The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-30

you Will De the cnleteSt, snail De bne
servant of all.-Mark 10:44
PRIMARY TOPIC-What Two Broth
ers Asked Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Who Are the Great?
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-A Look at the Gospel of Mark.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Mark's Gospel: Author. Origin,
Theme.
Beginning a New Year is always
a thrilling experience. The thought
of an unWritten record is a pleasant
one and at the same time most SOL
emnizing. We must take heed, you
and l, what we write upon that page
which lies before US with the invit-
ing caption-''1938."
Next to having New Years day
fall on Sunday, it is most appropri-
ate that the Lords day should come
between the holiday of yesterday
spent with our family and friends,
and the work-day on the morrow,
when we begin the years labors.
Today we tarry in Gods house to
pray and counsel together in the
light of his Holy Word regarding
the new year of grace and oppor-
tunity.
We begin today a six-month study
Of the Gospel of Mark, which pre-
sents Christ as the Servant of God.
1t is the Gospel of the mighty acts
of divine power, rather than of
words. 1t is characterized by
energy and spontaneity. 1t moves
rapidly. The characteristic words
are "Straightway," Immediately, "
and forthwith" which are used
more than forty times. We look for
ward to a delightful and profitable
series Of lessons.
Before considering our lesson for
today, we would undoubtedly like TO
meet the author" John Mark was
the son of the Mary in Jerusalem in
whose home was 1.-The upper room"
where so many important events
took place. He was cousin of
BarnabaS and went with him and
Paul on the first missionary journey
For some reason he lost heart and
went home, much to PauPS distress.
Happily we find that the young man
redeemed himself in Paul'S eStima-
ton and was later well spoken Of
by him (Col. 4:10, Phile. "a, and 1
Tim. GID. He was servant (Acts
12:12) and the Holy Spirit chose him
to write the Gospel of the Servant
The lesson text chosen for our
"preview'' of the Gospel is one
which shows the weakness of human
ambitions as contrasted with the
true spirit Of humble service which
characterized Christ.
1. Selfish Ambition Rebuked (vv.
35-4D.
Ambition is not in itself wrong
but when it becomes so extreme
that it projects self forward at the
expense of others it becomes selfish
and destructive. The fact that these
men were evidently earnest and
were, indeed, seeking place with
the Lord in his glory does not
change the situation. They were
selfish even in dealing with holy
things.
James and John had asked for a
great honor in the kingdom, but had
not sought to share in the suffering
that preceded it. It is as Luther
said, 1.-The flesh ever seeks to be
glorified before it is crucified, ex-
alted before it is abased."
Their own ignorance of what was
involved, their own weakness, their
observation of Gods hand in the
carrying out of his own plans,
should have deferred them. There
is such a thing as holy boldness,
but there is also such thing as
unholy temerity. Let us walk softly
before the Lord.
III. Sacrificial Service Defined
(vv. 42-45).
Christianity is not organized after
the manner of secular government
". 42). Much Of the mischief thai
has come to pass in the church is
the result of running the church
as an organization, when it should
be allowed to develop as living
organism.
The way up is down. That is al
ways true in the spiritual realm
The Son of man came not to be
ministered unto but to minister
yea, to give his very life ". 45).
Shall not those who bear his name
walk the same path of humble self
denial?
Anyone who observes with even &
little care knows that the church o.
Jesus Christ is hindered most SerI
ously by the presence of pride anc
selfish ambition. Some people vii
not work unless they can rule. Their
money is withheld unless it buys fol
them a dominating interest. The
pastor is persona non grata unless
he recognizes the desires OF the
right people. None of these things
are done as obviously as our words
would suggest. There is much care
full fixing and "wire-pullng" be
hind the scenes. But it amounts II
exactly the same thing. and 1t l:
all entirely foreign to the spirit OF
Christ.
Are there then no Christians whc
humbly serve the Lord? Yes, praise