The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-21
--MEZElROKEYN
NlEABERSNACLD
-=TrAk-BIBEE~sTUDY.
"His Servants Shall Serve MINI


did it unto me."-Matthew 25 40. r. V.
The opening verse of this study fur
nishes us the key to all of Jesus preach |
ing. so far as the record goes. His one
message was the good tidings of the
Kingdom of God. This is still the good
| tidings, and any of the Lords people
who have not yet learned that the king
dom of God is the very essence of the |
hope of the church and of the world
has not proftably read the Bible. The |
Jews not being ready for the kingdom,
Wee as nation rejected from being
| Messiah's associates In that kingdom.
But not all were rejected: hence we read
| that as many received Jesus to them
God-by the begetting and amounting of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Surely this is good tidings, as stated in
| this lessonl And the same good tidings
were heralded by the angel who pro-
claimed the Masters birth. saying, Be
hold, l bring you good tidings of great
| Joy, which shall be unto all people,
| Thus far it has been good tidings only
| to Gods servants and handmaidens. the
church. But 1t shall be good tidings to
all when all shall see the glories of Mes
siahs kingdom
| While Jesus was thus declaring tho
kingdom, He was not begging His way.
We have no suggestion that He ever took
up a collection or in any manner solicited
money. Many think this suggestion that
| Christ's followers should likewise make
no appeals for money, but merely use of
/ DIV
moneys as shall voluntarily be given
them. However, this is for each to decide
| for himself.
Amongst the healed ones was Mary of
Magdala, out of whom the Lord had
cast seven demons. The poor woman was
in the condition in which many are who
are in insane asylums. Her trouble was
not organic, but caused by the harrassing
of the seven fallen angels who had taken
possession of her. Whoever believes the
| Bible must believe that there are fallen
angls-spirit beings who have a malevo-
lent influence upon humanity to the extent
that they can gain control. and who must
be resisted with the will Mary, apppar-
ertly, was a woman of wealth. Released
from the power of the demons, she was so
|
to serve Him on every occasion. Other
honorable women are mentioned as con-
tributing to the Lords support.
| Let Me Bury My Father"
Some were attracted to Jesus, evidently,
| with the thought that one so gifted and
well supplied with the necessities of life
must be wealthy. One such said to the
| Lord: II will follow Thee whithersoever
| Thou goest.' But apparently his ardor |
was cooled when informed that Jesus had
| no home of His own. although there were |
numerous homes to which He was well |
| come. Foxes had holes, and birds had |
nests, but the Son of Man had no home |
None but the very sincere would follow a
leader under such circumstances. Pow
erty attracts few.
| Another said to Jesus in substance:
| Lord. count me as one of Thy disciples;
| but have father and feel that | must |
| stay with him until his death" Jesus re-
| ply shows us the importance He attaches
| to every service we can render to the Fa-
| thers cause. He said: Let the dead
/ bury their dear. but go thou and preach
the gospel" The whole world is al
ready dead from the divine standpoint.
The sentence of death passed upon Adam
involved all his children. The only ones
whom the scriptures recognize as now
possessed of life are those who become |
| related to the lfe-giver, Jesus The Mas
| ter intimates that such should take
different view of life from others. There |
are many who can attend to the earthly |
| things; few who can attend to the more |
| important work of proclaiming the king
| dom and gathering the kingdom class.
This is the most important work in the |
world, because 1t is Gods work. Be 1t
| noticed that 1t was the kingdom of God !
| that was worthy of this preaching and
| Ait.
| little preaching of later times is along
| this line, In other words, the gospel
message that Jesus and His disciples de-
| livered has been lost. Is it not time
| for all Bible students to awaken to the
| great privilege of preaching the same
blessed message that the Master and
His appointed ones at the first advent
preached?
Who Is Fit for the Kingdom?
Another came to Jesus, saying: "I will
| follow Thee: but wish first to bid fare
well to those who are at home. 1 will |
spend little time with them, and soon |
/ will be with Thee in the work. 1t |
was not heartessness on Jesus part that |
suggested the answer: mo man, having |
| put his hand to the plow, and looking |
| back is fit for the kingdom of God" /
| According to these searching words, who. |
| then, even amongst the Lords conse- |
| Grated people today, are fit for the King |
dom?
| We are not to judge others, but each is |
| to Judge himself. And yet are not many |
| not only looking back, but making spe-
| cial provision for the social amenities
\ of life, punging into many of the lux |
uries, pleasures and frivolities of the
world? How many of us will the Lord
| consider fit for a place with Himself in |
| that glorious Messianic empire, which We |
| trust is nigh-even at the door? Those |
who are not absorbed with interest in |
| the kingdom, desiring its blessings, and |
| a. share in comforting blessings upon 9TH |
ers would probably not be qualified by |
| the resurrection change to accomplish |
| the work which God has designed shall |
| be done for humanity.
The story of Martha and Mary con- |
cludes the lesson. Both loved the Savior, |
| but they manifested their love differ |
emily Jesus did not disapprove of Mar |
| tha's carefulness in providing for His |
comfort; but He especially appreciated |
Mary's spirit which drew her to His |!
| feet to hear the wonderful words OF i
| life. Hers was 1.-The better part" Jesus |
| said. So, then, in our service for the |
Master, let us have this in mind, that
He is especially pleased when we give |
| earnest attention to His words and Seek |
| to be filled with His Holy Spirit.
/ Today's study represents special serv- |
| ices which were rendered at different |
times during our Lords ministry. Ac- |
ceptable service, like acceptable praise, |
must come as a fruitage of love to the |