Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-11-18
TAE SUNDAY School


GOLDEN TExT.--TSe strong in the Lord
aud il the power OF HIS nIght-Eph. $50
BRIEF ANALYSIS OF LESSON
/. The Need of the Hour.-Ns 10. II.
II we notice the structure Of the main
body of this letter. we shall find that il
consists oftwo great divisions. The first
three chapters are doctrinal. LAYING
down great principles and truths: the
last three chapters are full Of practical
precepts for daily life. The standard
and aim is given ALB: "A perfect man
unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ" Details of the pic
ture are given with fitness The Chris
tian must be loving. humble. a new
man, truthful, honest, unselfsh, tender
hearted, full of the fruits of the Spirit,
Astounding in home virtues, free from
uncleanness. covetousness, bitterness,
evil speaking. pride
10. Finally. be strong in the Lord"
This strength must be the internal
strengthening principle in you The
strength that alone is stronger than
the world Is strength from above,
strength in the Lord. 1t comes by faith.
a faith that takes hold upon the IN
seen, that communes with Heaven, that
leans upon the eternal promises, that
endures as seeing Him who is invis-
ible."
H. The Enemy TO Be Overcome.-ys
IL, IL. II. The wiles:" The strata
gems. plausible DISCUSSES. the crafty
plans. The plural marks both the null
tiplicity Of the concrete cases, and the
obstinacy of the repeated attack. "Of
the devil" Satan, the great adversary
OF God and man. 1t is always danger
Gus to underrate an enemy.
IL. For we wrestler" The contest,
in its essence. is a single-handed strug-
gle in wrestling, in which each for him
self is attacked. Not against flesh and
| blood" 1t is spiritual warfare on the
battle field of the heart. "But against
Principalities. against powers:" The
word is used 10 express the united. con-
trolling, mighty influences against
which the Christian has to contend.
The customs. and habits, and fashions
OF evil. worldliness. selfishness, ungodli-
ness, lust, hate. expressions. every form
OF pervasive evil used by the princes
OF darkness. THE rulers of the dark
ness of this world" Properly the
world-rulers of this darkness.
III. Our Armor of Defense.-Vs. "a
16. 10. 'Wherefore:" That is because
you have such formidable enemies. and
because the conflict is inevitable. take
unto you. the whole armor:" The full
accoutrement, i. e., shield helmet,
breastplate. greaves, sword and lance.
"Of Cod" Supplied by God; altogether
of Divine kind. in contrast to the
arms of the opponent. THAT We NAV
be able to withstand" To resist suc-
cessfully the attack of the enemy. 'In
the evil day" OF violent temptation.
The war is perpetual. but the fight RACES
less on one day, more on another. "Hav-
ing done ALL" Having accomplished
all things requisite to the conflict; be-
ing fully equipped, and having bravelv
fought. ITO stand" To hold your
ground as a victor. and not be driven
away defeated.
Il. "Stand there" Stand vonr
ground, be ready for the battle. Stand
IN your proper place. Having your
loinS girt:" The girdle did three things
Tor the soldier. C) 1t kept together
his dress and accouterments; (2) it was
used to support the sword 60 it sup
ported the body and gave it firmness
and vigor. with truth:" Truth does
for us what the girdle does for the SOL |
der (1) 1t binds the life together in
one, for truth is one. Faseness di- |
vides and disintegrates the soul. (2)
The truth holds the sword of the Shirt
which is the Word of God. (3) 1t gives /
vigor and firmness to the soul. The /
breastplate covered vital parts. the
lungs and heart.
10, Your feet shod with the prepara-
tion:" Readiness, or firm footing, or
equipment for firm foothold. GOSPEL
of peace" The good news of peace. the
gospel that brings peace: peace with
God. the peace of God in the soul, the
peace of forgiven sin, the peace of as
sured victory. peace with man. Such
peace gives one a firm footing in the
warfare of life and makes one glad and
swift and sure in his steps in carrying
the gospel of peace to al the world
16. above all. taking the shield of
faiths" Perfect confidence in our lead
er, perfect trust in God, rest upon His
promises, trust that accepts the truth
and obeys it with all the heart where
with We shall be able" The promise is
sure. the defense never fails ''to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked" es-
pecially the wicked One"
II. Take the helmet" The defense
of the head, the seat of sight, of hear
ing, of intellect. by which the whole
battle is guided. "Of salvation:" Not
merely a hope of salvation. rs in Thes-
salonians 5:s. but a present salvation,
sins actually forgiven, the power of sal
walton experienced in the soul. the new
heart the new life. which is the state of
salvation.
". Our Weapon.-''And the sword of
the spirit" The one offensive weapon
in the picture. The fight is stationary
and defensive but it continually re-
nnires the Thrust and chi Of The de.