Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-04-01
The SUNDAY SCHOOL
international Lesson for April ., 1890
Warning Against sin-Lukc 13:22-3o.


ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TExT.-Strive to enter IN at the
straight gate.-Luke 1924
TIME.-December. A. ID. q. In the carly
feast of Dedication.
Professionalism in Persia.
The SECTION includes the whole chapter.
the several incidents being brought in TO
Illustrate or explain the warnings In the
text.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
l. THE INDEFATIGABLE WoRRER--V.
30. Jesus was on journey 10 Jerusa-
lem, though He knew lie was TO be
crucified there. But all the time, re-
gardless of His own sorrow, every
where lie was doing His work. Indeed,
work for the Lord is one of the bOst
comforts in sorrow.
ii. THE QUEsTIoX.-V. %. AS the
Master taught and journeyed, one came
TO Him with the question:: Lord, are
there few that be saved?'' 1t was not
asked out of idle curiosity. but il came
from an earnest soul in view of what
he had observed, and heard. and felt.
AS jew, he had been taught that only
the few were saved. One of the He
brew writer's had said: "The Most
High hath made this world for many
but the world TO come for few" Jesus
Himself had laid down conditions of
epentance-a new heart and obedi-
cnce-which but few seemed TO fulfill.
Only few of the multitude of the sick
and afflicted were healed.
The question to-day is not mere idle
| curiosity. The earnest soul cannot help
asking it, The larger part of mankind
has not the heavenly character; and no
outward glories, no golden streets, nor
jeweied crowns, nor angels harps, no
gardens of paradise could make it a
heaven where they dwelt if they re-
| manned OF the same character there as
! here.
III. THE FIRST ANswEE.-Vs. 24-2s.
Practically, Jesus gave two answers TO
the question. The first was TO tell the
man that his first duty was TO answer
the question for himself, so far as he
was concerned, by being saved and
thus be prepared to save all over whom
he had influence. Said Christ: Strive
thyself) to enter in at the strait
gate" The word ''strive" in the Greek
Is "agonize." Strive as an athlete in the
great games puts forth every power to
reach the goal or to overthrow his an
tagonist. We cannot strike one blow,
and 10! the dread adversary is dead at
our feet and all evils flee away. There
Is many battlefield, many n struggle
with Apollyon and his fiery darts, be-
fore we can have the rest of victory
The English word strait is n different
word from straight. The gate is mar
row and difficult to enter. This from
the very nature of things. In REVEAL
ton the City of God is pictured with
j. gates, four on each side, to express
the wide welcome from every direction,
for every race and condition. They are
never shut, but each one of these gates
is so narrow that there shall in no
wise enter into it anything that de-
hleth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh lie; but they
which arc written in the lambs Cook
of Life" Rev. 21:2O.
The reasons for striving are mainly
the great desirability of what is within
the gates-eVery possible good for man,
more than heart can conceive or inn
| ngination picture-and the fact that
many. will seek TO enter in and shall
]
cause there is n too late. time when
the door is shut. Though they have
/ teen guests with Jesus, and listened
respectfully while lie taught in their
| streets. and knew about the Gospel and
| their duty; yet will He not recognize
them as His disciples, or rs children of
God, for they are workers of iniouitv.
Listening to the Gospel, connection.
with the church, attending meetings.
do not make us Christians, nor insure
entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Absence from Christ in spirit will ne
! cessitatc absence from His presence
ana His home. The fate of these is
most miserable. The oriental setting
OF the picture is most significant. The
hanqueting house is lighted up;within
is JOY and festivity. The streets are
narrow and filthy, unillumincd by any
light whatever. To be cast out into the
outer darkness in the chilly night. such
as they have in the east, to rove about
the 1ilthy streets, exposed, to robbers
ana ferocious dogs, were the opposite
| oil enjoying the feast within.
~. The SECOND AHswEE.-Vs oo-2n
Having turned the questioner's atten.
ton to his own duty, Jesus gives an an
Swer OF hope to his question. Yes,
many shall come from the east. and
from the west, and from the north. and
from the south, and shall sit down in
the Kingdom of God" The new sono
OF the redeemed says: For thou hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood ont
OF every kindred, and tongue, and poo
PIE and nation" (Rev. 500. But.
strange as it may seem, even in The
Kingdom there are last which shall he
brst. and first which shall he
last" No one can depend ON his
parentage, education, wealth. rank q,
talent, without choosing and WILLING
mat which IS good. On the other hand
those who have been most unfortunate
III early surroundings and influences
can rise and stand among the first il
ihcy VIII. The gospel is full of bone
Tor the world. The whole world is tr
be redeemed. The kingdom of God will
come. The earth shall be full OF the
knowledge Of God as the waters cove,
The sea- The promises give zcst tc
orr STRIVING. and courage to labor foi
the kingdom OF God.