that the other person I John 129- which he sought, This young man had should live and to lay out for ourselves The woman in this great possessions and a position of honor 3 Program to Whlch We demand that Oth Story learned the Val- among his fellow-citizens. Because they ers agree uable jesson that the had made him their ruler, we know he Fortunately, she went to Jesus about the Lord Jesus had the was a man of integrity and eigcellent char- matter instead of to the neighbors. Sh rgmedy which She acter. He claimed to have obeyed the six had a wee bit of censure for the honored needed to break the commandments that refer to one's relation Guest intimating that she was neglecte power of sin and set her free. She did not have to go through any of the disciples nor through Mary, His mother, but came directly to Him as every sinner may and should do. There were no preliminaries, for she came'as she was with her burden of sin and pre- sented herself to Him for cleansing and transformation. As she knelt at His feet, her very tears made it clear that she rev- erenced Him as her Lord and trusted Him with her case. The Pharisee had invited Jesus to his home, but not in order to have his sins forgiven, for he felt no need of that bless- ing. His was a social affair, as many such cases are today. The sin question did not enter into the situation, for he wanted Jesus in his home merely as a guest- but there was no worship there, nor adoring trust. Perhaps this sinful woman had heard those inviting words ring out for all to hear, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Evidently she hurried hometo find. her alabaster box, which according to cus- tom she had reserved for her espousal. This she broke at His blessed feet as she covered them with her tears and wiped them with her beautiful long tresses. Simon's religion was a philosophical, theological reasoning which had little place for emotionalism. He did not know that a meeting with Christ affects the heart as well as the mind, and when he saw this woman deeply 'stirred as she kissed the Lord's feet and knelt there in adoring worship, he objected. Jesus, sensing the hypocrisy of his proud heart, spoke to him the parable of the two debtors. It was quite evident that Simon did not love, be- cause he had not been forgiven. Simon had shown no care for the person of Christ, but this woman had given undeniable proof of her personal faith in Him. Jesus told Simon that the woman's sins which were many were forgiven, but when He spoke to the woman He omitted the words, which are many, for He did not accuse her when she had proved that her own heart had repented. FEBRUARY 10- The Decisions of Two Rich Men Luke 18:18-23g 19:1-10. Golden Text: Matthew 7:13, 14. Our Lord never condemns anyone for being rich. His condemnation is upon those who depend upon their riches for eternal life and those who obtain their wealth by unrighteous means. There were many rich men mentioned in the Bible, of which several are found in the gospel of Luke. The two in our lesson are in sharp contrast to one another. The first man, as we find by reading the to his fellowmen, although the Lord did not mention the four commandments that refer to our relation to God. Even with all of this splendid character and excellent reputation, the young man knew that he did not have eternal life. He seemed con- vinced that he lacked something which the Saviour could furnish,'but which he him- self could not define. Jesus saw the need of his heart, and He had the remedy. Sell all that thou hast . . .and come, follow me. He did not need the young man's wealth, He wanted his heart. In this we learn that salvation is obtained by a personal link with Christ Jesus in devoted trust and faith. Jesus said, Yet lackest thou one thing. T'his one thing was a choosing of Jesus Christ over and above all other things in life. Immediately, the young man objected. He wanted Christ to save his soul but did not want Christ to manage his life. He was quite willing to be saved, in fact, he wanted to be, but he wanted the Saviour at the end of the journey, rather than as Lord all the way. This mistake is made constantly these days, yet never in any place in the Word is the sinner told to accept Christ as his Saviour but always in every Scripture on the subject, the sinner is to make Christ Jesus his Lord. Christ becomes the Sav- iour as we make Him our Lord. In the second case the rich man wanted Jesus. He accepted the Lord immediately and became His obedient servant. He welcomed Christ, the person, and began to do His will. ' FEBRUARY 17- Using Our Homes for Chrisf, Luke 10:38-423 John 11:1-5, 24-27. Golden Text: John 11:27. In every dispensation there were those who were especially dear to God. It was so in the case of the Lord Jesus. He had three special friends among the disciples- Peter, James, and John. He also had three special friends among his social contacts- Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In every case, it is quite evident that it was the ,person of the Saviour who was loved, trusted, and desired. It was not His doctrines they fell in love with, although they believed them. It .was always He who attracted their hearts, and therefore it was easy to ob- serve His ways and to obey His words. The family in Bethany made Jesus wel- come in their home, and He seemed glad to be there. They loved Him, and He loved them. At supper time Mary and Martha worked together in the kitchen to prepare an attractive meal for their hon- ored Guestg perhaps Lazarus had not yet returned from his daily tasks. The two sisters did not give Him an ordinary meal, but an unusual one, as a proof and evi- because He did not advise Mary to return to the kitchen and help her. No doubt Mary had performed the needful tasks but chose to be with the Saviour rathe than make more elaborate preparation Martha was not so much interested in the Person of Christ as she was in servin Him. She did not care whether she re ceived anything from the Saviour as lon as she could give to Him The loving wisdom of our precious Lord is seen in His reply to this complainin girl. He did not scold her as He migh have done, but only called attention to he troubled heart and the care that burdene her. He told her very graciously, y-et ver clearly, that He would rather have som service and much worship than all servic and no worship. How many times we ar so busy in Christian work that we tak no time to sit at Jesus' feet learn Hi Word, and have the sweet fellowship o His presence FEBRUARY 24- Trained and Teste Followers Mark 912' 10:35-40' Act There are some of God's people who ar interested in Christian things in a pro fessional way, while there are others whos deep desire is to know the plans of th Lord, understand His ways, and fit int His program. So it was with these thre men- Peter, James, and John. They wer found in closest association with Christ and to them He revealed in a great meas ure the thoughts of His heart James and John who were brothers ha a great ambitiong they also had a grea faith. They knew that Jesus was the Kin of kings who would one day rule over th earth, and they knew that He would ele as His leaders those who were faithful Him in the day of His rejection. Becaus their love for Him was great, they Wante to share with Him in the glory which the knew He would some day receive. The did not realize that to have such a plac of prominence and honor would mean tha there were some bitter cups to drink, a Jesus explained to them. In their enthus iasm and ambition they said, 'We can g with you through these tests. We our selves should learn that there is many pitfall in the road to glory. Peter did hav a terrible fall, but He repented at one and was quickly forgiven. The Lord di not say whether He would permit Jame and John to sit with Him but we do kno that He said To him that overcometh wil I grant to sit with me in my throne CRev 3:21J The rest of the disciples were quite up set over this apparent effort of the two t get ahead of the ten. Jesus, however, wit His kindness, tenderness, and wisdom, re minded them that each one was to be th 4:13, 18-20. Golden Text: Acts 21: 20.