The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-10-04
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
By HIGHT {. MOORE

abide in him and for him to abide
in them. Interpretation and
identity are thus exhibited and
inculcated. If there is no union
with the vine, there can be no
fruit for the husbandman. But
if the union with Christ is init
mate and sincere, the result is
sure to be satisfactory. While
the severed branch is of course
pOwerless. those abiding in the
vine are to bear, not few light
punches, but numerous and
weighty clusters of luscious fruit.
Those who neglect or spurn this
vital union with Christ are either
double-faced or deluded. Profess
sion of faith in Christ amounts
to nothing unless it be genuine.
/ The branch that is simply tied on
to the vine must be torn away
and shaken into the consuming
fire. But in contrast with the
doom of the fruitlesS, mark the
duty and the privilege of those
who were united with Christ.
When we live in Christ and his
words form the furniture of our
lives, then our petitions will be
IN accordance with his will and
our prayers will be unfailingly
effectual.
SERVICE OF FELLOWSHIP:
FRUIT
Life for Christ, the service of
| fellowship with him, is pictured
in the fruit of the branches abid-
ing in the vine. Abundant fruit
bearing of course delights the
husbandman. 1t carries out his
purpose. 1t expresses his char
acter. 1t honors his name among
men. Moreover, it is both the
test and the developer of true
discipleship. Our love for God
is but a faint reflection Of the
| love of our Creator and Redeem
err for US. The love of Jesus for
US was equaled only by the in
finite love of the Father of the
Son. Surely we ought to con-
tinue in his love. Then we shall
bear the fruit of obedience which
will kepe US within the sweep of
Gods unclouded love. If We fol
low the footsteps of Jesus and
keep faith with him we shall pos
sess his Job which is not earth
/ born but divine. He desires and
designs that we should have this
ioy to the full and not in limited
Quantities. Who can be content
with a gill when he can have an
ocean of Christian joy?
SPIRIT OF FELLOWSHIP:
LOVE
| ! Life with Christ, animated and
irradlated by the spirit of fellow
ship with him, is the life of love.
There is the commandment of love.
It is his own, his great and in
elusive mandate to everyone who
accepts him as Saviour and
Lord. 1t summarizes our man.
ward duty: THAT we love one an
other" There is the example of
love. "As I have loved you" He
laid down his life for us that we
might have life eternally. There
is the obedience of love, for our
hearts tell us we ought to do the
things which he commands us to
do. There is the friendship OF
love since we have in Christ the
"friend who sticketh closer than
q brother" There is the knowl-
edge of love since he has made
known to us all that ne heard
from the Father. There is the
Ifruitfulness of love, for our Best
Friend has chosen and appointed
and capacitated us to bear the
good fruit that will abide: FL
nally there is the reward OF love:
for as we fulfil our compact OF
friendship with Christ we are as
Isured of the blessings we ask u
the Father in his name.
BEAR MUCH FRUIT
! (D Fruit from Christ. i am
the true vine" He is the author
of life. He is the giver OF every
good. Whatever fruit we pear
must be his more than ours ne
does infinitely more than we "