The Penn's Grove record., 1923-06-29
LESSON FOR JULY |
JOHN, H BAPTIST

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LN;SON TEXT-Luke 1913; 7:24-2s.
GOLDEN TE&T-"He shall be great
II The sight of the Lord, and shall
Drink neither wine nor strong drink"
Luke 1:15.
Billie I1:2-15; Nal. 3:1-6.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Baby. John.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Man Who Pre-
pared the Way for Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Herald of the Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Character and Work of John. the
Baptist.
John was a great man. In an
nouncing his birth the angel said.
HE shall be great in the sight of the
Lord" He was not only great in the
Lords sight, but was great when
measured by the standards of men. In
the teaching of this lesson a survey
should be made of Johns life and
work.
l.. Birth and Ministry ForetoId
Matt. 3:3; Of. lisa. 4 OBJ.
He was thought about and his work
planned long before he was born. He
came as Gods messenger. His life was
a plan of God. He was said to be a
man sent from God (John l:6). There
is a sense in which every life is
planned-eyeryone is sent from God.
Everyone should remember that God
has something to do with his life
II. His Character.
l. Humble duke $40. He did not
seek human praise and commendation.
His supreme concern was to proclaim
the Christ. He did not make himself
prOminent-was only a voice calling
upon people to prepare for the Mes
siah. His person and habits were a
protest against the luxury and hypo-
critical formality of his time.
2. Courageous duke SD. He faced
a great multitude and struck hard at
their sins. He did not trim his mes
sage to suit the crowd. He even de-
nounced the religious leaders of his
time and demanded of them fruits
worthy of repentance.
III. His Preaching duke 1883.
L. Demanded Repentance wv. $50
Suddenly emerging from his seclusion,
he came into the region of the Jordan
as a messenger of God, calling upon
the people to repent in preparation for
the coming Of the Messiah.
,. Demanded Proofs of Penitence
wv. I, 81. He insisted that their false
religions be ahandoned-their sinful
hearts renovated-showed them that
the vile passions OF their souls must
be urrooted. A change Of mind, that
is, the turning of the soul from sin to
God, was necessary. This Is a prepa-
ration which must be made before one
can see and experience the salvation
of God.
~. jesus Testimony to John duke
7:24-2S). Because John did not see
the interval between the "sufferings
of Christ" and the glory that should
follow" he was perplexed. Therefore
he sent a deputation to Jesus for light,
The prophets did not see, or at least
did not make clear, the interval be-
tween the crucifxion Of Christ and His
second coming. The two events were
so presented as TO appear to be In close
succession. John in his preaching has
stressed the mighty judgments which
should take place at the appearance Of
the Messiah. The turn things were
taking Che himself being imprisoned
with the gloomy prospect of death)
was in great contrast to the coming of
the Messiah in fiery judgment-"the
ak is laid unto the root of the trees
and "the chaff is burned up with un
uuenchable fire" Matt. BIO, 12). The
trend of events puzzled him. 1t was
not lack of faith. but confusion of
mind that prompted his inquiry
Christ's testimony defended him
against n such an accusation. Christ
indicated him against a vacillating
mind because of the storms of persecu'
ton. He was not like a reed shaken
by the wind (v. 24). He had lived a
life of self-denial. therefore he did not
deny his faith in Christ because of the
dungeon ". 80. Jesus declared that
no greater prophet had arisen. That
which perpleXed John was the delay In
iudgment-the day Of Gods patience
while gathering out the Church. This
was a truth not disclosed to the
prophets-that which Paul made
known-because a special revelation
had been granted (Eph. 3:3).
V. The Martyrdom of John tMarl
6:14-29).
While John was in prison .Herod hat
frequent interviews with him. Johr
boldly told him that it was unlawfu
for him to have his brothers wife. HI
did not mince matters even with the
king. This so enraged the licentiou'
Herodias that she caused his death. HI
sealed his testimony with his blood.