THE PROPHET -JESUS- FROM NAZARETH
"And the multitudes said, this is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee" (Matthew 21:11).
The people meant well, but they did not give Jesus His due. They acclaimed what they knew, but they did not fully understand. This was the multitude which accompanied Jesus in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus was indeed a prophet. With authority He taught the people. He foretold coming events. He spoke for God. But He was more than a prophet. He was the One of whom the prophets of God spoke. Jesus was Messiah whom the Old Testament prophets said would come. God's Anointed made His advent as predicted; He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.
His name was Jesus, which means Saviour. They named Him this by divine command, "for he shall save his people from their sins." He came to die, to give His life a ransom for all, to lay down His life for His sheep. Jesus was truly Israel's Saviour; He is also ours. But He is more. He is Lord of all, the great Sovereign of the universe. He holds the destiny of the world in His hands. He is above all, supreme. By Him and for Him were all things made, and by the word of His power all things hold together. He is both Lord and Saviour. He wants to be your Lord and Saviour.
Jesus was from Nazareth of Galilee. But that is not the whole story. Before ever He visited Bethlehem or Nazareth or Jerusalem, He shared heavenly glory with the Father. He testified: "For I am come down from heaven." He meant this, literally. He prayed: "Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." He is the Son of God, pre-existent, incarnate, eternal. He came from the Father, and returned again to the Father. He gave up His original glory that He might ultimately bring many sons unto glory. If we share His sufferings here we shall also share His glory there.
Do not sell Jesus short. He is all He claimed to be. He is all the Bible says He is. What have you done with Him? To believe in Him guarantees eternal life; to disbelieve ends in death.
-- Editor
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"The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10
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THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
( ITS RESULTS )
What was accomplished by the death of Christ?
Here we enter a field as wide as the universe. There is nothing in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that was not somehow affected by the cross of Christ.
1) With relationship to Satan and his hosts, the results of Christ's death were:
a) Satan was "cast out" from his position of power and influence in the world (John 12:31, 32).
b) Satan was rendered powerless over believers in the experience of death (Hebrews 2:14, 15).
c) Satan and his hosts were "despoiled" of their power to use the law against us (Colossians 2:14, 15; cf. Rev. 12:10,11).
2) With relationship to God, the results of Christ's death were:
a) It revealed the love of God for sinners (Romans 5:8).
b) It revealed the righteousness of God in forgiving sin (Romans 3:25).
c) It revealed the wrath of God against sin (Matthew 27:46).
d) It revealed the wisdom of God in providing a way to save sinners (Romans 3:26).
3) With relationship to Christ Himself, the results of His death were:
a) It fulfilled His part in the eternal covenant with God, the Father (Hebrews 13:20).
b) It made it possible for Him to beget a new spiritual race (Isaiah 53:10 RV; Hebrews 2:10).
c) It laid the foundation of His priestly work for us (Hebrews 9:11,12).
d) It secured His exaltation above all things (Philippians 2:8, 9).
e) It brought to Him the crown of "glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9).
f) It ushered Him into a great experience of joy (Hebrews 12:2).
4) With relationship to the whole human race, the results of Christ's death were:
a) It reconciled the world to God. Not that everyone in the world will be saved. But His death swept away the great barrier of sin which separated a lost world from a holy God. Salvation and all its blessings have become available to all men. The condition on man's part is faith. "Whosoever believeth on him" is thus reconciled to God. (II Corinthians 5:19).
b) It also exerts a drawing power on all men (John 12:32).
5) Finally, with relationship to the believer, the results of Christ's death were:
a) It redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13).
b) It loosed us from our sins (Revelation 1:5).
c) It purchased us for God (Revelation 5:9).
d) It made us near to God (Ephesians 2:13).
e) It secured for us eternal life (John 3:14, 15; I Thessalonians 5:10).
f) It justified us (Romans 5:9); and sanctified us (Hebrews 10:10).
g) It made us perfect in God's sight (Hebrews 10:14).
h) It cleanses us constantly from all sin (I John 1:7).
i) It opened a way for us into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19, 20).
j) It made it impossible to condemn us (Romans 8:33, 34).
k) It made us fit to dwell with God in heaven (Revelation 7:14).
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LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS
"Lo, I am with you always."
Softly the promise steals
Like sunlight into my shadows
And brightens and warms and heals.
Heals my anguish of spirit
And horror of loneliness,
Flooding my heart's dark chambers,
Words that comfort and bless.
"Lo, I am with you always."
