Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-06-05
IMPROVED UNYoRM INTERNATIONAL
SJNMSOOOL
LESSON
Ry REV. r. b. FITZwATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of ChicagoJ
Copyright. 1919 by Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR JUNE 8
OBEDIENCE.

bitSSON IE4IS-Gen. l21-4; john II:
2l-24; Matt. 1869
GOLDEN TExT-Ye are my friends IL
We do whatsoever I command you.-John
15:14
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Deut Al
10; | Sam. 1522 %; Matt. 5:19; Acts 4:19,
20: John 3:16-24
PRIMARY TOPIC-Showing Our Love
to God by Obedience.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Abraham's Obedience
and Its Rewards
INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-when to
Obey and How
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Obedi-
eaee Test Of DIscipleship.
I. A Notable Example of Obedience
(Gen. 12:1-D.
At the command of God Abraham
went out not knowing whittier he
went (Heb. II ~. His was not the
obedience of convenience or prudence.
To separate from home and kindred
and take up the life of a pilgrim was
aot easy. Abraham did not stop to
ask why, or what he would get out
of it. The obedience that asks why
is not obedience at ALL
II. The Motive Of Obedience John
14:21-24).
The grand incentive of obedience
Is love to God. The obedience that is
the result of fear or the hope of re-
ward is not true obedience, therefore
has not the approval of God. Only
the child who reverences his father
and affectionately strives to obey him
enjoys his loving favor. The obedi-
cnce which springs out of a heart of
love issues in life of joy and friend
ship with God John IS 1919.
III. The Solemn Obligation of obe-
dience (Matt. 7:16-29).
l. Warnings against false prophets
wv. 1920.
ID Their real existence. Ever since
God has had people false prophets
and teachers have appeared among
them. This need not surprise us, for
Christ predicted that such should be
the case.
(2) Their nature (v. 15). (a) Hypo-
critical The devil does his most sue
cessful work by disappearing as an
angel of light (II Cor. 7:14, 15). His
ministers appear in this way and turn
people from the narrow to the broad
way. (b) This is suggested by their
being ''ravening wolves" 1t is when
the wolf is in sleeps clothing that he
does his most destructive work. The
enemies of Christ posing as his min
listers are most destructive.
f3) The unfailing test (gv. 1919.
Their fruits. If one gives sufficient
time for development the fruit can be
discerned Every tree bears its own
kind of fruit Nature is memorable in
her law as to this. You may search
the universe in vain for an exception.
1t is equally true in the spiritual
world. There is a vital connection
be.ween the faith of heart and the
fruit of life. That which comes out
in the conduct was first in the heart.
A right heart is essential to right con-
duct. Give the false teachers suffi-
cient time and observe closely and you
will find that their lives will prove
the teaching
(4) Their end ". 19). All false
teachers shall finally be punished by
being cast into the fire. Although God
bears long he will see to it that this
wickedness does not so on forever.
.. The dangers of empty profession
wv. 21-23).
Calling Christ Lord" will not an
swer for disobedience to his will. One
may even be a Sunday school teacher
or preacher, and even perform many
mighty works, as casting out devils
and healing the sick and yet hear the
awful declaration of Jesus Christ, Il
never knew YOU depart from me-"
3. The one and only safe way wv.
1920.
Q) Hear the sayings of Christ. To
do this. one must prayerfully attend
to reading the Word of God and medi-
tate upon the same.
(2) Do what Christ commands.
Hearing and doing the teachings of
Christ is building upon, solid rock
Such building can never be destroyed
by flood and storm. Hearing and not
doing Christ's sayings is building
upon the sar which in time of the
storm of Gods wrath and judgment
will he utterly destroyed. Obedience
must follow hearing Christ