Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-09-04
Lesson for September 7
JESUS HEALS A NosLEMAN's sor

~-OSS s'-sN@S - iN0D@@HNEtN ~ w.
| LESSON TExT--John 4:46-54.
GOLDEN TEXT am the way the
truth. and the nfe."-John 14:s
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Heals =
Sick Boy s 4
JUNIOR ToPIc-Jesus Heals No
bleman's Son. $50 ~
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC--Belisf in Jesus-What It Has Done
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT ToPic
What Should We Expect From Faithf
j. The glorious revival among the
Samaritans being over, Jesus. with
heart yearning for His countrymen,
goes back into Galilee. When He be-
gan His work there 1t was not appreci-
ated as 1t should have been. His own
testimony is that a prophet hath no
honor in his own country. Having
made a reputation elsewhere He now
came back to them.
!. The Nobleman's Earnest Plea wv.
46, 4D. This fathers heart was in
deep anguish because of the critical
illness of his son, but he had the good
sense to go to Jesus in his distress.
Parents should eagerly bring their
children to the Great Physician. This
affliction was used to bring him to Je-
sus. Many do not think of Jesus until
overwhelmed with grief and distress.
1t Is need that always brings men to
Jesus. Even when human physicians
fail the case is not hopeless, for there
Is no case too hard for Christ and
there Is no disease too difficult nor sor-
row too great but relief can be found
In Him. This Is true of our physical
Ills but 1t is pre-eminently true of our
souls. We see here that rich and in
fiuentlal man Is In distress. showing
that the rich and exalted are no more
exempt from Affections and anxiety
than are the poor Cares and trouble
come to all alike. The young are liza
BILE TO disease and death as are the old.
This nobleman learned Of Jesus
through the testimony of another ".
Az. Had not some one told him about
Jesus he would not have called upon
Him. Before lost men can call upon
the Lord some one must tell them
about Him (Rom. 1914, 15).
II. The Testing Of the Nobleman's
Faith wv. 4S, 49).
In his experience we find an illustra-
ton of the development Of belief. He
had faith, but not an intelligent faith.
Before help could be given his attitude
Of mind must be changed. Jesus de-
clared, Except We see signs and won
ders, We will not believe" showing that
the nobleman's faith was such as was
based upon signs mad wonders. The
man needed something more than the
healing Of his SON He must needs
know Christ as Savior as well as
Healer. He did not allow himself to
be put off, but insistently demanded,
"Sir, come down ere my child die
This shows that he was now willing to
make any experiment to save his boy.
His very impotency forced him to lay
hold upon the Lord. Jesus desired this
man to possess a faith which was
based upon His naked word, not mere
signs and wonders. The way Of Jesus
is to first reveal Himself as Savior
and then as Healer.
III. The Nobleman's Faith victorious,i
wv. 1854.
Through his testing he passed with
good advantage. He is now ready to
receive the Lords own word, 60 thy
way !; thy son liveth.'' These words
created true faith and the man stepped
out upon them. Because he believed
the words that Jesus spoke unto him !
he went his way. Faith increases In
brightness the longer 1t Is exercised. |
The foundation upon which he reposed |
his faith was the words of Jesus. On |,
his return his faith met with confirma- |
ton. His servant met him and told |
him that his son was alive. Upon in |
quiry he found that the recovery of his |
son was from the very hour in which |
Jesus spake the words. This was |
such an unmistakable evidence of the |
deity of Jesus that not only the noble
man, but his household, was won for
Christ. This affords us an example fof
the beauty of household religion. May I
we all learn that the words of Jesus /
are reliable That which He promises
Is just as sure as though 1t had already
come to pass. The salvation OF the one
who believes In Jesus is just as sure
as though he had been in heaven and |
seen his name in the Book of Life.
Anxiety for the son brought salvation
to the whole house. I