The Brinkley argus., 1918-09-20
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 22
FRUITS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

FRUITS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
 LESSON TExTs-Matthew 25:14-30; 5:1 n
 GOLDEN TEXT-Au things are yours . and ye are Christ's; and Christ i God's.-I Corinthians 3:21-23
 DEVOTIONAL READTNG-Galatians 6 1925.
 ADDITIONAL. MATERIAL FOI TEACHERS-Psalms 17:15; Isaiah 51:11 Acts 1925; Romans 2:10; 5:1-2
 !. The Parable of the Talents.
 This parable, like that of the Ter 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 1t may be the gospel of Jesus Christ. With refer PDCe to these Ldle0LS DOLe.
 l. Their distribution (vv. fl, 15).
 (D A sovereign one. The servants belong to the Lord as well as the money. CD An Intelligent one. The distribution was made on the basis of the ability of each servant. The req son one man received one talent was because the Lord knew that he would be incapable of using two or five. (3)
 purposeful one. The talents were wen to be traded with. They were 9t given for the servants own use, 1t stock-in-trade for the enrichment the master.
 2. Employment of the talents (vv. 16-1S).
 Tn 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 a 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 (vv. 19-30).
 (D Its certainty. There Is a 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 tal- 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 announced. To the faithful there was reward. This reward consisted of praise "YYell done :" promotion: ruler over many things" and entrance upon the joy of the Lord" For the faithless one there was awful punishment which consisted of "slothful;" be- ing stripped and cast into outer dark ness.
 Ii Characteristics Of the Subjects of the Kingdom Clatt. 5:1-12).
 These beatitudes are connected with each other with the strictest order of logical sequence. They set forth the characteristics of those who era sub tects of the kingdom. They fall into three groups four in the first three in the second. and two In the third.
 | Poverty of spirit (v. 3. To he poor in spirit does not mean to he without money, but to come to the end of self, to be in a state of ahso- lute spiritual beggary, having no DOW VT to alter his condition or make him self better.
 2 A profound grief because of this spiritual bankruptcy (v. D. The mourniRg here is not because of eX- Gerual cares but keen consciousness of guilt before a holy God,
 3. A humble submission to Gods will and obedience to his commands with out asking the reason why (y. D. This is the outgrowth, of mourning for spir- ituai Insolvency.
 I. An intense longing to conform to the laws of the kingdom (v. O. Hav- ing poceived the righteousness of Christ as free gift, every desire of his SoUl is to be filled with righteous ness
 :. Msxclful (v. 7) At this stage the suhsjacxs of the kingdom take on the character of the King. Christ waa mercafui; his followers will be like wise
 6 Purity of heart (v. 8. This heart purity Fbegins by having our hearts ssynaaEged from Gn evil conscience witf the blood of Christ, and is maintained by living in fellowship with him. Those vVha have pure hearts can see God ev srywhaere.
 q Peacemakers {v. 9. Those wh' hare been reconciled to God by Chris rot only live In peace, but diffuse peace
 8. Suffering for Christ's sake (v. 1O) The world hated Christ and cruclfie hsnH- Those who live for him shal snsrG persecution (II Timothy 3:12).
 6. Suffer reproach tv. 1D It mean Co ahor In