The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-15
SundaySermonRevtewe
ou'"oe OF Pulpit Talks BY ca,ns, Mio...
NOT FAR FROM
THE KINGDOM
Sermon by Rev. 1. X. l0ne al The
Congregational Church

sunday morning at the Calumet
congregational church the pastor
Rev. Luther *. Long, took for his tavr
Mark 1884 And when Jesus saw thar
he answered discreetly, he said unto
him, Thou are not far from the king
dom Of God Mr.. Long said in pnrt.
las Jesus Went about doing good He
encountered hatred and oppositioo
from che hierarchy \ faVorite meth
cd of Ills enemies during the latter
part of His career WAS 10 watch him
that. finding If possible something In
His words 10 Justify their accusation
they might report Him uniavorable ~
either the Jewish or the Roman au-
thorties.
I'm answer Ia question from one Of
the sorihes, Jesus had given love 10
God and love TO ones neighbor as ones
self as the great commandment. This
satisfied the scribe ana Jesus said Of
him Thou art not far from the king.
com OF God
"All people are at some time on
other brought near 10 the kingdom
Of God. whether they ever enter it or
rot What are some Of the things that
bring them near?
some are brought near by their ma.
mral goodness. their amiabiity and
the spiritual qualities of their minds
This is often noticeable i'm hoys ana
girls with a natural horror for thai
which IL evil and a love for that which
is good. Many older persons make the
Impression on us that they naturally
belong With Gods people that they
could easily he spiritually minded lov.
ing Christian worship and work. And
vet we have seen some Of these boys
and girls grow up far from Cod, and
men and women from whom We har
hoped much become absolutely all.
sorbed i'm worldlncss
a strong sense of Justice. of fair
ness. of righteous brings one near 10
The kingdom The times in which We
live. often spoken Of a. matcrialstic
and money are strong in their
demand for social Justice and fair
ness in the relations of men. Rut in |
spite of this, we see many instances ri /,
men who, refusing To enter the king /
com of God where they belong. take
things in their own hands and do great |
Injustice while claiming To- sock JUS |
lice An6 this is largely because they /
co not love kindness sud walk hum
by with their God.
The hereavements and disappoint- /
mcnls "f life bring many persons near
90 the kingdom Some, under these
conditions are drawn within the circle |
cl christian fellowship ana service aud !
these find the comfort ana help To- .
meet thoir need and give them courage
Tor life. Too many on the other hand
turning from God. allow these expert
rucos 10 embitter them instead Of
working for them a far moro exceed
ur ana eternal weight of glory
some are brought near 10 Kingdom
by This apprehension of religion as
something moral and spiritual That
was the case of the scribe in the text.
H. said to Jesus: Teacher Thou has
well said that God is one. and Their"
is none other but he, and to love HIM
with all thy heart and with an thy
understanding and with all Thy
strength, and Ia love his ncighbor as
himself. is much more than all whole
burnt offerings and sacrifices As a
scribe. n lawyer, he was familiar with
all Sorts of offerings and sacrifices
ana h" knew all ms and outs of the
elaborate ritual. To know that ali
This was vain. so far as righteousness
is concerned, and 10 understand that
The substances of all true religion -
moral and spiritual was 10 be brought |
near TO the kingdom of God.
Did this scribe enter in? We do
not know. VIII YOU who are brought