Middletown transcript., 1921-01-01
IMPROVED UNRoRM INTERNATIONAL
5Ulgl1SQl0QL
LESSON
(By REV P. B. FITZWATER. d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of. Chicagoj
&c. 1920. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE CHILD AND THE KINGDOM

THE CHILD AND THE KINGDOM.
LESSON TEXT-Matt. 1S:1-14
: GOLDEN TExT-Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child.
Che same shall be greatest in the king
dom of heaven.-Matt. 1874
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark 9:s3;
Luke s:36-4S: 17:1-2. /
PRIMARY TOPIC-God's Care e:r Little
Children. !
JUNIOR TOPIC-Gods Care for Us.
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. 1-4).
1. The disciples question (v. u.
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
fsh's mouth, provoked jealousy on the
part Of the other disciples. The trans
fguration 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
it 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 supremely concerned with
the dignities to be conferred upon
themselves.
.. Jesus answer wv. 2-4). He taught
them coneretely by placing little
child in their midst. (D Condition OF
entrance into kingdom (v. 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 3:3, 81. En-.
trance into the kingdom Is infinitely
more important than rank therein.
(2) Whosoever' possesses childlike hu
mility is the greatest ". ~. The
child is dependent, lowly, and modest
Those who have been born again-con
verted, have 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).
1. Receiving the believer in Christ's
name is receiving Christ ". 81.
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
If this were fully realized it would
sanctify our relationship with believ'
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 a 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 selfishness which
was expressing itself in their conten'
ton for pre-eminence. Such spirit
and behavior would stifle the tender
life of babe in Christ. Their be-
havior was not only self-injury. but a
stumbling block to others. Every
Christian should solemnly inquire as
10 whether his life would help or hin.
Ter his fellOw-believerS. Am l helping
someone to a higher level, or am
pulling him down to a lower? 10 so
sin against Christ's own is to meet
sure and awful fate. His doom will
be worse than drowning in the sea
with milestone around his neck; it
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 it be as
vital as hands and feet, should be
removed. We are responsible for our
selves and have greater responsible
ity touching others.
III. Believers Are Especially Cared
For by the Heavenly Father wv. 1919
l. They are under angelic guardian.
ship (v. 1O). So precious is the be-
,ieyer in Gods sight that angelic mes
sengers have access to the very throne
If God, even beholding his face. Sc
high is the honor bestowed upon be.
,ieyers that the highest angels are sent
to guard them.
2. The Son came especially to save
such from their lost condition wv
,1-14). The Heavenly Father does not
will that any one Of these should per
ish. They are the objects of the Fa.
ther's 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-
,ieyer. we should be most careful In
our manner of life before them and in
our treatment of them.