The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1955-11-26
Sunday School
Lesson
Luke 81 4-8: els


lice. preaching in all the cities and
villages he could reach. The first Of
che three tours was made before he
selected his disciples. The back
ground OF our lesson for this week
occurs during his second tour OF
Galilee, during which his disciples
were with him.
1t was on this tour that Jesus
initiated his use Of the parable to
carry lessons of truth. A fable lie
unreal and imaginary, but q par
able is q story that Is true to life. of
Jesus, besides many short ones. The
Parable of the Sewer Is given by
Matthew, Mark. and Luke, as ars
several others.
Parable of Sewer
The Parable Of the Sewer is one
of the most familiar Of all of Jesus
parallels. 1t is the only one he ex-
planned in detail to his disciples.
There is not much which can be
added to his commentary upon It.
Carefully reading it, one soon ap-
plies it to modern life, and the
individual can soon classify himself.
A simple receptiveness and thought
full attention usually opens the
truth behind the story, but involved
in each parable is great amount Of
truth. applicable TO all.
The story of the sewer, whose
seed fell upon four different types
Of earth, namely, the hard-packed
wayside, the shallow, stony ground,
and the receptive good soil, en-
phasiaes the necessity for each man
and women to endeayor to place
himself or herself IN the proper
capacity to receive eternal truth as
1t shall come his or her way.
Effective Results
1t is well to notice that this
parable takes into consideration the
varying degrees of opportunity
which hearers may have had to
enable them to produce effective
results. for, while the seed that fell
in unfavorable soil died, the seed
that fell on good soil varied con-
siderably In its return. No man or
woman who does not try to develop
spiritually can expect to receive the
greatest harvest possible from the
eternal spirit OF truth.
Jesus was forewarning his fol-
lowers against the discouragemepts
of the future, for while much seed
was lost or proved unproductive
that which came TO harvest yielded
many times its value.
Training The Twelve
Realizing that time was running
out for him, and that, In point Of
spiritual preparation, comparatively
few men were ready and able to
comprehend his revolutionary re-
violation, Jesus began to concentrate
on the training Of his twelve dis
ciples. The Master Teacher knew
that personal experience was the
greatest Of all teachers, so he began
preparing his disciples for tour
OF personal witnessing. Upon these
men, primarily. would soon fall the
entire responsibility of proclaimins
the gospel.
1t is Interesting to note that
before Jesus sent them out ON theii
own, Jesus gave them the power to
accomplish what they were going
out to do--to preach the kingdom Of
God, and to heal the sick. Many
Christians are reluctant to try to
witness for Christ but, II they would
just remember Jesus promise. "L6
I am with you," their tinlidity and
fear would be banished.
How shall Christianity be spread
today? Churches fail when they de-
pend on vast material resources
the greatest successes have followed
the preparatory work Of a few
sincere, earnest missionaries, who
acted solely and often alone. in the
hope of Transforming heather dark
ness with Christian light.
Live Sincerely
AS Paul proclaimed the gospel OF
peace in hostile regions, as Patton's
unselfish devotion won the South
Sea cannibals, as Livingstone wen,
into Darkest Africa" with no re-
sources other than love and faith
SO have great results been inaugural
ed. The example of the individuals
life often outweighs all mechanical
repetitions, and sacrificial service
Is more potent than any sermon
Those protesting Christianity must
live it sincerely to win others In
this or any other land
There is but one thing you have
to fear in heaven or earth--beins
untrue to your best selves and
therefore, untrue TO God" wrots
Charles Kingsley,
Europe was not only evangelical
but civilized by Christian mission.
aries" says Dean George Hodges
who adds: 1.-The same work can bt
done again in Africa and Asia. What
Is needed Is that strong men, o.
courage and patience, of wisdom X
plan and will to execute, OF large
views and long vision, filled with the
spirit of Christian conservation
shall go in the name of Jesus Chris
as the disciples went in the begin
ming, and win for him the empire o.