Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-12-31

GOLDEN TEXT Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child,
the same shall be greatest in the King
dom Of heaven. Matt. 1874.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark 1888;
Luke 9;36-4S: l7l-2
PRIMARY TOPIC-God's Care for Little
Children.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Gods Care for U.s.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Responsibility for the Younger and
Weaker
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Our Responsibility for Childhood.
!. The Greatest In the Kingdom Of
Heaven wv. Lay.
!. The disciples question ". ~.
The promise given to Peter in connec.
] ton with the announcement of his pur'
pose to build the church, and the pay
Ing Of tribute with the money in the
lish's mouth, provoked jealousy on the
part of the other disciples. The trans
figurntiOn 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 or
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 supremely concerned with
the dignlties to be conferred. upon
themselves.
Q. Jesus answer wv. 2-4). He taught
them concretely by placing a little
child In their midst. ~ 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 even see, much less
enter into the kingdom, they must be
born from above John 1913, 81. En-
trance into the kingdom Is Infinitely
more important than rank therein.
(2) WhosOever possesses childlike hui
mlllty is the greatest ". AZ. The
child Is dependent, lowly, and modest.
Those who have been born again--con.
verified. have these characteristics. The
principle which determines rank In the
kingdom Is lOwllness 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.
n. The Lords Identification With
His Believing Ones wv. SOY.
l. 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 our relationship with believ-
ers in Christ. Reception Of believers
includes NIL forms of sympathy and
aid. To do this In Chrlst's name Is to
open our hearts TO receive Him.
2. The awful peril Of causing be-
lever to stumble wv. 6-9). To STUN
BILE means to give occasion for moral
fall. The particular reference was to
the carnality and seliishness which
was expressing Itself In their eonten'
ton for pre.emlnence. Such spirit
and behavior would stifle the tender
life of a babe In Christ Their be-
havior was not only self-injury, but
stumbling block to others. Every
Christian should soemnly inquire as
TO whether his life would help or hin
der his fellow-bellevers Am helping
someone to higher level, or am l
pulling him down TO lowerf 10 so
sin against Christ's own Is to meet a
sure and awful fate. His doom VIII
he worse than drowning In the sea
with A milestone around his neck; 1t
will be eternal fire ". 81.
In this world Of sin offenses must
come. but woe will be unto the one
who causes the offense. Everything
causing to stumble, though 1t be as
vital as hands and feet, should be
removed. We are responsible for our
selves and have greater responsipii-
ity touching others.
m, Believers Are Especially Cared
For by tho Heavenly Father wv. lo-lD.
1. They are under angelic guardian
shin ". 10Y. SO precious Is the be
lever in Gods sight that angelic mes
senpers have access to the very throne
~ God even beholding his face. so
high Is the honor bestowed upon be-
levers that the highest angels are sent
to guard them.
Q The Son came especially to save
such from their lost condition wv.
I114, The Heavenly Father does not
u,, that any one of these should per-
ish. They are the objects OF the ia.
ther,a seeking love. The salvation OF
Tho humble believer has been secured
nv the incarnation and the sacrifice OF
~ cood Sbenherd Since God sets
Hcb value upon even the lowest be-
i,ever we should be most careful In
orr manner az life before them and In
-. +raatmant of them.