Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 11, Number 2, DeMotte, Jasper County, 28 November 1940 — IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson [ARTICLE]

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson

By HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST. D. D.

Dean of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. (Released by Westers Newspaper Union.)

Lesson for December 1 Lesson subjects and Scripture texts selected and copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education; used by permission. AN EXACTING DISCIPLESHIP LESSON TEXT—Luke 9:49-62. GOLDEN TEXT—No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit tor the kingdom of God.—Luke 9:62. Weak-kneed, watered-out, and “sickly” religious philosophies and activities have no right Ito call themselves Christian. Following Christ is not just a sweet sentimental impulse expressed in smooth words and formal religious exercises. It is a vital, virile, sacrificial faith which leads the true follower of Christ to be willing not only to die for Him, but also to live for Him in the face of opposition, hatred, yes, “through peril, toil and pain.” Let us put away thesO insipid imitations of Christianity which so often masquerade under its name and face our time with a call to discipleship which demands every fine, noble, manly and womanly quality. The lesson for today reveals that following Jesus (and please remember you are not read’ to live for Him until yob have tmay born again) calls for I. Co-operation (vv. 49, 50). ♦ The placing of the little child in their midst (vv. 46-48) and Jesus’ w’ords concerning true greatness revealed to John that he had been wrong in condemning the one who was working for Christ but who was not of their party. The true disciple recognizes that the man who truly loves and serves Christ is to be accepted in His name. we may not like his appearance, or his language, or his methods, or Ijis friends, but we ought to love him and co-operate with him. Let us begin, (to practice that as well as to say we believe it. 11. Humility (vv. 51-53). Gross , discourtesy, evidently inspired by national hatred (the Jews and Samaritans had dealings with each other), 'was shown toward the Lord Himself. Hi£ reaction gives us an example of humility, for He said not a word agajinst them. The true? follower of Jesus should .expect such treatment from a hostile, devil-inspired world , and emulate his master by showing love and HI. Patience (vv. 54-56). The disciples wanted to show their power and authority by bringing the fires of destruction upon the enemies of Christ. That spirit persisted in the church, the desire to call the fires of heaven (and possibly of hell) to destroy those who hinder .or oppose us. i Such is not the spirit of our God and His Christ, for He is “long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” IV. Sacrifice (vv. 57, 58). The writer dislikes to use the word “sacrifice” in connection with our life and service for Christ, for in reality we sacrifice nothing which is not more than replaced (read Matt. 19:29). But at the same time it is true that God does call upon us as Christians to hold nothing dearer than our devotion to Him., Following Christ is more than singing glibly or carelessly, “I'll go where,, you want me to go,, dear Lord.” The one who starts out with Him is to count the cost (Luke 14: 28-33). He must expect the same treatment as Christ (II Tim. 3:12) and be willing to take it gladly (John 15:20; I Pet. 2:21). We ought to make this plain to professed believers. Tell young people the truth and you will see that they are ready to respond to it. They are willing to give themselves sacrifically for causes of this earth—why not , for Christ? . V. Devotion (vv. 59-62). It has been said that Christ is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. Even the demands which love may present on behalf of our aged father must not be permitted to stand between the Lord and His disciple. Christianity is considerate and courteous, and our Lord is not here suggesting any neglect of the duties or amenities of life. The point is rather that the Lord must have first place whatever else may call for second thought. The blight on the life and service of most Christians is that almost anything and everything else is allowed to take first place and the Lord must be satisfied with second or third place. Sometimes one wonders if He is given any real place at all in some lives. No one who puts his hand to the plough in God's Kingdom and then wants to defer following through until a more convenient season, or who wants to go back to “bid farewell to someone who for the moment is more important than the Lord, is fit for His service. The way of joy and usefulness is the way of full and unconditional yielding to Him.