The Brinkley argus., 1914-08-07
LESSON FOR AUGUST g
THE BARREN Flo TREE AND THE
 DEFiLEp TEMPLE.

DEFILE0 TEMPLE.
 (Temperancs)
 LESSON TEAT-Mark u:l2-S3.
 GOLDEN TExT-"By their fruits ye shall know them" Matt 7:20
 Event crowds fast upon the heels of event during the days of this most tragic week in all the history of the world. Temperance means restraint and a constrainingly proper use of God given appetites and privileges, hence the significance of this lesson as en- phasizins the principles of temper. ance.
 l. Sealing, w. t2-f< The day fol- lowing his triumphal entry into Jeru- salem Jesus and his disciples journeyed from Bethany. his abiding place. each night into the city. Seeing leaves upon the fg trees, he had a right to look for fruit. for the fruit of that tree comes before the foliage. But none is found, and Jesus seals its barrenness. His act was a parable in action. Hosea 10:1. Profession had superseded possession. and Israel is therefore to be judged, set aside. un- til the day when they shall look upon him whom they have pierced.
 cleansed the Temple.
 II. cleanslna, w. 1B19. Entering the familiar scenes of the city and temple, whence the hosannas had echOed - lou1ly ths day previous, Jesus saw IT leoooyat1on and degrAAar t1ca. 0ntwardly . lollght, 1t was in- WaF1ly 6ooettepl n 0sn of robbers,s . and hln anGor Wn1od hot Uverything he saw an1 hon1eAa6 was n some vay connected with the temple wors1ip. Even SO the most holy things created by the wisdom of a loving God may be- come the instruments of the most des- picable degradation. Ostensibly 1n the name of religion these temple mer- chants were in reality ministering to self and private gain. As at the beginning of his ministry so again Jesus exercised his authority and cleansed the temple from its pollution and for a time (v. 16) guarded 1t from further dissertation.
 The temperance application at this point is very clear. Appetite. men, tai or physical, is God given faculty. but must be kept within control. Prop erly used they are delight, bless ing to the man and his friends. AL lowed to rule and appetites are terrif- ic task masters Purify the fountain of a mans heart. govern his motive and the stream of his acts will bless all, himself included.
 III. Forglvlno, w. POPS. The next day on the way from Bethany to Je- rusalem they again passed the fig tree and 1t was withered. The disci- ples marveled at the swift execution of his curse and Peter calls attention to 1t, V. 21. Matt. 21:12. 20. In reply Jesus again emphasizes the lesson. Have faith in God" This doee not mean that this Is an explanation of how he withered the tree. but rather why 1t had died. Israel was placing its trust elsewhere than in God. and therefore withers from the roots up- ward" Notice that the root is not blasted, and a beautiful tree will again blossom forth from the living root. So Israel shall once again spring up into new and fruitful nation. Isa. 27:6. Jesus teaching by this tree is an illustration of wherein Israel had failed. They had not faith in God. Faith can remove mountains. and no 6iNleu1ty on hinder those who have faith n 0od. Mark GAS. Faith grows upon the word. Ron. lo:5. yet love is gRnater, ' Cor. is:3. # we ToAaly de- sirs the things we pFay fos. VI ~Ghall have then" We not only exveet but go beyond in our pet111on anA eoans as ours the things aekn1 1or. The lack of forgiving spirit win seeeA ually shut us out from God.
 Authority Challenged.
 w. Challenged, w. 27-s3. Upon again entering the city and the tenn ple. there came to Jesus the chief priests, scribes and elders who chal- lenged the authority by which he wrought these things. undoubtedly re- ferring to his triumphal entry and to his cleansing of the temple. Ills reply Is e counter challenge concern ing the baptism of John. For at least two years John had been dead and his voice silent with . probable for getfulness on the part of these men. and decreasing influence of his mes- sage upon their lives. Yet the oues- ton of Jesus had projected power as he brought John back to them with this question as to his authority. was it from heaven, or of men?" That there was keen sarcasm and cold logic embodied in his question 10 revealed by the recorded dilemma of his ene- mics. w. S1. 32.
 This entire passage deals with the responsibility of privilege. Particu- larly is this epitomized in the para ble of the fig tree. Privilege is em- phasized in that the tree was planted in the vineyard of its owner. 1t lived on of his possessions. Its simple re- sponsibility was to bear fruit. In spite of the patience of the owner and the privilege of its surroundings 1t perished. The advantage of Cody parents, of Christian society and the heritage of the noble martyrs and saints of the church will not save that