Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-04-26
LESSON FOR APRIL %
JESUS RE3UkEs SELFIsHNESs

any man desire TO
be first, the same shall be last of all, and
servant of aIl.-Mark 9:35.
DEVOTIONAL READING-I Corin-
thians Is.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
Observation-Disclosures 5:41-42; 2O:2O-2S;
Luke 22:24-3O.
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR LESSON
MATERIAL-Mark 9:30-37.
PRIMARY MEMORY VERSE-Be kind
one to another.-Ephesians Asp.
JUNIOR MEMORY verse; John 4:
p.
|. The Stupidity of S~eIfishness. (vv.
30-32). Jesus with his disciples is on
his way to Capernaum for the last
time. He is soon to leave for Jerusa-
lem, where he is to die on the cruel
cross for the worlds sins. He still
seeks the way of retirement in order
to be alone with his disciples, his OBJ
Ject being to lead them into the appre-
hension of the meaning of the cross.
The teaching which was interrupted at
Caeserea by Peters rebuke is o re-
sumed, and with definiteness he de-
clares the future event is already
present.
1. THE Son of Man is delivered into
the hands of men,"
2. 'They shall kill him."
3. "He shall rise the third day"
While pressing upon them continu.
ously the fact and necessity of the
cross, he eve failed to show them
the bright side-his triumphant vic
tory over death in the resurrection
The hearts of the disciples were SO
stepped in selfshness that they failed
to understand his teachings. If the
disciples had more definitely attended
to his teaching concerning the cross,
they would have been better prepared
for the hour of temptation which was
so soon to overtake them.
II. The WrangIing of Selfishness,
wv. 33-3O.
l. The searching question (v. 33).
The omniscient Christ knew the Sc
crets of their hearts. The fact thai
the disciples were wrangling about of
fetal position while the Lord was fac.
ing humiliation and death for then
and the whole world. shows how com
DIClClN lAC Lulu WIS dlOl1c III lis SUI
row.
2. The silent disciples ". 34).
They were ashamed in his presence
because the selfishness of their hearts
was revealed. To realize the presence
of the Lord would shame us of much OF
our S~elfiShneSS.
3. The singing rebuke wv. $3.50.
eff any man desire to be first, thu
same shall be last of all, and servan
of ALL" The greatest among men ar
those who are willing to take the low
est place and serve others. This trutl
he enforced in a concrete way by plac
ing a child in their midst. This chill
was an illustration of dependence an,
ignorance. By example and word h
shows that true greatness is expresses
by willingness to aid the weak, to in
struct the ignorant and to serve thos
merely to those in need, but unit
Christ and God. True greatness, there
fore, consists not in s~elfseeking, Blu
rendering cheerful service to tn
needy in the name of Christ.
Ill. The Intolerance of SeIfishnes
wv. 3S-41).
1. Johns guilty conscience ". 38).
In the light of the teaching of Jesui
John was a little disturbed over havin
forbid a worker for Christ who di
not follow after him. Doubtless thi
intolerance was in part due to jealous
for Christ, but also a selfish ambition
Many times Christians mistake bigotr
for zeal for Christ.
9. Whom to tolerate Wv. 3941).
Q) Those who are casting out devi
". 800. We should really satisfy gu
selves that supernatural works are b
ing done. Are demons being cast out
However, this is not final, as there is
supernatural work not of God.
(2) Those who are not doing til
work in Christ's name ". Az. Al
worker going forth in the name
Christ, and for the glory of Chris
SHOULD be given Godspeed. If he
doing q good work, even though not
your way, or if not a member of 20,
church or school, "Forbid him not"
~. The Awful Issue of Selfishnee
wv. 1850.
Selishness results in ruin to othe
". 42), and also to the individual "
; 43. As and 40. In either case the
sue is eternal torment in hell. Sells
ness is opposed to God, and that whit
: is opposed to God must be eternal
separated from him. S~elf-renunci
ton should be so complete that V
should be willing to abandon the mo
necessary and lawful things in life
hands, feet and eyes-when they /
, come occasions for stumbling either
ourselves or to others.