The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-06-25

49,
lost" Luke 1910.
The golden text is great summary
of the meaning and the essential pur-
pose of all of our Lords activities.
Each lesson is an illustration OF this
simple promise. In them we discover
chiefly our Lord in his work Of pre-
pairing his disciples to share with him
in this work.
Lesson !. The observation of mans
attempt to get the best seats with the
consequent abasement, calls forth the
parable Of the great supper. Therein
we are shown mans enmity against
God as revealed by his contemptuous
treatment of Gods overtures Of
grace. The rebuke and the parable
reveal Gods willingness and mans re-
fusal. In all this our Lord was seek
ing these men,
The Perfect Son.
Lesson II. This is the Easter les
son and is aside from our series. In
it we are shown that Jesus Christ is
himself the chief subject Of prophecy.
Lesson III. The one central truth
here taught is that to be his dis
ciple we must give up all and make
him supreme. In our affections, aims,
ideals, yea, make him the sole pos
SCISSOR of time, talent and posses
siOns.
Lessons ~ and v. 1t is impos-
sible to separate these three para
bles. They are whole in that each
tells Of something lost, sought and
found. The Son, the Holy Spirit and
the Father are each seeking. Our
Lord was himself the perfect Son Of
the Father; who never got into the
far country, or out Of adjustment with
his Father He is different also from
the churlish brother in that he re-
joices to bring back his own" These
two lessons particularly illustrate his
work of saving.
Lesson vi. Beginning with this les
son, our Lord seems to be sitting the
multitude, and at the same time be
preparing his disciples against their
work of cooperating with him in his
work Of seeking and saving. The true
motive in service is in the use of all
we possess for him whom we love. We
are SO to use our money as to make
! friends and bring rewards which
shall abide long after our money and
even our life in this world has passed
away
Lesson VII. AS the last lesson had
to do with stewardship, this has to
do with service. This present life is
| hr.f no h111o Of or
If we so live this life as to develop
it and to rule it's desires, we shall
find abundant qualification in this
world beyond towards which we are
travelling so rapidly.
Lesson Viii. Jesus is still instruct
ing his disciples. Offenses must, OF
rather will come, but forgiveness is
the divine attribute, not because he is
indebted to us nor that he is mawk
ishly, sentimentally, sympathetic
Nothing we do ever places him under
any obligations to us. When we have
done all we will exclaim: I'VE have
done that which was our duty to do
This does not set aside the Joy which
is ours and his when one Of the los1
is found"
Lesson TX. Not only did Jesus sif
the multitude and reveal the need O.
helpers, at the same time setting be
fore them the terms Of discipleship
but he also emphasizes the thought O
gratitude on the part of those helped
and Of those his servants who arr
judged worthy to help him. To re
ceive blessing from God demands
a giving of thanks therefor. Thanks
for being saved and for the privileg,
of helping to save others.
Lesson X. The kingdom which GU
Lord came to set up upon earth is t,
begin within US and it Is not to con
sist Of eating and drinking but O
righteousness and truth. The visible
kingdom which our Lord came to Sc
up upon earth is to begin within us
and it is not to consist of eating an,
drinking, but of righteousness an
truth. The visible kingdom yet t
be is that for which we must be watch
ing and be ready against the immi
nent return of it's rightful Lord an
King To seek and to save, to evan
gelize is to help hasten that gloriou
advent.
Lesson XII. The picture of Zacchae
US IS that of a man restored to hi
right relationship with God; the Out
ward evidence being his acts Of re
pentance and restoration. This lesso
J perfectly reveals the essential wor
Of Christ, and that to which he i
calling his disciples. Zacchaeus di
: not seek Christ, but Christ came t
) seek and save Zacchaeus and all lik
= him who are lost
Lesson XII. The great refusal r.
: veals that the condition of bein
+, saved or being lost rests with the il
;, dividual soul Many elements ente
} into the refusal of men but the e,
r sential one is land We would not
John $40. Much possessions wi
I not satisfy the human soul There
! the danger that we trust our wealt
] rather than God. Lacking one thin,
everything ID lost.
Summary. The whole of this n,
Rod Of our Lords ministry was thu
or conflict and hostility with tn
rulers, wonder and amaZement wit
the people, doubt and uncertainty wit
the disciples. AS he went from Mac
. to place he showed infinite patienc
Ills compassion was for men In the
sin and hic hoo hoo+