The midland journal., 1945-10-26
TEMPERANCE BEGINS AT HOME

Councu OF Heugious E1uucau"aAs
TEMPERANCE BEGINS AT HOME
LESSON TExT-n Timothy l:1-e; STILLS;
| Titus ALA, II. IL.
GOLDEN TEXT-As for me and my
house. we will serve the Lord.-Joshua "a:
| i5 tt ts s.
The influence of the home on the
character of child is the strongest
factor in the development OF high
and holy standards in the life of the
man and woman. Train up child
in the way he should go; and when
he is old, he will not depart from
it, prov. 22:6). 3Qs
Emphasis is placed on temper
ance in our lesson, and it is clear
that in the home real temperance
principles may be built into the
thinking of boys and girls; 1t is
| not easy for young person who
has been brought up right on this
matter to go astray, no matter how
severe the temptation.
1. Our Family Is Gods Gift (II
Tim. 1:1-5).
Paul, the apostle Of Christ, adj
dressed his son in the faith, Timo-
thy, with affection and appreciation.
| He knew the good which was in this
fine young man and saw the possi-
bilities for service for God.
He knew that as the background
of that faith, there was godly line
of ancestors, those with an "un-
feigned faith" This young man, so
precious to Paul and so successful in
the ministry, owed deep and abid-
ing debt of gratitude. to these godly
| women who had directed his steps
Alright, who had instructed and en-
couraged him in the right way.
Let those who are young recognize
parents and grandparents who ad-
monish and instruct them as Gods
gift. Let them not regard them as
those who would restrict or restrain
them unduly, but who for their own
good and the glory Of the Lord
teach them the way to God.
| III. Our Faith In Gods Guidance
| (II Tim. IS; 3:14, 15).
The gift of God for preaching
which Timothy had was recognized
by the church, and he was sent forth
to proclaim the gospel. But alas!
the burdens of life and the pressure
Of service cause man to forget or
neglect his. calling so there comes
often the need Of stirring up the gift
of the Lcrd.
God gave it. He will bless us as
we use ii to its, fullest possible ex-
tent. He wants us too, to stir 1t up
this blessed, divine gift and cali
ing.
| The adraonition ". 14) is to ''con-
tinue" in that which was learned.
to remair, true to the Word Of God.
We show our faith in His guiding
hand, as we resist by His grace,
the ever-present temptation to get
away from the only true founda-
tion Of life of usefulness and joy.
What we have learned as children
we should hold fast in spite Of all the
| devices of Satan and every weak
ness of the flesh. Stand fast in the
faithl
iii. Our Fellowship in Gods Cos
pei Titus 2:1-4).
Old and young are to be united in
a great communion Of believers pro-
claiming the gospel Of Gods grace
by living testimony, by life de-
voted to the things of God.
Sound doctrine is the only source
| of sound living. To be sound"
means to be healthy, vigorous, free
from defects, suited to purpose.
That means that everyday Christian
living must express the vigorous
soundness of the gospel.
Men and women are to be "tem-
perate," not given to excess, and
particularly in mind here is the use
| Of intoxicants. To be temperate in
such q day and land as ours can
mean only one thing, and that Is to
abstain altogether. Christians ought
to keep entirely away from intoxi-
cants, ami that includes beer and
wine.
There is a positive side TO the ad-
1 monition, for soundness Of life and
/ faithskows itself III holy living, love,
| patience, the teaching Of Gods
Word, anil in fine fellowship among
the people Of God. We need to stress
that side Of the teaching Of this
passage.
Nv. Our FaithfuIness by Gods
Grace wv. II, 12).
Gods trace has brought salvation
to man through Jesus Christ and
His atoning death on the cross. That
grace calls for and calls forth from
the believer a renouncing Of that
which is ungodly and lustful (and
you can put intoxicants right in
thereD and determination to live
right in faithful devotion to God.
That brings about right relation
| ships to self, to others, and to God.
The Christian is sober and self-con-
trolled as to anything which could
"intoxicate' him, whether 1t be
liquor, or lust, or pride, or any other
such thing. He also shows that
| grace of God before men in life
4 RtYt-- n n a .