New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-12-31

''h 49,
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark 9:23;
luke 9:36-iS: l7:1-2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God's Care for Little
Children.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God's Care for Us.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Responsibility for the Younger and
Weaker.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Our Responsibility for Childhood.
I. The Greatest In the Kingdom Of
Heaven wv. Ia.
1. The disciples question ". ID.
The promise given to Peter In nne
ton with the announcement of his pur-
pose to build the church, and the pay
ing OF tribute with the money In the
fish's mouth. provoked jealousy on the
part OF the other disciples. The rams
figuration scene revealed the divine
person and the program of the king
DOM. Seeing that the Kingdom was to
come to realization. despite the trag-
edy of the cross, the disciples thought
1t best to have settled the place OF
rank In the kingdom. Their behavior
betrayed their sad state of heart. In
stead Of entering into sympathy with
Jesus In the dark hour of his passion.
they were supremacy concerned with
the dignities 10 be conferred upon
themselves.
2. Jesus answer wv. 30. He taught
them cOncretely by placing a little
child In their midst. "a Condition OF
entrance into kingdom ". 81. He
showed them that the great question
which concerned them is as TO wheth-
er they are really In the kingdom.
Their behavior revealed the fact
that they needed conversion before
they could enter into the kingdom.
Before they could ever see, much less
enter into the kingdom, they must be
born from above John 3:3, 81. En-
trance into the kingdom Is infinitely
more important than rank therein.
(2) whatsoever possesses childlike hu-
mility Is the greatest ". A.. The
child is dependent, lOwly, and modest.
Those who have been porn again-con-
verted, hay these characteristics. The
principle which determines rank in the
kingdom is lowliness of heart. In the
kingdom we rise by sinking. The way
is down. The more one realizes his
own unworthiness, the more worthy
he is of the divine favor and trust.
u. The Lords Identification With
His Believing Ones wv. 5-9).
/. Receiving the believer in Christ's
name is receiving Christ ". %.
Through conversion we become Gods
children, and so completely Is our life
interviewer with His that He regards
treatment of us as treatment of Him.
self. Those who welcome into fellow.
ship the lowly believer welcome Christ.
II this were fully realized 1t would
sanctify u relationship with bellev'
ers In Christ. Reception Of believers
includes all forms of sympathy and
aid. To do this in Christ's name is TO
open our hearts to receive Him.
2. The awful peril of causing n be-
lever TO stumble wv. 6-0). To STUN
Bile means to give occasion for a moral
fall. The particular reference was TO
the carnality and s%eltshness which
was expressing itself In their conten'
ton for pre-eminence. Such spirit
and behavior would stifle the tender
life of a babe in Christ. Their be-
havior was not only ~self-injury, but a
stumbling block to others. Every
Christian should solemnly inquire as
TO whether his life would help or hin
der his fellow-believers. Am l helping
omeon TO a higher level, or am l
pulling him down to a lowerf 10 so
sin against Christ's own is TO meet a
sure and awful fate. His doom VIII
be worse than drowning In the sea
with n milestone around his neck; II
will be eternal fire ". 81.
In this world Of sin offenses must
M but woe will be unto the n
who causes the ofense. Everything
causing to stumble, though II be as
vital as hands and feet, should be
removed. We are responsible for our
selves and have a greater responsible
ity touching others.
M. Believers Are Especially Cared
For by the Heavenly Father wv. lOl4).
1. They are under angelic guardian
ship ". 100. SO precious is the be-
lever in Gods sight that angelic mes
enger have access to the very throne
OF God. even b%eholding his face. Sc
high is the honor bestowed upon be-
levers that the highest angels are sent
to guard them.
2. The Son came especially to save
snch from their lost condition wv.
,l.l4). The Heavenly Father does not
vtu that n n Of these should per-
,sh. They are the objects Of the Fa-
TIERS seeking love. The salvation OF
the humble believer has been secured
nv the incarnation and the sacrifice OF
the Good Shepherd. Since God sets
such value upon even the lowest be-
lever. we should be most careful In
our of life before them n In
our treatment OF them.