The Jasper news., 1920-06-17

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL : John 10.
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PRIMARr ToPIc-HOw God takes care
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JUNIOR roPIc-The Sheppard Psalm.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Trusting God for Everything.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Our Divine Shepherd.
This 10 a lesson SO simple that
child OF tender years can understand.
The teachers work will be mainly to
point out the riches OF its content, not
to explain difficulties. The position
Of the Psalm determines its value. 1t
Is preceded by the Psalm Of the
Cross. Only those who are under the
power Of the cross can claim Its
promises. There are no green pas
lures to those who have not seen
Christ on the cross.
The relationship Of the Lord TO his
children Is set forth In this Psalm as:
!. The Divine shepherd wv. Id.
The teacher should thoroughly "a,
millarize himself with the life and
service OF shepherd. As our shep-
herd,
l. He feeds his sheep wv. 1. p.
The ''Rreen pastures" are for nourish-
ment. The Lord always provides food
for his own sheep. both temporal and
spiritual. He gives US our daily
bread, but our highest and best food
is Christ, the Bread sent down from
heaven for our souls (John $3.50, Of
which II we eat we shall live forever.
2. He gives rest ". p. He not only
gives food. but he maketh his sheep
to lie down. When the sheep have
been satisfied with food they lie down
to rest. Our hnite natures require
rest-we cannot go on forever, so the
Divine Shepherd has arranged rest
ing places on the way. two Of which
are night and the Sabbath. How sweet
they both are to the Child Of God |
Sometimes he makes US to take en-
forced rest. 1t Is most comforting to
know that when he makes us lie down
| II Ia 10 the green pastures, not on the
dusty road or the rocky mountain side.
Our shepherd sometimes leads US over
steep and rocky roads, but this IL In
order that we may reach the spots Of
| green pasture.
3. He keeps the sheep In safety ~.
81. He restores our souls. The rest
by the still water results In the
restoration of bodily, and spiritual
strength. In the times of quiet he re-
stores the spiritual life by the feeding
upon God through bis Word and means
OF grace. The restored soul Is led
into the paths OF Righteousness, that
Is, In the performance OF labor for
him. We have been saved not merely
for our pleasure, but that we might
do his good pleasure, that Ia, his work.
We are saved to serve.
4. He guldea the sheep In times Of
danger ". d.. He goes with his own
through danger and trials. There Is
no night so dark or sea so stormy but
what we can hear the voice OF the
Divine Shepherd saying, BE not
afraid. II Is l." May we have ears to
hearl
8. He comforts his sheep in sorrow
". ~. The rod was used BY the
shepherd to count his sheep. Passing
under the shepherds rod was the sign
Of ownership. Such acknowledgment
would greatly comfort, even though
the rod was the Instrument which
caused the sorrow. The conscious
ness that II was laid on by the low
ing shepherds hand would turn the
rod which smote to stan to lean upon.
70. The Divine Host (vv. 8. %.
/. He spreads a table In the sight
Of our enemies ". 81, Though dan
gers are on every hand. the enemies
plotting and schemlng, the mighty
shepherd provides a feast for his own
in their sight. We can sit down 70
that feast with the assurance that no
one can disturb US.
| 2. He anoInts our heads with oil ",
81. OF Is q symbol OF Joy. There
should be no sad faces among christ's
own.
B. Goodness and mercy perpetually
follow ". 81. These are Gods two
angels which encamp round about
those that fear him. They hold back
the enemies from overtaking us; va
can feast at Gods banquet table
Even when the days seem dark and
sorrows come thick and fast, Gods
goodness and mercy still follow.
Z. Eternally dwelling with God "
81. They shall no more 90 out from
his presence, He who hath begun Z
good work IN US shall complete Il
| ,,nto tha A. ~ radannffon Ma