Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1918-10-18
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER ~

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER ~
FRUITS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
LESSON TEXTS-Matthew 25:14-aO; 81.
GOLDEN TExT-An things are yours;
and We are Christ's; and Christ is
Gods.-I Corinthians 3:21-23.
DEVOTIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 6:
1926.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-Psalms 17:15; Isaiah SILL; |
Acts 1925; Romans 2:10: SIP.
I. The Parable Of the Talents.
This parable, like that of the Ten
Virgins, is associated with the second
! coming of Christ. In both instances
there is evident an unpreparedness on
the part of the people. In the first
case there is failure of the inward life;
in the second, there is failure to use
the gifts which have been entrusted to
them. The first was failure. to watch
the second was failure to work. BY
talents is meant, the gifts which God
has entrusted to his servants. 1t may
be natural endowments, special endue-
ments of the Spirit, or it may be the
gospel of Jesus Christ. With refer
ence to these talents note:
I. Their distribution wv. II, 15).
(1) A sovereign one. The servants
belong to the Lord as well as the
money. (2) An intelligent one. The
distribution was made on the basis of
the ability Of each servant. The rea-
&11@
because the Lord knew that he would
be incapable of using two or five. (3)
A purposeful one. The talents were
given to be traded with. They were
not given for the servants own use,
but stock-in-trade for the enrichment
Of the master.
2. Employment of the talents wv.
1919.
In this employment all the servants
recognized that the talents did not be-
long to them. The two-talented man
and the five-talented man put their
talents to use, which resulted in a
large increase. 1t is always true that
the right use of talents increases them.
The one-talented man hid his in the
earth. The unmistakable sign of the
One-talented man is that he is hiding
his talent. The two-talented and FIVE
talented men are always busy.
!. 8. The accounting for the talents
wv. 19-3O).
~ It's certainty. There Is day
> coming when the Lords servants shall
l. give an account to him for the use they
L have made of their talents. (2) The
L. time Of. This is at the coming Of the
L Lord. Those who are using their tai
IL ents will rejoice when the Lord come!
d that they may present unto him thei
u talents with increase. But the one
L talented man will have fear and dreat
le against that day. (3) The Judgment
Is announced. To the faithful there wa
reward. This reward consisted o
e. praise: "WeIl done;" promotion "rule
at over many things and entrance 'upol
the Joy of the Lord" For the faithles
1e one there was awful punishment whic
et consisted of "slOthful;" be
to ing stripped and cast into outer dark
N ness.
;" II. Characteristics Of the Subject
m Of the Kingdom (Matt. 5 :1-12).
n These beatitudes are connected wit
ne each other with the strictest order {
logical sequence. They set forth tn
re characteristics Of those who are sui
nd jects Of the kingdom. They fall int
NJ three groups: four in the first, three
es the second, and two in the third.
es 1. Poverty Of spirit ". 81. To
~ poor in spirit does not mean to
o1- hit IN fn ~
an end of self, to be in state Of abs
gle lutte spiritual beggary, having no po'
ut, er to alter his condition or make hiI
ne self better.
us 2. A profound grief because Of tn
a spiritual bankruptcy ". A.. II
wi mourning here is not because Of e
ternal cares, but keen consciousne
les of guilt before holy God.
we 3. A humble submission to Gods W
tn and obedience to his commands wit
gh out asking the reason why ". 81. TT
nd is the outgrowth Of mourning for sp
the itual insolvency.
yn. 4. An intense longing to conform
the laws of the kingdom ". 81. hi
re, ing received the righteousness
on Christ as free gift, every desire
he his soul is to be filled with righteO'
nal ness.
ait 5. Merciful ". y. At, this stage
the subjects of the kingdom take on
ave character of the King. Christ "
ags merciful; his followers will be Ill
our wise.
the 6. Purity Of heart ". 81. This he
you purity begins by having our hea
asst sprinkled from an evil conscience W
ear the blood Of Christ, and Is maintail
ing by living in fellowship with him. TIL
nd who have pure hearts can see God
erywhere.
Z. Peacemakers ". 81. Those v
have been reconciied to God by Chi
not only live in peace, but diffuse pes