The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-12-29
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
PETER CALLED TO SERVE
r., HIGHT r MOORE
By HIGHT c. MOORE

Sunday School Lesson for Jan
uary /, 1889. A. ,
Scripture: Read John l:35-42;
Luke Sill. Study John 1:4O-42;
Luke SILL.
The public ministry Of Jesus
opened with his return from the
wilderness of temptation to the
banks of the Jordan where John
the Baptist was still preaching
and baptizing. Within two days
five or six men-Andrew, John,
Peter, Philip, Nathaniel Tor Bar
tholomew), and probably James
accepted Jesus as the Messiah.
After preaching III Judea for
few months Jesus located at Ca
pernaum and entered upon his
great Galilean ministry. One OF
his first acts was to call two pans
of brothers-Peter and Andrew,
James and John--from their reg
ular occupation to become fishers
of men. ....
PETER BECOMES A
CHRISTIAN { John 1:40-42)
ACCEPTING Jesus as Saviour,
Peter became Christian. Note:
% The testimony Of the Baptist
inspired the beginnings of falfh
in Jesus. Though recognition ~
the Messiah meant the loss of h1s
best disciples and decrease ~
popularity, he was true to his
mission. When Jesus, just back
from the wilderness temptation,
passed before him us he stood
with John and Andrew, he said to
them, "Behold the Lamb OF
Godw Then these faithful, valued
disciples of the great forerunner
caught the chief lesson of his min
istry and so, leaving him behind,
they followed Jesus. (2) The con-
version Of Andrew and John en-
sued in a personal interview with
Jesus lasting nearly all day. They
were earnest seekers, for they
were looking for the Messiah.
They were diligent; mquirers for
they desired quiet talk with the
Master. They were happily re-
warded, for he graeiously invited
them to abide with him. They
were gloliously converted, for
they showed their faith by their
works. p(3) The conversion of Pc
ter and probably James was the
result of personal effort, each of
the first two converts bringing his
brother to Jesus, Andrew being
first to do so. Observe that An
drew himself accepted Jesus as
the Messiah, that he. at once told
of his new-found faith, and that
he brought his impetuous brother
direct to Jesus. Thus Andrew did
the, noblest deed of his life and
dropped down to a secondary
place, but to him Peter and the
Christian, world are forever in
debted. When. Simon stood before
him, Jesus. saw the mpulsiveness
of his. character; and also the I'M
developed solidity imbedded in
his nature. He knew that rash
Simon could be changed into
rock-like Peter. Hence the change
of name from Simon to Cephas,
or: Peter. Such is the transforming
skill of the master hand of Jesus.
PETER ENTERS THE !
MINISTRY (Luke SLID 80.
OBEYING Jesus as Lord, Peter
entered the ministry. See the
Lord in five attitudes: (D The
Lord Teaching. He was on the
beach. He was quoting and ex-
planning the Word of God as re-
vealed in the Bible and now spo-
ken by himself. The eager crowds
pressed closely about him and all
most pushed him into, the lake.
But two boats were at hand, and
they belonged to his disciples.
Knowing hetwas welcome, he en-
tered Simon's. boat and asked him
to put off shore5a few feet so
that he could address the people
on shore. From the floating pull
pit che finished his discourse. ca,
The Lord Commanding. The fish
ing hours in the lake were usual !
ly at night: now it was perhaps
midmorning or later. The fisher
men had toiled all plight without
a single Rcateh.t Now Jesus order
ed Peter to put out, to- deep wa
ter and drop his nets. for "a haul.,I
Peter was amazed and naturally
demonstrated ass if,Ea carpenter
could not well advise an expert
fisherman. Yet he complied. CD.
The Lord Rewarding. Obedience |