The Omaha guide., 1934-04-07

LESSON TExT-Matthew iSif-rA
le:13-16. ..
dren, and forbid them not to come
INTO me: for Of such Is the kin1-
dom of heaven. Matt 1914.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Biesses ths
Children.
JUNIOR ~ToPIc-Jesus and HE
Smallest Friends
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP1
yc-Entering and Growing in the
YoUNo PEOPLE AND ADULT
roPIC-Ths sin OF Neglecting and
kisguiding Children.
!. The Greatest In the Kingdom O
Heaven wv. 14).
!. The disciples question ". ~
The prominence given TO Peter In coni
Aection with the announcement OF
Chrfst's purpose to build the church
and the payment of tribute with the
money in the nsh's mouth. provoked
jealousy on the part of the other dis
ciples: Seeing that the kingdom was
10 come to realization despite the
tragedy Of the cross, the disc'plef
thought t. best to have settled their
place OF rank In the kingdom. Instead
OF entering into sympathy with Jesus
In the dark hour of his passion, they
were supremely concerned with the
dignities to be conferred upon them
selves.
2. Jesus answer wv. pa. Ht
taught them concretely by placing
little child in their midst. Two vital
truths stand out in his reply:
a. Condition of entrance into the
kingdom ". 81. He showed them that
the great question which should con-
cern them was as to whether they
were really in the kingdom. Their
behavior revealed the fact hat they
needed conversion before they could
enter into the kingdom. Before thes
could even see, much less enter into
the kingdom, they must be born from
above (Jehn 3:3, 81.
b. Those possessing childfike humil-
ity.are the greatest ". A.. 1t is high
ly important that we understand child
hood. The child is dependent. lowly,
and docile. Doctor Morgan sets forth
the following characteristics of child.
hood: y
() Imperfection. The child Is nor
only the emblem Of imperfection but
is subconsciously aware Of it. Be
cause Of this it awaits instruction and
correction in order for development.
- ,
(2) Simplicity. All the powers
the "hild's being express themselv
freely, readily, and naturally.
(3) Subl1issiveness. While the CHI
has Inherited sin vet it yields d
the touch Of TIE skillful hand. TIL
touch Of the HAND Of the teacher and
the parent leaves its impress upon TIL
child to the end Of it's life.
~. Jesus Identification With Hi
Believing Ones ". 5-9}.
l. Receiving the believer in Christi
name is receiving Christ ". 81
Through faith in Christ we. bet VI
Gods children, and so completely
our life interviewer with his that
regards treatment of us as treatmef
of himself.
2. The awful peril Of causing a be
lever to stumble wv. 6-9). To cauA~
to stumble means to give occasion X
a moral fall. This particularly refer.
to the carnality and selfishness which
were expressing themselves in the dill
eiples' contention for pre-eminencl
Their behavior was not only an in
jury but a stumbling block to other.s
Dvery Christian should solemnly irs
Quire as to whether his life would he'll
or hinder his fellow believers. SIM
ming against Christ's W will meet
sure and awful fate. The doom will
be worse than drowning In the Fc
with a milestone around the neck. IA
will be eternal fire ". 81.
III. The Heavenly Fathers Special
Care for Believers wv. 1919.
1. They are under angelic guardian3
ship ". 10). So precious Is the beIieyl
er in Gods sight that angelic messen
gers are provided (Heb. 1:10). .@io~t'
2. The Son Of man came ~especialIy
to ave the lost wv. HID. The heavI
| emily Father does not will that anyone
should perish. All are the objects OF
the Fathers seeking love.
Nv. Jesus Receiving Little Children
Matt. 10 :13-15).
The setting Of this text should be
most carefully noted. Jesus had beed
speaking Of the sanctity OF marriagd
which is the bulwark Of the home!
Into the sacred enclosure Of the home
comes childhood to complete and en-.
noble it.
g 1. Children brought to Jesus ".
49,. Most likely they were brought
BY their parents. Parents naturally
sesire the blessing Of the Lord for
Their children. Many parents who are
careless as to themselves, desire to
bring their children into touch with
pesus Christ.
2. Rebuked by the disciples ". 13).
They regarded children as too insig-
niacant to engage the Lords atten-
tion.
8. The disciples rebuked by Christ
". 40. These words uttered by the
Lord have placed a peculiar dignity
upon children.
4. Christ laid his hands upon the
Ehiidrea (v. 16). This action no doubt
Indicated his pronouncernent Of bless
ng upon them and his tenderness for