Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-04-01

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GOLDEN TEXT-Because thou hast
seen me, thou hast believed: pleased
are they that have not seen, and yet
have believed.-John 1929
PRIMARY ToPIC-Thomas Happy to
See Jesus Alive Again.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Jesus Appears to
His Disciples.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Jesus Appears to His Disciples.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
TC-Loving and Serving the Risen Lord.
]. Jesus Manifests Himself to the
Discipies-Thomas Present GO :24-29).
Thomas was absent at the first APP
pearance of Jesus-just why we may
never know. His absence deprived
him of a vision of the Lord. The other
disciples went to Thomas with the
glad news Of the Lords resurrection
but he would not believe lis stub
born disbelief was such that he dog
gedly declared that unless he saw the
prints of the nails and put his finger
In the print of the nails and thrust
his hand into His side, he would not
believe. Note:
!. The Lords kindness to those who
have difficulties wv 26, %.
Thomas deserved rebuke but the
Lord kindly supplied the evidence
which he demanded.
.. The Lord revealed Himself to
Thomas wv. o. 2S).
When He thus revealed Himself,
Thomas was transformed from
doubter into a confessor. He cried
out, my Lord and my God"
B. The superior blessing of belief
without sight ". 29}.
Jesus patiently furnished Thomas
with tangible evidence of His resur-
rection, but assured him that belief
on Him without the tangible evidence
was to be in a frame of mind to re-
ceive the blessings of the Lord.
III. Jesus Manifests Himself to Seven
Disciples at the Sea of Tiberius col:
1-14).
1. The occasion wv 1-3).
At Peters suggestion the disciples
go fishing. They do not 60 back to
their old calling without hope in
Christ They should not be accused
Of forsaking their Lord--they were
poor men, therefore obliged to work
Furthermore, honest toll should not
be considered incompatible with wit
Messing for Christ Sensible men and
women viii be busy ut so-called secular
occupations until called from them by
the Lord Indeed when the Lord
wants men to work for Him, He goes
to those who are busy The disciples
toiled all night and got nothing.
,. The risen Lord the suppler of the
disciples needs wv. 4-14).
At daybreak the Lord appeared on
the shore and inquired as to their
success. The Lord appears ut the
point of their extremity. When the
disciples confessed their failure, He
directed them and success followed.
III. The Charge Of the Risen Lord to
Peter (21 :15-1D.
Christ put to Peter the thrice re-
peated question, 'Lovest thou me?'
before He gave to him commission
This shows that supreme love to Christ
is the one essential qualification for
serving Him. Lowest thou me more
than these?" means, no doubt, do you
love me more than you do these dis
cipIes and all things besdes?" Three
classes in the church need special care
and food adapted to their several
estates.
l. Feed My lambs w. 15). This first
charge relates to those who are be-
ginning the Christian life, the babes
in Christ. The word feed means
more than instruction. 1t means in
addition TO instruction, surroundings,
influences. examples, etc
. Tend My sheep w. 16).
This charge shows different class.
1t means to shepherd the sheep The
duty here enjoined is to a>al with
the mature class. lie must feed them,
give them the proper instruction.
guide them, lead them and correct
them
3. Feed Ny sheep (v. 1O.
This third charge means the caring
of aged Christians. The word feed
is much the same as in the first case.
1t means that for the aged Christians
the instructions ought to he such IA
will be suited to their needs.
~. Follow Me wv. 1929.
Christ here gives a prophecy con
corning Peters death. 1t was to be
by cruciiXion ". 1S.) Peter once
shrank from the cross but now the
Lord holds it up before him. It is
not the Lords death on the cross. but
Peters own. Whatever may be before,
even the cruel cross. the disciples are
directed to follow Him.
Worldly Joy