Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-01-13

LIIoSON IEAl-NalI. J5.lO-JU.
GOLDEN TEXT-Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.-Matt. 1919.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt 6:19-
Il if,lsi 10 'A--'' marx l''i'-l0' iiin' 3D. ~
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus the Children's
Friend.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Gainfng by Giving.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Money, Help or Hindrance.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Money and the Kingdom.
Our lesson title is likely to be mis-
understood and therefore the teaching
misaDp'ied. Christ did not directly
nor by implication teach that eternal
life could be obtained by parting with
possessions.
|. The Young Man ". 16).
For full view Of the Characters
tifs of this man see Mark 10:17-30 and
Luke 1S:1S-3O.
l. His virtues. ID Courageous
Mark 10:17. He was of high stand
ma rich young ruler duke 1918,
23). To come to Jesus at this time
meant Cstraclsw from the Jewish COM
monwca!th. (2) Earnest Mark 10:1O.
lie 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
life beyond. az Pious and moral
". 2G). From his youth up he pro-
1sscs to have conforUed to- Gods holy
law. (5) Confidence in Christ (v. ICY.
lie believed that Christ could inform
him Of the good things" to be done
to inherit eternal life.
. His errors ID About Christ
". 1G). lie esteemed Jesus to be good,
hut did not apprehend Him as God.
(2) Concerning himself. He was self
righteous. He thought he was good
and could do something good. (3)
Concerning eternal life. He had a 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 gift from God (Rom.
6:23).
II. How the Lord Dealt With Him
wv. 1T-22).
]. His Question--"Why callest thou
me g0od?" ". ~. His object in this
Was to lead the young man to correct
apprehension as to who He was. Be
fore giving him q chance to answer.
70 declared that only God was good,
as if to say. u am good and there
fore Cod. If He is not God He is
net good; for if He was not what He
professod to he He was an arch i'm
poster, for He made himself to be-
equal with God.
.. Jesus answer to the young mans
question ". 1920. eff thou wilt en-
ter into life, keep the commando
ments." Christ met him here on his
own ground, namely, that Of the law.
The law reveals sin-shuts the mouth
If the self-righteous sinner (Rom. 3 10,
20). If one insists on getting life by
doing something, the law is what must
be done, kept. This no one has ever
dOhe, nor indeed can do, for the law
curses Instead of saves ga. $40.
3. Chrfst's command wv. 81, 22). In
Christ's 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
he was covetous and did not love his
neighhor as himself. When he had
10 make the supreme decision between
Jesus and his possessions he chose his
wealth and lie. Jesus go.
ILL., The Relationship of the Rich to
the Kin95om wv 1920.
/. 1t is difficult for the rich to enter
the kingdom wv %, PAY. This diff
Guilty lies not in the possession of
riches, for a man may possess great
riches and be an heir of the kingdom.
Many of the most useful men in AM
cient and modern times have been
men Of wealth, but they like Abraham
chose to dwell in tents"-to believe
and obey God at any cost-looking to
a city that hath foundations. The
lies in trusting in riches.
z. Entrance into the kingdom is Dos
sible, though difficult wv. Is, 26). t1)
It Is possible for the grace of God to
sanctify riches. The mighty hindering
influence may become great influence
'or good in the hands of q regenerated
and consecrated soul. (2) 1t is possible
Tor the grace Of God to open a mans
eyes that he may see his downward
course and repent. (3) 1t is possible
'or the grace of God to change a man
rom self-seeking to self-sacrifice. (4)
t is possible for the grace of God to
make men humble.
~. Reward for Following Christ
wv. 27-30).
Those who turn their backs upon
heir kindred and possessions for the
sake of Christ shall receive an hun-
lredfold in thif life and eternal lifel
n the world to come.