The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-10-07
SUNDAY school,.
Lesson II.-Fourth Quarter, FN
Oct. 8, 1910. \
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text Of the Lesson, Matt. XIV, 1880.
Memory Verse, 2e-GcI5sn Text
Matt. XIV, 21-commentary Prepared
by Rev. o. M. Stearns.
This lesson, like the last one, is
found only In Matthew, but a little
earlier in these last days Of His earth.
" ministry, about the time that He
brought salvation to the house OF
Zaccheus, He spake parable because
He was nigh to Jerusalem and be.
cause they thought that the kingdom
of God should Immediately appear
duke xix, III. These two parallels
cover the same period Of time and
teach virtually the same truths; they
cover the time of the nobleman's alb
sence in a far country to receive for
himself kingdom and to return. and
during his absence the servants are
expected to make diligent use of the
pounds or talents with which they
have been intrusted that they may
give account of their stewardship at
his return. Occupy till come" is the
word to every servant luke xix, IA.
AS both John and Jesus and the
twelve and the seventy had all preach
ed that the kingdom was at hand they
were all expecting it. not understand
ing that, Messiah being rejected by the
nation and the rulers having deter
mined to kill Him, the kingdom must
A4H nd hn ~
"the mystery of the kingdom" run its
course. These parallels tell Of service
In this present age and bring before
us another phase of the readiness to
meet Him at His coming. The re-
demption clothing, His righteousness.
makes us fit and ready to meet Him
at any time (Col. l. 1914. but we are
redeemed in order to serve Him, and
for this service there will be rewards,
and it is His desire that we should re-
ceive a full reward and not be asham-
ed before Him at His coming QI John
viii; John Ii, IS; Rev. xii, 12l.
In the one parable each servant re-
ceives a pound; in the other each re-
eeives talents according to his ability.
Every believer without exception re-
ceives the Holy Spirit in some measure,
but the special gifts Of the Spirit are
given to every one severally as He will
Il Cor. xii, Ali. 49,. This passage helps
in some measure to understand both the
pounds and the talents. There is some
thing for every believer to do andbear,
and it has long been comfort 10 me
to know that everything has ben ap.
pointed for each individual hfore-
hand (Eph. ii. 10l. and we have oily to
walk with Him in that which lie ap-
points for US. am also comfortd by
remembering that He expects noserv
Ice for which He has not givei the
ability q Pet. iv, 10. III. 1t Il the
greatest folly to consider others and
the service they are rendering andaim
to do as they are doing. for the lord
appoints "to every man his wTk"
Mark xiii, 34l. And every one o us
shall give account of himself to CD
Rom. xiv. 12). We are here as lis
witnesses to manifest His life, to sbw
forth His praises. to prove ourseIeS
faithful stewards OF His manifld
grace, to serve the living and the
God (Acts 1, s; II Cor iv. 1M and ar
position in His kingdom will depend D.
on our faithfulness here.
In the parable of the pounds the serl
ants testified Lord. thy pound hat
gained ten pounds" or Lord. thu
pound hath gained FIVE pounds" and
the reward for their faithfulness, not
success, was authority over ten cities
or i've cities, conveying at least a sug-
gestion OF our reiGning with Him over
the earth (Rey. V, 10. In the parable !
OF the talents, the servants say, II
have gained i've talents more" or II
have gained two other talents" To
each OF these the commentator was
just the same. for each had been
equally faithful according to the abil-
ity given them. We'll done. good and
faithful servant; thou hast been faith
full over few things | win make thee
ruler over many things. Enter thou
into the JOY of thy Lord" oversees 81,
23). Note again that it is faithfulness,
not success. that is commended. Com
pare xiv. As. There is here also the
thought of ruling. but what the ioy
or the Lord can mean who can teIlP
We cannot even imagine much about
either. 1t will all be far beyond our
utmost thought. 1t will be His exceed
ing abundantly above all we can ask
or think. Listen to His prayer,
Father. will that they also whom
Thou hast given Me be with Me where
] am. that they may behold NV glory
which Thou hast given me" (John xvii.
"a. And not only behold but share
His glory, for He said verse 2o). .eThe
glory which Thou gavest Me / have
given them, that they may be one even
as we are one"
Note that 1t was the pound thar
gained the pounds. while the other
said Il have gained other talents"
Both are correct. for while we work
1t Is God working In us. We have both
10 Cor. xv, 10, Il labored more album
dainty than they all. yet not /. but the
grace OF God which was with me-"
It Is evident that the unfaithful serw.
ant was a mere professor and knew NOT
MS Lord. Imagine a Christian say.
Ing TO the Lord, II know that thon
art an hard man" (24D, or. II feared
thee because thou art an austere MAN.
luke HI, 2D. His doom shows thar
ne was never true servant for no
true child OF God cen perish John iii.
III. " ON Ac ~ Al 49,.