The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-15

LESSON TExT-Luke 7:2.l5
SSLpEN TEXT am come that they
| 1t more abundantly.-Johnl Oslo
Physical life and bodily vigor are
secondary in Importance to spiritual
life and health. Most people do not
believe that, but it is true. Never
theless our physical well-being is of
great Importance, for it is evident
that the spiritual and mental side Of
man can function in q physical
world only through physical body.
That makes 1t primary concern of
man to keep his body alive and,
what is more, keep it as well and
strong as possible, an effective in
strument for the service Of God and
man.
With his emphasis on the physi-
cal, man tends, when sickness
comes, to seek the help of man in
overcoming the difficulty. Soon they
find that only God is sufficient for
their need, and He whom they have
hitherto ignored is appealed to in
prayer. Men and organizations
quick to grasp an opportunity to set
themselves forward appear as So
called faith healers. We need to
stress the fact that men may come
direct to Christ who is concerned
about their bodies and their health
and that they may come without in
termediary, simply by faith in Him.
1. The Outreach of Faith wv. 2-8).
Three things appear here and they
each have value and Importance.
l. Action wv. 2-5). The centurion
was a good man and so kind toward
the Jews that he had built them a
synagogue. Zone wonders whether a
Roman soldier of today would show
such spiriD. He was compassion
ate, stirred by the illness of slave.
He had a need which no man could
meet. Where should he turn? Some
one told him about Jesus. Blessed
and fruitful testimony! He acted in
faith and sent word to the Master.
He acted on his knowledge. Let your
faith also become active.
2. Humility wv. 8, y. Socially
and officially the centurion was far
above Jesus, but he recognized His
Lordship and knew himself to be un-
worthy that Christ should enter his
house. True faith is humble. II
has nothing to do with the brazen
commanding of God which some
seem to regard as such a magnifi-
cent evidence Of faith. Watch for
the mark Of genuine and courteous
humility If you would find men and
women of faith.
8. Confidence wv. z, 81. There Is
nothing Like this assurance of faith
anywhere; in fact, Jesus said He
had not seen it in all Israel. Know.
ing the manner in which his com.
mands were carried out within the
realm Of his authority and recog.
nizing Jesus as the Son of God, the
centurion without hesitation accept
ed His absolute power over sickness
THANK Godl the centurion was
right about that. Sickness is alb
solutely subject to the word of Jesus
and so also are demons, sea anc
wind, and death itself duke ABS
SO, 80; Mark 4:39; John :43, Az
BRADBURY.
III. The Reward Of Faith wv. 9-15)
First of all we note that faith IL
God brings not only the individual
but those round about him a real
/. Blessing ". 81. The faith o.
this man delighted the heart Of Je
sus with great joy. He commented
on it and commended it to those
round about. The story of II ha:
come down through the centuries t
stir US and stimulate US to belief Ii
Christ. Faith in Him brings bless
ing, not only to the immediate bene
ficiary and at the moment, but live.
on in blessing to others. Do We
have that kind of faith? We also note
that it resulted in
2. Healing ". 10Y. Faith gets re
suits because it releases the omnipo
tence of God. The young man wa.
healed at the word Of Jesus, in re
spouse to the centurion's faith. II
the closing verses Of our lesson We
see also the
3. Raising Of the Dead wv. l1-15y
The mighty and compassionate Scr
Of man met a poor widow from
whom death had taken her only stay
and comfort-a young man. She YVES
apparently too deeply stricken Il
even call on Jesus for help, but one
can almost feel her faith leap e
His words, weep not" His divine
voice then reached into the mex
world and called the young mar
back to life. The day that had start
ed as the saddest and darkest ir
her life closed as the most blessed
and joyful in her experience, be
cause she had met Jesus.
Reader, have you met the tender
loving, onnipotent Jesus7 He wants
to be your Saviour, Lord, and ever,
present friend. Will you let Him
into your hearth Now?
a Wise FvaiuotIon