Viewing page 33 of 40
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
60 THE CONVENTION TEACHER QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON By Rev. Bernard Byrd, D. D. 1. How do we keep our bodies clean for the Holy Spirit? 2. What made Paul's life so effective? 3. Did Paul love mankind? Lights on the Lesson By Rev. Bernard Byrd, D. D. LIGHT NO. 1-- Most all worshippers of Idolatry, entered into many undignified and immoral practices even in their worship services. Their religious principles were not based upon decency whatsoever, but rather upon whatever they thought pleased their gods. Inasmuch as their religions were of natural origin, limited men of imperfect minds and debased hearts had presented standards which by no means lifted the lives of the followers of idol gods. Ephesus was s eat of idolatry. Its influence had weighed heavily upon the people of its vicinities. Paul in presenting a treatise which were unquestionably dignified and highly moral, was counteracting the ill influence of idolatrous teachings. LIGHT NO. 2--Through the ages as well as today, men of darkness seem to maintain pleasing but vain words of persuasion for the people who are trying to go straight. Paul wanted the people to know that they were not to act by the beauty of the expressions by the motives and results which would come from following such appeals as were given by the idol worshippers. LIGHT NO. 3--In his instruction to the Ephesians, Paul reveals that all things done by Christians may be done where everybody can see them; while the idolaters maintain secrecy in many of their practices. Editorial Reflections By Rev. S. A. Pleasants, D. D. Empty words are false words; all false words are dictated by the Devil. To be deceived with empty words, one does not let the Holy Spirit be his or her guide. All who follow after empty words are disobedient to our Heavenly Father. All the sons and daughters of God have come out of darkness that once they live in, and from the time they enter into Christ, until they go hence, they live in the light and are not deceived by empty words. The children of God must not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but must reprove them. What the evil people do, it is shameful to speak of them. To reprove one is not to damn him or her, but to save them from their evil way, and bring them into the light of righteousness and true holiness. All who will awake out of their sinfulness, Christ will raise them from their death of sin and trespasses, and shine upon the, making them sons of light. God requires of his to walk wisely, seeing to it that the time is redeemed in evil times. They must day by day find out what the will of the lord is. Not to know it only, but to do it. All who do his holy will, go down the road where blessings are plentiful. They can, as they live on being supplied by the great sheppard say truly, the lord is my shepherd I shall not need. to be fixed in mind, heart and spirit like jesus, makes the body fit to show the world the home where Christ lives. The body is controlled by the inner man. Whatever the inner man is, it is seen by the conduct of the outer man. The soul and body are one as long as they are bound together. Whatever is done in one is registered in the other. No one filled with the spirit, ever drinks wine. One cannot be drunk with what he or she does not drink. A spirit-filled life, is god-filled and no one filled with god ever allows the evil of drinks to enter the mouth. It is impossible for a mouth to drink evil drinks, whose heart is filled with the holy spirit. The character of one is fixed like Christ, whose life is filled with the holy spirit. When hearts are filled with the holy spirit the songs that are sung are dictated by him. When he fills the heart, the mouth speaks unto the lord and then unto the people. The inward thought to god, is of such nature that the desire, makes one tells it unto the people. Every good thing put into the heart by the holy spirit. He tells the one who receives it to work it out so others may be blessed with it, whether it be words to speak or songs to be sung. God being the embodiment of goodness wants every good thing, created by him to be given to all, who will obediently live. [[end page]] [[start page]] THE CONVENTION TEACHER 61 Lesson XII. March 21, 1948 THE KINGDOM OF GOD SENIOR TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD AMONG MEN Luke 4:16-20; Mark 4:26-29; Luke 17:20; Romans 14:17 [[line]] AUTHORIZED VERSION 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written. 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath appointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruits is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 20 And when he demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. [[line]] REVISED VERSION 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he appointed me to preach good news to the poor; He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and gave it again to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth; 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come. 20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for, lo, the kingdom of God is within you. 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [[line]] MOTTO TEXT - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10. [[line]] LESSON SETTING Time: A. D. 27; 31; 33; 60. Places: Nazareth, Jerusalem; Rome. LESSON OUTLINE 1. The Doctrine and Growth of the Kingdom of God. (VV. 16-20, 26-29.) II. The Spiritual Nature of the Kingdom of God. (VV. 20-21.) III. The Christian's Proper Evaluation (V. 17) DAILY HOME READING March 15 - March 21 M. Like a Mustard Seed. Mathew 13:31-34. T. Like a Net. Matthew 13:47-52. W. Like a Child. Luke 18:15-17. T. Like a Needle's Eye. Luke 18:18-27. F. Like a Great Feast. Luke 14:15-24. S. Like a Master's Return. Luke 12:31-40. S. Light in Darkness. Isaiah 60:1-3, 10-14.
