The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-10-13
Sunday School Notes

" Oct. II. Sharing. the Kingdom Task.
Matt. A, 1925.
We are introduced this week to
Sweet Galilee,'' that slightly body OF
water in the northern part OF Palestine,
which was the scene of so much of the
or songs than Sweet Galilee" sung by
those who appreciate good music. It
has made the lake most precious in
memory to all christians.
The bible tells us that Immediately
after the temptation Of Jesus and the
strengthening of His body with food,
He began His career of teaching, ap.
pearing on the borders of the sea of
Galilee. 1t is recorded that His open.
ing the theme was Repent for the
kingdom of heaven Is at hand" One
could dwell at great length on these
words of the Saviour. They make clear
that repentance stands as the begin
ming for the leading of the christian
life. One cannot be true christian
who has not experienced the conviction
that he has been a sinner before God,
and come to the place where he feels
repentance: for the past, with resolve.
with Gods help. to live by faith in
Him. guided by the religion laid down
BY Jesus and the Apostle Paul.
Already the fame of Jesus had been
noised abroad, and such was the crush
to see him that He asked two fishermen
to allow Him the use Of their boat to
use as a pulpit from which to talk.
They came to shore. the boat was
pushed out from the land and sitting
on the deck Jesus taught the people
who crowded to the waters edge. This
scene was early impressed on my mind
by learning q little song while attend
ing a humble Baptist Sunday school on
the banks of the Wisconsin river over
fifty years ago. 1t ran
IT love to think of Jesus by the sea,
I love to think Of Jesus by the sea,
|, And / love the precious word.
He spoke to them who heard,
While He taught the waiting people
on the land"
After the talk to the people. Jesus
turned to Peter. whose boat He, had
been using, and told him to let his net
down for q draught Of fishes. Peter
said he had been fishing all night with
no success, but nevertheless would let
down the net and obey the command
Of his visitor. Now came the remark
able catch Of fish, which broke the nets
and caused Peter to call for help. 1t
was so clearly O. miraculous catch. that
Peter was conscience stricken at being
in the presence Of Jesus tho holy one
and he asked Him to depart, adding II
am a sinful man, o Lord" Jesus then
made call for Peter. Andrew, James
ana John to leave their nets and follow
Him.. saying He would make them
Fishers of men," Not long after He
called Matthew from the receipt of GUS
toms and Philip in both cases simply
saying Follow me-" So
There has often been wonder ex.
pressed that as the result of the three
years of Christ's ministery. so few peo-
pie seem to have been made His follow.
ers. 1t would appear, however, that
He laid special stress on the teaching
Of the disciples so that on His depar-
tUre they would be prepared to go to
the ends of the known earth preaching.
Our missionaries now on going to new
fields do not lay so much stress on
what they can accomplishing going
from place to place, but on educating
q few chosen boys and girls and having
them go out ready with the native Ian
guage to do the most effective work. 1t
Is a beautiful thought that we can be
partners of God" in spreading the gos-
pei or course, we cannot say things
with the force and authority as did
Jesus, but there is call to go out as
fishers of men and cause them to see
the blessedness of the bible religion and
their need of it. There must first be
the call to follow Him, and then the
determination to lead others to do like
wise. :.
There are some folks who say all
that is necessary is to look we'll to your
life and let that do the talking. on
course q consistent christian life Is