Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

practically perfect physically but their them up in the faith that they might want tosouls are all wizened up through lack of see the Kingdom of God advanced on thespiritual nourishment. Many have a earth. The minister is ordained to speakknowledge of nuclear energy or of someother intricate subject but their lives aredevoid of a saving knowledge of God. Thethe whole truth as it is in Jesus Christ andto speak against all error. The minister isto prepare for preaching by much study ofsociety of Ephraim was woefully unfit for the Word of God and prayer. Hepeople to live in. It was burnt black on one should read widely and know the socialside and raw white on the other side. and doctrinal issues of the times. HisWhen the needs of the spirit are neglected message should be adapted to histhis is the inevitable result, both individuallyaudience. Through much prayer, he seeksand collectively. All persons the aid of the Holy Spirit in the choice,should try to "live soberly, righteously, andgodly in this present world."8: The Subtle Progress of Sin.This is revealed in 7:9, "Strangerspreparation, and delivery of the sermon.What should be our part as hearers inthis part of the service? In the manner oftheir attention, the worshipers (we) have ahave devoured his strength, and he part in the preaching! We should attendknowethit not: yea, gray hairs are here andthere upon him, yet he knoweth not."Gray hairs are perhaps the first sign of"with diligence, preparation, and prayer;receiveit with faith and love, lay it up inour hearts, and practice it in our lives."physical degeneracy yet they do not hurt (Catechism question 90) (CONandone who has them is still strong. Moral STITUTION OF R.P CHURCH)degeneracy proceeds in much the same Diligence means "careful attention."way. It makes subtle and unpainful Were there ministers that gaveprogress in human life. The only way tocombat such a tendency is to study theWord of God and apply it to one's life."Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolsermons in the New Testament? Yes, Paul,Peter, Philip, and others could be named.We believe that the Bible teaches that thePresbyterian form of church government isLessons: the International Bible Lessons for right. Each congregation shall choose itsChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionofficers, consisting of pastors, elders, andof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."deacons. Supreme authority comes fromChrist, the head of the church. Christ, byHis Spirit, operates through sessions,presbyteries, synods, and generalJunior Topicassemblies. The congregation is directedby the session (pastor and elders), sessionsare directed by the presbyteries, andFor May 9,1971OUR PUBLIC WORSHIPAND SACRAMENTSThe Sermonby Mrs. John RussellIn the Old Testament we read, "Sothey read in the book distinctly and gavethe sense, and caused them to understandthe reading" (Nehemiah 8:8). This issomewhat a description of a sermon.Then in the New Testament Paul commandedthe young man, Timothy, to"preach the Word" (II Tim. 4:2). Theseverses show that the Scriptures are to beexplained and applied to us by those menthat are ordained of God to preach theWord of God. Preaching that brings theWord of God to the conscience of thehearer by the power of the Holy Spirit isthe most honoring to God and saving tomen.The sermon in the public worshipservice is a message based upon a passageof Scripture, unfolding the truth taught,and applying it to the hearts and consciencesof the hearers, including thechildren. Its purpose is to convict andconvert sinners, to lead them to JesusChrist as their Savior and Lord, to build12presbyteries by the Synod. The Biblerefers to elders (Acts 14:23) and to theirordination by the presbytery (I Tim. 4:14).An important question was carried to thehighest court in Jerusalem for settlement(Acts 15). No one person (priest, bishop,or pope) is wise enough to settle questionsconcerning the purity and welfare ofChrist's church. The ideal for Scripturalchurch government is a government "ofthe people, by the people and for thepeople" under the supreme authority ofJesus Christ. (Handbook for YoungChristians" — Elliott)As juniors, you can gain much fromlistening carefully to what your minister issaying. As you do this, you will not only bepleasing God, but will be gaining a goodhabit for the rest of your life. It's a goodexample to older people to see youngpeople listening well or taking notes on thesermon and not distracting others bylooking around, whispering, or readingother papers. Many ministers at timeshave a children's sermon which will be ofparticular interest to you. Did you evertalk about the sermon with your family orfriends after church? This is a good checkif we have really listened and learned orifwe have been "day-dreaming" on otherthings during the church service! Bytaking notes, a person has to listen, and it'sa way to review the sermon again later.The Scriptures make severalrequirements for a church if it is worthy ofthe name Christian and the first is thepreaching of the Word of God (John 8:31,Isa. 3:20, II John 9). When in a churchservice we should ask ourselves, 1) Do weknow more about the Bible? 2) Has theminister faithfully tried to explain whatGod says in His Word, or just what hethinks? 3) Have we come to see moreclearly our sin and God's glory through thepreaching? 4) Has our faith beenstrengthened, our love deepened? Wecannot live a life in love with God in ourown strength. Christ warned, "Without Meye can do nothing." The chief means thatGod has provided for our spiritual "food"and growth is His Word. If we are to growin grace, it is highly important that we befaithful in the reading and studying ofGod's Word, and in our attendance at thepreaching of God's Word. "So then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by theWord of God" (Romans 10:17).TO LEADER:1. Catechism questions — 89,902. Memory Psalms for Unit: 95, p. 231;122, p. 316. Review.3. Sing in meeting: Psalms 43: 3-6, p. 109,138:1,2 p.337, 119:1,5,6,p.300; 119(5);1,2, p. 290.4. Worship Verse — John 8:31 (Put innotebook).5. "Worship Notebook" — a) Name menthat were preachers in the Bible, b) Takenotebooks to church and take notes on onesermon and then talk about these inmeeting. Write down the Bible passage,the text verse, and the main points oroutline, the application, or anythingspecial. Notice if the sermon mainlycentered around 1) a person or character2) an event 3) a subject 4) a doctrine(leaching) 5) a duty c) label this sectionwith a picture of pulpit and open Bible.6. Sermons in the Bible — Discuss inmeeting these types of sermons and mainpoints. Look up Bible passages or reviewstories as given in The Child's Story Bibleby Catherine Vos. 1) Sermon on theMount—Matt. 5-7, Luke 6 (page 541, Vos)2) Unknow God — Acts 17 (page 669,Vos). 3) Paul's Speech to Jews — Acts 22(page 678, Vos). 4) Preacher in the Desert— Matt. 3, Mark 1, Luke 3 (page 518, Vos).5) Johah, the Unwilling Preacher — Jonah(page 413, Vos).7. Handwork — a) Add Court-ship to theBible fleet. 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