Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-05-29
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson K.-Second Quarter, For
Iune 2, 1912.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text Of The Lesson. Matt vi. 1-13.
Memory Verses. 2, eGolden Text.
Matt. vi, r. V.-Comrentary Pre-
pared by Rev. .. NJ. Stearns-


We have our choice today OF the reg
ular lesson in order or n special lesson
on the Holy Spirit from Acts ii. Ill;
but inasmuch a. only by the Spirit can
the teaching OF the regular lesson on
almsgiving prayer and fasting be put
In practice. we will take the regular
portion with q look at the whole chap
ter. as we do not seem to have the rest
OF the chapter In any subsequent les
son. The heart OF the whole Bible
seems to be 1.-THE kingdom OF God and
His righteousness verse 33l. The
Lord Jesus came to set up this kingdom
on the earth. but as they rejected II
and Him Il will not be set UP till BE
shall come again in glory. Meanwhilean
who become children OF God by receiv-
ing Jesus Christ and Joint heirs With
Him should walk worthy OF His king
dom and glory while they wait for It
IL TheSs. ii. I2i. Their motto should
ever and always be. First the king
dom or God" Then there would be no
anxious thought about auEht else. for
provided by our Father. who knoweth
all our need verses 81. 32l. Whether il
be the service or prayer OF fasting Of
the daily life. there is one principle to
govern all IL must be unto the Father.
who seeth in secret. who Iooketh upon
the heart and TO whom all things are
naked and open. Not as pleasing men.
but God who trieth our hearts" q
ThesS- II. ~. is principal always 10 be
obserS ed. In contrast TO that the most
religious people OF our Lords time did
everything TO be seen OF men Matt
xiii. 81. 1t was even so in the days OF
the prophets. and a special feature OF
the last days Of this age will be a turn
ing away from the truth and form
OF godlinesS without any power lisa.
xxx. Is; Eek. XXxiii. 81; II Tim. iii.
Is; iv. 3. A.. In each OF the three para
graphs Of our lesson there Is n contrast
between a present reward or approval
OF men and a future reward from God
/ Himself. spoken OF in verse 20 a
I treasure in heaven" We cannot serve
God and Mammon or God and the
devil. for the friendship of this world
is enmity with God. and that which Is
highly esteemed among men is abom-
ination in the sight OF God (verse -
Luke xvi. 10: Jas. iv. A.. There was only
one who always and in all things
pleased the Father. but He desires 10
live His life in us and will If We yield
fully TO Him LJOhn viii. -; IL Cor. IL
10. IL He was manifestly approved OF
God by the miracles and wonders and
sights which God did by Him (Acts IL.
22). Our instructions are to study. 20
show ourselves approved unto God.
workmen that need not be ashamed
Oh Tim. ii. l5i. This can be done only
as we are Spirit filed like the disciples
on the day Of Pentecost. and like them
we must be willing 10 be miSunder
stood and even counted drunken or be
side ourselves for His sake. The Old
word TO Abraham Is always helpful
Walk before Me and be thou sincere
tGen. xvii. l. marginl. and also the Of
repeated words in IeyiticuS unto the
Lord" and before the Lord Con
corning giving TO any good work. the
motive Of the donor is everything. II
the gift is wholly and only unto tn
It does not matter If people do know
. Of it. 1t should be the love Of Christ
constituting. and according to II Sam
= xiv. 81. will not offer unto the Lore
Y of that which doth cost me nothing
;. and also according to l Chron. xxx. II
a "An things come Of thee. and thine
own do we give thee Concernin'
= prayer il is real access to God by JeSu
a Christ. remembering | John V. II. Il
n This is the confidence that we have II
II Him. that if we ask anything accord
ing to His will He heareth us. and
II we know that He hear us. whatever w
"a ask, we know that we have the petition
IN we desired of Him" AS TO this form o
H. prayer which He gave at this time an
III which we spoke OF in a former ieSSo
10 on the beatitudeS. the late Or. Saphi
,o said OF it: 1T Is 81 model prayer an
!, as such commendS itself TO the mos
49, superficial glance-approve itself 4
once 10 the conscience OF man TIL
. prayer is short. that it may be- Quickl
learned easily remembered and IT,
Quently used. but it contains ali thinl
pertaining to life and godlineSs- In il
simplicity il seems adapted purpoSel
!or the weakness Of the inexperience
Ill and ignorant. and vet none can =;
that he is familiar with the height
and depths which 1t reveals and wit
y the treasures of wisdom il contains
In verses II. II. Of our lesson note I'll
- communion with God as our Father d
ponds upon our torgivng others rs /
M. a