He, my Saviour and King,
Making my heart His palace!
I, though a broken thing,
Am housing my blessed Master;
Together we sup and dine,
Together we hold sweet converse
Over the bread and the wine.
And always He goes before me
On my thorn-strewn paths of pain;
Never will He forsake me
Nor leave me alone again.
Sweet is His voice in the twilight
As the evening shadows blend.
"Lo, I am with you always,
Even unto the end!"
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
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There is an uncertainty about every friendship in this world, but there is one sure friendship. One Friend that sticks, even Christ. In my early Christian experience I was taught to stick to Christ, that I was to hold on and not let go. That was very good; but there is something I have found out since, and that is that Christ sticks to me. He will never forsake me, neither shall anyone be able to pluck me out of His hand.
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The Holy Spirit has come to unfold the glories of the Son of God to our souls. He wants our whole hearts for Christ and is delighted when He gets them; He is grieved and hindered when He does not.
-- J. T. Mawson.
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DR. HARRY A. IRONSIDE'S CONVERSION
From a very early age God began to speak to me through His Word, I doubt if I could go back to the first time when, to my recollection, I felt something of the reality of eternal things.
My father was taken from me ere his features were impressed upon my infant mind. I never have heard him spoken of other than as a man of God. He was known in Toronto (my birthplace) to many as "The Eternity Man." His Bible, marked in many places, was a precious legacy to me; and from it I learned to recite my first verse of Scripture, at the age of four. I distinctly recall learning the blessed words of Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." That I was lost, and that Christ Jesus came from Heaven to save me, were the first Divine truths impressed on my young heart.
My widowed mother was, it seems to me, one of a thousand. I remember yet how I would be thrilled as she knelt with me as a child, and prayed, "O Father, keep my boy from ever desiring anything greater than to live for Thee. Save him early, and make him a devoted street-preacher, as his father was. Make him willing to suffer for Jesus' sake, to gladly endure persecution and rejection by the world that cast out Thy Son; and keep him from what would dishonor Thee." The words were not always the same, but I have heard the sentiment times without number.
To our home there often came servants of Christ -- plain, godly men, who seemed to me to carry with them the atmosphere of eternity. Yet in a very real sense they were the bane of my boyhood. Their searching, "Harry, lad, are you born again yet?" or the equally impressive, "Are you certain that your soul is saved?" often brought me to a standstill; but I knew not how to reply.
California had become my home ere I was clear as to being a child of God. In Los Angeles I first began to learn the love of the world, and was impatient of restraint. Yet I had almost continual concern as to the great matter of my salvation.
I was but twelve years old when I began a Sunday School and set up to try to help the boys and girls of the neighborhood to a knowledge of the Book I had read ten times through, but which still left me without assurance of salvation.
To Timothy, Paul wrote, "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). It was this latter that I lacked. I had, it seemed to me, always believed, yet I dared not say I was saved. I know now that I had already believed about Jesus. I had not really believed in Him as my personal Saviour. Between the two there is all the difference that there is between being saved and lost, between an eternity in Heaven and eternal destruction.
As I have said, I was not without considerable anxiety as to my soul; and though I longed to break into the world, and was indeed guilty of much that was vile and wicked, I ever felt a restraining hand upon me, keeping me from many things that I would otherwise have gone into; and a certain religiousness became, I suppose, characteristic. Religion is not salvation.
I was nearly fourteen years old when, upon returning one day from school, I learned that a servant of Christ from Canada, well known to me, had arrived for meetings. I knew, ere I saw him, how he would greet me; for I remembered him well, and his searching questions, when I was younger. Therefore I was not surprised, but embarrassed nevertheless, when he exclaimed, "Well, Harry, lad, I'm glad to see you. Are you born again yet?"
The blood mantled my face; I hung my head, and could find no words to reply. An uncle present said, "You know, Mr. M----, he preaches himself now a bit, and conducts a Sunday school!"
"Indeed!" was the answer, "Will you get your Bible, Harry?"
I was glad to get out of the room, and so went at once for my Bible, and returned, after remaining out as long as seemed decent, hoping thereby to recover myself. Upon my re-entering the room, he said kindly, but seriously, "Will you turn to Romans 3:19, and read it aloud?"
Slowly I read, "Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them that are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God." I felt the application, and was at a loss for words. The evangelist went on to tell me that he too had been once a religious sinner, till God stopped his mouth, and then gave him a sight of Christ. The words had their affect. From that time till I was sure I was saved, I refrained from talking of these things, and I gave up my Sunday school work.
