The Brinkley argus., 1918-07-26
LESSON FOR JULY 28
oBEYING GOD.

| LESSON TExTS-Matthew 4:18-22: JohnI H:22-N; James 1:z2-N.
 GOLDEN TExT-If ye love me- ye wfut keep my commandments.-John 14:15.
 DEVOTIONAL READING-John 1S:8-f7.' PRIMARY TOPIC-Lovfng God and do- fnR his will
 LESSON MArERIAI.-Matthew 4:1s-ss James 1:a7-N.
 INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-obedience; To whomf Why? Howl
 ADDITIONAL WATERFALL chroH- iclss 1s:lS; Psalms 10s:17-1S: Matthew s:1S: John 15:12-1A; John 3:3-S. IT.
 Obedience Is vital part of our re- ligfon. The obedience of the Chris tian Is not legal but hlial. Eternal life Is not secured through obedience but obedience is the tangible evidence that one possesses 1t.
 |. The Call Of the FIrst Disciples (Matt 4 :1S-22).
 1. By whom-Jesus Christ (v. 18).
 Jesus is the Son of God. Since he is equal with God, he has the right to call. Those who hear his caIl should render instant and hearty obedience.
 2. The circumstances of their call (v. 18).
 The call came to them while they were busy with their business inter ests. God always calls men who are vitally engaged in some business, not those in likeness.
 8. The nature of (v. 19).
 It was a definite call, in that def- nite men were called into a definite service.
 (1) To follow Christ. We must fol- low Christ before we can serve him. Only Christians can do Christian work. We should follow him to be like him. in order to win others to him.
 (2) To win men for him-"Fishers of men," Christ calls men into work of the same character as that in which they were engaged. They had been fishing for fish; now they are to be fishers of men. When Christ calls men he does not call them to lower service. This is fine case of promo tion. Men catch fish to kill and feed upon them, but Christ's disciples catch men to make them alive and feed them.
 4. Response to Christ's call (vv. 2l 22).
 () They left their business inter ests immediately.
 (2) They not only left their busi- ness. but James and John left their td- ther also Following Jesus sometimes means turning ones back upon busi- ness interests and dearest friends and relations. Regardless of what it costs, the true disciple will rem der instant obedience to the call of Christ, because he has a right to call us, and we can trust his wisdom to not call until he has need.
 II. The Motive for Obedience (John IA :22-24).
 The grand motive actuating obedi- ence is love to Christ. The proof that we do love him Is that we obey him. Even when we may not be conscious of unusual outgolngs of the affection. the conclusive evidence that we love Is that we obey Keeping his com mandments means such a regard for them that we highly treasure them as something precious. The reward for such obedience is to have Christ's prayer for us to God to send his Holy Spirit upon us (John IA :16, ID. Then. too, the Father will love us, and he and the Son will take up their abode with us This abode is not temporary but permanent.
 III. The Kind of Obedience That Counts Games :22-2D.
 1. The obedience of deeds (vv. 22- 2G.
 Hearing Gods Word will do no good unless it Is Accompanied with obedi- ence Hearing and not doing is as futile as beholding ones face in q looking glass and forgetting what man. ner of man he Is. Calling Christ Lord, and not doing what he says, will avail nothing (Matt. 7:21, 22). To pretend to know God and not keep his com mandments is to lie q John 2:4).
 ?. The obedience of perseverance (v 25).
 We should not only look Into Gods Word and admire it's perfections. but steadfastly and consistently do the things required. Only those who thus persevere shall be blessed In their deeds
 g. The obedience of speech (v. 26). The one who has genuine religion will control his tongue. Just as the physician ofttimes can diagnose the physical condition of the patient by an examination of the tongue, so the moral and spiritual condition of the individual can be determined by the speech of the individual. The one who does not control his tongue proves that his religion is empty and void.
 4. The obedience of kindness (v. 27). Those who have received the klnd-i ness of God will manifest that kind ness in their lives. This kindness will express itself in ministering to the fa- therless and widows.
 5. The obedience of purity of life