Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-02-17
Sl1r4dayScflool
' Lesson '
(By REV. p. b. FITZwATER, D. D., Dean
Of the Evening school Moody Bible In
stitute OF Chicago.D
&c, 1927. Western Newspaper Union.)
SERVING IN AND THROUGH THE
CHURCH.


LESSON rExT-Matt. 5:1a-1s' Acts
GOLDEN TExq-we are laborers
together with Cod Cor. SO.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Praising God in
Church
JUNIOR TOPIC = Serving IN the
Church.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Fhe Meaning Of Church Member
ship.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
lC-Living and Working Together in
the Church.
There is an utter lack of connec-
ton between the subject chosen by
the lesson committee and 'dhe pas
sages of Scripture selected. The first
exhibits the responsibilities of the
subjects OF the Messiah's kingdom,
and the second pictures the graces
which were upon the members of the
primitive church. Definite recogni-
ton SHOULD be given this in our in
depreciation of the passages.
|. The Responsibilities of the Sub
Jects of Messiah's Kingdom Matt.
5:t3-16).
The whole mass of mankind is
shown in the Scriptures to be cor
rupt-the whole world in moral and
spiritual darkness. 1t is the high
privilege and solemn responsibility or
| the subjects of the kingdom to exert
saving and uplifting influence on
| the world in which they live. They
I
! are to live such lives as to purify and
enlighten. This can only be done in
! the measure that they personally
know Jesus CHRIST, the King, and
strive to make known His glory and
power to others.
1. "Ye are the salt of the earth
". 49,
The properties of salt are:
a. Penetrating. This means that
the disciples must not separate them
selves from the world, but thrust
themselves into its activities. Salt
must he brought into contact with the
substance to be affected by it,
| (2) Purifying. The influence Of
the disciples of Christ is to uplift and
purify.
80 Preserving. Sait has the tend
ency to arrest decay. The intluence
of believers tends TO save the world
from perishing in its own vices.
Q aye are the light of the world"
| (v. 1D.
Light Eliminates and warns. In
order to perform its mission, light
must not be hidden. The city built
OF a hill was not intended to be mid
This world is dark and cold. Many
are the pitfalls and snares set lay the
devil Believers in Christ should so
from falling into them.
II. Characteristics of the Primitive
Church (Acts .42-4T).
1 The behavior OF the members Of :he
early church WAS as marvellous az
their gifts of speaking with tong les
and performing mighty miracles 1t
was the result of the Holy Spiri: in
their hearts.
l. They sought instruction from
those who knew the Lord &. 42).
This is always so. The unfail.lig
mark Of the spirit-tlled believer IL
eagerness to receive instruction f m
those who have been taught by She
Lord
. They abode in fellowship v IN
one another (v. 40.
Spirit-filled believers have an a'ec.
ton for their kiad
a..
rament Of Ghrists death ". ~.
Those who have entered into ~
lowship with Christ will faithfully d.
serve this memorial
/ They continued in prayer ",
42).
\ sure mark OF the spirit-hlled he
lever is a life of prayer
>. They were together w. 40
This unity was the result Of their
having been baptized into lie oae
body of which Christ is head q Cor
1913.
6. They had community of gools
wv A, 40.
They sold their possessions and dis
trihuted them to all men as they had
need. This proves that they were IN
der the power of the supernatural. 1t
is not a natural thing for one to aban
don his title to earthly possessions
. They were filed with gladncss
4 and SingleneSs of heart ". 49,.
Those who are really born from
above are filled with great JOY ant
| will devote themselves 10 tbe doiue
Of good 10 others.
s. Praising God and having favor
with all the people ". Az.
such unSeIfishness gained the az
tention Of HE people and induce
them TO yield themselves to God ans
. such as. were being saved were addet
{ unto them.
FulIness of the Spirit