Cleveland County herald., 1920-10-21
LESSON FOR OCTOBER "A
WHAT THE KING REQUIRES.

I GOLDEN TEXT-Be ye therefore per feet, even as your Father which is in | heaven is perfect.-Matt. 5:4S. 1 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Lev. l9: IS; Deut GA 5. Luke 620-9S. 1 PRIMARY TOPIC-What the Heavenly Father Wants Us to Be. | JUNIOR TOPIC-What Jesus Wishes His Followers to Be. | INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC Measuring Up to Christ's Standard.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC The Character Which Jesus Requires.
 The so-called Sermon on the Mount is the kings proclamation of the laws which obtain in his kingdom. These laws do not set forth terms of salvation to sinners, but the principles of life which shall obtain when Christ reigns on earth.
 l. The Characteristics of the Sub- jects of the Kingdom (vv. 1-12).
 These characteristics are set forth in the nine Beatitudes.
 1. The consciousness of utter spir- itual poverty (v. B. Poor in spirit" does not mean to be without money Qsa. 66 9, but to come to the end of | SCl1 III d SjdlG u dDoOlulC SplllluCi beggary, having no power to alter ones condition or to make ones self better
 2. A profound grief because of spir- itual insolvency (v. 4).
 3. A humble submission 10 Gods will (v. ). The outgrowth of mourn ing over spiritual insolvency is meek ness.
 4. An intense longing to conform to the laws of the kingdom (v. @.
 ,. Mereiful (v. D. The subjects of the kingdom now take on the eharac- ter of the king.
 6. Purity of heart (v. 8. Since the king is pre-eminentIy pure, the sub jects who enjoy fellowship with him must have heart purity. '. Peacemakers (v 9. The one who has received the peace of God through Jesus Christ will diffuse peace to others.
 s. Suffering for Christ's sake (v. 10). The world hated Christ. the king, therefore those who reflect his spirit in their lives shall suffer perse- cution QI Tim. 3:12).
 9. Suffer reproach (v. ID. This means suffering falsely. In such case we should glory in it, for it brings l great reward in heaven.
 II. The Responsibilities of the sub- jects of the Kingdom (vv. 13-16).
 Man is corrupt, and the world is in utter darkness. The disciples of Christ are to live such lives as to pu- rify and enlighten. Their responsible ities are set forth under the figures of salt and light.
 l, Salt of the earth (v. 13). The properties of salt are CD penetrating; CD purifying; (3) preserving. Since i salt only preserves and purities in the measure that it penetrates. so Chris tians only as they enter into the life of the world can preserve it from de- cay.
 7. The light of the world (v. 14). Light Eliminates and warns. This world is cold and dark. The devil has set many pitfalls and snares. As sons of the light we should live so as to prevent the unwary from stumbling and falling.
 III. The Laws of the Kingdom (vv. 20-48).
 l. As to deeds of righteousness. They must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.
 ?. As to sanctity of life (vy. 21-26). Thou shalt do no murder" means more than simply to refrain from the taking of life. Rash :nger is heart murder (v. 22).
 8. As to organized life (vv 27-32) The family is the unit of society. There is no sin that so rots society as that against the relation of the sex es. The two awful sins against the family are ta) adultery (vv. 27-30), | (there is heart adultery as we'll as heart murder; (b) divorce (vv. 31, 32). Moses, for the hardness of the hearts of the people, permitted man in case of adultery to put away his wife and give her bill of divorce ment
 4. As to paths (vv. 33-37). Speech is the absolute test of character ! Whatever is more than the simple l form of affirmation or denial comes of the Devil
 5. As to behavior toward those who do not recognize the laws of the king dom (vv. 3S-4S). CD Not revengeful (vv. 39, 40); (2) willing to do more than is required tv. 4D; (3) chari- table (v. 42)-even the borrower should not be turned away; (4) love toward enemies (vv. 45-4S). Love to enemies consists (a) in blessing them that curse us; (b) in doing good to them that hate us; Co in praying for | those who despitefully use us.
 God Is Everywhere.