Cleveland County herald., 1920-02-26

LESGON IEAI-l Peter E:l-l0 ll-Zo.
 GOLDEN TEXT-He that saith he abid- eth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he wa1ked.-I John 2:6.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Doing as Jesus did.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-How to Treat Those Who Wrong Us.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC The Nobility of Patience.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Ideals for Christian Living.
 The purpose of Peter was to estab- fish all who were passing through suffering and testing. See for exam- pie IT, 3:14, 1 :12, 5:10-12.
 |. Christian Growth (vv. 1-5).
 The Christian obtains his life through the new birth, and the agent of it's accomplishment is the Word of God 1;23). The same vitaliz- ing and energizing power which makes the believer a child of God is essen tial to growth and development. In order to have spiritual growth there must be both remuneration and appro- priation.
 l. Pronunciation (v. D. Certain things injurious to spiritual life must be put away CD malice-all wicked ness, that is, the will to do injury to others without cause; CD guile-de- ceit of all kinds; (3) hypocrisies- feigning to be what one is not-assum- ing a false appearance (D enyies- hatred of others because they possess excelencies which we do not t50 evil speaking-all kind of slanderous speaking against others.
 ?. Appropriation (vv. ?, 3. CD Spiritual food must be taken (v. 2. The principle of the new life was con- veyed through the Word q :23), and the Word is the means by which that life is to be strengthened and de- veloped. Just as a new born babe loves milk, so men who are born again love the Bible. CD Spiritual food must be assimilated (v. 3. The Word of God must be received and assim Hated by meditation.
 8. The grand objective (vy. f, ). It is coming to Christ-to grow up and become a part of the glorious church, the spiritual house, which is designed to show forth the glory of God
 II. seemly Behavior of Christians (vv. 11-25).
 l. As pilgrims and sojourners (vv. Il, 12). Christians are merely so- journers on the earth they are jour- neying through it on their way to the eternal home in the heavens. Our heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20) should constrain us to CD abstain from fieshly lusts (v. 1D. The term "lusts" includes the entire army of unclean forces springing from our carnal natures; they are enumerated in Galatians 5:19-21. These war against the soul CD Behavior hon. eSS before the heather (v. 12). Chris tians should so live that it will be impossible for the world to speak against them as evildoers.
 9 As citizens (vv. 13-1O. While the Christians true citizenship is in heaven, he has a responsibility as a citizen on the earth. A Christian man recognizes the necessity of social or der, and will not only graciously sub init to the authority of rulers regard less of the form of government, but will faithfully perform his obliga- tions. as a citizen Tlsis he will not do through cringing fear, but as the Lords free man. By this free sub mission as a servant of God he puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men (vv. 15, 16). CD Honor all men (v. ID. He will see in every man the image of God and therefore give honor to him. CD Love the brother hood (v. ID. The Christian has a peculiar love for those who are of the same household. (3) Fear God fv. ID. (4) Honor the king (v. ID. This has peculiar significance, for in all probability the wicked Nero was the king then reigning.
 8. As servants (vv. 1S-25). While doubtless slaves were meant here, the principle applies to all who have re- lation to employers. The Christian will be in subjection to his master. He will not only do this when his employer is gentle and reasonable, but even when it means wrongful suffer ing. It means not only submission, but loyalty. It is the duty of Chris tian to consider and further the in- terests of his employer. Many times to do so means hardship and suffer- ing. The grand example of suffering wrongfully is Jesus Christ While his suffering is an example to us, it was much more, because he suffered in order to break forever the power of sin so as to do away forever with oppression.