Evening journal., 1905-10-16
THE GOSPEL
OF The KINGDOM
Fourteenth Study in Exposi-
ton of Book Of Matthew
by Pastor Pettingill
DISPENSATI0NAL TYPES
ANO SYMBOLS


Baptist Church continued his studies in
the Book of Matthew yesterday morn
ing. The chapter under discussion was
the fourteenth. The exposition fol-
lows:
our chapter opens with an account
of the death of john the Baptist, re-
lated here out of its chronological or
der. but significantly placed here in
view of the Mes liah's rejection by His
people. The story follows, quoted from
the American Revision:
"'At that season Herod the tetrarcn
heard the report concerning Jesus. and
said unto his servants. This is John
the Baptist: he is risen from the dead.
land therefore do these powers worl; in
him. For Herod had laid hold on John
land bound him. and put him in prison
for the sake of Herodias. his brother
Philips wife. For John said unto MIN.
lIt is rot lawful for thee to have her.
And WHEN he would have put him to
death. he feared the multitude. because
Il they counted him as a prophet. But
when Herod's birthday came. the
daughter OF Herodias danced IN the
midst. and pleased Herod. Whereupon
Iho promised With an oath to give her
Whatsoever she should ask. And she,
being put forward by her mother saith
IGive me here on a platter the head of
John the Baptist. And the King was
Igrieved. but for the sake OF his oaths
land Of them which sat at meat With
him. he commanded It to be given; and
h sent. and beheaded John in the
prison. And his head was brought on
ia platter, and given to the damsel: and
she brought IL to her mother And his
disciples came. and took up the corpse,
land buried him; and they went and
told Jesus. (Verses 1-12)
Let us learn from this tragic recital
that Gods thoughts are not as our
thoughts. From mans standpoint
Johns life was a pitiable failure and
its end dreadful calamity. From
Gods point Of view the Baptist's life
was glowing success and its end a
GLORIOUS consummation. Seen from
earth, there was merely drunken orgy
with licentious man and a dissolute
woman as central figures. resulting I'm
the cruel murder of a prophet of God
Looked at from the battlements OF
heaven. there was God in the midst
making the wrath OF man to praise Him
land delivering His faithful witness
! from the horrors OF a filthy Roman
dungeon to the glories OF the throne
room Of the Eternal. To our dlstort
ed vision there appears the humiliatiag
degradation of tried soldier. When
we get the true focus upon It,, it is an
honorable promotion.
"The appointed path for the servant
lof God. i'm this world which hates God
lis the path Of suffering. Men cannot
lendure anything that reminds them OF
lGod. A holy life i'm the midst of un-
lgodliness is a constant rebuke. ever
Though there may not be word spo.
lken against the abounding evil. Goo
lis reincarnating Himself in His chill.
dren. and wherever the image is dis
lcernible. wherever the likeness is re.
lcognizahle. wherever men find Coo
manifest i'm the flesh. they will mai
Him to the cross IL they can. II is wei
Ito recognize this fact and be prepared
for il. for il is as true today as eve
that If any man will live gOdly il
Christ Jesus he shall suffer persecution
This is Gods method for us. by whicl
we may give a good testimony for Hin
lin the midst of an evil generation. suf
fering wrongfully. AS it is written
This is acceptable If for conscience to
ward God a man endureth griefs. SUI
fering wrongfully. For what glory !
it. If. when ye sin. and are buffeted 70
IL, We shall take 1t patiently? but II
when ye do well. and suffer for it. y
shall take it patiently. this is accept
able with God For hereunto were y
Nalled: because Christ also suffere
for you, leaving you an example. tina
We should follow His steps: Who di
no sin. neither was guile found in Hi
mouth: Who, when He was reviled. re
viled not again: when He suffered
threatened not; but committed Himse
, to Him that judgeth righteously: VIII
, His own self bare our sins i'm His bod
/ upon the tree. that we. having died un
, to sins. might live unto righteousness
, by Whose stripes ye were healed. Fc
We were going astray like sheep; bt
are now returned unto the Shepher
y and Bishop Of your souls O. Pet
/ 1920
a Servant Of Christ stand Fast amiGi
the scorn
- OF men who little know or love II
Lord;
Turn not aside from toll; cease not
warn.
Comfort and teach. Trust Him f'
y thy reward
A few more moments suffering, an
then
Cometh sweet rest from all thy heart
deep painsr
".Have friends forsaken thee and ca
thy name
v out as a worthless thing? Take cou
s age then;
n Go tell thy Master; for they did Il
II same
s To Him. who once in patience toil'
. for them;
n Yet He was perfect in all service her
n Thou oft hast failed; this maketh Hi
Is more dear.
10 d" standardization shun; Il in the risi
N What gainest thou by taking fro
l. Gods hand
THY cause? Ir wfong. what dost tn
II but invite
% Satan himself thy friend in need
,t stand?
r Leave all with God. II right, He
prove thee so;
tt,or.foro fo II