The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1922-09-29
LESSON FOR OCTOBER I
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

L
GOLDEN TEXT-He shall be great In
the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink
no wine nor strong drink.-Luke lib.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-1sa. 4O:S-5;
NAL 4:4-6.
PRIMARY TOPICAL Angel Brings
Good News.
JUNIOR ToPIC-The Birth of John the
Baptist.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Preparation for the Coming of Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Place and Work Of John the Bap-
fist.
We are today entering upon six
months course Of Study in the Gospel
of Luke, whose general subject Is
"Jesus the Worlds Savior" Todays
lesson concerns the birth of John the
Baptist, the forerunner Of Christ.
I, The Parents Of John the Baptist
wv. SD.
1. When They Lived ". 81. "1n the
DAYS of Herod the King" They lived
in a day when ungodliness was rife.
The priesthood was very corrupt ana
the ruling classes were wicked. Zach
arias and his wife lived In a time
when it was not so easy to be godly.
2. Their Character ". 81. They
were righteous before God. 10 De
righteous before God is high tribute
Many appear to be righteous before
men who are not righteous before God.
Their lives were so mated that they
walked in the commandments OF the
Lord blameless. How beautiful 1t Is
when husband and wife are united IN
the Lord and walk together in fellow
ship with God.
8. They Were Childless ". y.
Though this cody couple were well
mated and they possessed the JOY OF
the Lord in their souls, there was a
real lack in that home.
II. The Birth of John Promised wv.
BID.
1. BY Whom ". II; Of. v. 19). The
angel Gabriel appeared and made
known the good news to Zacharias.
This exalted being, the special mes
senger of God, was sent to make this
disclosure.
2. When wv. $40. While off1ciat-
ing as priest this good news came to
him. Zacharias must have been def
nitely praying about this very matter
". 13). AS he burned incense, which
typified prayer, the multitude without
were praying.
8. characteristics of the Child wv
15-17). "a Shall be great in the sight
of the Lord ". 15). Though the
people did not greatly esteem him ne
was highly esteemed by the Lord. This
is infinitely better than if he had been
greatly esteemed in the eyes OF men
or in his own eyes. This is the esteem
for which we all should long and pray
~ Shall drink neither wine nor
strong drink ". 15). The child shall
become a Nazarite, separating him
self from the sensuous thiRgs and ded'
icating himself to the service of the
Lord. 81 Be filled with the holy
Ghost ". 15). The energy Of the di
vine Spirit would enable him to lead
the people to repentance ". 49,.
(4) Shall go in the spirit and power
of Elijah ". ~. In this power he
was to prepare the people for the
coming of the Savior and the saliva
ton which He was to bring.
III. zaeharias Asking for a Sign
wv. 1929.
Although the aged priest was ear
nestly praying for the salvation OF
Israel the gracious promise of the
angel, which was the beginning Of thai
salvation, staggered his faith. He wa:
unable to believe that that for which
he fondly hoped and prayed would b'
realized. The angel gave Zacharias
sign. He was smitten with dumbnes:
which was to continue until the full
fillment of the promise. Because h'
refused to praise God in faith for thi:
gracious promise God caused his
tongue to be silent until the promise