The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-03-04
INTERNATIONAL
NNDNYSQ1O0L
LESSON
CBy E. o. SELLERS, Director Of Evening
Department, The Moody Bible Institute,
Chicago.)
LESSON FOR MARCH 8

SSO On hnS -
WATcHFULNEss.
Temperance Lesson.)
LESSON TEXT-'Luke 12:35-48..
GOLDEN TExT-"Blessed are those
servants whom the Lord when he cometh
shall find watching."-Luke 1881.
The words Of Jesus are the greatest
authority the believer has upon which
to found his belief in the Second Com
ing. Some refuse to have much to do
with this important theme because 9TH
ers have perverted it or else overly
emphasized it" yet in the $50 chapters
In the New Testament there are 318
distinct references to this theme, a far
greater proportion than is placed upon
some Of the doctrines upon which
whole denominations have been found.
ed. .a.t,, ~
Relative Value. f.
!. The exhortatlon to watch, w. SIS.
10. This is the beginning Of a new
paragraph. Jesus has been showing
the relative value Of material posses
sions and the Kingdom Of God and
epitomizes his teaching In, v. "a. He
now. sets before his disciplines what
shall their attitude towards him during
his absence (II. Pet. 3:11, IL R. ", IT,
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 epitomaes opportunity. Rightly
to make use Of ynone's opportunities
spells happiness Tor 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. IS; I. Pet. 1913. Jesus knocks at the
Individual heart (Rey. 1920 but when
he comes twill be to be present at q.
feast. ". So. We cannot contract this
time and there is no call to service to-
morrow. Lions girt, ready for the bat
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.
Jesus ". 3S) tells us that not all shall
experience the blessing Of his coming,
@. g., be ready for the blessed minis
trations of his presnce. AS q thief
comes unannounced 80 will he come
Matt. 24:43, A. Thieves do not an
nounce their programs, but thoughche
comes thus unannounced we need not
be ~overtaken, 1. Thess. 5:4-6,tI. John
2:2S. When the king comes, he will
serve those who have served him and
both will be satisfied, lisa. 53:11.
Peters Question. .s.
!, H.. The explanation to Peter, w.
41-4s. 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 1t is also a
continuance of the teaching just given.
In this part Jesus refers to stewards
(bond-servants) that 1t is their su-
preme business to seek the Kingdom
by selling in order to give. The n
work Of a 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: L. Pet.
So; Jer. 3:15. There are many. de-
ceitful servants who first feed them
selves, or feed only a portion OF the
household, or who feed chaf rather
than bread, even the true bread Of life,
I. Pet. 2:2; 4:10, II. Jesus teaches US
that each bond-servant shall likewise
be judged and that suddenly. If he
has proved himself worthy he shall be
rewarded, If not, he shall be punished
". 47). A servant who Is looking"
will be faithful and because 80 many
are not thus watching accounts for a
great measure of the w~orldliness, lax
evangelism and self-indulgence so COM
mon in our churches Of today. An aw-
full judgment awaits the u%nfaithful
v. 46, Matt. 25:!41.
IlI. The e~xhortation. 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 Alt. To him to whom much
is given, Of him shall much be re-
quired. Our present responsibility ID
that Of being ready for the coming of
the King and Of his Kingdom. The e1-
preston 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
Lord Is emphasizing opportunity, stew
ardship, service, w~atchfulness. 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
reward w. 81, 43. The measure Of our