The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-30
Improved Uniform international
Sl11n9daySchool
' Lesson '
(By REV. p. 3. FITzwATER, DID,. Mem.
Der Of Faculty. Moody Bible Institute
Of Chicago,)
q. 1880. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for February 2
PUTTING eoD's KINGDOM FIRST

Lesson for February z
PUTTING GODS KINGDOM FIRST
LESSON TEXT-Matthew e:1-24
print Wv. 6-1s. 1891. 81-Ss).
GOLDEN TEXT-Seek We first the
kingdom OF God. and His righteous
ness; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Reing True, to
JUNIOR rop1caBelns Loyal to
Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Being Loyal to Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Putting First Things First.
Having set forth In the previous
chapter the standards Of the kingdom,
Jesus now exhibits the underlying
principles which control the subjects
Of the kingdom.
!. AZ to Giving wv. 1-4).
Aims were not to be given before
men to be seen Of them. Doing aims
before men is not condemned as that
would contradict Matthew SIG. but
the doing of them before men to be
seen of them. To seek publicity In
doing our aims is to miss the reward
of our heavenly Father. The true
child Of the kingdom will seek privacy
in doing Righteousness. that he may
have the open reward Of the Father.
u. As to Praying wv. $50.
I. False prayer wv. 5, y.
This consists in (1) Praying to be
seen and heard of men ". 81. Many
Of the prayers uttered in public are
false, for there is more thought of
what the people think than Of what
God thinks. (2) Using vain repeti-
lions ". y. This does not mean that
we should ask but once for given
thing. We have examples of Christ
and Paul praying three times for the
same thing Matt. &c :39-46; II Cor.
1927, 81. It means the using Of mean
ingless repetitions. The reason is,
"Your Father knoweth what things
We have need of before We ask Him."
2. True prayer ". 81.
Since prayer is a transaction OF the
soul with God, there should be real
desire for fellowship with Him which
moves one to meet Him in the secret
place.
3. The model prayer (vv. 9-15).
This involves Q) Right relationship
sour Father" ". 81. (2) Right at
titude-"Hallowed be thy name" wv.
Q, 10Y. [3) Right spirit-"Give us our
daily bread. forgive US our sins, lead
us not into temptation" wv. 11-13).
III. As to Fasting tvv. 1879.
The true reason for fasting is to be
found In the opportunity it gives for
a clear vision Of God. Those who
have thus seen God will make 1t mani
fest in joyful countenance.
w. As to Earthly Riches wv.
1924.
The Lord knew the temptations
which would befall His children in
their earthly pilgrimage and the
anxiety to which it would lead; there
fore He set forth the proper attitude
toward them.
/. The nature Of earthly riches
wv. 1920.
(D Uncertain wv. 10. 20). Earthly
treasures corrode, or are taken from
us, therefore we should lay up for
ourselves treasures In heaven where
they are absolutely safe from cOrrup-
ton and from thieves. (2) Seductive
". Ply. Christ called arches deceit
full Matt. 1929. 1t is not wrong to
possess earthly treasures. but when
earthly treasures possess US, they be-
come a snare unto US. Excessive at
tention should not be given to earthly
treasures.
2. The effect Of earthly riches
wv. 22-24).
~ Blunt the moral and spiritual
perceptions wv. %, 23). Those who
become enamored Of the things Of this
world soon become irresponsible to
spiritual things When the heart 1s
upon earthly treasures, it is taken
from God. The double eye is dis
astrous to spirituality. (2) They rem
der null and void all service ". 24).
AS soon as ones heart is stolen by
riches, he is rendered unfit for spir-
itual service.
v. As to Faith In the Heavenly Fa-
ther wv. 25-34).
I. Be not anxious about food and
clothing wv. 25-S4).
Because ~ It shows distrust
Of God ". 30). God Is able to supply
His children's needs. (2) It is use
less ". 81. Anxiety can bring moth
ing. While bringing us nothing, 1t
weakens our service. (3) It is
heathenish ". 32). Those who have
not learned to trust God may worry
over temporal affairs, but those who
know Him as a loving Father, will be
free from care.
2. Be anxious to seek the kingdom
Of God and serve Him wv. 33. 34).
This means that worldly affairs
should be subordinated to spiritual
affairs.