TRIUMPH -- September 1957
Editorial
I am very pleased with the good reception my paper seems to have had with many of you. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your letters of encouragement. I want you to know, too, that the gifts which have been sent are greatly appreciated. Many new names (especially of shut-ins) have been sent in which will take our mailing list to well over a thousand. I am hoping to hear from more of you and welcome other names you might have for our mailing list.
I want you to take note of the last page of this issue. There you will find the scripture verse, John 3:16. If you should receive Christ as a result of reading this paper, I would like you to put your name in the proper place in this verse; clip the verse and send it to me along with your address. I would like to know of your decision that I might pray for you and send some literature to help in your spiritual growth.
I was glad to hear that many of you passed "Triumph" along to others of your family and friends. I would appreciate it if you would continue to do this with each issue. Pray, too, that it will be used as it is distributed in this manner. My desire is that not only you, but also your loved ones might be blessed by something in my paper.
Thanking you again for your kind reception, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Art Gordon
Dear Shut-In
Here we are for another visit. I hope you are experiencing the nearness of our Lord today.
I want to call your attention to a verse of Scripture that has meant much to me since my bout with polio. It is found in I Corinthians, Chapter one and verse four. It goes like this: "(God) comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Have you ever stopped to consider the truth in that verse? What an encouragement that verse should be to us who are tasting of physical suffering! God WILL comfort us! Of that I am sure; He has comforted me. If you are a child of God, through faith in His Son, you can be assured of the Everlasting-Arms about your weak and suffering body. What is even more encouraging than this is that I can still be used as an instrument of God to help others. So can you. The very comfort of God toward you can be radiated by you to others who are in trouble. What a wonderful God we have! Even though we might have little, as far as wealth or health is concerned, yet God is pleased to use us.
I know you grow weary and disheartened at times. Sometimes your burden is almost too heavy to bear. Even God, at times, seems far away. But always remember, not one of all His many promises shall ever fail, "for he is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:23)
If you are coming to the place of despair, turn to God's Word and lay hold of His promises, and let Him comfort you as He promises to do. Then, you in turn, "comfort them which are in any trouble."
Sinerely,
Art Gordon
Current Events & Comments
SEGREGATION. There has been much news coverage of this topic over the past several weeks. You can hardly pick up a paper without seeing some pro or con article on the subject. Since others are airing their views on segregation I will too. Or should I say, rather, God's view? I am glad "the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (I Samuel 16:7) Jesus Christ is building His Church and He cares not the color of the material. In fact, if God had a color choice I am sure it would not be white for white gets dirty so quickly. But, praise His name, He is more concerned with the condition of the heart. Friend--if you are PROUD of race, face, or place--beware! "God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble." (James 4:6).
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KHRUSHCHEV. Russia's big boss, Khrushchev, while in Czechoslovakia not long ago made a statement concerning peace that went like this: "Trust in God, but look out for yourselves. When you walk among dogs, don't forget to carry a stick. After all, this is what a hound has teeth for, to bite when he feels like it." What Mr. Khrushchev is saying is, "Trust in God, but trust in yourself." This seems to be the philosophy of many people. In fact I don't think it is uncommon in our beloved United States. I wonder how many of my readers have the same philosophy? The philosophy of the Bible, on the other hand, is "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. . ." (Proverbs 3:5).
The Good News
John 3:16 has been called "the gospel in a nut-shell." Indeed, this verse of Scripture teaches us many things. Let me call your attention to a few. It teaches that:
1. there is a God,
2. God loves the world,
3. God gave His Son for it,
4 faith in Him brings salvation.
"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."
Sermon Series
The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians - (Cont.)
The broad outline of this epistle again is:
Salutation Ch. 1 Vs. 1
I. Reminiscence 1:2 - 2:16
II. Renewal 2:17 - 3:13
III. Reminder 4:1 - 5:22
Conclusion 5:23 - 5:28
SALUTATION
In the first verse of the epistle is the very familiar salutation. "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace by unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ch.1 vs.1)
FROM
Paul the Apostle wrote the letter. In those days they signed their names at the beginning of the letter rather than the end as we do today. Personally, I think their system was better than ours. You know who is writing from the very first.
