The Coolidge examiner., 1936-01-31
ee~pS~eVNNT~N~@
Improved 0 SUNDAY
Uniform cCr001
--LESSON = =
By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Member of Faculty. Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.
q Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for February 2
JESUS ENLISTS HELPERS

LESSON TEXT-Lrke SILL, 27, %.
GOLDEN TEXT-They forsook all
and followed him.-L,uke 5:11.
PRIMARY TOPIC - Jesus Finds
Some Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus and the
Fishermen.
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-
gresSed far enough to make more
workers necessary. He, therefore,
called and trained the helpers need
ed. The spread of Christianity de-
pends upon the Testimony of men
and women who have come into an
eXperiential 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 man.
ner and matter of his teaching
gained the attention of the people,
for he taught as one having author
ity and not as the Scribes. The peo-
pie 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 discourse
on politics, literature, current events,
and human philosophy. These peo-
pie were hearing the living Word
eXpounding the written Word.
II. The Mighty Draught of Fishes
(vv. 40.
Before these disciples were called
into the Lords service, it was nee
essary that, in a most concrete way,
they be shown the wisdom and pow
er of Jesus Christ.
l. Christ's command ". ~. 1t
was to launch out into the deep and
let down their nets for draught of
fishes. 1t 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 obedi-
ence ". 81. Peter as spokesman ex-
planned that they had night of
disheartening failure. They had
given themselves to a whole night
of eXhausting toll, with no success
While they acknowledged their fail
ure and unwillingness to continue
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.
3. Reward for obedience (vv. G.,
y. BY Jesus guidance they were
able to take such draught OF fishes
that their nets broke and the boats
were in danger of sinking. Abun-
dant success will crown the efforts
of the disciples who render implicit
obedience to the commands of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
III. The Disciples Called to High
er Service (vv. SID.
l. The effect OF the miracle upon
the disciples wv. S-10). This miracle
was so manifestly the work of super
natural power that Peter acknowl-
edged himself to be in the presence
of divine being, even expressing
| the fear that comes to all when
brought face to face with God.
.. Their new vocation ". 10Y.
Jesus not only spoke words of good
cheer to the disciples, but made
clear to them their work in the com
ing 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 exalt-
ed calling of every one who is
Christ's real disciple.
g. Response to the call ". 1D.
They left all and followed Jesus.
! They had such a marvellous demon
stratiOn of wisdom and power of
Christ that they were now willing
to give up their temporal interests
and give themselves to the new
work; that of winning men TO
Christ. Obedience to Christ meant
not only sacrifice, but life of fruit
full service in winning souls for him.
". The Calling of Matthew (vv
81, 2S).
Matthew was a despised taX-gath-
erer. He was called from a remu-
nerative position to give up all and
follow Jesus He, together with
James, John, and Peter, gave up all
! to follow Jesus. He had the cOur-
age Of his convictions. for he made
Il great feast to which he invited
! his old friends so that he might in
troduce them to Jesus Christ. This
act of Matthew was a result of ma
! ture diliberatiOn, for considerable
time had elapsed since his call. His
experience with Jesus was so bless
edly real that he desired that his
friends should have a like blessing.
| Mon opd wOnpn of rnnuta tion opd