TRIUMPH -- April 1958
Editorial
I have been wondering since I sent out my first paper, back in August of '57, just what the majority of people think of it. I can imagine there are those who suspect my motives.
Maybe you, in fact, are one who is saying, "What's he want?" "What is his angle?" "What is he trying to get from me?" And I agree, there are many things coming through our mail boxes that, subtly or pointedly, are asking something of us--that something usually being money.
Would you believe me if I told you what the great Apostle Paul told the people in the Corinthian church? He said, "I seek not yours but you." Neither do I seek "yours" but "you."
I do not send you this paper that you might put me in your will. I'm not seeking your money (although every gift by those who are interested in spreading the gospel is greatly appreciated.) I am not seeking your pity. I am not seeking your applause.
What am I seeking? YOU! I want you to find the peace and joy which I have found in God through Christ Jesus. I want you to know the wonderful feeling of sins forgiven. I want you to experience the new birth, without which no one will see the kingdom of God.
My continual prayer is that God, Who has led me into publishing TRIUMPH, will use it to call many to Himself. I sincerely hope you will be one of them.
Your servant for Jesus' sake,
Art Gordon
Dear Shut-In
Some have thought, no doubt that when they became a child of God the remainder of their life would be lived upon "a flowery bed of ease." But ever since the birth of the Church, experience has proven otherwise. In fact Christ has told us to expect otherwise. "These things I have spoken unto you," says Jesus to His disciples, "that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33a). Paul and Barnabas on returning to some newly established churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch reminded the disciples "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Rather that having an easier road to travel, in many cases the way has become increasingly difficult for the one who has chosen to follow the Nazarene. Not only does he have his share of troubles that are common to all men but very often he has the added load of misunderstanding and even outright opposition by his friends and relatives, as a result of his commitment to Christ.
Still, many would like to have an answer to the question, "Why do Christians have to suffer?" A partial answer might be found in three Scriptural suggestions. The first is in Hebrews 12:5-11.
For lack of space I shall not quote this entire section but will trust you to do so at your leisure. A phrase from verse six will suffice. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth . . ." One reason for suffering, therefore, by the Christian, is correction. The child that is never corrected by his earthly father will grow up to be a menace to society. Do we then expect our Heavenly Father to do less for us than an indulgent earthly father? It is that He loves us and for our own good that God corrects us when we step out of His will. The chastening of the Lord, instead of causing us grief, should encourage us, for He only chastens sons, and all of his children are exercised thereby.
Another purpose in suffering is found in Philippians 3:10 and II Corinthians 1:5 where we read:
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. For as the sufferings of Christ abounds in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ . . . it is for your consolation." As the sculptor chips away the rough edges of his statue, so God, to make us conform to the image of His Son, must chip off all that mars His image. It very often proves to be a painful operation. But there seems to be no other way. Christ Himself was made perfect through suffering, are we greater than He? By no means! We, even more than He, need the class-room of suffering. As we suffer we must remember that our Lord had this same school master. Having thus suffered He is able to console others. We in turn should also console others. This school master is harsh, but brings eternal dividends.
The third reason for suffering is found in the book of Job. God did not have to retract His word concerning His servant Job, even though He permitted Satan to take from him everything he held dear. Of Job God said: "Hast thou considered by servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"
The Devil is about the business of defeating the testimony of God's children. When he succeeds it would seem to prove that faith and trust in God is dependent upon outward circumstances. Thus when all goes well they are strong Christians. But when hardships come they turn and run, forsaking their faith.
However, such is not the case with the true believer . . . There have always been Jobs around to testify to the faithfulness of God and to prove the reality of faith, in spite of adverse circumstances.
In your affliction, don't be quick to accuse God of injustice. Seek, rather, the lesson to be learned through this temptation. Might it not be that you have walked contrary to His will? Possibly, He has for you a greater ministry and to fit you for it He must cut away some of the dross and roughness to make you more like His Son. Maybe He would hold you up as an example of one whose faith is genuine, that the unseen--as well as the visible--world might see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.
