Studies in the Life of the Christian   By: Henry T. (Henry Thorne) Sell

STUDIES IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN

His Faith and His Service

By

HENRY T. SELL, D.D.

PREFACE

These studies consider the questions: What did Christ teach? What is the standpoint of Christianity? What is a Christian? What ought he to believe and why? How shall he regard the Bible and the church? What should be his relations to God, to his fellow men, to his home, to society, to business, and to the state?

The strength and reasonableness of the great main positions of Christian faith and service are constructively presented. Careful attention is also given to the practical application of Christian principles to the perplexing problems of modern life.

This book is for use in adult Bible classes, Bible study circles, pastors' training classes in the essentials of Christianity, educational institutions and private study.

It is uniform with the author's "Bible Studies in the Life of Christ," "Bible Studies in the Life of Paul" and his other Bible study books.

HENRY T. SELL. Chicago.

CONTENTS

I. CHRIST, THE GREAT TEACHER

II. THE CHRISTIAN'S GOD

III. THE CHRISTIAN MAN

IV. THE CHRISTIAN'S FELLOW MAN

V. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

VI. THE CHRISTIAN'S BOOK

VII. THE CHRISTIAN PRAYER

VIII. THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE

IX. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

X. THE CHRISTIAN HOME

XI. THE CHRISTIAN BUSINESS WORLD

XII. THE CHRISTIAN SOCIETY

XIII. THE CHRISTIAN STATE

XIV. THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE

STUDY I

CHRIST, THE GREAT TEACHER

Scripture references: Matthew 4:23; 5:1,2; 7:29; 13:54; 26:55; 28:19,20; Mark 1:21,22; 4:1,2; 6:6; Luke 5:3; 11:1; 19:47; John 6:59; 7:14; 8:28.

THE FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY

The heart of the Christian religion is found in Jesus Christ. If we desire to know what Christianity is and of what elements it is composed we must look to Him and His teachings. He is the great source of our knowledge of what God, man, sin, righteousness, duty and salvation are.

Our interest in the books of the Old Testament lies in the fact that they lead up to Him. We study the books of the New Testament because of their vivid portrayal of His life, teachings, death and resurrection. With Jesus Christ a new era dawned for the world with new principles, ideas and aspirations for humanity. His teachings touch every department of human life and, where they are accepted and followed, they show their marvellous transforming power. There can be no more important study than what Jesus Christ said and did while upon this earth. "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46).

WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT

There are five great lines which His teachings followed; they have to do with God, man, sin, salvation and the future life.

The Right Relation of God to Man and Man to God. How does God regard man? and, How shall man look upon God? are questions upon which the best thought of men in all ages has been expended. Upon the answers given have been founded all sorts of religious and philosophical systems.

Man in this great universe desires to know in what relation he stands to the Author of it. Is man only a creature of fate? What does God care, great as He is, for one man?

Jesus Christ recognized this desire of man to know his standing with God and He proclaimed not only the power, but the Fatherhood of God. When He taught His disciples how to pray He began His immortal prayer not with "Great God of the universe," or "Creator of all things," but "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). Here was a new conception of God.