The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-13
READING FOR THE DAY.
Lesson for Dec. 20, 1885.


Sunday-Schooi Lesson for Dec. 20, 1885.
The Gracious Invitation. Isaiah lv. Ill.
GOLDEN TExT-Ho, every one that thirsteth
come ye to the waters isaiah ", IL
The lesson opens with 8 trumpet CALL chal-
benge to attention, shout to those afar off to
hearken to the gracious invitation of the Lord,
and to come and partake of the benefits and
blessings secured by his sufferings and sacrifices.
The chapter gives grand picture of the results
of the coming of the Messiah, whose death had
been declared in the previous chapters 1t is no
longer confined to the Jew; it is world wide
kingdom that is to be established, and now the
invitation is to every one that thirsteth to come
to the waters of life and drink No illustration
could be more expressive in those Eastern lands,
where men often suffer SO much for water. The
dreadful feeling of thirst the terrible fever and
desperation it causes. will illustrate the
sense of sim How men long and
thirst for Gods favor, for light and hope And
now the call is to every one that has the sense
of need, the thirst for Gods favor; and even
though they have no money, yet they are free
70 come The purchase price is to give up our
aims, and then we shall have the water and milk
and wine Of the kingdom. AS the wafer re-
freshes, the milk strengthens, and the wine gives
Joy, so the gift of salvation does all three How
men spend time and money for that which is In
No sense the bread that feeds mind or heart;
how they labor for things which, when gained,
no not satisfy the deeper needs of the soul. Par
don, peace, hope, purity are the gifts of God,
and we can in no sense earn or purchase them;
they are not to be had for money, and the divine
price is equally within the reach of the poor and
the rich. The idea of returning AN equivalent
for the gifts of grace is entirely contrary to the
word of God Let US receive everything as a free,
undeserved but priceless, gift the cost having
been met by Christ. "Jesus paid it ALL"
The call is itself promise. and it had in it a
gracious promise; but love would encourage
trust and strengthen faith with most abundant
assurance. Hence the ampler fullness of prom
Use with which the call to penitence is enforced.
L A contrast between Gods thoughts and those
of man-between His ways and those of man--is
made a basis of gracious announcement. Man
b intolerant-God placant; man is narrow In his
thought-God's thoughts are broad as the uni
verse. The heavens are high above the earth
who can measure immensity4-so are GODS
ways and thoughts in contrast with mans Man
may refuse to forgive his fellow. but Gods
ways are different He promises for
giveness. free, abundant. to every peni-
tent. Who can doubt His love2 2. A
comparison enforces further the fulpess of
divine mercy and the certainty of divine prom
ise. Rain and snow are divine gifts-''from
heaven" they do not return thther" without
having first accomplished the mission of refresh
ing and fertllizng the earth, that it may give
seed to the sower and bread to the eater" no
more shall Gods promise fail of its purpose or
prove HQJPUSGWOrbny III LIlL6 anu ueeu ue SHOWS
of Hermon and Lebanon are the unfailing source
eff supply to many streams all the year; so from
the heights of Gods gracious promise streams
of blessing flow increasingly to make glad hearts
y hich otherwise would be barren, and to refresh
with renewed mercy all the thirsty souls
who will come and buy. without money and
without price," the abundant gifts of His rich
grace.
APPLICATION.
]. The Plan of Restoration as Wide as the
Fall-We have here no presentation of 'lim
ited atonement," of an ''elect number" Of the
saved. Here is 'free grace and full salvation"
God has elected, or chosen, all men equally for
salvation. The cry is to all to come. and that
without money" or cost. Jesus has paid it
ALL" The true election is that of your own will,
by which you decide to be on the Lords side.
e The Mercy Seat Will Become Throne of
Judgment-To-day the SAVIOR invites men to
come and be saved. We hear the voice of mercy.
the promise of pardon, the hope of heaven. The
Lord is near, He may be easily found. But the
day of mercy will close, and then our Savior be-
comes our judge. Salvation now or never
g. Sound Loudly and Gladly the Lords Mes
sage-If we were praising ourselves or teaching
our own wisdom, might well be very modest
and quiet. But we bear our Lords message. His
words reach the heart and save men, 1t is dis
loyalty to be silent
4 God Now Waits Your Action-He has done
all He is ready to do more, but cannot until
you turn to Him.
s. His Word Shall Accomplish It's Purpose
Tic has many forms Teach Gods words. Let yours
only hold up His thoughts. And then believe
on His authority. that His word will reach the
hardest heart. But give His word large, free
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