The Carlisle independent., 1917-07-26
INTERNATIONAL SUNlMSCnOOL
 LESSON (By E. O. SELLERS. Acting Director of the Sunday School Course in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
LESSON FOR JULY 29
GODS GRACIOUS INviTATIoMe
LESSON TEXT-Isaiah 55:1-11.

IESSON lEAI-lSa1an bo.l-l. t. GOLDEN TEXT-Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.-Isa. 55:6.
 The Bible is throughout a forward looking book. No matter how dark the light, 1t looks forward to the dawn of a new and better day. Whenever written the prophet looks forward to- ward the end of the Babylonian exile. Isaiah died about 142 years before that event. That scene is laid in Baby lonia. Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem.
 I. The Invitation, (vv. 1-8) In or der to understand the fullness and blessedness of this invitation, we should read in its connection chapters 53 and 54. In chapter 5 we have a prophecy and vision of the Messiah, making his atonement for sins, wounded for our transgressions." Again we have in this connection a picture of the Messiah as our leader and Savior. In chapter 55 we have the invitation and joyous welcome to the beautiful city which he is estab- fishing for us.
 CD Who Is Invited? The word "Ho" is perhaps an abbreviation of the word Hold" used to excite attention. This invitation is extended to every one: (a) the thirsty" to those who those without money" and the supply Is abundant, even as the water. Every one is invited without limitation or distinction. The greatness of a mans spirit Is measured by the numbers of his desires and thirsts, by their quail ities and by his capacities or the in- tensity of his thirst. Those invited were to have "wine," a luxury, and milk" a staple necessity, without money and without price. The cur rency of the kingdom of Heaven is grace (v. D.
 (2) Who VIII come7 (v. 3. Only those who are listening and who are attentive. Many fail of eternal life because they do not pay attention to the claims of religion. Come unto me-" (Matt. II :28). We go to God for salvation and help, and we find life. Life is more than mere exist ence. It is the natural, harmonious, joyous activity of every part of our being. The result of coming is, "your soul shall live" and the surety of it is, "an everlasting covenant" Liter ally, an agreement with promises which can never be broken, namely, ''the sure mercies of David" (See II Sam. 12 :29; Cor. r :7-27; Ps. S9 :1-4; also Luke 20 Al, Al. We are bought but we did not pay the price. The mercies of David are the antitype of our Savior; the mercy of grace. True satisfaction is in its right order, (See w. 2, 3. Christ is a faithful witness, the exalted one, (v. 5 to this cove nant.
 (3) When to Come (y. 6). While he may be found, and while he is near, implying time when he may not be found and time when he will not be near. All of Gods promises are conditional
 (4) The Way to Come (v. D. For sake open sin, turn from unrighteous thought, turn to the Lord and receive his multiplied pardon" Man is every where depicted in the Scriptures as wandering away from the true God and there is no salvation if we insist on continuing in sin.
 II. The Transformation (vv. S-13,. Ged's promises have back of them all the power of the universe and are as certain as the process of the seasons. In working out. his transformation in the character of man, we are to think his thoughts after him. We see and know only very little of this spirit, but Gcd sees, knows and controls the universe, which is at his command. q Cor. 10 IS; Phil. 4:19). We are to enter into his ways, and his ways are as the heavens, higher than those of the earth. Having entered into his ways we are to bring his fruits (see John 15). If the Divine seed (v. ID is implanted within us, then we may ex- pect to see the fruits of the kingdom of God, which are born of the spirit. (Gal. 5 :22-26). This transformation involves service, for we are to have a mission, 'go out to all the earth" be- ing led by the Messiah and thus re ceive "joy and peace." As sure as "the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not but watereth the earth" so is the seed of the Word in the hands of the sower, to become bread to the eater. As we go forth we have his promise (y. 11) that it shall not return void but shall ad complish that which I please. and ik shall prosper in the thing whereto | sent it.''
 As result the "thorns" (evil) shall be displaced by fig trees'' (good). Gods word bears fruit in im- planted lives. (John 6 6:33; James IS; I Peter :23). God calls this word, which is spoken of by the prophet, My word" What the prophet says, God