The times-news., 1938-12-31

: OpeHeu Will IllS .iSsoii
/ wilderness of temptation to the
banks of the Jordan where John
the Baptist was still preaching
and baptizing. Within two days
/ five OF six men-Andrew, John,
Peter, Philip, Nathaniel Tor Bar
tholomew), and probably James
accepted Jesus as the Messiah.
After preaching in Judea for a
few months Jesus located at Ca
pernaum and entered upon his
great Galilean ministry. One of
his first acts was to call two pairs
of brothers--Pcter and Andrew,
James and John--from their reg
ular occupation to become fishers
of men. e..
PETER BECOMES A 80,
CHRISTIAN { John 1:4o-42)
ACCEPTING Jesus as Saviour,
Peter became Il Christian. Note
! Cd The testimony of the Baptist
inspired the beginnings of faith
in Jesus. Though recognition of
the Messiah meant the loss of his
best disciples and decrease III
popularity, he was true to ms
mission. When Jesus, just back
from the wilderness temptation.
passed before him as he stood
with John and Andrew, he said to-
them, '"Bchold the Lamb OF
Cod" Then these faithful, valued
discinlcs' of the orCat forcrunncr
caught the chief lesson of his MN
istty and so, leaving him behind,
they followed Jesus. (2) The con-
version Of Andrew and John en-
sued in personal interview with
Jesus lasting nearly all day. They
were earnest seekers, for they
were looking for the Messiah,
They were diligent inqun'ers for
they desired d quiet talk with the
Master. They were happily re-
warded. for he graciopSly invited
them to abide with him. They
were gloriously converted, for
thew showed their faith by their
works. CD The conversion OF Pc
ter and probably James was the
result of personal effort, each OF
the first two converts bringing ms
brother to Jesus, Andrew being
first to do so. Observe that An
! drew himself accepted Jesus as
the Messiah, that he at once told
of his new-found faith, and that
he brought his impetuous brother
direct to Jesus. Thus Andrew did
the noblest deed of his life and
| dropped down to q secondary
place, but to him Peter and the
| Christian world are forever in
debted. When Simon stood before
! him, Jesus saw the impulsiYeness
of his character and also the un-
developed solidity imbedded IN
his nature. He knew that rash
! Simon could be changed into
rock-like Peter. Hence the change
| of name from Simon to Cephas,
or Peter. Such is the Transforming
skill of the, master hand OF Jesus.
PETER ENTERS THE
MINISTRY Luke 5:l-1D ..
OBEYING Jesus as Lord, Peter
entered the ministry. See the
Lord in five attitudes: (1) The
Lord Teaching. He was on the
/ beach. He was quoting and ex-
planning the Word of God as re-
vealed in the Bible and now spo-
ken by himself. The eager crowds
pressed closely about him and al
most pushed him into the lake.
But two boats were at hand, and
! they belonged to, his disciples.
Knowing he, was welcome, he en-
tered Simon's boat and asked him
! to put off shore a few feet. SO
that he could address the people
on shore. From the floating pull
pit he finished his discourse. (2)
The Lord Commanding. The fish
ing hours in the lake were usual
! ly at night: now it was perhaps
midmorning or later. The fisher
men had toiled all night without
a single, catch. Now Jesus order
ed Peter to put out to deep wa
ter and drop his nets for a haul.
Peter was amazed and naturally
demonstrated as if a carpenter
could not we'll advise an expert
! fisherman. Yet he complied. 81
The Lord Rewarding. Obedience
had its ready and rich reward. No
sooner were the nets dropped in
to the sea than they enclosed a
great dl,aught Of fish. AS the nets
began breaking, there was need
for the other boat with equipment
and crew. Of course, the response
was Immediate and everybody
was overjoyed' at their success.
(4) The Lord Acknowledged The
secret of success was not in the
skill of the fishermen. Peter, who
had held back and spoken back
to his Master, was Overwhelmed
with a sense of Shame and sin ;
so unworthy was he Of the might
and nlercv of the Master he de-
clared himself unfit to enjoy the
presence of the Lord. (5) The
Lord Enhsting But Jesus had
use for such man and his mates.
So he calmed Peters agitation
and opened before the two pairs
of brothers (Andrew being named
by Matthew and Mark the vista
of d larger task: From hence
forth thou shalt catch men," I'm
mediately they landed and left
boats and business in order to
give their entire time and talent
to the service of Jesus.
WIN TO CHRIST AND nl
CHRISTIAN SERVICE }u
! (D Win to Christ Catch men
I know" an
=. =, Then he told of a playwright
whose successful, comedy recently