Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-04-29
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson N.-Second Quarter, For
May 3, 1914.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text of the Lesson, Luke XIV, 11-24.
Memory Verses, 17-1s-Goiden Text
Luke XIV. tS-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.

which is spoken of in verse three as
this parable" including the three
stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin
and the lost son, we have beautifully
set forth the heart of God the Father.
as no one but the Son of God could
tell ii ont. for mo man knoweth the
Son but the Father, neither knoweth
any man the Father save the Son. and
he TO whomSoever the Son will reveal
him" Matt. Il. 20. We are told in
many places of the love of the Father,
as in John iii. IL; John iv, s, 10; and
of the love of the Son. as in Gal H.
20; Eph. Y, -. The love of tde SPIRIT
Is mentioned in Rom. w, 30 The love
of God and His unwiiliagness that any
should perish are two OF the great
foundation truths OF all Scripture. and
are perhaps nowhere more simply told
than in this threefold parable. Mans
helplessness, his deadness and his self
isbness and enmity to God are also
here set forth
1t may be difficult to see quite clear
ly whom the elder brother represents,
but we would not need to seek far or
long to find some really saved people
who act a good deal like the elder
brother when sinners who have wan
dered very far away are welcomed
home.
| have read a discourse upon this
chapter by a great Bible student in
which he thinks that both the elder
brother and the ninety just per
sons represent the angels who never
sinned There seem to me to be
many difficulties in this Interpretation.
We are quite safe in dwelling upon
the love of God in seeking and wei
coming home the lost ones, and we
shall understand many things better
when the intelligence symbolized by
the many eyes of the cherubim shall
be ours.
How many seem to think that they
have a right to demand of God a por-
ton of this worlds goods and to do
as they please with it! Such self will
is the essence of sin and shows the
heart of man toward God. and yet
God often permits it. Every sinner is
III Int ldI QUILL 1dl away nun CVhs
without God and without hope, living
unto himself. his life all dark and
void and nothing clarifying to God in
it Gen. i, 2; Dan. V, 23). The ungodly
are compared TO dogs and swine by
our Lord Himself and also by the
Spirit through Peter Matt. vii, 6;
II Pet ii. 90. The comparison would
l..
able sinners. but the Bible never says
nice things about the enemies of God.
There are many ways of wasting ones
substance, and when We read that he
had spent all we think of the sick
woman who spent all that she had
upon physicians and was nothing bet
tered. but rather grew worse Mark
V. 90.
1t was good thing for this lost son
that he became 50 desperately in want
that he would fain have eaten swine's
food. and it was good thing for him
that no man gave unto him. Possibly
some down and out" people might
come to themselves sooner if no one
helped them to be comparatively COM
Portable in their low down estate.
1t is a great thing when one is led
to see himself in his true light before
God. when his heart cry is. God be
merciful to me. a sinner" 1t is a good
experience for a saved sinner when
he is led TO say as Job did, al abhor
myself dob xiii. 81. Whatever leads us
TO see more of God and His goodness
is q helpful experience. 1t was good
for this man when he began 10 think
about his father and the abundance,
there which he might be enjoying. 1t
was well when he determined to re-
turn to his father. confess his sin and
ask to be given a servants place. but
it was better when he actually arose
and came to his father.
See the fathers heart in verse
20, when he was yet a great way
Off his father saw him and had com
passion and ran and fell on his neck
and kissed him" No upbraiding, not
a word of faultfndng. just a low
ing welcome home and kiss of
reconciliation. Do we know God as
such a Father. and are we ready to
tell lost ones of such welcome await
ing them if they will turn with trle
penitence to Him? The son said part
only of what he had intended to say.
but was not allowed to finish it. In
stead Of the servants place it is the
best robe. ring on his hand. shoes
On his feet and feast of welcome.
because the lost one had come home.
II we really believed that there was
such a reception awaiting penitent
sinners, how could we help urging
them to come home?
1t is said that they began to be
merry is only the beginning
Of joy that knows no end. Consider.
the elder brother as representing one
who has from his youth known the
way of life. child of godly parents
and truly saved. having at some time
cot definitely known to himself ac-
ranted the lord Ipsus He never fell