Newport daily independent., 1918-09-14
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 15
MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TO THE
 WORLD.

i MANttH1 NNOVvN "
 WORLD. l (May be used with missionary applica- tion.)
 i LESSON TExTS-Matthew 5:13-16; 2S:1S- | 20; Acts 16:9-15
 | GOLDEN TExT-Go ye into all the l world, and preach the gospel to every creature.-Mark 16:15 1 DEVOTIONAL Philippians 2:5-16.
 1 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR l TEACHERS-Number 1929; Psalms 96:3; Isaiah 6:8 Daniel 12:3; Luke 22:32; Ro- mans 1:14; Philippians 2:4-16; James 5:19- 20.
 I. The Disciples Relation to the World (Matt. 5:13-16). | Christ saves with a definite purpose. The character of the subjects of the Kingdom is set forth in the Beatitudes. He gives character which will wield an influence. The whole mass of man. kind is shown in the Scriptures to be corrupt, and the whole world in dark ness. The disciples are to live such lives as will purify and enlighten. Their responsibilities are set forth un- der the figures of salt, light, and a city.
 l. 'Ye are the salt of the earth" (v. 13).
 Salt is that which is opposed to cor ruption. It prevents the progress of corruption. The properties of salt are CD Penetrating; CD Purifying; (3) Preserving.
 Being salt, the disciples of Christ should penetrate, purify, and preserve society. Seeing on every hand the fostering corruption of humanity, our responsibility is clearly set before us. The Christian should not go into se- clusion. He should remain in the world, but not be part of 1t. Let us be sure that as salt we do not lose our saltness. Christians cannot do good after they cease being good. 2. "Ye are the light of the world" (v. 14).
 Light Eliminates and warns. Its gift is guidance. This world is cold and dark Many are the pitfalls and snares set by the devil Christians should so live, let their light so shine, as to prevent the unwary ones from falling into them. They should guide the lost ones of earth so that they may find the path that leads back home to the Heavenly Fathers house. 3. The city set on hill (v. 14).
 By city is suggested a government al and social order. Christian charac- ter and service should be so as to give the influence of the hill-lifted city. Christianity was not intended to be hidden, but to be made so conspicuous as not to be hidden the grand objec- tive being to glorify God the Heavenly Father (v. 1G). :. II. The Disciples Commission (Matt. | 2S :1S-2O).
 l. What it is fv 1S). It is to teach, to make disciples. Christ's death on the cross and triumphant resurrection provided salvation for the world. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life'' (John 3:16). This great fact must be proclaimed to the world. The great commission is backed by the urgency of human need and divine love and compassion for this need. The disciples are to ad- minister baptism in the name of the, Trinity to those who believe. and teach them to observe all things which Christ commanded.
 2. Its scope--all nations (v. 19). It is as wide as the world, and this obli- gation lasts until all the world is evan ge1ized.
 3. It's sustaining power-"all power is given" (v. 19). The divine energy is back of all those who go. Since he is with those who go the enterprise cannot fail Opposition of the devil, sickness and death cannot thwart, be- cause it is backed by divine energy.
 4. The experimenting providence ''I am with you' (v. 20).
 Though the disciples may be scat tered far and wide, the divine Christ is always present to comfort, guide and sustain. This presence is guaran- teed to the end of the age.
 III. Paul called to Macedonia to Preach (Acts Is 6:6-15).
 1. Circumstances of (vv. 6-S). While pushing on the work of evangelization on his second missionary journey, the Spirit forbade Paul to preach further In Asia. Doors being thus closed, there was nothing to do but to go down to Troas The guidance of the Spirit is as much by closing doors as open ing them.
 2. How called (vv. 9-13). It was by vision of man from Macedonia saying: "Come over and help us."
 3. What called to do (v. 10). A. First-fruits of Paul's ministry In Europe (vv. IA, 15).