Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-30
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
International Lesson for December
s. 1SO7--Chrtst's Humility IN Exal.
tation-Philippians 2:1-11.

International Lesson for December
8. IS07-Chrtst's Humility an Exal.
tation-Philippfans 2:1-11.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.1
GOLDEN TExT.-Let this mind be in
you. which was also in Christ Jesus.-Phil-
THE sEcT1ON.-study the whole Epis-
tu T1M E; OF - W = e.; II the late .u-
PLACE OF WR1T1NG.nRom n: Paur,
hired house where he was held a prisoner.
THE LESSON
An Elaboration to Unity.-Vs. !. 2.
I. IF there be-" Paul makes a double
argument and plan in this verse. (1l
Ii there are in existence such things as
make Christian unity possible, and (2)
Ii there are among you such things
(the same as the others) as would lead
you to make full the Joy of your friend
who is in chains for Christ's sake.
Any consolation" Comfort, encour-
agement, strengthening. Comfort of
love- Consolation, or incentive which
love brings "lf any fellowship of the
Spirit" Communion with the HOLY
Spirit which makes all Christians one.
If any bowels:" Here we would use
heart" r. ". tender mercies, a loving
feeling toward all.
2. Fulfill We my joy" 1t was his
Joy in seeing the church he had found
ed and the Christians he loved full
filling his mission, and living the ideal
life. by being ''likeminded:" thinking
the same thing. in accord with the two
respects which follow:-(1) a unity of
affection; having the same love:' (2)
unity of sentiment, "of one Accord"
An Enemy of Christian Unity.-V. 3.
The great enemy of Christian unity is
selfishness, manifesting itself in con-
tentions with others. See Christ's
words to the disciples when they con-
tended for the first places in His King
dom duke 22:2+26). Such feelings are
opposed to the very nature of Chris
tianity, and ruin the spirit of unity.
And in ''vainglory:" Personal vanity.
Three Aids to Unity.-Vs. 3-5. First:
Humanity. 3. I'm lowliness of mind:''
Not mock humility. like Uriah Keeps,
nor ignorance of what one really is OF
can do, but the opposite of claiming at
tention. honor and worship on account
OF it. But let each esteem other bet
ter than themselves" Let others have
the honors and the highest places. In
every person there are some things to
which others can look up.
Second: Altruism. 4. Look not
every man on his own things:" Do not
absorb in self, and in ones own inter-
ests and views. ALSO on the things of
| Others" he is not to forget his own
| affairs, but to love his neighbor as him
self.
Third: The Spirit of Christ. 5. LET
| this mind be in you. which was also in
| Christ jesus" The disciple must i'm
| bibe the Spirit of the Master, or he is
none of His. It is His Spirit which vii!
produce unity.
The Example of Christ.-Vs. eli. 6.
''Who. being in the form of God:" Not
the shape, but the essence of a person
or thing. expressing the distinctive
nature and character of the being to
whom it pertains. Thought it not
robbery" etc. Did not think it high
ly-prized possession, did not, before His
incarceration, regard His divine equal
ity as prize which was to be grasped
at, and retained at all hazards, but, on
the contrary, laid aside the form OF
God, and took upon Himself the nature
of men.
:. made Himself of no reputa tons"
Literally, emptied Himself. He divest-
ed Himself. not of his divine nature, fo::
this was impossible, but of the glories,
the prerogatives of Diety, by taking
upon Him ''the form of a servant
8. "And being found in fashion as u
man." He showed Himself possessed of
a true body and a rational soul-a soul
that grew in wisdom, as His body
grew in stature. ''He humbled Him
SELF" A further act of self-denial.
Became obedient unto death:'' AS
the following verse seems distinctly to
was that shown to God. He freely
obeyed God, even though It led Him to
death. Even the death of the cross"
| 9. Wherefore" In consequence of
this spirit of humility and obedience.
''God hath highly exalted Him." Be-
cause He was worthy Of exaltation; be-
cause His spirit was one that should be
shown and honored before the world
with Gods APPROVAL because it was
safe to exalt such character. "And
given Him name which is above every
name:" His name stands first in the
annals Of the universe. because no one
else ever had so condescended and hum
bled himself from the throne of Heaven
to the lowly service of man.
! 10. THAT at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow" Not at it's men
ton, but in it's presence, i'll its influ-
ence. 'Of things in Heaven" All that
is in Heaven. And things in earth: "
Not only men. but all forces and pow
ers, commerce, art, invention, intel
lect. all should be subservient to Him
and His cause. And things under the
EARTH" The secret andyet hidden pow
er of nature. Or it may mean the dead,
| good and evil. and the demons of the
lower regions, whose defeat will exalt
the Conqueror. Even 1.-The wrath of
man shall praise Him.
| II. THAT every tongue should coz
| foeeSo An iv1r1;o;% nro%of;on fror,,