The Coolidge examiner., 1936-05-01

JUNIOR TOPIC-The Man Who
Thanked Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Three Marks of Christian
Strength.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Three Marks of Christian
Strength.
|. Forgiveness, a Christian obliga-
tion wv. 1-4).
Owing to the fundamental fact of
human individuality, the perversiOn
by sin, and the power and wicked
ness of the devil, Offenses, or Occa-
siOns of stumbling, are bound to
come. Because mankind is fallen
and sin reignS in individual hearts,
the results are bound to reveal
themselves, but Jesus prOnounces
WOE" unto those whose evil deeds
become a stumbling stone in the
way of others, especially lone Of
these little ones"
The follower of Christ is to take
heed that his life be n< injurious,
but that it be exemplary. The be-
lever is to cultivate the forgiving
spirit toward the wrongdOer, while
rebuking the wrong. Great skill and
grace are required to rebuke one
for wrOngdOing, revealing at the
same time the fOrgiving spirit, so
as to win him instead of eXasperat-
ing him.
II. Humility, a Christian Quality
(vv. 5-10).
Humility is at the heart of this
trio of Christian graces. Much
faith is required to establish and
maintain humility. Human nature
impeis one to push others aside, to
struggle for supremacy, to reach the
exalted positions in life. Humility
moves one to seek the lOwly place,
while giving places of honor to 9th
ers, and being sincerely happy when
others are granted the preferred
positions. Surely, for this one must
have faith in God. We may well re-
peat the disciples appeal, Increase
our faith"
~. Gratitude, an Uncommon Grace
(vv. 11-19).
The account of the ten leperS is
perhaps the most used Bible portion
in enforcing the lesson of gratitude
as against ingratitude. There are a
number of things to he considered.
if we are fully to understand the
call for gratitude.
l. Their awful afflictiOn ". 12).
They were lepers. In that day
no greater tragedy could befall one
than to be thus afflicted. 1t was re-
garded as contagious and incura-
BILE. The afflicted person became a
social outcast, and was avoided and
neglected. The Mosaic law provid-
ed for segregation CLev. 13:46).
LeprOsy has always been regard
ed as typical of sin, and at times
as visited upon individuals because
of sin. Examples: the leprOsy Of
Naaman QI Kings 81; Gehazi Ql
Kings 5): Miriam (Num. 12); Uz-
ziah (II Kings 10: :5).
Leprosy may lay long dormant,
and then make a sudden appear
ance; so With sin. LeprOsy wakes
worse and worse; so with sin. And
the end of sin is death.
2. Their cry for mercy ". 13).
The ten recognized their great need,
and that no human help was avail
able. Testimonies that had floated
to their hearing told of a great
Healer, and when He came their
way they were not slow to make
their prayer to him. Nothing can
so stimulate the sinner to cry for
mercy as the ringing testimony of
those already saved. i
The faith of the lepers Immediate
ly revealed itself in acting upon the
instructions of Jesus that they go
and show themselves to the priest.
While they went they were cleansed.
They were to obey the Old Testa-
ment requirement for the recording
of their cleansing, that they need no
longer be outcasts. The sinner may
find salvation along the path of
daily duty, if he will but believe.
8. Their differing attitudes fol-
lowing healing wv. 1919.
a. The gratitude of the one wv.
Is, 16) is beautiful and inspiring.
He is referred to as this stranger"
evidently a Gentle but SO deep was
his gratitude he hastened back to
Jesus to give thanks. The one who
might be least expected to show
gratitude was the one who sincerely
expressed it.
b. The nine who neglected wv.
17-19), who failed to give thanks,
have through the centuries been
charged with ingratitude. Their
healing was as complete; they had,
as much reason to recognize Jesus
as their healer as had this stran-
ger" Perhaps, as is true Of so many
believers of today, they took their
benefits for granted and were lndif-
ferent rather than ungrateful. Many
M dow toll n thDV