The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-10-24
Lesson for October II
THE CHRISTIANS VIEW OF REC.
REATION

REATION
LESSON TEXT-Jer. SI:12. IS, Zech.
S:15, Mark 2:18-28, Mark 5000, John
Gill.
GOLDEN TEXT. am come that
they might have life and that they
might have 1t more abundantly.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Right Way
to Play.
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Right Way to
Play.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
1C-What Play Does for Us.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Recreation in Community Life.
In the last lesson we saw that
work was Gods primal law for man.
In work there is a certain breaking
down of cells which needs constant
repair; therefore, in order that work
may continue there must be recrea-
ton. Recreation means recreation.
Failure to discern this truth has
made of recreation dissipation. In
this light let us view the salient
points In the scripture selected.
!. The Coming Golden Age (Jer.
3:12, 1877.
Though jeremiah was the weeping
prophet, and presented dark pictures
of Israel's condition, God gave him a
view of Israels golden age. He made
known how that through the mighty
hand of God the chosen nation
should be delivered from bondage and
brought into their own land where
peace, prosperity and gladness should
prevail. The source of all real rec
reation is right relationship with
God God is the source of all joy.
Nothing so powerfully affects the
physical organism in its renewal as
joy in God. In this coming age the
streets of the city will be safe for
old people and children Czech. S:4, 81.
II. The Christians Relation to
Fasting Mark 2:1S-23).
l. A question asked ". 1S).
The very joyfulness of the disci-
pies of Christ in contrast with the
disciples Of John and the Pharisees,
moved an inquiry as to the reason.
The law of Moses only required fast
ing on the Day of AtOnement John
the Baptist was in prison, therefore
1t is clear as to why his disciples
were fasting.
2. Christ's answer wv. 49, 20).
He declared that the children of
the bride chamber could not fast
as long as they had the bridegroom
with them. The joy Of present COM
partnership with Christ prevented
their fasting. This shows that Christ
is the real source Of JOY. He recog-
nized that when the bridegroom was
absent, there was occasion for
fasting. Christ is now away, there
fore fasting is permissible. In times
of great need the early church fast
ed. Before sending out the first mis-
sionaries they tasted and prayed
(Acts Il, p. More fasting and less
feasting would be helpful today in
the ordination of Christian workers.
III. The Christians Relation to the
Sabbath Mark 2:24-2S).
The disciples were charged with
lawlessness because they plucked ears
of corn as they walked through the
fields on the Sabbath day. In Christ's
defense against this charge, He
l. Cites a precedent ". 26).
1t was the case of David, their great
king, who in time of need ate the
shewbread which was only lawful for
the priests. The principle set forth
is that the higher law of human need
warranted David in doing this which
was out of the regular line of duty.
2. Showed the nature of the Sabbath
law ". 2O.
The Sabbath was made for man,
therefore it's right use is determined
by what it contributes to mans good.
The Sabbath should not be mans
cruel master, but his helpful servant
3. Jesus is Lord Of the Sabbath
". 2S).
It was He who instituted 1t when
creation was finished; therefore He
had the right to use It as it pleased
Him for mans good.
w. The Need of a Vacation mark
6:30-32).
The tragic death Of John the Bap-
fist had just occurred, and the dis
ciples had just returned from a siren
uous missionary tour Christ, per-
ceiving their need, invited them to
come apart with Him for rest.
V. Jesus Attending Wedding John
2:1-1D.
This is a striking sidelight on the
spirit of Christ. A marriage feast
was graced by His presence. In this
act He set a mark Of honor upon
marriage, which is the most joyous Of
earth's occasions. In this act mans
holy Redeemer lifted the holy ordi-
nance of marriage INTO its dignity and
beauty In the course of the feast,
when the wine was exhausted, He
wrought His first miracle rather than
have Its festivities married.