Articles for tag: Sam E. Stone

March 2, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 8, 2015: Another Comforter/Advocate (John 14:15-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 1 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  In his Gospel, the apostle John often focused on a central theme for an entire chapter (John 14, 15, 16, 17). The predominant note in John 14 is comfort. The setting is the night on which Jesus was betrayed. After instituting the Lord”s Supper in the upper room, Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) set out for the Garden of

February 23, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 1, 2015: The Lamb of God (John 1:29-34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 22 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s lessons highlight “The Pledge of God”s Presence,” as seen in the Gospels of John and Mark. The quarter”s overall theme is, “The Spirit Comes.” The preparatory ministry of John the Baptist is recounted early in John”s Gospel. It had been almost 400 years since the last Old Testament prophet appeared on the stage of Scripture. Malachi concluded his message

February 16, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 22, 2015: Clothed and Ready (Ephesians 6:10-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 15 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Today we complete this quarter”s survey of practical help for Christian living. Having considered such themes as worship, prayer, and stewardship, we now focus on the reality of the believer”s battle with the devil. William Hendriksen pointed out Paul”s emphasis on the source of power for believers: “Apart from Christ, Christians can accomplish nothing at all (John 15:1-5). They are like

February 9, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 15, 2015: Serving the Least (Matthew 25)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 8 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The four lessons this month show the importance of a believer”s stewardship of life. How we live demonstrates the reality of our faith. Love for others is essential for all who follow Jesus (1 John 3:16-18). No one can go to Heaven simply by meeting human needs, of course. Salvation comes only by the mercy and grace of God. But

February 2, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 8, 2015: Serving Neighbors, Serving God (Luke 10:25-37)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 1 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  After Jesus concluded his Galilean ministry, he began to make his way to Jerusalem. En route he told one of his best-known and most widely loved parables””the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is recorded only by Luke. The man who initiated the discussion is called an expert in the law. Some translations call him a “scribe” or “lawyer.” H. Lynn

January 26, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes

January 19, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 25, 2015: Powerful Prayer (James 5)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 18 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s theme, “Learning to Pray,” helps us consider the topic of prayer as found in the books of Luke, John, Hebrews, and James. We have already reviewed Jesus” model for prayer, his prayer for his disciples, and his intercession for us.  The letter of James is one of the most practical books in all of Scripture. The writer emphasized not

January 12, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 18: Jesus” Intercession for Us (Hebrews 4:14″“5:10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 11 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The writer of Hebrews reminded Jewish Christians of the new dispensation”s superiority to the old. The role of the high priest was a position familiar to all Jews. The title first occurred in Leviticus 21:10, where it was used to designate Aaron and his successors. Christians have but one who serves in this capacity””Jesus (Hebrews 2:17). He always stands ready

January 5, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 11: Jesus” Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:1-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 4 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The night when Jesus was betrayed was filled with significance. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reported on “The Last Supper” but included only a brief synopsis of Christ”s teaching that evening. The Gospel of John was written later, however, and includes four long chapters recounting many specific things that Jesus said that evening (John 14″“17). In today”s lesson we study what

December 29, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 4, 2015: Jesus’ Model for Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 28, 2014, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s lessons focus on “Learning to Pray.” What an appropriate topic! The apostle Paul wrote, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us though wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). As H. Lynn Gardner pointed out, “This prayer may appropriately be called “˜The Lord”s Prayer” because our Lord taught it. It

December 22, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 28, 2014: Worship God’s Son (Matthew 14:22-36)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  With the feeding of the 5,000 in the third year of Jesus” ministry, his favor with the crowds grew dramatically. The people enthusiastically ate the food he provided for them, but they were looking for even more””tomorrow”s meals, the sick cured, and a champion to lead the nation in revolt against the Roman authorities. John wrote, “Jesus, knowing that they intended

December 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 21, 2014: Give Glory to God (Luke 2:1-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the one who gave the historical details and setting of Jesus” birth. With careful research and guided by the Holy Spirit”s inspiration, he recorded the wonderful news of Christ”s birth and how those who first heard about it were encouraged to give glory to God. Joseph and Mary had gone from Nazareth in

December 8, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 14, 2014: Make a Joyful Noise (Psalm 95)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Psalm 95 begins with a call to sing praises to the Lord. The invitation to come is found three times in today”s text. The messianic implication in these verses is confirmed by the usage of this psalm in the New Testament. It is quoted in Hebrews 3 and 4, where it is attributed to David. Leslie S. M”Caw observed, “The anthem

December 1, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 7, 2014: Worship Christ’s Majesty (Hebrews 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 30 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The letter to the Hebrews does not tell us the name of its author. For years Paul was assumed to have written it. Others think Barnabas or Apollos did. Though we cannot be certain of the author, the book was clearly accepted by the early church as part of the Holy Spirit-inspired canon of Scripture. Most Bible students believe it was

November 24, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 30, 2014: Good News Brings Rejoicing (Psalm 33; Isaiah 52:1, 2, 7-12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 23 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  God called on the people of Israel to rejoice. Though they still were to be exiled in Babylon (Isaiah 40″“55), they could rest assured that Almighty God would deliver them. John N. Oswalt emphasized the significance of this prophecy: “The tone of anticipation becomes more intense as God calls on Jerusalem to do the very opposite of what Babylon was required

November 17, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 23, 2014: Inheritance Marks a New Beginning (Ezekiel 47:13-23; Acts 2:37-47)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 16 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Our final lesson from Ezekiel brings us to the largest section of the book””chapters 40″“48. This apocalyptic message has been described as a “counter-vision” to the disaster of Ezekiel 8″“11. At that time God”s glory departed from the temple, but now he had returned (43:1-5). The promised restoration was shown to be fulfilled as the land was divided among the tribes

November 10, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 16, 2014: Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 9 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Last week”s study ended with Ezekiel 43:21. After that Ezekiel was given further instruction about those who would serve in the temple, the allotment of land, and priestly duties for various occasions. Now the prophet is back at the entrance to the temple. Worship in the kingdom of God is the future promised to all of the Lord”s people. One

November 3, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 9, 2014: The Altar Offers Hope (Ezekiel 43:10″”46:24)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 2 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  At this point in our study, Ezekiel had witnessed the measuring of the outer wall and then the angel brought him back to the eastern gate of the temple where the tour had begun (see 40:6). Nineteen years earlier the prophet had seen the glory of God leave the temple through that eastern gate (10:18-22; 11:22-24). In last week”s lesson Ezekiel

October 27, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 2, 2014: God’s Glory Fills the Temple (Ezekiel 40:1″”43:12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the October 26 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month we consider “Visions of Grandeur,” looking primarily at Ezekiel”s prophecies. G. R. Beasley-Murray put our text in perspective: “Ezekiel was a priest as well as a prophet. It was his joyful task to balance the prophecies of the ruin of the temple, the departure of Jehovah, and the scattering of the nation with a detailed prediction of the rebuilding

October 20, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 26, 2014: Things Too Wonderful for Me (Job 42; Psalm 86)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the October 19 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Today we consider the closing section of the book of Job. Last week we studied Job 24. In the chapters in between, Job”s friends continued to pass judgment on the suffering patriarch. Job continued to defend his actions. After the many words of Job”s friends and the lengthy responses by Job, the Lord spoke for the first time with two messages

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