At last, on a Thursday evening in February, 1890, God spoke to me in tremendous power while out at a party. Some verses of Scripture I had learned months before came to me with startling clearness. Every word seemed to burn its way into my heart. I saw as never before my dreadful guilt in having so long refused to trust Christ for myself. I went back to the parlor, and tried to join with the rest in their empty follies. All seemed utterly hollow, and the tinsel was gone. The light of eternity was shining into the room, and I wondered how any could laugh with God's judgment hanging over us.
That night, when all was over, I hurried home. There, after lighting my lamp, I took my Bible, and, with it before me, I fell on my knees. I had an undefined feeling that I had better pray. The thought came, "What shall I pray for?" Clearly came back the answer. "For what God has been offering me for years. Why not then receive it, and thank Him?" My dear mother had often said, "The place to begin with God is at Romans 3, or John 3." To both these Scriptures I turned. Clearly I saw that I was a helpless sinner, but that for me Christ had died, and that salvation was offered freely to all who trusted Him. Reading John 3:16 the second time, I said, "That will do! O God, I thank Thee that Thou hast loved me, and given Thy Son for me. I trust Him now as my Saviour, and I rest on Thy Word, which tells me that I have everlasting life!" Then I expected to feel a thrill of joy. It did not come. I expected a sudden rush of love for Christ. It did not come either. I feared I could not really be saved with so little emotion. I read the words again. There could be no mistake. God loved the world, of whom I formed a part. God gave His Son to save all believers. I believed in Him as my Saviour. Therefore I must have everlasting life. Again I thanked Him, and rose from my knees and began to walk by faith. God could not lie. I knew I must be saved!
-- In "Three Thousand Illustrations." published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI.
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FAITHFUL IS HE WHO HAS PROMISED
Are you passing through a testing?
Is your pillow wet with tears?
Do you wonder what the reason,
Why it seems God never hears?
Why it is you have no answer
To your oft-repeated plea,
Why the heaven still is leaden
As you wait on bended knee?
Do you wonder as you suffer,
Whether God does understand,
And if so, why He ignores you,
Fails to hold you in His hand?
Do black doubts creep in, assail you,
Fears without, and fears within,
Till your brave heart almost falters
And gives way to deadly sin?
All God's testings have a purpose--
Some day you will see the light.
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight.
Do not fear when doubts beset you,
Just remember -- He is near;
He will never, never leave you,
He will always, always hear.
Faithful is He who has promised,
He will never let you fall,
Daily will the strength be given,
Strength for each and strength for all.
He will gladly share the pain with you,
He will gladly give you peace,
Till your tired and weary body
Finds its blessed, glad release.
When the darkened veil is lifted,
Then, dear heart, you'll understand
Why it is you had to suffer,
Why you could not feel His hand
Giving strength when it was needed,
Giving power and peace within
Giving joy thru tears and trial,
Giving vict'ry over sin.
So till then just keep on trusting,
Thru the sunshine and the rain,
Thru the tears and thru the heart-aches,
Thru the smiles and thru the pain--
Knowing that our Father watches,
Knowing daily strength He'll give.
Victory for each passing hour.
This is life, so let us live!
-- John E. Zoller.
From a tract published by "Faith, Prayer and Tract League."
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A MISSIONARY REPORT FROM
BRITISH COLUMBIA
By Richard Metzger
In 1956 an Indian evangelistic team of the American Indian Crusade toured the northwest and reported that in one area in particular, in Central British Columbia, there was an Indian tribe without a Gospel witness. In the fall of 1957 our mission director, another missionary and I, went to British Columbia to survey the field and look into the possibility of beginning a work there.
The Robertson family moved into the area in the spring of 1958 and we followed in August of 1959. The first two years among the Carrier Indians was probably the most difficult and trying years of our ministry. We had enjoyed such fine relations with the Navajos that we left with great pain -- only to be cursed and abused and put out of our homes in B. C. Indians threatened to call the Mounties if we set foot on their Catholic reserve. In a bush village, our co-worker, a missionary pilot, was threatened with a fight if he stepped ashore from the plane. When we left from our first furlough from B. C. there were not any Indians who cared that we were going or even asked if we were coming back.
