New Mexico state record., 1921-02-11

LES6ON TExT-Matt. 22:l5-2-
GOLDEN TExT-Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart. and
with all thy soul. and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment
And the second is like unto 1t. Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself.-Matt %:
N-3s.
REFERENCE MATERIAL - Matt. 49,
1-3S: Mark 12:13-l7. 2S-37: Luke 9:20-S,
l-ll; Rom. l3:l--4: Phil. 3:17-I
PRIMARY TOPlC-The Land We Love-
JUNIOR TOPIC-Our Country.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Getting Ready for Citizenship.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
christian Standard of Citizenship.
!. The Tribute Money tvv. 1929.
The Pharisees and Herodians pur-
posed to entrap Jesus and bring Him
into conflict with the Roman govern
ment, SO they came to Him with the
subtle question, rs 1t lawful to give
tribute TO Caesar or not?" At this
time the Jews were CALLING under the
yoke of the Roman government. Some
even denied the right to pay tribute
to the government. To have answered
this question by "yes" or mo" would
have involved difficulties. To have an
swered "yes" would have conveyed the
impression Of endorsement of all that
the Roman government did. To have
answered "nO" would have at once
brought Him into conflict with the gov.
ernment. II is not an easy matter for
a Christian always to determine his
right relation to civil government.
Many a minister has made a failure
OF his work because he tried to solve
the problem. Christ's reply to this
question. properly understood and ap-
piled, is the final word on the sub
ject. Until the civil authorities de-
mand of us that which Is a violation
Of Gods law. we are bound to render
unto them obedience. "Render unto
Caesar the things that are Caesars
means the highest obligation. Since
enjoying His protection and care 1t Is
our duty to owe all allegiance to Him,
10 yield our lives to Him In service,
worship and praise. Every one who
enjoys the benefits of civil government
is obliged to pay the taxes which
are necessary for the support Of that
government, and every one who re.
ceives Gods favor is placed under a
like obligation unto Him.
u. The Great COMMANDMENT In the
Law (vv. 34-4O).
For the third time In one day the
Lord is tried by hard questions. While
these questioners were actuated by
wrong motives, We may be forever glad
that they put these questions to Hin
because of the invaluable truth which
His answers set forth.
1. The first commandment (vv.34-
3s). "Thou shal 1t love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind" This
means that supreme and undivided
love to God is the first and great com.
mandment. This at once shows that
mans supreme obligation Is TO God
1t is wrong to evaluate mans char
acter on the basis of his morality as
expressed in his relation to his fellow
man. Real righteousness is doing the
right tning WIN you me s'ea'eS'
"hlh"'ah,y Vi which ma" '"" "
euhity Is MS Iai,ure 10 responu u 'ne
oeh'"hus Vi "ou' ine one "no wv
NOT supre'he'y anu WIN un"i.'ue" a.
Iec''on rove you ID 'ne srea'esl 81"
her' Inc one Outstanding c""uenn,''nt
SIN is uhpehei IN oou anu reiusai u
'oVe anu opey NM
z Inc second commandment wv
3S-4o). The second commandment u
ike unto the nrst IN tnat u cehter'
In love. 1t is nor said mat IL Is equa
unto the nrst; that wouiu not De true
A man may love himseif, but not su
premeiy. ones love Tor MS neighbo'
may De either 100 much or 100 niue
The measure set Is love Tor seir. W.
should love Eod Detter than ourselves
He Is worthy OF all our anections ant
demands all. Love is not mere emo
tion, but supreme desire Tor the wei
fare OF another ana Willingness t'
do everything possiDie 10 secure tna
end. The command TO love our neigh
Dor Is involved In the command TO iov'
God. 10 pretend 10 rove zoo il Ioli'
o"e "oes 80 -, - ~