Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST s.

Subject: false Excuses. Luke xiv"
15.24-Golden Text, Luke xiv,
18-Memory Verses. 23, "a
Topic: Blessings Of Salvation.
|. An invitation to great feast Tvs.
15-17). IL. zone of Them" One or
the rich friends of the Pharisaic host,
whose remark gave the Saviour occa'
sion for delivering this parable which
is called the parable Of the great sup
per. "Sat at meat" They were re-
clining OH couches around the table.
Heard these things" The recompense
at the resurrection of the just ". AZ.
suggested to this guest II great banquet
in the kingdom of the Messiah.
blessed is he" He extols the great.
ness of the privilege. I'm the kingdom
of God" The Kingdom of God, here,
does not signify the kingdom of heaven
in the highest sense, but only the king
dom of the Messiah, of which the car
nal Jew here speaks. as the place OF
their happiness.
1G. Then said He" The remark
of the guest gave Jesus an opportunity
to state important truths. He deliv.
cred the following parable to show
that though the Messiah's kingdom
would be offered to them under the
most favorable circumstances, yet they
would reject it, the Gentiles would en-.
brace the gospel. "A certain man."
This man represented God, the Father.
"A great supper Representing the
rich and abundant provisions of the
gospel Only two regular meals are or
dinarily partaken of in Eastern lands.
II. Sent His servant" The com.
mission to all those who hold the office
of summoning the world to enter the
kingdom of God is the same, hence but
one servant is referred to. John the
Baptist, Christ. the apostles and disci.
pies all delivered the gospel message
and issued call to the Jewish people.
The same call was afterwards given to
the Gentiles. THAT were hidden"
The Jews to whom the gospel was first
offered. "Come." The invitations of
the gospel are full and complete Matt.
II Is: Rev. 22:1O. "All things are
now ready" Nov is the accepted
time Every provision is made for
the redemption of IL lost world: not
one thing is lacking. The plan of sal.
vation is perfect.
ii. The excuses made Tvs. 1920.
Is. "They ALL" But few of the scribes
and pharisees responded. Began to
make excuse" In worldly affairs PEG.
pie would be anxious to accept an invi.
tation to such Il supper but in relig-
ious matter it is very different. Men
are unwilling to accept the offers OF
salvation. "'rhc first said" When the
time came they all refused to enter in,
each having some excuse. They were
typical excuses I. Cares Of wealth.
. Pursuit of wealth ,. Attractions
of earthly ties. "lIavc bought-muSt
see it," He lived, rs do all in that
country, in Il village, and had to go
out into the country to reach his farm.
These excuses were all trivial, and yet
they appeared to those making them to
be real reasons why they could not
possibly attend the feast. u pray
thee" ! beg of thee. "Havc me eX.
cused." Release me from my obliga-
ton.
10. II 20 to prove thcm.' Mark the
increasing rudcness of the speakers.
The first pleads Il must needs the
second merely states his intcntlon-'I
co." the third says buntly, Il cannot
and omits the courtesy of asking to be
excused The true lesson from all
three is, that innocent and right things
keep men away from the gospel feast.
Feeble excuses: |. Wordlncss of
spirit - Absorption in commercial
pursuits. 3. Relative obligations. 20.
married a wife," He should have said
to his wife, Come. let lis both accept
the invitation TO this gospel feast mt
once "Thcrefore | cannot come
This was just the reason why he
should have come. /. When young
people enter upon the active duties of
life they need the help and guidance of
the Holy Spirit. >. No home is n
truly happy home without Christ. 3.
We need Christ to bear out burdens
with us and help us through the hard
places. l. A Christian home is pow
cr for good in the community. >. The
influences of the home mold the char
acters and lives of the entire family.
III. The invitation enlarged and
urged Tvs. 2l-24). u. Being angry"
Not the anger of passion, but of indig'
nation. $50 out quickly" There is no
time to be lost The feast is ready.
streets and lanes" Extend the invi.
tation to the publicans and sinners
the outcasts. Bring in-the poor"
etc. The picture is one impossible for
us to realize in our land. In the East,
rich in beggars. Opulent in misery,
without poorhouSes or hospitals, or
other organized means of caring for
and lesSening misery, and with laws
and social organism multiplying it,
such throng as is here described may
be often seen in the city streets or
squares. 81. ut is done" Gods true
minister's carry the gospel to the worst
classes. "Yet-room.' The lord Of the
house has prepared very great feast
for very many.
%. "Highways and hedges" Out
side of the city. BY this is meant that
the gospel would be preached to the
Gentiles. Compel them to come in
Not by force, but by earnest entreaty.
blouse may be filed How anxious
the Lord is to save every person. No
one needs to be lost. n. Il say unto
YOU" Christ is here half continuing
the parable and half cXpoundng it.
None of those men, A solemn an
nouncement of the coming rejection of
the Jews as q nation for their unbelef.
"Shall taste of My supper Shall en-
joy the blessings Of the gospel