But then, again, maybe you are one of those whom God will touch and raise up from the bed of affliction. This could well be another reason for your suffering (cf. John 9:1-3). If this be the case, be not like the nine lepers who, after their healing, went away unthankful . . . but as the one who returned and gave glory to God and thanks to Christ.
Remember, too, not to worship the miracle but the Miracle worker, Jesus Christ.
Current Events & Comments
EAST COAST PARALYZED BY BLIZZARD
Feet, not inches, was the term used in measuring the snow which was dumped on the east coast last month. In a matter of just a few hours many states were rendered helpless. Communication was impossible. Electricity was knocked out. Transportation was brought to a halt.
If such a storm does nothing else it surely makes one realize how much we are dependent upon one another. In my own case I am dependent upon electricity for my very breath. Were it not for the efforts of some neighbors who fought six hours through five miles of very deep and heavy snow to deliver a generator, I would have had many miserable, sleepless hours.
We humans like to be self-supporting and independent. It takes something like this paralyzing storm to make us realize our dependence upon our fellow man. We do not live to ourselves; neither do we die to ourselves. We are vitally tied together in the human race. Cain asked the question of the Lord, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The obvious answer is, yes, to a very great degree he was, and so are we.
But even more, something like we have just witnessed should make us all realize our great dependence upon God. We are a gadget conscious people. We have a hundred and one things that make life easier to live. Science has given us luxuries which many nations know nothing about. Yet, in just a few hours our gadgets can fail and our luxuries vanish.
If this can happen as a result of a snow fall, what if a bomb should fall in a vital spot? And, too, what about that final day of judgment? In just a few minutes of time all these "things" in which we have placed our confidence may pass from us leaving us without hope or help. Dear reader, it is so important that we look away to God and place our trust in Him through Jesus Christ. Then, when the storms of life beat in upon our weak frames, we still have about us those everlasting arms of our great God and Heavenly Father.
MATERIALISM
There is in America a religion which, as far as followers are concerned, is far ahead of all others. That religion is Materialism. The devotees come from all walks of life--from the poorest to the most wealthy. Their materialistic philosophy is zealously propagated. They have no particular place to worship, nor specific day, even though a warm summer Sunday morning finds most of them arduously giving of their time and talents to their religion. While a handful of the populous attend the churches of the community, you can find these religious zealots worshipping at their shrines: one plows his garden, another mows his lawn, another washes his car, a fourth paints his house, and a fifth, with boat in tow, starts for the lake. Some of their most devoted followers were once professing Christians.
WARNING! this religion is dangerous and very subtle. Its materialistic doctrine will warp the mind and destroy the soul. REMEMBER! Christ is your only hope of eternal life. Put your trust in Him, for as the Bible declares: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Sermon Series - IX
The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians - (Continued)
Chapter 2, verse 3
"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile."
PURE MOTIVES
Chapter one presents the character of the Thessalonian converts. Chapter two, the character of the Apostle Paul and his co-workers, especially as they worked among the Thessalonians. We might sum up the character of the preachers with two words: "pure motives." "Why," we might ask, "had these men come preaching the gospel to these people?" What was their purpose? What motivated them? Chapter two establishes their motives as being pure.
Verses 3 through 6 present their pure motives from the negative viewpoint. Verses 7 through 12 present their pure motives from the positive viewpoint.
In our present study we shall look into the first three characteristics of these servants of God, as we find them in the third verse of chapter two.
NOT OF DECEIT
"For our exhortation was not of deceit," declares Paul. In other words the apostle is saying that they themselves were not deceived in believing the gospel message. The preachers knew whereof they spoke for they had experienced the power of that gospel in their own lives. Paul declares elsewhere, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received . . . ." And again, "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (I Corinthians 15:3; I Timothy 1:12).
Had not the murderer of Stephen become himself a preacher of Stephen's Christ? Had not the proud and self-righteous Pharisee become himself a humble disciple of Jesus? Yes, he knew by experience that which he proclaimed to others. He was not deceived.
The blind man of the Gospels didn't know all there is to know about God and eternity, he could not answer all the theological questions put to him; but there was one thing he could strongly affirm: "one thing I know," said he, "that, whereas I was blind, now I see." He had not been deceived; he knew whereof he spoke. He didn't even know the one who had healed him yet he knew he could see.
