Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-01-02
INTERNATIONAL,
SUlll|lYSC|lOOL
LESSON
By Rev. William Nvans, D. D, Director Bible Course
Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.
LESSON FOR JANUARY
BIRTH OF JOHN FoREroLp.

LESSON TExT-Luke 1:5-23
MEMORY VERSES lib, 16.
GOLDEN TExT-"Without faith It II
impossible to please God.'-Heb. u:&
The Old Testament closes with q
prophecy; the New Testament opens
with the announcement OF the fulfill
ment of that prophecy. Thus both
Testaments are characterized In this
lesson: The Testament, prophecy;
the New Testament, fulf1llment, It.
is clear from our Lords own words
that John the Baptist fulfilled this Old
Testament prediction, (Mat. II: 10
49,. It may be that more literal
fulf1llment isc still future, proceeding
Christ's second inning.
Our attention is first drawn to the
persons through whom God fulfllls his
promise. Zacharias and Elizabeth
were both righteous. BY that is not
meant that they were either sinless
or perfect-no human being Is that
but that they were parents whose
whole heart, mind, and strength were
dedicated to the will and service Of
God. Zacharias' unbelief shows that
he was not sinless.
This is the kind Of people through
whom God is willing, and ready even
today to fulfill his promise and bless
the world-not through perfect peo-
Pile, but through those who are con-
stantly striving after perfection.
There is no limit to the blessings God
will confer upon the world through
US IL only we will not touch the glory.
The glorious vision and message
came to John when he was performs
ing his duty. And so 1t Is always.
While shepherds watch their flocks
the angel comes. We must not for
get that Elizabeth also in her modest,
humble seclusion was used to bless
the world just az much as Zacharias
who was exercising priesty function
so high that the opportunity came to
q priest but once In lifetime. God
chooses the weak things AZ well 40
the great things: d. L. Moody, the un-
educated shoe clerk, as well as Paul,
the scholar. So Isaac was q quiet
man and dwelt in tents.
The next thing to which our atten-
ton is the content OF the prophecy.
First. 1t concerns q child. Zacharias
and Elizabeth were childless. It is
no sin to be childless provided that no
law of nature 10 violated. It Is sad
thing to be childless. At least 1t was
so considered In Old Testament days.
Would that 1t were considered SO to-
day! A revival Of the mother instinct
Is needed.
This child was to be an extraordin-
airy child-well every mothers child
is wonderful! This child was to 90
before the Lord and prepare his way,
just as your child may follow after the
Lord and walk in his stepsa worthy
career for both John and your child,
and every child, Why should We not
hold this ideal constantly before
childhood?
Upon the promised child was to rest
the vow OF the Nazarite. That meant
two things: Absolute prohibition
from intoxicants, Andf entire dedica-
ton to God. Can you think Of any
two things more desirable for your
child, for every child? These par
ents had an ideal before them for
their child, and that was tremend.
GUS help. Have you? Or do you
bring your child up at randomf Start
today with an ideal. Let 1t be high:
let it be the highest, even Christ.
The mission Of John. the Baptist,
was to be performed by the aid OF the
Holy Spirit. Is there not subtle
contrast here between the prohibition
Of intoxication and the filling with
the spirit? Just as the person under
the influence Of intoxicating liquor II
governed and controlled by such spir-
its, so the Christian worker II to be-
COME 80 fulfilled with the spirit that
every part Of him-intellect. sensibii-
ties, will, feelings. are undsr The
spirits control. This spiritual equip
ment IL what 10 needed for Christian
workers today.
Because the Baptist was spirit-d1l-
cd, he was enabled to turn the hearts
OF the children towards their fafhfA
Doubtless the Jews had become faint
cd with the idolatry Of the surround
ing nations 30 that they had to somS
extent forsaksn the faith Of the p
triarchs.
Every Christian has the Holy 6pdr.
It, Just a. Egypt has the river Nile;
but every Christian does not have the
fullness Of the Spirit, any more than
Egypt always has the overflow Of the
Nile; and just as tho overflow Of the
Nile means q boundful harvest to
Egypt, 90 the milling and overflow
ing Of the spirit In the believer means
bountiful harvest Of fruit unto stsrs
nal LIE.
It 10 strange, II It not that zachar.
las should doubt IN the presence Of
this heavenly visitori Surely one
should believe In the presence Of such
4 sign ~ this. There are people to-
day who say that they would believe
II they could hear . voice from the
other shore speaking to them. OF II
Ah - fynr thn