McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-03-23

The purpose of Johns gospel Is re-
vealed In John 20 81. 1t was to prove
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and to prove it in such way
that men might believe 1t in their
hearts, and thus obtain, through that
belief, eternal life in his name. There
fore the best method of review for
the lessons of the past quarter would
be to 60 over the lessons one by one,
and find out how 1t is that this great
truth, which brings life to men, is IL
Illustrated In each of the several les
sons. The object Of such review
should be to make Jesus as real to US
as il we were with him and his disci-
Piles, and could realize that the Word
is now dwelling among us, full of
grace and truth, giving daily of his full
ness and "grace for grace" (Ch. Ia
16). Jesus is 'the way" the way
to heaven, the way to all that is high
est and best on earth, the way Of life,
the way to the Father, the goal of all
human aspirations, the way out of all
human darkness and sin, the way to
holiness and to God. Jesus islalso the
truth, the revealed truth about God.
He revealed the forgiveness OflGod for
the sins Of men, the right wayNof liv-
ing. Jesus Is the life, the source Of
life, the life itself, the true life here
on earth and the eternal life witch is
to abide forever. Thus our entire re-
view centers about Jesus Christi 1t
would be good to have a map chiefly
of the vicinity Of the Sea Of Galllee
to use In this review.
Lesson !. Jesus, the Life and Light
Of Men. This Is the central truth Of
the gospel. Note the pre-existence of
Jesus Christ as the eternal Word, I'm
the beginning with God" Then again
we see 1t as plainly showing forth or
declaring hinHto be God. We see him
also as the Creator of all things, the
One In who was life, and he is, was
and ever is and ever shall be the Light
of men. Jesus of Nazareth was the
eternal Word who became flesh, and
the apostles beheld his glory. Point
out on the map the places in Palestine
made most precious by what Jesus did
in them.
Lesson II. John the Baptist. This
is a lesson of Johns testimony to Jesus
as the Son of God; also that Jesus was
the Lamb of God. eternal, pre-existent,
the One who was baptized by the Holy
Ghost, showing us the real nature Of
Jesus as the Word of God. Describe
who and what he was and did that
made him the perfect Savior. John
was the forerunner show in what way
he made known Christ as the Mes
siah; also refer to why Jesus was
baptized, and emphasized the value
of Gods approval, and the coming Of
the Holy Spirit upon him.
Lesson III. The First Disciples OF
Jesus. Andrew and Philip discovered
the Messiah of whom Moses and the
prophets did write, and revealed him
unto Nathaniel, who discovered in
Jesus the Son of God and the King Of
Israel. Relate how Jesus found these
disciples, their names and their char
acteristics, and why each one was espe-
cially fitted for his particular work.
Lesson w. His Fathers House.
Jesus, manifesting himself as the Son
of God, the Father, was the Ruler of
Gods house, and drove from it those
who defiled it by making that house a
house Of merchandise.
Lesson v. The Savior of the World.
Jesus, as the onlysbegotten Son Of God,
can give eternal life to those who be-
lieve on him. Describe the character
of Nicodemus, what 1t means to be
born again, and what Is meant by be.
ing born of water and Of the spirit.
Lesson vi. The Woman of samaria.
Jesus declared himself to this woman
as the Christ, and also as the giver of
eternal life; therefore he was God.
Referring to the last lesson, emphasize
what Jesus meant by his reference tc
Moses and the brazen serpent, and
bring out the fact that the water of
which he speaks is the gift Of everlast-
ing life.
Lesson VII. The Nobleman's Son
Jesus made his glory to be seen sec
ond time In Cana Of Galilee by healing
sickness although not present at tho
bedside of the sick one. Healing ant
faith are co-partners. John usually
calls Jesus miracles signs. Signs OF
| what? Signs that are to prove that
| Jesus is divine, to prove that was more
than a man, and that he could do
| things that men cannot do. Bring out
| the fact that Jesus appeals to his mir
acles as proof that he is the Son of
| God. but that miracles are not the
breaking of the laws of nature neces-
| sariIy. When / man changes few
| trees into q house, he does not break
the laws of nature, but, by the creative
| force of his will, accomplishes his pur-
! nose. Animals cannot do this, because
an animal has not creative power. God
certainly can do what man can do, and
as much beyond as God is greater than
man.
Lesson VII. The Pool of Bethesda.
Again Jesus manifests his power by
healing by his bare word the man who
had been infirm thirty and eight years,
and who was utterly helpless and hope
less. Bring out how the man showed
his faith. Explain why Jesus should
say to him: "Sin no more lest worse
thing befall thee"
Lesson TX. Five Thousand Fed. Di.
vine power multiplying the loaves and
fishes, and divine prudence in assemb-
ling the fragments reveals the unques-
| tionable, creative act of the power Of
| Jesns Christ as perhaps none other of