As with the apostles we too can "know," and be fully "persuaded" of that which we proclaim if we, as they, have experienced the gospel in our own lives. With the blind man who was healed we can say, "whereas I was blind, now I see."
NOR OF UNCLEANNESS
"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness . . . " This may seem strange to us that a religion should have uncleanness connected with it. One would think that a primary quality of every religion would be that of morality. Yet, in that day many impurities were consecrated by the religions in existence then. "There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The . . . initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual."
Thus, Paul declares to these gentile converts from the wicked city of Thessalonica that what he preached was not unclean. But in fact it was that which would clean up the unclean.
Wherever the gospel has gone it has cleaned up the morals. Take it to the natives in Africa and it cleans them up both morally and physically. Take it to the dope addicts and alcoholics on "skid row" and it takes from them their vile habits. Take it to areas where immorality runs rampant and it puts a stop to much of it.
"Unclean, unclean," droned the leper as he shuffled along the streets in Jesus' day. He was an outcast of society. His home was set apart from others. He had no friends with which to fellowship, except others in the same condition. His life was preserved only by resorting to beggary.
But then one day Someone came Who changed the outlook for this hopeless individual. This One didn't make a detour each time one of these unfortunate people came His way. But, at least on two occasions, and no doubt many more, He reached out His hand and touched them. It was the touch of healing for them. They had come to Christ with faith and hope and had departed with their faith rewarded and their hope realized. They came defiled and went away clean.
Likewise the human heart is defiled by sin. Sin eats at the inner man as does leprosy on the body. We too are in need of cleansing. Again, there is only one means of cleansing: ". . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7b).
NOR IN GUILE
"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile." Not only was the apostle not deceived himself as we have already seen, but he had no intention of deceiving anyone else. He came not in guile; he came not to deceive.
His preaching was with the proper motives. It was for the good of the people and the glory of God. He had no ulterior motives. There was no organization back of him which was receiving any benefit from his preaching. Paul himself received no benefit except that of seeing his ministry bear eternal fruit. His one desire was that men might find peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the other hand the ministry of Satan and his followers is one of guile or deception. They are in the business of deceiving mankind. They will beguile the unsaved man that he may not see, that he may not know the truth as it is in Christ. They will deceive the one who is saved into tampering with things that are contrary to the will of God.
Satan does not come dressed in a scarlet robe, with horns and wielding a pitchfork. The Bible says that ". . . Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Why does he dress up to look like an angel of light? TO DECEIVE, is the answer.
He at times puts on the robes of the clergy--to deceive. He often puts on the robes of charity--to deceive. He even speaks partial truth--again to deceive. In the latter days, he and his cohorts will do such "great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
However, the pure and true gospel, as preached by a "twice-born" man, far from being deceptive, is that which frees from it.
(continued next month)
Life on the Mission Field
by Anne Punt and Annie Verboom, missionaries to Holland, working under the Bible Club Movement. this story is quoted from their latest news letter.
NELLEKE
In November we had taken time to repaper the living room in the boat. As we were busy with our brushes and paste, at about 7 p.m., the doorbell rang. There stood Nelleke, eight years old, together with her little friend, Greetje.
With a mournful expression Nelleke said, "My little cousin, Jan, died yesterday, and now I want to know if you will pray with me?" A bit of a problem arose for us. Yes, we knew it was too late now to pray for little Jan, but how could we make this clear to Nelleke? We invited them to come into the turmoil of wallpapering and all the mess it brings.
"Nelleke," we said, "did Jan know anything about the Lord Jesus?"
"Oh yes, because he's been sick for more than a year, and every week after club time I ran over to tell him all I had heard. One day I told him that Jesus lived in my heart, and then Jan said, 'I wish Jesus would come in my heart to live!' So we prayed together, and Jan asked Jesus to come into his heart."
"Well Nelleke," we said, "then where is Jan now?" Without any hesitation her answer came, "Oh, Jan is in heaven, and we don't have to pray for him, but I want you to pray for me because I miss him so."
Once again we had underestimated the spiritual insight of a child, and how good it was to bring this sorrow before the Lord with these two little girls.
OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, O Lord God; thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
