The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-01-30
IMPROVED 000"00S
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAyH
By REV. p. B. FITzwATER. D. D..
Member Of Faculty. Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.
GWestern Newspaper Union.
Lesson for February z
JESUS ENLlsTs HELPERS

LESSON TEXT-Luke Sill. 81, %.
GOLDEN TEXT-They forsook all
and followed him.-Luke SILL.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Finds Some
Helpers.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Jesus and the Fish.
ermen.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
,ToPIC-How Jesus Calls Us.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
,ToPIC-our Call to Serve With Christ.
The work Of Jesus had now pro-
crossed far enough to make more
workers necessary. He, therefore,
called and trained the helpers needed.
The spread Of Christianity depends
upon the testimony of men and women
who have come into an experimental
knowledge of Jesus Christ.
!. Jesus Teaching by the Seaside
wv. 1-3).
His fame was now so widespread
that the people pressed upon him to
hear the Word of God. The manner
and matter Of his teaching gained the
attention of the people, for he taught
as one having authority and not as
the Scribes. The people came to hear
the Word of God. 1t Is true today that
people will flock to hear the preaching
OF the Word Of God. The people will
not flock to hear the preacher dis
course on politics, literature, current
events, and human philosophy. These
people were hearing the living Word
expounding the written Word.
u. The Mighty Drauoht Of Fishes
wv. ~.
Before these disciples were called
into the Lords service, it was neces-
.sary that, in a most concrete way,
they be shown the wisdom and power
Of Jesus Christ.
!. Christ's command ". A.. It was
to launch out into the deep and let
down their nets for draught of fishes.
It was necessary for them to learn that
If fish were to be caught they must
cast their nets where the fish were.
2. The disciples hesitant obedience
". 81. Peter as spokesman explained
that they had night of dlsheartening
failure. They had given themselves to
whole night Of exhausting toll, with
mo success. While they acknowledged
their failure and unwillIngness to con-
.tinue on the ground of their own judg.
ment, they expressed willingness to
proceed on new ground Of action;
namely, AT thy word" Happy are
they who are willing to go forth with
Unfaltering courage on the ground Of
Christ's commandment.
8. Reward for obedience wv. 6, y.
By Jesus guidance they were able to
take such draught of fishes that their
nets broke and the boats were In dam
ger of sinking. Abundant success will
crown the efforts Of the disciples who
render implicit obedience to the COM
mands Of the Lord Jesus Christ.
10. The Disciples Called to Higher
Service wv. SID.
/. The effect Of the miracle upon the
disciples wv. S-10). This miracle was
so manlfestly the work Of supernat-
ural power that Peter acknowledged
himself to be In the presence of a
divine being, even expressing the fear
that comes to all when brought face
to face with God.
2. Their new vocation ". 10). Jesus
not only spoke words Of good cheer to
the disciples, but made clear to them
their work in the coming years. They
no longer were to spend their time in
catching fish, but henceforth were to
be fishers of men. Literally, they were
to catch men alive. This is the exalted
calling of every one who 10 ChrIst's
real disciple.
8. Response to the call ". III. They
left all and followed Jesus. They had
such marvellous demonstration Of Wis
dom and power Of Christ that they
were now willing to give up their tenn
pOral interests and give themselves to
the new work; that Of winning men to
Christ. Obedience to Christ meant not
only sacrifice, but a life of fruitful
service In winning souls for him.
Nv. The Calling Of Matthew (vv. q,
2S).
Matthew was a despised tax-gath-
erer. He was called from remunera.
tive position TO give up all ana IoIlo"
Jesus. He, together with James. John.
and Peter, gave up all to follow Jesus.
He had the courage Of his convictions,
for he made a great feast to which he
invited his old friends so that he might
introduce them to Jesus Christ This
act of Matthew was result Of ma
ture elaboration, for considerable time
had elapsed since his call His ex-
perience with Jesus was so blessedly
real that he desired that his friends
should have a like blessing. Men and
women Of reputation and influence
should capitalize on them for the sal
walton Of the lost, introducing their
friends to Jesus Christ. Christ is
not only able to save all kinds of
sinners, but to use them when saved
in his work.