Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-25

. ROM Aa..a
The phrases. kingdom ~ God kingdom
n Christ. kingdom u heaven. occur FIRE
quently in the New Testament John the
Baptist made the desert re-ecro with the
cry. Repent. for the dngdom OF cod Is
az hand" Daniel graphically describes the
rise and fall Of many kingdoms. saying
that finally the Cod Of heaven would SET
uD a kingdom that would never be de-
stroyed. The religion of Jesus is that
kingdom Plans and laws came from
heaven lt WAS established by the H0I.
spirit. Paul. in our text. shows us the
nature Of that kingdom. declaring. The
kingdom Of God is not meat and drink
but righteousness and peace ard joy in
the Holy Ghost"
We discuss the negative side first "lfaa-
and drink Is an expression including an
forms Of the senauous or carnaL PauTs
churches we're troubled with the sensuous
IN two forms-Jewish ceremonies and rites
on the one side, Hcentious habits OF
heAthen converts ON the other Il WASN'T
easy ro steer the snip the church, safely
between two such rocks
"a True religion is not Imposing cers-
monies. When spirituality is low greater
Importance is attached TO exterior rites. Ii
The temple service was carried on reuI-
ariy, gorgeouslyi the soul Of religion had
Ted They paid 1.-THE Of mint anise and
cummin, but omitted the weightier mat
ters OF tile laN-judgment mercy and
lalth They cieansed the outside OF cup
and platter. ENtortion and excess we're
within. They broadened their phyiacteries.
tasted twice a week, put on a sad face
70 snow their devotion They gave aims
ostentauously sounding a trumpet on the
streets. This was a vain substitute for
true godliness. II was WITHDRAWING a
sepulchre
True religion is not gratifying the senses
( The gentiles we're in the other extreme.
Their religion was matter OF INDUCING
the senses ImmOralities were a part of
their service to Bacchus and Venus Glut-
tony, drunkenness and vilest debaucheries
belonged 70 the exercise OF their religious
rites. Paul says: 1T is a shame to speak
Of those things which are done by them in
secret To Christianiza such a people re-
qutred much skill. The power Of the Holy
Ghost was needed. They wished to trans
form the holy supper into a carousaI Cor
lid. Paul reminded them that without
proper, decent discernmenr they would eat
and drink damnauion TO themselves.
AA4N AeA4EAAA ~ not luedllIE-uuI INTEL
leetual dreaming or moral sensuousness.
Some are corrupted from the simplicity
of the gospel They form an imaginary
Christ. not at all ike the real one
hot house plant over against the mighty
oak. The idolatry Of such idealisms calls
the mind only TO the genuine side OF
Christ's character. Ills obedient tender
ness, cody devOutness, fidelity tears. sym,
thy. They omit His more masculine quail
ties They slightly mention His stern re-
Dukes OF pride and hypocrisy; His courage
in presence OF powerful foes: His bloody
sweat in the garden; His cry OF agony on
the cross. This view is out OF harmony
with the spirit Of revelation. II is in line
with the tears shed by the daughters OF
Jerusalem, az He broke down under the
weight OF the cross. His command was:
Weep not for me but weep for your
selves and your children"
Positive religion is rectitude. tranquility