The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-07-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY ~.


Luke 1i., 1.1s-Goiden Text, Luke XII.
1-Memory Verses, 8, 10-Topic: How
to supplicate-Comnen
/. Christ teaching His disciples to
pray Tvs. ~. /. WAS praying" 1t
was the habit of Christ to pray. when
He ceased" Perhaps He was praying
such a powerful prayer as to arouse
the feeling that they knew not how to
pray Alright. Gas Joha also taught"
Each new dispensation may not only
have its new unfolding of truths, but
its new revelations nay open new
modes of access, and new topics of
prayer and modes Of worship. A differ
ent prayer was offered in the Mosaic.
ritual from the patriarchal form. John
opened up new scope Of prayer, and
this new dispensation requires Of Jesus
to set the range Of prayer in accord
ance with the new range of truth, aud
the new position of man with God.
g. Say. The beauty and value Of
the lessons in the Lords prayer arise
from,.1. The tone of holy confidence
it teaches US to approach God as our
Father (Rom. 8:15), in love; as well as
holy fear. 2. Its absolute unselfsh-
ness-it is offered for all the brother
hood of man. 8. Its entire spirituality
of seven petitions, one only is for any
earthly boon, and that only for the SIM
plest. 4. Its brevity and absence of
all vain repetitions Eccl. 5:2). 5. Its
simplicity, which requires Lot learn
ing, but only holiness and sincerity for
ats universal comprehension. For
these reason the fathers called it the
"epitome of the gospel" "Our Faith
er." An expression Of love and conde-
scension. Which art in heaven" In
the former clause we express His near
ness to US, in this His distance from
us. This phrase in the Scriptures
seems used to express, l. His omni-
presence Il Kings 500. Q. His mai
esty and dominion e Chron. 20:6). 3.
His power and might (Psa. 1853. 4.
His omniscience Psa. 33:13-15). 8.
His infinite purity and holiness Qsa.
57:15. "Hallowed be Thy name" The
name" stands for the man himself
his character, his ability, his posses
sions. 'Thy kingdom come" The
kingdom of His power, His gospel. His
grace and His glory. "Thy will be
done" The will of God is infinitely
good, wise and holy. "As in heaven"
By the angels and all the hosts Of heay-
en-. 80 in earth" By mortals.
8. "Give u.s." The good things of
this life are the gifts of God. Day
by day" In the order in which our
needs are felt. "Our daily bread"
Life's most common necessity. Strength
to gain it, skill to earn it, power to eat
all are from God.
4. "FOrgive US our SINS" Sin 1s
here represented as debt. 1--WE also
forgive" Else how could we entrear
Thee for pardon. mot into tempta.
ton" AS the prayer for daily bread
raises us above care for to-day, and
the prayer for the forgiveness Of sins
is meant to quiet us concerning the
past, so is the prayer against tempta-
ton weapon for the uncertain future,
that we may not fall again under the
might of evil. Deliver us from evil"
From all the wicked fascination and
miserable results Of sin, from its blind
ness and insensibility, from its unspir-
ituality and rebellion, from its hard.
ness and it's punishment; from all that
dishonors God and ruins the soul, from
its guilt, it's power, its shame and it's
doom.
II. The parable of the importunate
borrower Tvs. 5-S). 5. HE said" Al
though idle repetitons in prayer are
forbidden, yet persistency and impor-
tunity in prayer, wrestling with God
and not letting Him go until He has
blessed us, are here distinctly taught.
See Luke 1918. Midnight" In those
hot countries it is common, where it
can be done safely, to travel in the
night. Lend me-" 1t was usual with
the Jews to borrow bread of one an
other.
6. "Friend-is come" Benighted,
belated and who mas lost his way. A
strong reason why he should have
prompt relief. T. Trouble me not
The trouble made him insensible both
of the urgency of the case and the
claims Of friendship. "In bed" We
learn from travellers that it is usual in
the East for whole family to sleep
in the same room, each laying his mat
tress on the floor. II cannot" With.
out exertion, which was equal to, Il
will not" 8. His importantly" Lit
unblushing persistence.
III. The disciples urged to persist
ency ip prayer tvs.. 9-13). o. II say
unto you" We have it from Christ's
own mouth, who knows His Fathers
mind. "Ask-seek-knock." In every
thing, by prayer ard supplication, we
are to make our requests known unto
God: then we are to "seek"-continue
to ask and knock at the door OF His
mercy.
10. "Everyone--receiveth," etc.
Christ promiseth to hear and answer.
No soul can pray in vain that prays
as God has directed. II, IL. IF son
shall ask" etc. From that which the
friend will do, the discourse Of the Sa-
yiour rises even to that which one
could expect of a father" and from
that which an imperfect earthly father
does even to that which the perfect
Father in heaven bestoWs.
IS. Being evil" Sinful people are
ready and anxious to give good gifts
to their children. How much more"
How much more will one whose nature
is love and who is infinitely holy and
good give good things to them that ask
Him. Holy Spirit" The essence of
all good gifts which the Father IN hea-
ven can bestow on His praying child.
ITO them that ask" The asking must
be hearty. sincere, earnest, fervent and
in faith.
Seeks Treasure in the Sea.
A oontroot boc been concluded by