Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-04-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
International Lesson for April s, 1895
Warning Against Sin-Luke 13:22-Sc-

International Lesson Tor AprI o. 1SSo-
Warning Against Sin-Luke 13:22-Sc.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes-1
GOLDEN TExT.-Strive to enter in at the
straight gate--Luke 1874
part of the Persian ministry. after the
feast of Dedication.
The SECTION includes the whole chapter.
the several incidents being erought in TO
illustrate or explain the warnings IN the
text.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
]. THE INDEPATIGABLE WoRKER--V-
% Jesus was on a journey to Jerusa-
lem, though He knew He was to be
crucified there. But all the time, re-
gardless of His own sorrow, every
where He was doing His work. Indeed.
work for the Lord is one of the best
comforts in sorrow.
II. THE QUEsrIoN.-V. 3D. AS the
Master taught and journeyed, one came
10 Him with the question: Lord, are
there few that be saved?" Tt was not
asked out OF idle curiosity, but it came
from an earnest soul in view of what
he had observed, and heard, and felt
AS q Jew, he had been taught that only
the few were saved. One of the He
brew writers 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
repentance-a new heart and obeli-
ence-which but few seemed to fulfill.
Only a few OF the multitude of the sick
and afflicted We're 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
jeweled crowns, nor angels harps, no
gardens of paradise could make it q
heaven where they dwelt If they re-
manned of the same character there as
here
III. THE FIRST ANswER.-Vs. 24-sS.
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-E Strive as an athlete in the
great games puts forth every power to
rAach the goal or to overthrow his an
tagonist- We cannot strike one blow,
and 10! the dread adversary is dead at
our feet and<an evils fee away. There
is many a battlefield, many a struggle
with Apol1yon and his fiery darts, he
fore we con have the rest of victory.
The English VOID strait is asdifferent
word from straight The gate Is mar
row and difficult to enter. This from
the very nature of things In Reve1a-
ton the City of God is pictured with
IL 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-
fleth, neither whatsoever worketh
abo1nination, OF Illaketh a lie; but they
which are written in the Lambs Cook
of Life" (Rev. 21:2T.
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 i'm
agination picture-and the fact that
many. will seek to enter in. and shall
not be able.S ''Shall not be able be-
cause there is a too late, time when
the door is shut. Though they have
keen guests with Jesus, and listened
respectfully while He taught in their
streets, and knew about the Gospel and
their duty; yet will He not recognize
them as His disciples, or as children of
God, for they are workers OF iniquity.
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
cessitate absence from His presence
and His home. The fate of these is
most miserable. The oriental setting
OF the picture is most significant The
banqueting house is lighted up; within
is joy and festivity. The streets are
narrow and filthy, unillumined 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 filthy streets, exposed to robbers
and ferocious dogs, were the opposite
OF enjoying the feast within.
". THE SECOND ANswER.-Vs- 1920
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 song
of the redeemed says: For thou hast