Paul signs his name along with the names of two of his co-workers. Because Silvanus and Timotheus are there with him in Corinth laboring in the work of the gospel he mentions their names also. You do the same thing when you write to someone. You say, "Sincerely yours, Mary, and Bob, and The Kids." The one does the writing and represents the rest. I would like to suggest something at this point if I may. Did you ever stop to think what a wonderful ministry letter writing can be for the Lord? Wonderful things have been accomplished through this ministry. I have heard of those who have carried on such a work and God used it tremendously in the winning of souls to Christ and in the strengthening of Christians. Letters can carry gospel tracts with the message of salvation and who knows how far something like that can go? This ministry can be especially effective to shut-ins. Many like myself, anxiously await the postman's visit each day. We as servants of Christ should utilize every avenue of getting the glad tidings out to a lost world.
TO
Paul on this occasion was writing to the church of the Thessalonians which was in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "church" in the original language is made up of two words. The first part of the word means out, and the last part means called. In other words a church is a group of called-out ones. This word was used in reference to other than Christian groups at times, but when it is used with reference to Christians it takes on new meaning. The apostle is writing to the called-out ones of Thessalonica. For the story of their being called out we read in Acts 17:1-4, ". . .they came to Thessalonica . . . And Paul . . . reasoned with them out of the scriptures. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed . . . ." Here we have a city just like cities today -- with not so many modern inventions to make it hazardous -- but a city with people and with sin. The gospel was preached by the apostle and it says that many believed. Those who believed naturally gathered together in one place at least on occasions and they are the ones making up what Paul addresses as the "church" of Thessalonica -- the called-out ones. They had been called out of darkness into light, out of sin into holiness, out of the world unto God. I am afraid that modern christianity does havoc to the name "church" or called out. Instead of being called out from sin and the world they mix with it without any apparent embarrassment. Many churches would have to abandon the name if they realized what it meant.
SIGNIFICANCE
The significant thing about this church in Thessalonica was that they were "in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ." They owed their existence to God Almighty. They were living in the sphere and power of God. When Paul preached to them he did not tell them fairy tales about how good they were and how their religion was as good as the next one, but he told them of God the Creator and God the Redeemer. The message that he preached to them centered about the sin of man and the salvation of God. (Acts 17:2b-3). That was the reason he could now write to them and say, "unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God etc."
The Bible states, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." (I John 1:3). These Christians at Thessalonica knew what this meant. Too many today are not in God and Christ because preachers and teachers have the wrong idea of what to preach and teach. We must preach sin and also salvation through the blood of Christ to save from sin, if folks are ever to come unto God and Christ.
BLESSING
Finally in the salutation the apostle pronounces a blessing upon these Christians. These are familiar words, for Paul uses them frequently. I do not believe he uses them lightly, though. He always puts "grace" first and then "peace." That is as it should be. Before we can have peace we must have grace. These words carry a depth of meaning that I fear we too often glide over and take little note of.
"Grace" comes from a root word which means calmly happy or well-off. In other words the apostle is saying to these Christians, "be calmly happy, be prosperous." He is wishing for them the very best favor. They had experienced the manifold grace of God when they were saved; the favor of God was poured upon them. They didn't deserve it, they couldn't pay for it, but God showered it upon them when they believed. I think we can say that they became calmly happy for the first time in their lives. We, too, were once in the turmoil and uncertainty of sin; we were anything but truly happy. Then we found in Christ our hiding place and the uncertainty and turmoil changed to calmness. The writer was not only reminding them of that salvation grace, but he was wishing for them continued grace, day by day.
Then he wishes upon them "peace." This is from a word meaning to join. It would imply then prosperity oneness, to be set at one again. In other words after the grace of God was accepted by man, man was set at one with God. He was reconciled to God, brought back to God, at peace with God and God at peace with him. Being joined to God is a sure means of prosperity (spiritual) and peace. Paul is wishing for them not only that primary peace with God but that they might have the peace of God reigning in their hearts, day by day.
The source of the pronounced blessing was "from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Let me ask you, dear reader, are you in God and Christ Jesus? Have you known, personally, Their grace and peace? How wonderful it is to be hid away in Christ and God; the storms and turmoil of time and eternity need never terrify such a one.
(Continued next month)
Testimony Time
by Catherine Graybeal
As a redeemed of the Lord, let me "say so," and offer praise to the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works!
As a child, I had the privilege of moral, Christian training which made me aware of right and wrong, though I often chose the wrong. Ours was a quiet, Quaker home with lots of interesting activity and encouragement in good things. But, a rebellious, uncertain spirit within me was never quieted by the quiet times in Quaker Meeting, nor even by our family Bible readings and meditation at home.
