Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

part"effort"popping."again."part"souls"man"part"Lesson Helps for the Week of October 10, 1954C.Y.P.U. TOPICFor September 26, 1954YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATIONPsalms:Rev. J. E. McElroy1:1-6, page 119:5, 6, 8, 9, page 4226:1-3, 6, 7, (page 6137:1-4, page 91Text: Proverbs 23:21, 29-32References: I Corinthians 10:12, 13;Matthew 6:13; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15; Matt.26:40, 41; I Timothy 6:9; James 1:12;Revelation 3:10; Prov. 20:1This is a text which reminds us thatwe are sinners. It warns us that we needto beon constant guard against thepowers of darknessi which prey upon us ina time when we think not. A temptationto be most effective must have some appeal to the desires already present. Thereare many kinds of desires which may getone into trouble. The text and the references suggest many. Our topic is a goodmotto to carrytimes. It is the yieldingthat is sin.Suggestions:in our thoughts at allto temptation1. What are some of the desires thatmake temptations to wrong-doing so easyto follow?2. Should one go into company whereone knows he may be tempted to evil?Psalm 1.3. Which would be the greater temptation, (a) a sin in which Christians arepartaking?; (b) or in sins in whichstrangers are making the invitation tojoin them?4. What example are we supposed toset to help others to "yield not to temptation"?5. Have some one present examplesof advertisments in magazines to temptone to evil and show the evils of them.C. Y. P. U. TOPICforOctober 10, 1954MY PART IN THE CHURCH, ITSORGANIZATIONS, AND FUTUREI Tim. 3:1-13Psalms :122:1-3, page 3165:1-3, page 846:4, 5, page 11940:9-12, page 10326:1,2, 4-6,page 61.References: I Samuel 2:18; Psalm 68:2426; 148:12, 13; Matthew 20:20-23John 21:19-22; Acts 13:13; 16:1-3Eph. 1:11-14; 1:15-21; I Tim. 4:12-16Titus 2:6-8; Philemon 10-16.September 22, 1954Comments by Remo I. Robb D.D.This topic is of genuine concern toCovenanter Young People. The big question of young people concerning thechurch is "What can I do?" The enlarged young people's program over thepast four years is an effort to providethe answer to the question.But "mydoes not begin on anational scale. The local congregationclaims first attention. Doing "mywell among my own people is preparation for a larger part in later years.1. "My Part" Is To Be a ChristianThe great Christian imperative is toreceive Christ as a personal Saviour."Ye must be bornThis meansadmitting yourself to be a sinner unableto save yourself, and acknowledgingJesus Christ as God's Saviour who diedfor you, and then receiving Him as yourown. You must aim to live for the gloryof God as your chief end. You must"yield your members servants of righteousness unto holiness" (Rom. 6:19).This is not a form to observe, a thrillto seek, a mere requirement for joiningthe Y. P. society. It is a soul matter,it reaches into all your living, and intoall eternity. It takes you away from thedeath dealing wicked world, and bringsto you the Divine gift of eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ our Lord. You'llnever have soul rest without it, but withit "you will have rest unto your(Matt. 11:29).Apart from being one of Christ's children you have only a superficial part inthe Church. This is a Christian church,whose members have professed theirfaith in him. Those whose professionsare genuine are the real church. They'rethe ones with whom you want to have apart.Before you can have a part in Christ'sChurch, you must belong to Him. I begyou, therefore, make sure that this"part"is wrought in you. "Him thatcometh unto Me. I will in no wise castout"(John 6:37).2. "My Part" Is to Know My Church.Often in the flush of having beenfound by Christ, or of a renewal ofspiritual life,we are apt to look on thechurch as being archaic, its programseems lifeless, its leaders without vision.So a "newis made to get thingsgoing. Maybe it is said that the "power"of the Holy Spirit is like "dynamite" so"let's getA better simile isthe "dynamo" with many parts, eachfitting exactly, and all working togetherto generate power.Some years ago I was at a youngpeople's society sponsored by a pastorof advanced middle age. He was workinghard to prepare the young people fortaking part. Not long afterward, a member who was away more than ten monthsof the year complained that that "oldwas getting nowhere. What couldhe know of young people's problems?Well, young folks, what do you knowabout church problems? Who is yoursession? It has all the congregation tothink about. Your elders think and prayabout you. Are you one of their problems or part of their thanksgiving? Whoare your financial officers? In 1952 theCovenanter Church in America spentan average of $840 per member for allpurposes. Did you pay all yours? I wonder who did. And how badly did yourdeacons have to worry about coming outeven? Who are your Sabbath School officers? Did you ever decline to helpteach or do some other service? TheCovenanter Sabbath Schools in 1953 reported an increase over the church. Didyou help to bring it about? Are you ahelp or a "hole" in the work of thecongregation?The church is not a container intowhich saved people are tossed for safekeeping. It is a "dynamo" in which allparts, each in his place, and workingtogether, channel Power into all theworld."Myis to know my church.3. "My Part" Is To Be DependableYouthful enthusiasm sometimes is ablinder to older virtues. A newbornChristian often is like a child with a newtoy. Rather than using it as it is, hewants to take it apart to see how itticks. But the steady dependable fellowaccomplishes far more and with lessconfusion.A few years ago, I asked three youngmen to prepare the comments for threeY. P. topics on "The Trinity." The firstone did well, and I thought we weregoing to have a good series. But thesecond one who dealt with Jesus Christthe Son, went off into a discussion ofancient heresies concerning Him. Thenalthough he was reminded of his assignment, the third writer, who dealt withthe Holy Spirit, never sent anything inat all.A president-elect of a conference decided not to attend it. But he let nobodyknow of his change of mind. Theconference was left in confusion, andhis "testimony" lost its power there.The minister's phone rings. "This is185