The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-10
THE SUNDAY SCHUUL
Lesson xl.-Fourth Quarter, Fo
Dec. IL, 1909.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text OF the Lesson, n Tim. w, 1-1s.
Memory Verses, 6-S--GcIden Text,
Phil. t-2f-commentary Prepared BIZ
Rev. .. NJ. Stearns.
In our last study for the present on
the life of Paul IL would seem wise to
glance at the whole epistIe rather than
only at the last chapter. He is still
OF the same mind as when he wrote /
Cor. II, 2. determined TO know nothing
save Jesus Christ and Him crucified,
for in this brief letter be mentions the
Father. Son and Holy Spirit forty
eight times. His mind Is stayed upon
the Lord. concerning whom he says,
II know whom | have believed and am
persuaded that He is able to keep"
Our lesson chapter opens with a sol
emn charge In view OF the Judgment,
and we are reminded of Eccles. ri, 8;
xii. IA, "Know thou that for all these
things God will bring thee into judg-
ment;" also of Matt Iii. 80, every
idle word that men shall speak they
shall give account thereof in the day
OF Judgment" Let us remind our
selves that 1.-THE Father judgeth no
man. but hath committed all Judgment
unto the Son. that all men should hon
or the Son even as they honor the Fa-
Their John Y, %. 23). Believers who
have died and who are resting from
their labors, along with all living be-
lievers who shall be In a moment
changed, shall appear for judgment at
the Judgment seat Of Christ for believ-
ers only. Then there will be the judg-
ment of living nations when He shall
come with His saints to establish His
kingdom. and a thousand years later
the judgment of the rest of the dead
at the great white throne. In due
time and In due order there shall be
resurrection both of the just and the
unjust and a judgment Of all that have
ever lived.
As His witnesses, His messengers.
we are therefore to preach the word"
(verse p, to preach the preaching
which He bids us Jonah iii, 2; Jer. 1,
z; Eek, il, Z; iii. III, being warned. as
were the prophets and apostles, that
many will not endure it. but, loving
pleasure more than God and being sat
isfed with a form OF godliness with
out the power (iii. 4. 81. they will pre-
fer lying, deceit and delusion to the
| truth of God Elsa xxx. Is; XXX, S-l2l.
The word for the faithful witness is.
watch. endure. fultill thy ministry"
'Please Him who hath chosen you."
Study to show myself approved unto
God" (verse 81; ii. A.. Many things
| look different when we come to the
hour of our departure. but IL by His
grace we have fought the good fight
of faith and have kept the faith
Verse z; / Tim. vi, 12l we may have
holiness even In the day of Judgment
/ q John iv, III. Fitness to meet Him
depends wholly upon His great and
| all sufficient sacrifice for us. But we
will not be approved as His redeemed
ones unless we have run the race well
and been good soldiers of Jesus Christ
Our safety depends upon Him alone;
our reward depends upon our faithful
ness. The crown here spoken of-the
crown Of righteousness-wa was not for
Paul only, but for all who love His
appearing verse 81. The crown Of
life is for patiently enduring. the
crown incorruptibIe for self denial. the
crown of rejoicing for winning souls,
the crown of glory for feeding the
flock-four different lines of service.
But this one Is for an attitude Of soul
In all our service. Many saved ones
do not love Ills appearing. and many
postmillennlaIists would be glad to see
Him and may be said to love His APP
pearing. although not looking for Him
so soon or in the same way as some
others. IL we receive one or more or
all of these crowns it will be that we
may cast them at His feet and give
Him all the glory (Rev. Nv, 10, Ill.
These crowns. or rewards. are not
given us when we die. although 1t Is
a common saying. "He has gone to
his reward" but. as Paul says, lat
that day" concerning which see Rev.
xxi, ~; Pet. v, IA. Then notice
that Paul was not thinking of dying
quietly In ones bed with kind friends
about him. but he was ready to be
offered as a sacrifice in any way His
Lord might appoint.
In verses 9-15 note how some are
taken captive by the world and sonIt
openly withstand the word. But note
also how some at one time considered
improbable may later become profit
able. The closing verses of the lessDt'
teach us to find our encouragement
where Paul found his-in the Lore
alone--and. though all turn away fral
us (yerse to and ]. 15I, He bath said
will never leave thee nor forsake thee
so that we may boldly say, THE I.nf
is my helper; viii not fear Will
man shall do unto me- iHeb. xi
s. 81, 1.-THE Lord stood with me al
strengthened me" makes us think
an experience OF David when In
time of great distress his faithful q
turned against him aud sliake of st0l
ing him. but ii Is written. "Dayid 81
couraged himself 10 the Lord his GOG
Il Sam. XXX. 81. No one could be NOR
} alone than our Blessed Lord but II
comfort may he seen in these word
.'The living Father hath sent Me. ar
live By the Father" HE that SCI
Me ia with Me: the Father hath II
left Me alone, for do always thos
things that please Him" (John ii. s.
! wifi. 2al. Notice paul's one great o..
cupation. that the preaching mighi
be fully known and that oil the gen
4 ~.