The Coolidge examiner., 1937-03-04

GOLDEN TEXT i am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father. but by me. John 14:6.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Tn the Heavenly
Fathers House.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Many Mansions.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Why We Need Christ Always.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Life Here and Hereafter Through
Christ.
1t was the night before the darkest
day in the worlds history. On the
morrow the Son of man was to
hang on Calvary's tree for the sins
of the world-for your sins, and for
mine. But for the moment he was
alone with his disciples. The last
Passover had been eaten together,
the betrayer had been discovered,
and the Lord has told them that he
was soon to go where they could
not follow. Peter had, by his bold
self-assurance, brought forth tn e
prophecy of his denial. The disciples
were disturbed. Then came from the
Saviour the words of comfort, as
surance, and power which have been
the strength and solace of his peo-
pie through all the centuries. Our
life both here and hereafter is in
His mighty hands.
L. Comfort (vv. 1-3).
Troubled hearts are everywhere
in the palace and in the cottage, on
land and sea. There is a place of
rest, thank God! There is One who
still speaks the majestic words,
Let not your heart be troubled,
we believe in God, believe also in
me-"
His comfort is one which covers
the future life, for he says:
1. Il go to prepare a place" (v.O.
Concern about future destiny is set
tied at once when Christ Jesus be-
comes our Lord and Saviour. We
need worry no longer. He has gone
on before to the Fathers house to
prepare place for his own. When
we come to that ever-peaceful shore
we shall not come as strangers, but
as sons and daughters to prepared
place in our Fathers house.
2. II will come again" (v.3) is
the word that gives present mean
ing to the future promise. He not
only prepares the place, but he it
is who brings us there. The glorious
hope of his coming again is the
Christians greatest comfort n d
mightiest incentive to useful, holy
living.
III. Assurance (vv. Aid.
The doctrine Of Christian asSur-
ance is one of vital importance,
and should be taught in all its scrip
tural power and beauty. Unfortun-
ately it has so suffered violence at
the hands of some of its friends
that others have not only come to
fear it, but even openly to oppose
it. This is most regrettable, for il
is manifest that until one has as
surance he will make but little prog
ress in Christian usefulness.
The believers assurance rests
fundamentally on Christ himself
Two grounds are given in the text
1. Il am the way, the truth, and
the life" ". g.. These words are
their own best commentary. Reac
them again, slowly, weighing tn {
meaning of each word. If we are
in him who is the way, how safe
we are! If we are not in him? Reac
his own solemn words in verse 6
mo man cometh unto the Father
but by me" ". ID.
In Christ dwells all the fullnesS o.
the Godhead. He is not only super
natural being, he is God. How car
anyone deny that and read his
words in these verses? To do Sc
is to make Jesus a liar anc
blasphemer.
HI. Power wv. 12-15).
His followers are not left in {
world of sin and need as little
group of hymn-singing weaklings
thinking only of the day when they
shall be in brighter land. All, yes
they sing hymns and rejoice i I
them; they look for better land
their weapons of warfare are no
carnal-but weaklings? Oh, no! Goo
uses them to do great and mighty
things for his glory.
l. He that believeth" ". 12)
This army of God carries the roya
banner of faith.
2. Greater works shall h,
do ". 12). Jesus only began hi
work on earth. It's greatest develop
ment was to be the joyous privilege
of his followers. We are ASHAMED
that we have not lived up to thi
great promise, but by his grac,
we will do better.
3. If ye ask will do
(v. 14. Someone has called this
signed blank check on all the re
sources of God. Faith fills it in, un
der the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Moody knew how to use it. So dix
Mueller, Livingstone, J. Hudson
Taylor-the list might go on indef
nitely. Shall we dare to trust CO.
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