Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-09-21
IMPROVED uNlFoRM INTERNATIONAL
SOlYl6YSQ1O0L
LESSON
(By Rev. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago)
Copyright, 1915 by Western Newspaper Union,)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER q

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER u
FRUITS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
LESSON TEXTs-Matthew 2s:14-so: FL.
GOLDEN TExr-An things are yours;
=. and W are Christ's; and Christ II
God's.-I Corinthians 3:N-23
DEVOTIONAL Observation-Disclosures 6:
ls-16.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-Psalms 17:15: Isaiah 5l:l1;
Acts 1875: Romans 2:10: 6:1-2
!. The Parable Of the Talents.
This parable, like that of the Ten
Virgins, is associated with the second
coming Of Christ. In both instances
there is evident an unpreparedness on
the part Of the people. In the first
case there is failure of the inward life ;
In the second, there is failure to use
the gifts which have been entrusted to
them. The first was failure to watch !;
the second was failure to work. BY
talents is meant, the gifts which God
has entrusted to his servants. It may
be natural endowments, special endue-
ments of the Spirit, or it may be the
gospel Of Jesus Christ. With refer
ence to these talents note:
I. Their distribution wv. IA, 15).
(1) A sovereign one. The servants
belong to the Lord as well as the
money. (2) An intelligent one. The
distribution was made on the basis Of
the ability Of each servant. The rea-
son one man received one talent was
because the Lord knew that he would
be incapable Of using two or five. (3)
A purposeful one. The talents were
given to be traded with. They were
not given for the servants own use,
but stock-in-trade for the enrichment
of the master.
2. Employment Of the talents wv.
1919.
In this employment all the servants
recognized that the talents did not be-
long to them. The two-talented man
and the five-talented man put their
talents to use, which resulted in
large increase. It is always true that
the right use of talents increases them.
The one-talented man hid his in the
earth. The unmistakable sign Of the
one-talented man is that he Is hiding
his talent. The two-talented and FIVE
talented men are always busy.
3. The accounting for the talents
wv. 19-3O).
ny Its certainty. There is day
coming when the Lords servants shall
give an account to him for the use they
have made of their talents. (2) The
time Of. This is at the coming of the
Lord. Those who are using their tai.
ents will rejoice when the Lord comes
that they may present unto him their
talents with increase. But the one
talented man will have fear and dread
against that day. (3) The judgments
To the faithful there was
reward. This reward consisted of
praise: swell done :" promotion: ruler
over many things" and entrance upon
the ny Of the Lord" For the faithless
one there was awful punishment which
Of reproach-"slothful;" be-
ing stripped and cast into outer dark
ness.
II. Characteristics Of the Subjects
Of the Kingdom Matt. SLIP.
These beatitudes are connected with
each other with the strictest order of |
logical sequence. They set forth the
of those who are sub |
jects Of the kingdom. They fall into |
three groups: four in the first, three in
the second, and two in the third.
1. Poverty of spirit ". 81. To he
poor in spirit does not mean to he
money, but to come to the
end Of self, to be In state Of absO-
lutte spiritual beggary, having no pow
or to alter his condition or make him
self better.
9. A profound grief because of this
spiritual bankruptcy ". ~. The
here is not because of ex-
ternal cares, but keen consciousness
IF guilt before holy God.
3. A humble submission to Gods will
md obedience to his commands with
,ut asking the reason why ". 81. This
s the Outgrowth Of mourning for spir-
tual insolvency.
4. An intense longing to conform to
he laws Of the kingdom ". g.. Hav.
ng received the Righteousness Of
christ as free gift, every desire Of
lis soul is to be filled with righteous
less.
.. Merciful ". y. At this stage the
subjects Of the kingdom take on the
character Of the King. Christ was
nerciful; his followers will be like
wise.
6. Purity Of heart ". 81. This heart
'urity begins by having our hearts
prinkled from an evil conscience with
he blood Of Christ, and is maintained
" living in fellowship with him. Those
Who have pure hearts can see God ev-
rywhere.
Z. Peacemakers ". 81. Those who
ave been reconciled to God by Christ
ot only live in peace, but diffuse peace.
g. Suffering for Christ's sake ". 10Y.
The world hated Christ and crucified
lin. Those who live for him shall
uffer persecution III Timothy 3:12).
9. Suffer reproach ". 11). It means
offering under false charges. In such
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