The first regular service was in a small community up the Bulkley River. We had to park our truck on the south side of the river and walk over a suspension foot bridge. Shirley, my wife, held tightly to Richene, our daughter, and I pulled a toboggan loaded with Reuel, our son, and our teaching materials. Walking through crisp snow at 30 degrees below zero and preaching by the light of a coleman lantern were new experiences for us. Also impressed upon us was the fact that we were probably the first Protestants that ever taught God's Word to most of these people. Certainly, in 1959 we were the first evangelical missionaries that ever worked with these Carriers. Though there had been evangelical churches in the valley for many years, there had been no attempt to minister to these natives. They were left completely to the Roman Catholic Church.
When we began our visits to the Moricetown reserve we had a service, without knowing, in the home of the Catholic Church chief of the village. After about six weeks the priest discovered the meetings and we were shut out of that home for about five years. From that time there has been an undercurrent of opposition by the Roman Church. Every activity we would have was duplicated by them and families that allowed us entrance into their homes were ostracised and threatened. However, bigotry always backfires on its source, and today by the grace and power of God, His Word is being preached everywhere throughout the Bulkely Valley to the scattered natives of this beautiful country. Thrusts are being made into the bush villages where Catholic influence is even greater.
The staff on the B. C. field includes three couples and one single worker. There is a resident missionary family at the large Moricetown reserve, a missionary pilot and his wife, a nurse, reaching the bush villages by plane. The single worker holds classes for young people and women. This is the second year for the kindergarten which has been instrumental in opening many homes to the Gospel. Shirley and I have been engaged in regular services in the homes in outlying areas and in visitation. Shirley has organized and carried on a Pioneer Girls Group, a weekly prayer meeting and Bible study with women, and together we have concentrated on summer camp programs.
Over two years ago we initiated the Carrier Bible Broadcast in the Carrier language over a local radio station. This is by far our most far-reaching ministry with a weekly potential of reaching into every Carrier home with the living Gospel of Christ. This avenue of presentation of the Word is particularly valuable as so many middle aged and old folks speak very little or no English.
All of our programs have been designed into a total program reaching every age group. Each program has been designed to compliment every other program within the work.
About one year ago, at the mission conference, a mission executive asked me for a run-down on our British Columbia field. After describing our ministry and the number on our staff in the Smithers area, this gentleman replied, "Why, with the seven staff members in that area you must be tramping all over each other." My answer was that only now are we beginning to do our job.
As the Lord supplies added staff and funds, we plan to greatly increase and expand our thrust among the Carriers. A general maintenance man is needed for this field. Several young couples are needed to move into bush villages in remote areas.
Our work has grown from the most insignificant beginnings and today there are Carriers who have experienced God's grace and peace through the Lord Jesus Christ. We can never be satisfied with "status quo." We must continue to seek opportunities and be prepared to enter the doors that God opens. We have plans as co-laborers with God. These plans can only be realized as we on the field, and many Christians everywhere sacrifice and press toward the goal of our calling. Several people have joined hands with us in the struggle and shall share, in eternity, the reward.
-- In "The Sunday School Builder."
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OUR GLORIOUS PROSPECT
By Henry Nunnerley
What a bright scene of glory awaits us! To the weary body--rest; the toilworn servant--repose. Instead of conflict--peace; sin--holiness; darkness--light; hatred--love.
How sweet the exchange will be from a sin and sorrow-stricken world; but that is not the chief thing which attracts the heart that really loves Christ. It longs to see HIM, to gaze upon that blessed One who loved and gave Himself, to behold the glorified face of the Man who wept at the grave of Lazarus, who sat weary on Sychar's well, whose breast was a pillow for John's head.
Very precious it will be to see Him. We shall see Him, bur how? Not as a judge, but in a body of glory, the First-born among many brethren, a Son at home with the Father, who will introduce us there with a "Behold I and the children which Thou hast given Me."
When He comes He will change this body of humiliation and fashion it like unto His glorious body, and we then shall be like Him. This likeness will not be merely outward, not only bodies fashioned like to His own, but every thought, every emotion, every inward feeling will beat in fullest accord with the Father's delight in the Son, and the Son's in the Father. Then we shall know in the perfect meaning of the word what holy fellowship means -- no distracting thoughts, no jars, no earthly discords, all will be perfectly harmonious.
Thus fitted to dwell with Him and conformed to His image, what a sorrow it would be to leave His blessed presence. How precious then to know that we shall live together with Him, and that forever. No more cloudy days and painful nights, no more separations, but together with Him and together with all the redeemed we shall spend a blissful and joyous eternal day upon which the sable night never casts a dark shadow.
Thus our joy will be complete. We shall see Him, be like Him, and be forever with Him; our every longing satisfied, we shall find ourselves where there is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
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