Rather than trying to belittle the Quakers, I am confessing my own failure, as I lived among those who expressed their faith more fluently by their lives than by word of mouth.
In retrospect, I see God's leading as He brought me to the point where I recognized myself as a sinner, in need of the Saviour He had so lovingly provided.
"All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.
This is now a favorite verse of mine, although I had never heard it at the time I narrowly escaped death by an automobile. Repeatedly, it was only His mercy spared me as I survived the foolish escapades that seem designed to make parents gray.
Less spectacular, but none the less important, were the incidents which prepared me and guided me toward a greater spiritual understanding. I needed constant reminding that I must control my temper or it would eventually control me. I remember that "Be sure your sins will find you out" was an effective quotation, and one that I might recommend to parents today as helpful in creating a Godly fear of sin.
I joined Friends Meeting by declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. But it was not until a few years later that I made a heart-searching decision which brought salvation.
By the time this happened I was married, and God had directed our path to a small farm in Pennsylvania. A very tiny, inactive Friends Meeting was quite close, but it bore little resemblance to the Meetings of my acquaintance. Subsequently, we were invited to a small Baptist church whose order of worship was almost as confusing to me as was the Friends Meeting to my husband.
One day the pastor put the question to me, "Have you ever accepted the Lord as your Saviour?" No thought of church membership or careful raising came to mind then. I could only answer, "No, but I want to someday." I guess I had always thought God would one day point to me--and that would be it. The pastor went on to explain that "now is the day of salvation" and couldn't I take God as His Word? I remember saying "Yes," with tears and prayer and an overwhelming sense of my own sinfulness and need. Peace came later. Within the week, at special meetings, I was happy to publicly confess Him, as Saviour, Whom I had previously known only as Jesus.
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
Living the "Life"
VICTORY THROUGH THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:25)
As you leave the whole burden of your sin, and rest upon the atoning work of Christ, so leave the whole burden of your life and service and rest upon the present inworking of the Holy Spirit.
Give yourself up, morning by morning, to be led by the Holy Spirit, and go forward praising and at rest, leaving Him to manage you and your day. Cultivate the habit, all through the day, of joyfully depending upon, and obeying Him, expecting Him to guide, to enlighten, to reprove, to teach, to use, and to do in and with you what He will. Count upon His working as a fact, altogether apart from sight or feeling.
Only let us believe in and obey the Holy Spirit as the RULER of our lives, and cease from the burden of trying to manage ourselves, then shall the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, appear in us, as He will, to the glory of God.
-- Taken from a tract --
Spurgeon Speaks
On Psalm 49:6-8: "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)."
" 'They that trust in their wealth.' Poor fools, to be content with such a rotten confidence. When we set our rock in contrast with theirs, it would be folly to be afraid of them. Even though they are loud in their brags, we can afford to smile. What if they glory 'and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches'? Yet while we glory in our God we are not dismayed by their proud threatenings. Great strength, position, and estate, make wicked men very lofty in their own esteem, and tyrannical towards others; but the heir of heaven is not overawed by their dignity, nor cowed by their haughtiness. He sees the small value of riches, and the helplessness of their owners in the hour of death, and therefore he is not so mean as to be afraid of an ephemera, a moth, a bubble.
" 'None of them can by any means redeem his brother.' With all their riches, the whole of them put together could not rescue a comrade from the chill grasp of death. They boast of what they will do with us, let them see to themselves. Let them weigh their goal in the scales of death, and see how much they can buy therewith from the worm and the grave. The poor are their equals in this respect; let them love their friend ever so dearly, they cannot 'give to God a ransom for him.' A king's ransom would be of no avail, a Monte Rosa of rubies, an America of silver, a world of gold, a sun of diamonds, would all be utterly condemned. O ye boasters, think not to terrify us with your worthless wealth, go ye and intimidate death before ye threaten men in whom is immortality and life.
" 'For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever.' Too great is the price, the purchase is hopeless. Forever must the attempt to redeem a soul with money remain a failure. Death comes and wealth cannot bribe him; hell follows, and no golden key can unlock its dungeons. Vain, then, are your threatenings, ye possessors of the yellow clay; your childish toys are despised by men who estimate the value of possessions by the shekel of the sanctuary."
-- C.H.Spurgeon --
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"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." I Peter 1:18, 19
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"You cannot live a Christian life until you have a Christian life to live." -- H.A.Ironside --
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A SUGGESTION FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS
SPEAK the TRUTH in LOVE
_________________________
"For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever (___________________________)
your name
believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
