Articles for tag: Sam E. Stone

October 13, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 19, 2014: I Will Call on God (Job 5; 24; Psalm 55:12-23)

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 12 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Last week”s study focused on Job 19. After that section, more attacks followed by Job”s friends, Zophar (chapter 20) and Eliphaz (chapter 22). They continued to insist that Job was guilty of serious sin. To them, all that happened to him was obviously God”s punishment for wrongdoing. Job, however, declared his wish to have access to God”s presence so that

October 6, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 12, 2014: I Know that My Redeemer Lives (Job 19; Psalm 57)

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 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This is the first of three lessons highlighting key passages from the book of Job. The best way to get an overall picture of this important piece of Old Testament literature is to read the entire book. After Job”s tragic experiences, three of his friends came to see him (Job 2:11-13). Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar agreed “to go and sympathize

September 29, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 5, 2014: Yet Will I Rejoice (Job 1; Psalm 56; Habakkuk 1″“3)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 28 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  All that is known of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk is found in his short book. Even this does not tell us his genealogy, nor when he prophesied. Most Bible students place him as a contemporary of Jeremiah (627-586 BC). The book begins with God raising up the Babylonians as an instrument to punish Palestine. Habakkuk delivered two complaints to

September 22, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 28, 2014: Future Peace and Joy (Jeremiah 33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  In last Sunday”s lesson Jeremiah was being held in a courtyard prison by King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 32), and he is still there in today”s text. Jeremiah repeated with fuller explanation his prophecy of the one great king called “the Branch,” who would one day come and fulfill the promise of an eternal throne. Jeremiah had been prophesying in Jerusalem for some

September 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 21, 2014: Anticipation of a New Future (Jeremiah 32)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Despite all that was going on around them, the people of Israel still had reason for hope. This month”s studies in the book of Jeremiah explain why they could have such confidence that much better days were ahead. Many years before this time, God had given the land of Canaan””the promised land””to his people. The Law of Moses contained specific

September 8, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 14, 2014: Hope for the Future (Jeremiah 31)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because of the sad news he had to bring to his people. But he also held out hope for them. Following 70 years in Babylonian captivity, a remnant would return to the promised land (Jeremiah 23:3). They would rebuild Jerusalem and be the source of great rejoicing (31:7-14). His message encouraged the captives to

September 1, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 7, 2014: A Vision of the Future (Jeremiah 30)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 31 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Even while the people of Israel were living as exiles in Babylon, they still received encouragement and hope from the Lord. In this month”s study we focus on the messages God sent through the prophet Jeremiah. James E. Smith pointed out that the material in chapters 30-33 was not part of a public discourse (see Jeremiah 30:2). “In written form

August 25, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 31, 2014: Generosity in the Midst of Poverty (2 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Despite the problems noted in 1 Corinthians (such as division, pride, and immorality), the church had many good qualities. Generous giving, however, was an area in which they needed to improve. In today”s text Paul used various appeals to encourage them to grow in generosity.   An Example 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul introduced a new subject in this letter by saying,

August 18, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 24, 2014: An Appeal for Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 6:1″“7:4)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 17 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  In the section of 2 Corinthians just before today”s printed text, the apostle Paul discussed why Christians must resolve differences (5:11-21). Compelled by Christ”s love, we are to practice “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18). Paul reminded the church that God”s forgiveness of us is a model of how we should forgive others (compare Matthew 6:12).   Corinthians” Need 2

August 11, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 17, 2014: Treasure in Clay Jars (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the  The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul”s suffering is mentioned throughout this second letter to the Corinthians, especially in chapters 4, 6, and 11. When the Lord called him into his service, he revealed his plan to use Paul as a “chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles.” He added, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15, 16). The apostle”s

August 4, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 10, 2014: Forgiveness and Restoration (2 Corinthians 1:23″“2:17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 3 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul”s first letter to the Corinthian church contained many things that were difficult for the people to hear and to heed. One issue involved a man who had a sexual relationship with his father”s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). The apostle directed the church to separate from him (5:2, 11-13). The purpose for this exercise of church discipline was to save the

July 28, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 3, 2014: Comfort in Times of Trouble (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 27 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Last month”s lessons were all based on Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. This month we study his second letter to the Corinthians. Apparently the apostle wrote his second epistle around AD 55. Some of the false teachers in the church continued to misrepresent him, seeking to diminish his influence there. This letter responded to these attacks coming

July 21, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 27, 2014: Seek the Good of Others (1 Corinthians 14:13-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  From the day that the church began in Jerusalem, God endowed certain members with miraculous gifts. These were needed in that day. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they began to preach in tongues (Acts 2:6-11). These were languages that they did not know and had not studied. As

July 18, 2014

Christian Standard

The Desire of My Heart

By Sam E. Stone (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) As a student at Ozark Bible College in the 1950s, I was facing the typical decisions of a college student: What will I do with my life? Where will I serve? Who is the right person to marry? That last question was really big! I was talking about it with Gerald Bowlin, a missionary friend from Mexico, when he was in Joplin for the National Missionary Convention. He said, “Sam, let me give you a verse of Scripture.” Then he turned to Psalm 37:4, “Take

July 14, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 20, 2014: Overcome Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1-22)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul guided the Corinthians to live as a community of believers. In chapter 8 he answered their questions about eating meat that had been sacrificed to an idol. In chapter 9 he responded to an inquiry about his apostleship. Paul then warned about the possibility of becoming a “castaway” (9:27, King James Version). Here in chapter 10 he

July 7, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 13, 2014: Exercise Freedom with Caution (1 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth was prompted by a letter from them. They evidently asked Paul”s advice on several issues. Last week we considered one such topic, sexual laxity (chapter 6). Today”s text focuses on another question: Is it permissible for Christians to eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol? First-century Corinth was known for its worship of pagan deities. Their worship included immorality. When a pagan offered a sacrifice in

June 30, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 6, 2014: Glorify God with Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:12″”7:40)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone First-century Corinth was not an easy place for a Christian to live. Paul”s letters to the church there deal with a number of challenges believers had to face. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 he mentions lawsuits; in today”s text he turns to sexual laxity. In chapter 5 he dealt with fornication as an occasion for exercising church discipline. Some of the people were arguing, “I have the right to do anything.” Evidently they were trying to take

June 23, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 29, 2014: Pursue Unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:1-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone For the next two months we will study passages from 1 and 2 Corinthians as we learn priorities for the people of God. Paul helped found the church in Corinth. A few years later (perhaps around AD 57), he sent a letter back to the congregation. After an introduction in which he reminded them of his apostolic role, Paul offered a prayer of thanksgiving. In today”s printed text he turns to one of the primary reasons

June 16, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 22, 2014: Hope for a New Day (Nehemiah 7:1-7; Haggai 2:20-23; Zechariah 4 )

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This is the concluding lesson in our studies about rebuilding the temple in the post-exilic period of Old Testament history. Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries. Together they challenged God”s people to complete the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. One final verse from Haggai begins today”s study. Zechariah was evidently a young man at this time (Zechariah 2:3, 4). This book that bears his name contains a number of important predictions of the coming Messiah (see

June 9, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 15, 2014: Live Pure Lives (Haggai 2:10-19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem burned, the temple demolished, and the people taken captive to Babylon. After 70 years of captivity there, they were allowed to return to their homeland. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (the governor) and Joshua (the priest), work was begun to rebuild the temple. Despite a good start, nothing more was done for 15 years. With the coming of King Darius and the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the work was resumed.

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