Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-15
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON VIII, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, AUG. 10.

Text of the Lesson, Luke xviii, TIA
Memory Verses, 10, 14-Golden Text
Luke xviii, 10 Commentary Pre-
pared by Rev. ID. M. stearns.
copyright. 1906 by American Press Association.
Again we pass by a large portion be
tween the last lesson and this one, TIVE
whole chapters, but we must consider
them briefly In order to understand to
days lesson The story of the steward
and also that of the rich man and the
beggar point to the relation Of the pres
ent and the future and the contrast be-
tween before men" and before Cod
(chapter XVII. Then follows lesson on
ingratitude and an admonition con-
corning loving or losing this present
life with its opportunities. We are all
stewards and must render an account
of our stewardship. 1t therefore be-
comes us to consider what will be ap-
proved in the sight of God or other
wise, for much that men esteem Is
abomination before God xvi, 80. Bet
ter to be q poor beggar with Gods ap-
prevail than a rich man without 1t, for
after death comes happiness or tor
ment xvi, %, 23), and the word OF God
gives the only and all sufficient light
upon these things xvi, 81. All are In
debted to God for life and breath and
all things, yet even among the saved
there is but one in ten truly grateful,
and many who turn from their sins to
God in their hearts turn back, like
Lots wife. The age will end suddenly.
and the future will reveal the folly OF
all who have not lived unto God. The
second part Of our lesson today makes
plain who the truly righteous are, and
the verses following concerning the
rich young ruler show how near some
may come to 1t and yet miss 1t. The
first part of the lesson, with the verses
following the rulers story down to
verse a. shows US the suffering involv-
ed in being a follower Of Christ, but
also the deliverance and reward when
the Son of Man cometh.
Having come out from the world,
represented by the antediluvian age
and such cities as Sodom and Gomor-
rah, the great enemy OF God and man
begins at once to harass and Cypress
us. for if he cannot keeD-Is as his prop
erty he viii DO his utmost to make us
>1|EE,ffeetched as far as he may be permit
ted to do so. The resort Of the believer
in his trials is twofold-the unfailing
and infallible word Of God and access
to God in prayer, or, In word, God
Himself In the time Of "the great trib-
ulation" through which those who are
redeemed after the church is taken
away shall pass we find the key to the
situation In the words, Here is the |
patience and the faith Of the saints"
(Rev. xiii. 10; xiv, 12). But even now |
in the ordinary tribulation Of this pres
ent age we must be followers Of them |
who through faith and patience inherit |
the promises John xvi, 33; Heb. vi. 12).
Faith rests firmly on the word OF God,
and patience not only prays, but waits
Gods time of dellverance, remember
ing that God waits to be gracious, and
1t is blessed not only to wait upon Him,
but wait for Him Elsa. XXX, Is; Ps.
xii. 5; xxxvii, 81. We are plainly
taught here and elsewhere that we
must persevere in prayer and pray
without ceasing, or, In phrase of DR..
Torrey's, "Pray through" So many
grow weary in asking that they fail
to receive because they fail to ask hon.
estly and perseveringly.
If an unjust judge will attend to n
poor widow because of her impOrtu-
nifty, how much more will just and
holy God hear and answer those who
and expectantly wait
upon Him. This Is true Of all true
prayer and at all times, but this mat
ter of God avenglng His own elect and
The mention Of the coming Of the Son
Of Man lead us to consider more at
Eentively this particular parable and
It's context In the previous chapter,
where we are reminded Of Noah and
Lot in the midst of ungodly people and
he cry that must have gone up from
hem. Then we are carried on to the
Try of the redeemed In the great tribu-
long, o Lord, holy and
rue, dost Thou not judge and avenge
,ur blood on them that dwell on the
,arth?" (Rev. vi, 10) The coming Of
he Son of Man is His coming In pow
II and glory with His saints to ayenge
md redeem Israel Elsa. xxxiv, 8; xxxv,
/; kill, A., and inasmuch as 1t is not
he part Of the church to ask for venge-
nee, the Interpretation Of the parable
must be for Israel and the tribulation
ANTS, but there is an application Of
t to all believers in all ages. When
ur Lord comes for His church He will
nd abundance Of faith on earth, but
ot when He comes with His saints to
venge His elect Israel and establish
lis kingdom.
The second part of our lesson makes
lain what it is to be redeemed and
Tho the redeemed are. There have
cen, there are and there will be those !
Tho think that they are righteous and
espise others; who, being ignorant Of .
ODDS Righteousness, go about to estab-
sh their own righteousness Rom. K, 9
and look down upon Ordinary sim 9
ers as not worthy of being In their {
ompany by any means. There are {
eople called Christians who cannot .
elieve that any outside Of their so [
llled church have much II any hope II
heaven, and there are some who say 8
lat some heather are no better than .
,ute beasts and have no souls. They
ust in themselves and despise others. Y
UGH are probably like the rich man in 9
napier xvi. on their way to eternal L
rment. The truly righteous are those c
no see themselves az nothing but sin p
ers and whose one cry from the heart
God be merciful to me. sinner p
'erse 49, They plead guilty befoi' p