Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

great sinners and so they repented andwent into the kingdom of God before therulers of the Jews, the scribes and thePharisees, who felt that they did not sinand so they did not go to work in thefather's vineyard.5: To Say and Then Not Do God's WillMakes One More Blameworthy.This was what the Pharisees did.They claimed to do God's will. They werein the habit of praying in a public placethat they might be observed by otherpeople. Their object was to make a show oftheir religion. They were like the son whosaid to his father, "I go, sir, but he wentnot." They refused to accept of Jesus asthe Christ and they felt that they had noneed of repentance. Because of their falsepromise the scribes and the Phariseeswere more blameworthy than if, throughignorance, they had flatly refused to gointo the father's vineyard to work."Lesson based on International SundaySchool Lessons: the International Bible Lessonsfor Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1966by the Division of Christian Education, NationalCouncil of Churches of Christ in theU.S. A."Junior Topicfor February 21,1971HERE AM I... SEND MEUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysMemory Psalm: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118.Psalm 22, pages 46-49 may be used foradditional singing. This Psalm tells us ofthe birth and manhood of Jesus Christ.Aim: To point out to the children theimportance of the Old Testament.Memory verse: Isaiah 6:8; "Also Iheard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whomshall I send, and who will go for us? Thensaid I, Here am I, send me."Something About IsaiahIsaiah or Esaias, the son of Amoz,prophesied during the reigns of four kings.He is generally regarded as the greatest ofthe Old Testament prophets, because he ispre-eminently the prophet of Redemption.Many of the passages in the book ofIsaiah, are among the finest in literature.Isaiah was born in the last part ofUzziah's reign. Uzziah was the first of thefour kings that reigned during Isaiah'sdays. Isaiah prophesied after Uzziah'sdeath. His prophecies were gatheredtogether into a book, the Book of theProphet Isaiah.12Isaiah's VisionIn the year of King Uzziah's death,Isaiah had a wonderful vision. He saw GodAlmighty sitting upon a throne, high andlifted up, and surrounded by seraphim.Each seraph had six wings. With twowings he covered his face, and with two hecovered his feet, and with two he flew.When the seraphim cried aloud,"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! Thewhole earth is full of His glory!" thefoundations of the Temple shook, as itbecame filled with smoke.Isaiah was very much afraid as heheard the voice of the mighty seraphim,and felt the Temple shake. He feared hewould die, because he, a sinner, had seenthe Lord God.One of the seraphim took a live coalfrom the altar, and flew with it to Isaiah.He placedit upon Isaiah's mouth, saying,"This has touched your lips, and your sinis taken away."Isaiah heard the voice of the Lordsay, "Whom shall I send, and who will gofor us?"Isaiah answered, "Here am I; sendme."The Lord gave Isaiah manymessages to the children of Israel. Thebook of Isaiah is full of these wonderfulprophecies.The most wonderful of theseprophecies are those which tell of thecoming of Christ, which Isaiah wroteseven hundred years before Jesus wasborn.Following are some verses about thecoming of Christ. Use these for theScripture verses. The birth of Christ:Isaiah 7:14; 9:6. Jesus Christ suffered forour sins: Isaiah 53:3,5.Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, wethank Thee for the wonderful words ofIsaiah. Help us we pray to be alwaysready to hear Thee when Thou dost call usto serve Thee. Bless the missionaries inCyprus, Japan, and the Christians inSyria, Hong Kong, and China. Keep usclose to Thee throughout the week. InJesus name, we pray, Amen.Prayer MeetingTopicfor February 24, 1971PRAYER FOR THE ORDAINEDCHURCH OFFICERSby Rev. Ronald W. NickersonThe pattern of governing the churchby ruling and teaching elders, aided by thedeacons, is neither accidental nor arbitrary.God's Word has set down infallibleguidelines which call for theselection and ordination of these officers.The very fact that they are to be ordainedis an indication that they are set apart byGod for unique service in leading Hispeople. The admonition of I Timothy 2:1, 2applies here: "I exhort...that...prayers,intercessions, and giving of thanks bemade...for all that are in authority." Thisis especially important because we are theones who are responsible for choosingthese spiritual rulers to minister to theneeds of our congregations. The task wehave placed upon them is beyond humanability to carry out. Only as we entreatGod to grant them grace and wisdom willthey be able to rule well.In behalf of both elders and deaconswe should offer concentrated prayer for:1. Their spiritual maturity to fulfillthe qualifications of their offices as theyare set down in I Timothy 3:1-13. (It wouldbe profitable to use this passage as aScripture reading in the course of themeeting.)2. The team-relationship amongpastor, session, and board of deacons.(Our officers need to: (a) share theirdefinite goals for the congregation(b) frankly discuss problems (c) openthemselves to constructive criticism fromone another (d) intercede together for thereal needs of Christ's Church.)The consideration of session'sspecific duties provides us with additionalmaterial for prayer. Seek God in prayerfor your pastor and ruling elders concerning:1. Their ability to understand andcommunicate Biblical truth2. Their sensitivity to the spiritualneeds and problems of the congregation3. Their burden to administer thediscipline of the church according to theBiblical pattern.4. Their boldness in personal witnessingand planning programs ofevangelism in the congregation.5. Their oversight of the educationalprogram of the congregation.6. Their wholehearted participationin the total denominational program.The deacons likewise need ourprayers in the exercise of their specialministry. Pray for:1. Their vision of the diaconate ashaving spiritual as well as businessdimensions.2. Their ability to wisely assess howCOVENANTER WITNESS