The Green Forest tribune., 1915-12-31
INTERNATIONAL SUNDkISOlO0L
 LESSON By E. O SELLERS, Acting Director or the Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) Copyright 1915. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE ASCENDING LORD.
!SSON TEXT-Acts 1:1-14.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 1:1-14.
 GOLDEN TEXT-When he ascended on high he led captivity captive. and gave gifts unto men,-Eph. As.
 More and more we are convinced that the great trouble with Christians is that the life of Jesus for them closes with the gospels. We seem to fail to comprehend that he is living today as much and even more than he was nine teen hundred years ago. The Book or Acts is continuation of the Gospels (v. D, and is yet closed book.
 |. The Proof of the Resurrection, w. 1-3. CD Its reality. No better proved event is recorded ill history than the resurrection (see I Cor. 15:4- S); it stands absolutely unchallenged. The all sufficient proof was that during forty days" his disciples had talked with him concerning the kingdom. Note, it was only his disciples wLo beheld, his enemies never saw him ar- ter Calvary. (2) It's burden. Just pe- fore his ascension Jesus (v. p gave his disciples definite instructions, com mandments (Matt 2S:19, 20, etc., (a) to tarry in Jerusalem, (b) to be clotheo with power. (c) to go forth and to pro- claim or herald his 6ospei. During those intervening days of waiting for the endowment with power they alone knew the gospel and men were perlsn- ing, which gives point to the necessity of receiving the spirit before under taking the work of witnessing. To ~f thn ly n T6 nothing more than the question of sal vaton, whereas to be saved IS but to enter into his kingdom. The agent to carry on his work in the kingdom is the Holy Spirit.
 II. The Promise of the Father, w. 4-s. Read carefully Joel 2:28, Isa. 44:3, and compare with Luke 24:49, and also the words of the Baptizer. Luke 3:16. CD To receive the Holy Spirit is an obligation upon all, they were charged not to depart from Je- rusalem" (v. A (See also Eph. 5:1o). (b) The reception is to be preceded by repentance for sin. though the con- fession of sin and the acknowledgment of Christ as Savior is only possible through the spirit T Cor 12:3). tc) With the spirit comes power, author ity (v. D. This power is of God, it is spiritual, it is not "temporaP' nor of the church. The kingdom is a spirit ual idea OuEe f7s2D 2ud the vice-re- gent of that kingdom is the Holy Spirit The program of Jesus is "spirit-filled men as witnesses" and beginning at Jerusalem" This prom ise of Jesus (v. 8 suggested to the disciples the restoration of Israel to it's place among the nations and in his reply he intimates that such is pos sibility (see Isa. 1:25-27, Ezek. 36; 23- 28, Hosea. 3:4, 5, Joel 3:16-21, Amos 9:11-15), but in most emphatic man. her he tells them that of that hour God has reserved to himself the knowledge (Matt. 24 36, Mark 3:22). When they were to receive the king dom he does not tell, but when they l should receive power he tells them | plainly, viz: when the spirit should come upon them. The spirit is not for mere happiness or qualification, but comes upon us for usefulness (see 4:8-12. 31, 33, 5:32, SIT, 29) and that beginning at home, in Jerusalem, then to the ends of the earth. A spir- it-filled Christian or church is good home missionary and foreign evangel- ist as well. Finishing his message, he lifted his hands and in benediction he ascended on high, and this act has ever since been continued. His ascen- 1 .to h fo f1IIl attested and deeply significant. He as cended to lead captivity captive, to appear in Gods presence for us i'll our behalf and to prepare place for us that where he is we may be also (Heb. SPA, John 14:2). His presence now on high guarantees our presence there hereafter (John 12:26, 14:3, Rev. 3:2D.
 III. The Present Place of Jesus, w o-11. While he talked with his disci pies he ascended even as Enoch walked and was not" (Gen 5:24, Heb BPS, R. V). The query must natural ly have arisen in their minds, "Wher shall we have another interview with him?" As that question arose behold
 
 their answer was practical one: "Why stand looking into heaven?' There are times to gaze and times tC go. Now is the time to be fulfilling his command (vv. 4, 12) and not tC be lost in wonder and speculation. Blu to cheer their hearts these men il white gave them, and us, wonderful promise, viz, Jesus is coming back visibly, personally (the words of thu original text are very plain and posi- tive) and, as he was received in the clouds, he will come in a cloud.
 This promise is and has always beer the great hope of the church (Titui 2:13).
 w. The Place of Prayer, w. 12-14 The disciples were bidden to tarry, te tarry at specified place, Jerusalem and to tarry at a specified place for 8 particular purpose, viz, power" They obeyed The empowering blessing car only be received through obedience | VI, tf <,f inc xpQc C