Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-07-01

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Matt. v, 45-commentary Prepared
by Row. D. M. Stearns.
This lesson is found only in the Cos
pei by Matthew and follows immedi-
ately his saying concerning the Son
Of Man In the throne of His glory and
the apostles upon twelve thrones judg-
Ing the twelve tribes of Israel, closing
with the words about the first being
last and and the last first Our lesson
today closed with the same words,
with the addition Of ''for many may be
called, but few chosen" (Matt. xix, 81
30; Xxx, 16). The same words about few
and many are found In Matt. xii, IA.
1t is sadly true that, while many
hear the glad tidings, but few COM
paratively really receive the good news.
and it is also true that of those who
become Christians but few are willing
to be disciples because of selfishness
and worldliness and because they do
not know the power of His resurrec-
ton and kingdom and glory.
The present age Of the mystery of
the kingdom Is the time in which the
redeemed of the Lord are called to be
fellow workers unto the kingdom Of
God" 'laborers together with God"
workers together with Him" (Col. iv,
IL; Cor. lii, 8; II Cor. vi, u. The refer
ence to the vineyard In this lesson and
In chap. xxi takes US back to lisa. V,
II: Ps. Xxx, and other Old Testament
passages, but for us the most helpful
reference is that Of the vine and the
branches and the fruit to the glory of
God in John XIV.
In recent lesson our Lord spoke of
recompense at the resurrection of the
just, and We know from Rev. xxi, u,
and Pet. V, 4, and elsewhere that
the time of reward for service will be
at the second coming Of Christ, when
every one shall receive his own reward
according TO his own labor, but there
Is a recompense In all service even
here, a foretaste of better things to
come. Perhaps the penny day. sug
gests present reward in this life. There
should be no idlers among believers,
for the record says "to every man his
work" Mark xiii, 80
In reference to the material for the
building of the tabernacle Mr.. Moody
used to say that the poorest child could
bring few goats hairs eek. XIV.
1-S). When the wall of Jerusalem
was rebuilt by Nehemiah, among the
builders were priests, Levites. rulers,
merchants, apothecaries, goldsmiths
and even women (Neh. Ill, s, u, II, %,
32). They seemed poorly qualified for
such service, but they had mind to
work, and, though they were despised
and Knocked, they prayed and kept at
1t and finished 1t, and their enemies
had to acknowledge that the work was
wrought of God (Neh- iv, 4, 6, 81.
In all service for Christ it must be
God working In US, both to will and to
do, the vine bearing fruit through the
branches, for He said, without me We
can do nothing" phil. Ii, 10; John XIV,
b. The laborers of today's lesson, at
least the first batch, seem to be time
servers who agreed to work for so
much To the others He said, What
soever is right VIII give you oversees
2, 4, .. When His love constrains we
viii not think of reward for service
either here or hereafter. Ruth was
not thinking of recompense when she
chung to Naomi and said, "Entreat me
not to leave thee or to return from
following after thee" ruth 1, 1918.
1t was devotion to David that led
Ittai to cling to him with similar
words Oh Sam. XIV, 2D. The same
thing is seen in Elisha's repeated re-
fusals to leave Elijah II Kings Ii, 2, 4,
g.. Such an attitude is the only one
for true service Simon Peter thought
that he had it when he said, Lord,
viii lay down my life for Thy sake"
John xiii, 80, but he did not know
himself Paul really had it when he
said, 81 am ready not to be bound
only, but also to die at Jerusalem for
the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts xxi,
Is. See also Acts XXX, "a; Rom. /, Il.
16; l Cor TX, %; X, 33l.
With so many millions on earth who
have never yet heard the gospel, who
know nothing whatever of the love of
God. the gift of His Son, eternal re
demption provided in Him, kingdom
to be shared by the whosoeyers who
will accept Him. how can any one be
said to truly rejoice in the Lord or be
any kind of disciple who is not con
sumed with a desire to serve suot a
Saviour and make known His saliva
ton without ever a thought of recon-
pense here or hereafter? | have heard
Of heather in China haggling about
how much they would get for saving a
man who was drowning before their
eyes before they would attempt to
save him, but what shall be said of
Christians who want to know what
their reward shall be for telling others
of the redemption which they them
selves have freely received, or what
shall be said of those who think more
of their own church or denomination
than of gathering the church, His