Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-04-07

4 3
PRIMARY ToPIC-Peter Trusts Je-
sus.
JUNIOR NToPIC--A Helping Savior.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
Ic-why Peter Failed
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Christ the Ever-Present Helper.
The storm-tossed disciples on the
sea at night are an example OF the
struggling followers of the Lord in the
darkness Of the present age, as they
are tossed by the tempests Of the evil
one.
!. This Disciples on the Storm
Tossed Sea wv. 22-24).
]. They are sent across the sea by
Christ ". 22).
Jesus constrained His disciples to
get into ship" Doubtless His rea-
son for this was to keep them from
ENHANCEMENT In the movement OF the
people to make Him King, for In John
6:14, Is. 1t Is shown that the people
were SO excited by the feeding Of the
5000 that they were about to make
Him King by force.
2. Christ dismisses the multitudes
". 22).
This may be taken as typical Of His
rejection by the nation whose rulers
had already rejected Him.
8. Christ praying alone in the noun
tain (v. 23).
Temptation to earthly honor ana
power had come to Him, therefore He
went to the Father In prayer for re-
lief and strength. The need Of prayer
Is greatest at such times. According
to Mark GAS He saw from the noun
tain the disciples toiIing on the storm
tossed sea.
II. Jesus Walking on the Sea wv.
25-27).
l. 1t was in the fourth watch of the
night (v. 25).
He did not come to them Immediate
~, but waited till almost dawn. How
ever, 1t was the darkest part of the
night. Their physical danger was
great, but no doubt their mental per-
plexity was greater. They knew that
the Lord had sent them, but why
sent them? The stormy sea is no EVIL
dence that the disciple is not In the
Lords appointed way.
2. The disciples alarmed at His COM
Ing (y. go.
At the sight Of Him they cried out
for fear. They said: 1T Is a spirit"
1t was the coming of their best friend
10 deliver them from danger.
8. Jesus words OF comfort and good
cheer ". 27).
In the midst of their distress they
heard the Masters words, BE Of
good cheer, 1t is /, be not afraid"
This changed their fear to JOY.
III. Peter Walking on the Sea wv.
2S, 29).
/. Peters request.
AS soon as Peter recognized the
voice Of Jesus he cried: IBID me come
to thee ON the water ". 2S).
2. Jesus response ". 29).
At the Lords "come," Peter left the
ship and walked on the water. While
he kept his eyes on the Lord he walked
on the waves. His faith linked him
with the divine power and was thus
upheld. Vital faith in Jesus Christ will
enable the disciple to outride the
storms of life.
~. Peter Sinking ". S0).
He took his eyes off the Lord and
placed them upon the raging sea. This
separated him from the divine power.
We should learn TO fix our eyes upon
the Lord instead OF upon our circum-
stances. Failure will surely follow II
we give consideration to our circum
stances and our own ability to master
them.
v. Christ RescuIng Peter ". 81.
When Peter began to sink he did the
sensible thing He cried out: Lord,
save me-" immediately Jesus stretched
forth His hand and caught him. His
salvation from death at the bottom Of
the sea was the result Of the Lord tax
ing hold Of him. Jesus Christ In thu
Incarnation was the divine hand reach
ing forth to rescue sinking world.
The Significance OF the expression
"caught him" is made clear ~ Hebrews
2:I6. 1t Is there declared that Jesus
took not upon Himself the nature
OF angels but took upon Himself
the seed of Abraham. The same
Greek word occurs in verse 81 Of this
lesson. We should understand from
this that the eternal Son Of God did
not come III the form of a man In or
der to show man the way to God, but
identified Himself with man through
incorporation with Him. He came, not
as an example, but as a Savior.
~ 80 Ky.