The Jasper news., 1917-07-26
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LESSON
LESSON FOR JULY 20
GODS GRACIOUS INVITATION.
LESSON TExT-1saiah 55:1-11.


The Bible is throughout a forward
looking book. No matter how dark
the light, 1t looks forward to the dawn
Of 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.
!. The Invitation, wv. 49, In or
der to understand the fullness and
blessedness of this invitation, we
should read in its connection chapters
80 and 81. In chapter SO we have
prophecy and vision of the Messiah,
making his atonement for SINS
wounded for our transgressions."
Again we have in this connection
picture Of the Messiah as our leader
apd Savior. In chapter 55 we have
the beautiful city which he is estab-
fishing for us.
~ Who ls lnvitedT The word "Ho"
is perhaps an abbreviatlon of the
word "Hold," used to excite attention.
This invitation Is extended to every
one: (a) the thirsty" to those who
are needy; (b) the poor and the rich;
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
tiles and by his capacities or the In
tensity of his thirst. Those invited
were to have "wine," luxury, and
money and without price. The cur
rency Of the kingdom OF Heaven is
grace ". ~.
(2) Who VIII Come? ". 81. 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-" (Nlatt. IL :2S). We go to God
for salvation and help, and we find
life. Life is more than mere exist
ence. 1t 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, ian everlasting covenant" Liter
nlly, an agreement with promises
which can never be broken, namely,
"the sure mercies of David" (See II
Sam. - 30; Cor IT 1927; Ps. so Ia;
also Luke 20 Al, Az. 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 it's right order, (See
Wv. 2, 81. Christ is faithful witness,
the exalted one, ". 81 to this cove
nant.
(3) When to Come ". 81. Willie
he may be found, and while he Is
near, implying IL 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 ". y. 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 SIM.
II. The Transformation wv. S-13).
| Gods 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 God sees, knows and controls the
universe, which is at his command.
| Il Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4 :19). We are to
enter into his ways, and his ways are
ms the heavens, higher than those of
/ the earth. Having entered into his
ways we are to bring his fruits (sce
John 15). If the Divine seed Cy. 11)
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. 5:22-2G). This transformation
involves service, for we are to have a
mission, Ego 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 ". ~ that,
ut shall not return void but shall &C.
complish that which please, and II
shall prosper in the, thing whereto
cent It,"