Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-05-30

LESSON FOR MAY "a
uNPRoFlTAsLE SERVANTS.


LESSON TExT-Luke 17:1-lo.
GOLDEN TExT-eHe that glorieth, let
him glory In the Lord" I Cor. 1:sL
This lesson Is closely connected
with that of last week; while spoken
especially to his disciples 1t was most
probably at the same time and In
the same atmosphere as that OF the
other lesson. The teaching is a con-
tinuation of that just given and which
grew out of the hospitality Jesus re-
ceived in the Pharisee's house. The
heart OF Jesus was filled with compass
sion for the needy multitude. He,
the Good Shepherd. was seeking the
lost sheep. His anger was kndled
against the men whose love Of money
and of show had calloused them in
the presence of this multitude. 1t
was in this spirit that he turned and
taught his disciples.
A Special Warning.
!. "Take Heed to Yourselves" w.
IA. 1t is inevitable that occasion of
stumbling shall come. Satan Is not
going to lose his spoil without putting
forth his best endeavor to hold. to en-
snare, to trap men. God, however
has taken this into his plan and make
them to work out for the good Of hi
people, Ps. 1910; II Cor. 1877. Why
does God permit evil in the world?
He uses these stumbling blocks to
test us and we who are approved are
made manifest, Cor 11:10. This does
not mean that we are guiltless Ii
through one we fall, nor minimize the
guilt of the one through whom they
come, see Matt. 1877. We as follow
ers must go to every possible length
to avoid being an occasion to another.
/ Cor.S:9, 10; 1882; Rom. -14:13. In
this lesson (v. p Jesus sounds spe-
cfa1 warning against those who cause
one of his little ones to stumble, e. g..
those weak in faith, this hungering
multitude who follow him, these
babes in Christ as well as children
of tender years. Particularly, how
ever, Is this doom pronounced upon
those who divert from paths OF right
eousness the course of childhood. Not
only men who prey upon those of ten
der years, who exploit their labor
or cause their moral corruption/ but
careless and Indifferent parents should
ponder these words. To hinder a child
from accepting Christ or cause it to
stumble through sinful example will
reap an awful retribution. The word
these as here used is another In
dication of the nearess OF childhood
to our Lord in his earthly life.
To avoid such a danger each fndf-
vidual life must take heed" ". 81,
Il Tim. 5:16). Appealing to his dis
ciples Jesus showed them their true
attitude towards SHINING man was
to rebuke him, Lev. 1917, and IL he
= =
was here that the Pharisees and rulers
had failed. They were .'blind leaders
of the blind and failed to see the
eagerness Of the sinners and public
ans to hear Jesus, a movement which
indicated a desire to reach a higher
moral plane Understanding this, they
would have forgiven them even though
1t to be unto seven times in the day"
Forgiveness here means to dismiss or
to send away
Nothing impossible.
II. increase Our Faith" w. $40.
Such a program as that just outlined
must have staggered the apostles az
they thought Of their own inability so
to conduct their lives. This exclama-
ton reveals their sense of the fmpor-
lance, superiority and difficulty of his
1Q6dlS- AS We CODl0 1utO P0TSOudI 1Ct
lowship with our Lord that the eyes
of our understanding are opened and
we see our Importance and the neces-
sity of having him fulfil in US that
which is lacking of his ideals. Their
petition was a recognition of ability
as well as of their need In response
to our cry he will supply, Mark 9:
2427. Nothing is. impossible to him
w. 81, Phil Alb. The illustration Is
one easy to remember. The insignih-
cant little seed of the mustard has
in it tremendous power of growth and
development, many thousand times
it's own weight and bulk. see Matt.
1881, 80, because it is linked with
Gods tremendous laws of life, with
omnipotence. Our Lord contrasts
such power with the removal of
sycamore tree; small wonder we re-
cefve such a vivid and lasting lesson
of the power of faith. even the weak
est faith. Faith is a principle neces-
sary to overcome the obstacles In
the way of measuring up to his ideals
If it is of the right quality, it Is equal
to the doing of the most mighty things
Passing from this contrast Jesus uses
the parable which follows (vs- 7-1O)- |
The word but would suggest an APP
parent departure from this subject
It is, however, correction OF any