Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Prayer MeetingTopicfor June 2,1971Scripture Passage: Acts 7:59-60Rev. lames D. CarsonPastor of North Hills R. P. ChurchThe last words of Stephen werewords of prayer offered to God. Ourpurpose tonight is to discover how ourprayers may reflect the kinds of things Godwould have us pray for. We may not befacing our last breaths as we read thesewords tonight, and we may never face thehard stones of opposition and die amartyr's death, but we may be sure that weshall die and our task is to learn how topray in life so that we shall know how topray in death.John Calvin points out that thisprayer has two parts: the first part in whichStephen prayed that the Lord Jesus wouldreceive his spirit, indicates the firmness ofhis faith in God; and the second, in whichStephen prays for forgiveness of hisenemies, indicates his love for his brethren.Stephen had learned to love God with hiswhole heart and his neighbor as himself.We have every assurance that theprayers of Stephen were heard. There canbe no doubt but that Stephen's spirit wasreceived by the Lord Jesus. As to theforgiveness of those responsible for hisstoning, surely this was answered in theforgiveness granted to Saul, who perhapsin part through this experience wasconverted.Perhaps two further questions arisefrom the study. One is the question,"Why?" Why would God take this youngman, just at the beginning of what appearedto be a most effective ministry?And if he were to die, why would Godallow this kind of death to coine to him?Remembering that God is the giver of lifeand the taker of life, and that we belong toHim, we come to the inescapable conclusionthat God has His purpose. Can weseeit? Sometimes. We may get a clue herein the words of Acts 8:1 that Saul wasconsenting to his death. Later on, in Acts22:20, Paul confesses his part in thestoning. Blaiklock writes: "Seldom isitpossible to judge the true significance ofevents at the time of their occurrence."One other question comes to mind.h concerns ourselves. Do we have the faith'o be able to act as did Stephen underconditions of persecution? This is a veryreal question, and may become even morereal in the coming days. G. CampbellMorgan writes: "Have I the courage that*'ll make me true in the place of criticisma nd opposition, of supercilious disdain for•he name of Christ'.'" And he answers, "Theor| K courage that dares, is the courageMAV S. |i rjborn of the conviction of the supremacy ofthe spiritual. That was Stephen's dyingwitness."Stephen's life — and death —continue to be witnesses to us in our day.What kinds of things should we pray aboutin the light of these verses? Let me suggestsome and you can add to thelist in yourmeeting.1. That we might have the kind ofconfidence in God and love for men, evenour enemies, that Stephen had.2. For the faith that "all things worktogether for good to them that love God,"so that we shall not question the wisdom ofGod.3. For the right development of ourspiritual lives now that we shall be able inconfidence and victory to face death.Suggested Psalms: 16:7-10, p. 27; 73:9, p.179; 71:10-11 p.. 171.Questions for Discussion:1. What parallels can you findbetween Stephen and Jesus on the Cross?(See Luke 23)2. Why was Stephen able to pray theway he did? What kind of person wasStephen? (See Acts 6)3. In what ways did Stephen showlove for God and for man? What can welearn from this?W.M.S. TOPICFor June, 1971STUDIES IN THE SERMONON THE MOUNTBLESSED ARE THE MERCIFULBy Miss Anna BlairR.D. 6Newcastle, Pa. 16101Psalm 136; 107.Scripture: Luke 6:20-38."BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FORTHEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY."This statement is a test for each of usas to our profession of the Christian faith.If we pass the test, we are the happy peopleas Christ tells us. In passing the tests of thepoor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek,and those that hunger and thirst afterrighteousness, we come to the question ofwhether or not we are merciful."Blessed are the merciful." Inthinking of a definition for merciful, wethink at once of the sacrifice of JesusChrist. In his sinful, fallen state man couldand can do nothing to save himself from hismiseries in this world and his utterdestruction in the world to come. God inHis mercy gave His Son that we might havelife everlasting. When we accept God'smercv and grow as Christians, we show byour actions. Without God's mercy wecannot show mercy. A Christian issomething before he does anything. Wehave to be Christian before we can act asChristians.J. M. Boice says, "Grace is love whenlove is undeserved. Mercv is love reachingout to help those w ho are helpless and whoneed salvation. Mercy identifies with themiserable in their misery."In the Bible — Luke 10 — we havethe story of "The GoodSamaritan." In the book, As aRoaring Lion by Martha Wall, we learn ofthe natives of Colombia, South Americawho live lives of faith; having acceptedGod's gift they forgive and show mercy tothose who persecute them. One who hadhad his cattle stolen and his homedestroyed said, when asked about theattitude of his neighbor, "They were antagonistic."Then thinking he might havesaid too much added, "Better say, theywere against us."On pages 103-104 of Hoi Moon wefind the story of the Broken-legged Man.His leg was broken when he and his neighborwere fighting over the ownership ofsome ducks. He had the neighbor put intoprison — to stay as long asit took his leg toheal. At first at the hospital, the BrokenleggedMan was not interested in hearingof God's love. He wanted only to hate.Before he left, God's Spirit touched hisheart and he asked to join the church.Some who knew him before, thought hewas doing this because he thought it wasexpected of him. The session examinedhim and saw no reason why he could notbecome a church member.Those who knew him before weresurprised at his gentleness and radiance.He fully forgave the neighbor who hadinjured him — even confessed he himselfmight have been to blame. He taught hisaged mother about God's love and shejoined the church. He did not hesitate tomake his Christianity known to the world— giving out tracts and portions ofScripture to those he would meet.If I am not merciful I am outside ofChrist; I am yet in my sins; I am unforgiven.Happy are the merciful for theyshall obtain mercy.Read together Romans 12.A GOOD REPLYA skeptic in London said, in speakingof the Bible,it was quite impossible inthese days to believe in any book whoseauthority was unknown. A Christian askedhim if the compiler of the multiplicationtable was known."No." he answered.'Then, of course, sou do not believeinit'.'""Oh. yes. I believe init becauseitworks well.""So does the Bible." was therejoinder, and the skeptic had no answer tomake.—Messengern