The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-18
SUNDAY SERMONS.
What the Preachers Had to Say About
Confidence in Men and in Cod About
Christian Perfection How to
Obtain It.
M. E. CHURCH.

M. X. CHURCH.
Subject: "Christian Perfection text,
st. Matt, 1921. The story of the inter-
view OF the rich young man with Christ,
has no doubt interested US all. The
young man aroused our sympathy and
the good masters tender bearing moved
our deepest affections. Jesus never
breaks the barrier of human will to enter
the heart with his heavenly treasures,
but stands at the door and knocks; or,
as in our text, he pleads ''if thou wilt"
etc.
/. What is Christian perfection? 1t
is certainly important that we inquire,
since the scriptures refer to it so much
The expression in our text, If it stood
alone, would warrant the asking the
question. It is a condition of heart.
God deals with the heart altogether.
a Sam. 1917 The young man appeared
to be correct outwardiy, but not right IN
heart. There may be legal perfection OF
conduct, then, without perfection at
heart, and vice versa. Christian perfec-
ton may be consistent with human, out
ward imperfections. "We have these
treasures in earthen vessels" and err in
Judgment, and lack in knowledge.
| Then, too, it is important to distin-
guish between perfection and maturity
completed development. A child may
be perfect but not mature; but its per-
fection Is the best guarantee or promise
of it's development.
Then Christian perfection is simply a
perfect heart. "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thine heart" ETC.:
that is Christian perfection. No more
no less. Do you ask why it should con-
Germ you, a processing Christian? You
are either a perfect Christian in this
sense, or you are not; and if not, there
are three good reasons why you should
be: a. Because it is divine command
BE ye perfect, even as your father
which is in heaven Is perfect; (2) You
"hunger and thirst" for it. Our hearts
often contrary to our creeds, cry out
"create in me clean heart, O, God, anc
renew a right spirit written me-" g
Heaven demands it. "Follow . !
holiness, without which, no man shall
see the Lord"
q How attained? The formula is ir
the text. 1t comes, only thus: O self
crucifixlon. "Sell all thou hast" Lit
orally? To this young man OF grea
possessions, yes, for Jesus saw that hi
! hearts affections were entwined arount
them. Idols, anything that divides ans
diverts affections that belong to God
Paul declared that he was "cruciRet
with Christ" etc. Cruelty self, swillfu
sslf, unbclieving self, vain self, inpatien
self, etc. (2) Consecration. sand Civ,
to the poor" Crucifixion parts with al
that is sinful, and conservation relates
to what remains. Many Christians hav'
mistaken ideas Of conservation whicl
arouse false fears. They appear to thinl
God is cruel, and will strip them OF al
earthly possessions. Remember tha
the lads five loaves and two fishes yield
cd twelve basketball after feeding 5000
because it was consecrated.
3. Faith. "Thou shalt have treasur
} in heaven" We must believe that Go,
J is dong and will do, His part in cleans
ing and perfecting our hearts, and tha
He will keep us.
D 4. Obedience. aFollow me-" This j
The life. Go or stay, do or suffer. BE
! lieving always that you are a factor i
) working out the "Father's great plan.
: This is the life that keeps, grows, devel
ops, satisfies and accomplishes.