The Carlisle independent., 1918-02-21
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNNESQlOOL
 LESSON (By F. 0. SELLERS. Acting Director of the Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute, Chlcago) Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 24.
JESUS TEACHES BY PARALLELS THE GROWTH OF THE KING. DOM,
LESSON TEXT-Mark 4:21-84.


 TEACHERS-Matt 13:24-50 (vv 81, 32); 1sa 2:S-4; Ezek. 47:1-12; Rev. 21:1-S; 22-27; Chap. 22:1-5; Rev. 21:1-S.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus telling story about sowing
 MEMORY VERsE-Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.-Luke 2:52.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-The import ance of small beginnings.
 Jesus is now revealing to his disci- ples the kingdom in secret which they were later to reveal in public. Noth- ing which he now reveals should be hid, and he is also teaching that. if we do not use that what is committed to us, we lose it.
 !. Hearing (vv. 21-25). It is an ob- ligation resting upon each of us who so set it before men that it can be seen that men may be enlightened, cheered and served by it (Matt. 5:14- IS; Phil. 1 :15-16). The secret things of our lives will be brought to light some day. Ears are given with which we are to hear, and possession of hear ing involves the responsibility as to what we hear. "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. :16), but believing comes through "hearing" (Rom. 10:17). In this there is a mis- sionary suggestion for our teachers, but there Is also caution as to what and how we hear. "Take heed what we hear" Many today are being swept into all kinds of damning here sies because they do not follow this warning c Tim. 8 :1-13). Not only are we to be good listeners, but we must be doers as well Gas. 1 :22). This parable of the lamp follows closely upon the parable of the sower in our last lesson. God, who first ere ated light, and Christ, in whom was life, and the life was the light of men," both together are ones whom we are equally obliged to see. and hear and obey. To impress the duty of this seeing, hearing and using of light upon his disciples, Jesus reminds them of some familiar things. A can de is not placed under a bushel nor under a bed, but on a candle stick. where it may be seen of all. If our virtues go not forth from us, it will be as though we had hidden them from the world. "To him that heareth right shall more be given" (v. 24) but for him that hath not and seeth not, from him shall be taken. He that hath not is he who negleets his opportunities, and from him shall be taken even that which he hath" In this we see a spiritual multiplication, and also a spiritual subtraction, de- terioration.
 II. Growing. (1) Secrecy w. 26-29). This is a parable of faith and hope, found only in Mark. Again the good seed is referred to, but in this case unseen growth receives the emphasis, for the seed will spring and grow up, though we know not how. It is com forting to think that, if we SOW the true seed. it grows while we sleep (v. 27.) The best selected seed (the holy word) is essential for results. All of our seed must have this silent pe- riod for growth. It is the earth that brings forth the fruit of herself through the energies and powers with which God endows it. These powers are wonderful. We do not understand them, but there is order and symmetry in growth First the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear. Then is the harvest, the purpose of the seed having been ac- complished. Mark alone gives us this parable. and 1t is given in close rela- ton to the parable of the sower and of the wheat and tares. Jesus is the great harvester (v. 29), and knows the right time to reap the grain, the mo- ment when it is ripe" (v. % R. VI. Then he putteth in the sickle.
 CD There is also a marvellous out ward growth of the kingdom (vv. 30- 32). There is the closest relation be- tween the parable of the mustard seed and the two parables that pre- cede. In Matthew the parable of the mustard seed is used in relation to the Kingdom OI nedNeu, WHICH IS lHe sphere of the Christian profession. Here it is used of the kingdom of God, which is spiritual. Why is it used of both? The explanation, according to Doctor Scofield. lies in the fact that the kingdom of God in this age and the kingdom of heaven have this in common, that from an insignificant beginning they had a rapid growth.
 If the abnormal growth of this common garden shrub Illustrates di- vine increase, why is it not more glori- ous? There Is not here anything like the greatness of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. (Ezek 31 :3-6 i; Dan. 4 4:20-22). Is the significance of the birds good or evil? Great Baby lon, the figure of a protesting Chris tian body in guilty connection with | the kings of the earth, becomes "a | cage of every unelean and hate | ful bird" (Rev. 1S:2). The mixed" | I-s. l. I,