The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-02-21
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUIqnAYSC[l()()L,
LESSON
(By e. o. SELLERS. Acting Director ~
the Sunday School Course Of the Moodv
Bible Institute. Chicago.)
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY "a.
JESUS TEACHES BY PARALLELS
THE GROWTH OF THE KING.
DOM.
LESSON TEXT-N1ark 4.21.at

"nters cover the sea.-Isn lt:9
DAGGHpOnlONAL READING-Isa. 1l:1-1O
13:A-5O wv. 81 321:
lsa. 2:3-4 Eek. 47:1-12: Rev. 2l1-S: 2227:
Chap. 2:l-5: Rev. Pills.
Iiti MAkf TOP1C-Jcsus telling story
| about sowing
MEMORY VERSE-Jesus advanced in
wisdom and stature and in favor with
SOD and man.-Luke 2:52
INTERMEDIATES TOPIC-The import
ance OF small beginnings
Jesus is now revealing to his disci-
pies the kingdom in secret which thcv
were later to reveal in public. Moth
ing which he now reveals should be
hid, and he is also teaching that il
we do not use that what is committed
to us, we lose it,
|. Hearing wv oi-o5). 1t is an OBJ
slGatlon resting upon each Of us who
has the light of truth that he should
SO set it before men that it can be
seen that men may be enlightened,
chcrrcd and served by it (NIatt. 5:1I-
l6; Phil. 1870. The secret things
of our lives will be brought to light
some day. Ears are given with which
! w CIV W ii'ttt' uiiu l)bSStSSlOIl Ol ncur-
ing involves the responsibility rs to
what we hear. "Thc Gospel is the
power of God unto salvation to every
one that belicveth" (Rom. 1:1G), but
believing comes through "hearing"
(Rom. 1O:1O. In this there is mis-
sionary suggestion for our teachers,
but there is also a caution as to what
and how we hear "Takc heed what
we hear" Many today are being swept
into all kinds Of damning here
sizes because they do not follow this
warning e Tim. 3:1-13). Not only are
we to be good listeners, but we must
be doers as we'll GAS. 1 :22). This
parable Of the lamp follows closely
upon the parable Of the sower in
our last lesson. "God who first Gre
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
die Is not placed under q bushel nol
under a bed, but on candle stick
where 1t may be seen Of all. If oul
virtues go not forth from us, 1t will
be as though we had hidden them
from the world. "To him that hearctf
right shall more be given" (v. 24)
but for him that hath not and seetl
not, from him shall be taken. He
that hath not is he who neglects his
opportunities, and "from him shall bt
taken even that which he hath" 1r
this we see spiritual multiplication
{ and also a spiritual subtrac ction, de
I tcriOratiOn.
:, II. Growing. (D Secrecy Wv. 26-20)
. This IS parable of faith and hope
: found only In Mark. Again the goot
seed is referred to- but In this cas-,
unseen growth receives the emphasis
FOR the seed will spring and grow up
though we know not how. 1t Is com
forting to think that, If we SOW th
true seed. 1T grows while we slee]
". 27.) The best selected seed 9TH
holy wordD is essential for results. Al
Of our seed must have this silent pc
rod for growth. 1t Is the earth tha
brings forth the fruit of herscl
through the energies and powers Will
which God endows 1t. These powers
are wonderful. We do not understand
them, but there Is order and symmetr.
In growth. First the blade. then th'
car, and after that the full corn II
the ear. Then is the harvest tn,
purpose Of the seed having been ac
complishcd. Mark alone gives us thi
parable, and 1t Is given in close rela
tion to the parable OF the sower ant
Of thp yyhpot md t0rns JnsrS 10 IN,
great harvester ". 29), and knows tht
right time to reap the grain, the mo
mcnt when 1t Is "ripe" ". 90 II. w
Then he putteth in the sickle.
(2) There Is also marvellous out
ward growth Of the kingdom wv. 30
32). There Is the closest relation be
tween the parable Of the mustard
seed and the two parallels that pre-
cede In Matthew the parable Of tho
mustard seed Is used in relation to the
kingdom OF heaven. which is tho
sphere of the Christian profession
Here 1t is used Of the kingdom OF
God, which Is spiritual. Why Is 1t uset
Of both? The explanation, according
to Doctor ScOfcld, 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 rapid growth
If the abnormal growth Of this
common garden shrub illustrates Ill
! vine increase, why Is 1t not more gl0ri
!. Gus? There Is not here anything
Babylonlan empires. Geek. 81 :36
Ilnt a .On II