Middletown transcript., 1921-01-15
IMPROVED UNlf0RM INTERNATIONAL
.SUNl4YS(fl00L
LESSON
LESSON FOR JANUARY is
OUR ALL FOR THE KINGDOM.
By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
20. 1920, Western Newspaper Union.)

OUR ALL FOR THE KINGDOM.
LESSON TEXT-Matt. 19:16-3O
| GOLDEN TEXT-Thou shalt love tn
neighbor as thyself.-Matt 1919.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt. 6:1!
s::1s 4: BILE; Mark l';l'-lS' l Til" 3d.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus the Children
F'siend.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Gaining by Giving.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPI
Money, q Help or a Hindrance.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPI'
Money and the Kingdom.
Our lesson title is likely to be mis-
understood and therefore the teaching
uisapplied. Christ did not directl.
nor by implication teach that eterna
life could be obtained by parting will
possessions.
]. The Young Man ". 16).
For full view of the characters
tics of this man see Mark 10 1880 an(
Luke 18 1880.
1. His virtues. (1) Courageous
Mark 1O:1O. He was of high stand
ing-a rich young ruler Uuke 1918
23). To come to Jesus at this time
| meant ostracism from the Jewish com.
monwealth. (2) Earnest Mark :17)
| He came and knelt before Jesus. (3)
High aspirations ". 16). He wanted
eternal life. Though much taken up
with the things of this present life,
he felt the need of preparing for a
life beyond. (4) Pious and moral
". 2O). From his youth up he pro-
fesses to have conformed to Gods holy
law (5) Confidence in Christ (v. 16).
He believed that Christ could inform
him Of the good things" to be done
to inherit eternal life.
2. His errors. (D About Christ
". 16). He esteemed Jesus to be good,
but did not apprehend Him as Cod
(2) Concerning himself. He was self
righteous. He thought he was good
and could do something good. (3)
Concerning eternal life. He had de-
fective theology-he thought that
eternal life could be obtained by good
works. He did not know that the
only way to get eternal life was to
receive it as a gift from God (Rom.
6:23).
II. How the Lord Dealt With Him
wv. 17-22).
1. His Question-"Why callest thou
me good?' ". ~. His object in this
was to lead the young man to a correct
apprehension as to who He was. Be
fore giving him a chance to answer.
He declared that only God was good,
as if to say, Il am good and there
fore Cod" If He is not God He is
not good; for if He was not what He
professed to be He was an arch i'm
postor, for He made himself to be
equal with God.
2. Jesus answer to the young mans
question ". 1920. "If thou wilt en-
ter into life, keep the command
ments." Christ met him here on his
own ground, namely, that of the law.
The law reveals sin-shuts the mouth
OF the self-righteous sinner (Rom. 3 10,
2O. If one insists on getting life by
doing something, the law is what must
be done, kept. This no one has ever
done, nor indeed can do, for the law |
curses instead Of saves (Gal. 3:1O).
3. Christ's command (vv. 21, 22). In |
Christs command to go and sell his
possessions and distribute to the poor,
He put His finger upon the weak spot.
His going away sorrowful proves that
ne was covetous and did not love his
leighbOr as himself. When he had
% make the supreme decision between
Jesus and his possessions he chose his
wealth and let Jesus go.
III. The Relationship of the Rich to
he Kingdom (vv. 23-26).
l. 1t is difficult for the rich to enter
he kingdom (vv %, 24). This diff
'ulty lies not in the possession of
iches, for man may possess great
iches and be an heir of the kingdom.
lany of the most useful men in an
lent and modern times have been
nen of wealth, but they like Abraham
hose to ''dwell in tents"-to believe
n God at any cost-looking to a city
hat hath foundations The difficulty
les in trusting in riches. Riches are
eceitful Matt. 13 :22). The tendency
f increasing wealth is to destroy the
Obler life of the soul. 1t lulls into
ecurity (Rev. 3:17). 1t leads to self.
ldulgence Il Tim. 6 10y. It leads to
ride eek. 10y; (cf. Prov. $3.50.
2. Entrance into the kingdom is pos.
lble, though difficult wv. 25, 26). Q)
is possible for the grace of God to
lnctify riches. The mighty hindering ,
lfiuence may become great influence ,
'r good in the hands of regenerated ,
nd consecrated soul. (2) 1t is possible
n the grace Of God to open a mans :
yes that he may see his downward :
purse and repent. (3) # is possible
'r the grace of God to change man
ON self-seeking to self-sacrifice. az
is possible for the grace of God tc
axe men humble.
~. Reward for Following Christ
". 27-3O). &
Those who turn their backs upor s
efr kindred and possessions for the )