The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-02-04

International Lesson for February -
ls0s-OuP Fathers Care-Matt. 0s34-


GOLDEN TExT.-He cereth for you
THE SECTION includes the lesson. Csc
81. and applications and illustrations from
chapter
Embellishments. A. d. 2s.
Pi.ACE.-On a mountain west Of the ses
OF Galllee.
LESSON NOTES.
I. Whom Shall We Serve?-v. 24.
mo man can serve two masters" Who
are distinct and opposite in character
and demands. who belong to different
kingdoms. each with its own separate
interest. The Greek word for "the
other" in this verse, means not merely
another person. but one of different
quality. "Ye cannot serve God and
mammon:" Mammon is a Syriac wsrd
meaning riches or wealth. II is the
commonest form in which Satan APP
pears and in which men serve him.
ii. Our Heavenly Fathers Care of
Those Who Serve Him.-Vs. 1884. IS.
Therefore / say unto YOU" in order
that you may choose the service of God,
without fear; for anxiety about worldly
things is one chief reason why men
serve mammon. Take no thoughts"
This translation has troubled many a
tender conscience. Take thought, in
this passage, was n truthful rendering
when the A. v. was made. since thought
was then used as equivalent TO anxiety
or solicitude. "For your life. what ye
shall eat" to support life. Make not
your physical and temporal wants tho
special and great object of thought and
care. 'Your body" Shelter and cloth
ing. together with food, constitute q
large part Of the natural. physical
wants of man. Most of the business Of
the world centers in these things.
us not the life more than meat"
which sustains the life? The argument
is twofold. () Since God has given
life. will He not see that means of sus-
tanning life are given with it? For the
one gift is vain without the other. (2)
We should give our chief attention tn
the life. the true life. and the lesser
things will come in due measure.
&c. "Behold the fowls of the air:"
Birds were exceedingly abundant in
Galilee, and doubtless, Jesus at this
very time could point to the birds with
In sight of His hearers. For they SOW
rot. neither do they reap" Notice tits
not said 10 us: "Sow not. reap not,
gather not into barns" The birds are
not our example TO follow i'm their
habits. for God hath made us to differ
from them; the doing all these things
Is part of our "how much better are We"
"Yet YOUR" Note the your, not their,
the Father whose children you are.
"four Heavenly Father fecdeth Them"
Not in idleness. not by putting food in
Their mouths while they sit still in the
trees and sing and wait; but by provid-
ing the food which they can obtain. and
providing them with the means of see
ing and obtsining food.
IS. Consider the lilies how
they grow" Many were doubtless on
every hand within sight of his hearers.
They toll not. neither do they spin:"
They DO not work in mans way for their
gorgeous array. They simply live in
the way God intended, and fulfill their
mission.
80. Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayc,l like one Of these" Solomon
represented to the Jewish mind the
ideal Of regal magnificence (see Kings
chap. 10.)
30. If God so clothe the grass Of the
field" All the heritage. "To-morrow
is cast irto the oven:" Owing to .
scarcity of fuel. this dried vegetation is
still often used TO heat ovens for bak-
ing bread. 'ShalI he rot much more
c,otl you:" His children. who are try
z to serve Him. % We of little faith:"
I'll comparison with the faith you ought
10 have, contrasted with the worthinrss
of God TO be trusted. His loving kind
ness that delights TO minister TO the
wants of His children.
III. The Conclusion OF the Whole
Matter.-vs. 31-34. 81. Therefore take
10 thought" BE not anxious.
%. "For:" Giving the first of two
reasons. after al these things do the
Cantiles SEEK" That is whatyou would
expect Of those who know nothing OF
our Heavenly Father. Vorldliness and
distrust are heathenish. For" Giving
tie second reason. "Your heavenly
oil these things" He does not forbid
your wants. but supplies them.
90. But seek ye first:" Both in time
and Importance. Make it your chief
end and aim in all you do. The king
dom Of God:" Gods reign ~ in our
own hearts. so that we long to do His
will al II Is done In Heaven. and ~
that His kingdom may prevail over the
whole earth. Lest there should be any
Misunderstanding. he adds, land His
righteousness" Gods Righteousness;
life and character like Gods, which
lie approves and desires for all His
creatures "And all these things:
food, clothing. and all that is necessary
10 our welfare. "Shall be added unto
you:" God will see that these neces-
sary wants are supplied.
"a. Take therefore no thought Tor
the morrow" lie not troubled, dis-
tracted, anxious. about the future.
"For the morrow shall take thought
for itself" Not take care %
itself, but bring its own cares anu
IAs