Arizona republican., 1916-12-04
POWERFUL SERMON
 BY REV. STERMER

Theme; The Coming of Our Lord Text St. Matt 3:3. Prepare we the Way of the Lord. make His paths straight"
 Today the Christian churches throughout the world enters upon the adVert season. which is d season of preparation for the coming Christmas when We celebrate again the birth of Our savior. In the western church this season was first especially ob- served in the 5th century. A b. and was observed in Gaul. Italy. Rome and Spain especially as season of | prayer and repentance and begins the first sunday after St. Andrews | day. which usually follows NOvcm ber a0
 Fl should not only be a season of | holy ioy in the knowledge of the ap- l pro1ening Christmas season but also ! of holy sorrow and repentance for the sins of our past thereby truly preparing ourselves to be truly pOyful az Christmas The holy spirit which | Our Lord promised to send to dwell 1 in and amongst us before he ascend l rd ascension day. .s ever about Us. ready to be admitted into our hearts l md lives. Have you admitted Him f not. do SO during this Advent sea sol. Tie holy scriptures treat. First. of His expected coming. Second. His | first coming. Third. of His second coming lt deals throughout with His saving blood. and his second com ing IS proclaimed from cover to cover. running as a golden thread through each book
 Throughout the old Testament ref crence k continually made to His first coming and the gospel Is to re preached to the humble and meek 7s well as to the high and mighty The theme of the New Testament is Mercy. The Messiah came as q pledge of fidelity. John the Baptist saw the need Of 2 savior. and went up and down .he land preaching repent 7nce and preparation for His coming. The time was ripe. though not all thinrs were perfect. The Jews were looking forward fo inc co'~t-- nf @ delivcrer. but they were expecting an | earthly king anu were dssap ppv..tt,,. 1 Shen he came ns babe and grew up as you and [ grew up-living for 3n years in obsCuritv preparing for the strenuous years of ministry In which he taught by word and example in order 10 prenare them to carry on the work after His ascension He gather ed together twelve men from all walks of life. most of them. however. from the hImoler walks through whom his work wns to be transmitted to the world in prcparttion for His next coming when He V'ill gather to- go;her lis people from all ends of tho earth The Jews of His time rejected Him because they had set their hearts on ali earthly king. and soon aftei His triumuhal entrance into Jerusalem these same Jews cried crucHy Him | crucify Him. and hanged q Him Man, today stil refuse to accept Him How are you answering this ques ton Whom say ve that aml'
 Bible School
 In our bible school VIC are begin hing 2 series of lessons in Revelations the least studied Of all books of tn
 ,ilIe though the onl.' one with al especial promise to those who rea' and near. Are we. our churches. oh government. ready to receive Hin
 oday2 If nos. now is the accepte time. for we may expect His comin any time. The prophecys of Revela tion are h,inE fulfilled daily. but IilS the Jews of old many of us heed nc the warnings which are around Il every day
 The great question for you and to decide Is. will we be prepared
 our Lord shoild come today? Chris could come now. but would he fin us ready to receive him? Have W fulfilled our part of the condto requisite to obtain i.. Let us be pre- pared
 The choir will meet Wednesda evening al S o'clock fer rehearsa Teachers meeting Wednesday ever ing just before choir practice Tn regiilar monthlv meeting of the Ladle Ale Society will he held Thursda afternoon at 2:30 ?. n,. sharp. at th home of Mrs A. II. Fitz 2203 Wei Jefferson street.
 The annual bazaar will be hel Thursday. one week. December fl. the Moose hall on South Central Av'
 Regular services next Lords day