The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1919-11-21

Mark 9:33-42; lO:13-16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus and the Chill
dren.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus the Friend of
Children.
INTERMEDIATES TOPIC-Hasty and
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-True
and False Liberality
l. Jesus Teaches True Greatness
wv. 46-4S).
l. The occasion ". 46). A conten-
ton among the disciples as to who
should be the greatest. Jesus had just
announced his coming death on the
cross, admonishing them 10 let his say
ings sink down into their ears ". Az.
They were disputing among themselves
as to who would be the biggest man
in the kingdom. The Imagination can
not depict a condition where rebuke
and teaching were more needed.
2. The method ". AZ. He took a
child and set him by him. Teaching
by object is one of the best Of methods.
In this Jesus showed himself to be the
master teacher Christ was qualified
to meet the supreme need of all teach
ing, namely to know the pupil and to
translate knowledge into terms adapt
ed to the comprehension Of the pupil.
He perceived even the thoughts of the
disciples and met their need. When
they were conscious Of his knowledge
of them they were ashamed mark
9:34).
3. The teaching ". 48). ~ "Who-
soever receiveth this child in my name
receiveth me-" So completely IS
Christ identified with those who are
childllke in spirit that he regards treat
ment of them as treatment OF hlmselI.
(2) whatsoever receiveth me receiv-
eth him that sentsme." Christ and the
Father are one, therefore whatsoever
attitude one has toward Christ he has
toward God. Rejection of Christ Is
rejection of God. (3) "He that Is
least among you all, the same shall De
great" The one who in self-forgetful
service takes the lowest place Is truly
the great one. Thisis the supreme law
of Christian discipleship. In Jesus we
see the one who was incomparably
great identifying himself with humani-
ty.
II. Religious Intolerance Rebuked
wv. 40, SOY.
l. The case cited ". SOY. The dis
ciples saw one casting out devils In
Christ's name, but because he refused
to follow them they forbade him.
This spirit is liable to seize those who
are really jealous for Christ. 1t often
expresses itself against these who do
not belong to ones particular church
| or sect. In determining whom we
should admit to fellowship two ques-
tons only need be asked ~ Are devils
really being cast out? (2) Are they
being cast out in the name Of Christ?
The plain implication of Christ's words
| In Matthew 1922, % is that one may
even cast out devils and be stranger
to the Lord. There Is supernatural
work which is not divine, so unless the
mighty works are done 'in the name"
of Christ a Christian should not fell
lowship the miracle worker.
2. The principle declared ". 5D. He
that is not against us is for u.s." This
truth is positively stated in Luke IL :23,
''He that Is not with me is against me-"
When it comes to mans attitude to-
ward Christ there Is no neutrality.
III. Resentment Rebuked wv. 51-56).
1. Farewell to Galilee ". sly. AS
the time had come for him to be re-
cefved up he set his face to go to Jeru-
salem. The time of his sacrifice was
come and Jerusalem was the place
where 1t was to be accomplished.
2. The Samaritans refused to re-
ceiye him. wv. 50, 53). This refusal was
due to the impression that he was go
ing to Jerusalem. Their national pre-
iudices were so strong that they re-
garded his action as a national insult,
therefore refused hospitality to him.
8. James and John vehemently re-
sent this action of the Samaritans
". SAY. They regarded it as an insult
to their Lord. Their love was so vital
that an affront to the object Of their
affection was most bitterly resented.
4. The Lords rebuke wv. 90. $50.
| III "Ye know not what manner OF
spirit We are Of" He did not minimize
the insult or question their motive. He
who knew their hearts was aware that
they were moved by love for him. He
told them, however. that such insults
were not to be met by violence. Re
ugious prosecutions are always wrong.
The spread Of truth is not to be by
means Of material weapons. 90 For
the Son of Nan Is not come to destroy
.,an,s lives- but TO save them"