The Brinkley argus., 1914-03-06
LESSON FOR MARCH 8
WATcHFULNEss.
Temperance Lesson.)

I.E
 GOLDEN TExT--"Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. "--Luhe 2:E.
 The words of Jesus are the great ,t authority the believer has upon wh. ,h to found his belief in the Second Com ing. Some refuse to have much to do with this important theme because oth- CTS have perverted it or else overly emphasized it" yet in the 260 chapters in the New Testament there are BIS distinct references to this theme, far greater proportion than is placed upon some of the doctrines upon which whole denominations. have been found ed.
 Relative Value.
 I. The exhortation to watch, w. 35- 70. This is the beginning of new paragraph. Jesus has been showing the relative value of material posses sions and the Kingdom of God and epitomizes his teaching in V. 34. He now sets before his disciplines what shall their attitude towards him during his absence (II. Pet. 3:11, 12 R. ", Ti- tus 2:13; II. Tim. 4:8) Thus to be watchful seems to contradict his sug- gestions about anxiety. We need to remember, however that the child of the Kingdom Is in entirely new relationship with the world. His desire is not for self enrichment but rather to be in such relations with God as his rights demand and thus to bring to others their highest good. This par able epitomizes opportunity. Rightly to make use of none's opportunities spells happiness for the disciple when he the king shall appear. The evidence that we are watching for his appear ing consists of the readiness of the in- dividual who is or is not watching V. 35; I. Pet. 1:13 Jesus knocks at the individual heart (Rev. 3:20) but when he comes twill be to be present at | feast, V. 36. We cannot contract this time and there is no call to service to- morrow. Lions girt, ready for the bat 1 tie or for the race, and lamps burn ing, (light is always the result of some thing being consumed), are today's wis ible evidence of continuous service. Peters Question.
 II. The explanation to Peter, w. l 41-48. Between this parable and the one which follows, Peter interrupts by asking the question, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us or even un- | to all?" That which follows is his an swer to that question but it is also a continuance of the teaching just given. | In this part Jesus refers to stewards (bond-servants) thatNit is their su- l preme business to seek the Kingdom | by selling in order to give. The one work of servant is to give to the members of an household, each in due season his portion of the fathers bountiful grace. John 21:15-17: I. Pet. 5:2; Jer. 3:15. There are many de ceitfnl servants who first feed them selves, or feed only portion of the household, or who feed chaff rather than bread even the true bread of life, I. Pct. 2:2; 4:10, II. Jesus teaches us that each bond-servant shall likewise be judged and that suddenly.
 III. The exhortation. Jesus Christ here presents to us the fact that we shall all be judged. That the measure of our reward or of our punishment is dependent upon the measure of our knowledge and of our opportunity, James AIT. To him to whom much is given. of him shall much be re- quired. Our present responsibility is that of being ready for the coming of the King and of his Kingdom. The ex- precision of that readiness is evidenced by our lives of service. There are of course many other phases of service not included in this parable, but our Lord is emphasizing opportunity, stew ardship, service, watchfulness. In or der to fulfill our service we must enter into fellowship with the king in his reign, and those who enter into that fellowship, who are faithful, he will punishment is conditioned upon the measure of our knowledge (v 48) and our knowledge can be enlarged as we use our opportunities.
 W. The Golden Text, (v. 37). Is | intended to fix our attention upon the acts of our Lord when he shall return. It seems astonishing that he shall com | pei those whom he finds watching to seat themselves that he may gird him. self and serve them Here we gird ourselves that we may serve him by serving others (Matt. 25:40). But in | that tomorrow the day of his victory, l he will gird himself and serve those 1 who have been watchfulness and obe- dient servants. This is a suggestion of the exceeding grace mentioned by the Apostle Paul, Rom. 11:33.
 | V. The Temperance Lesson is sug- gested by the conduct of those who are not watching for the Kings ap- bearing (v. 45). They were indulging in the animal pleasures of the moment | The Kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking but consists of righteous ness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:17. The effect of in l temperance on the death rates, on the next generation, from an economic standpoint or viewed from any angle, | is only the result of the most criminal shortsightedness. clear apprehen- sion of the fact of the imminence of his return would change all lives.
 Tell 'enn, you saw It In the Argus.