The Brinkley argus., 1914-05-22
LESSON FOR MAY "A
uNPRoFITABLE SERVANTS.

uNPRoFIrABLE SERVANTS. LESSON TExT-Luke 17:1-10.
 GOLDEN TExT-"He that glorieth, lei him glory in the Lord" Cor. 1:3l.
 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 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 kindled against the men whose love of money and of show had calloused them in the presence of this multitude. It was in this spirit that he turned and taught his disciples.
 A Special Warning.
 |. IA. It 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 makes them to work out for the good of his people, Ps. 76:10; II Cor. 12:7. 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 If through one we fall, nor minimize the guilt of the one through whom they come, see Matt. 1877. We as follow CTS must go to every possible length to avoid being an occasion to another, I Cor.8:9, 13; 10:32; Rom. 14:13. In this lesson (v. 9 Jesus sounds spe- cial warning against those who cause one of his little ones to stumble, e. g.. those weak in faith, this hungering 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 child from accepting Christ or cause 1t 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 danger each indi- vidual life must take heed (v. 3, q Tim. 5:16). Appealing to his dis ciples Jesus showed them their true attitude towards a shining man was to rebuke him. Lev. i9:17, and if he repented he should be forgiven. It 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, movement which indicated desire to reach 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.
 IL. "lncrease Our Faith," w. 5:10. Such a program as that just outlined must have staggered the apostles as they thought of their own inability so to conduct their lives. This exclama- tion reveals their sense of the impor- tance. superiority and difficulty of his ideals. As. we come into personal fel- 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 we'll as of their need. In response to our cry he will supply, Mark 9: 24-27. Nothing is impossible to him (v. @. Phil. 4:13. The illustration is one easy to remember The insignifi- cant little seed of the mustard has in 1t tremendous power of growth and development, many thousand times it's own weight and bulk, see Matt. 13:31, 32, because it is linked with Gods tremendous laws of life, with omnipotence. Our Lord contrasts such power with the removal of a sycamore tree; small wonder we re- ceive such a vivid and lasting lesson of the power of faith, even the weak est faith. Faith is principle neces- sary to overcome the obstacles in the way of measuring up to his ideals if 1t is of the right quality, 1t is equal to the doing of the most mighty things. Passing from this contrast Jesus uses the parable which follows tvs. 7-10). The word but would suggest an ap- parent departure from this subject It Is, however, a correction of any false idea that may have arisen that the doing of duty can be the cause of boastfulness or create any rights whereby we may expect any special reward for service. The disciples. as has been suggested, realized the dihculty of obeying his commands. yet they knew that such obedience would assure them the highest re. wards of faith His words implied and warranted such conclusion