Jan. 11, 1953 CONFESSING AND FOLLOWING CHRIST Matt. 16:13-25 Pointers on the Lesson
A PENNY A DAY (Not such a large sum to invest for eternity) Will give spiritual sight to the blind H O W ? For information write to THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND 430 East 141st St. - - - New York 54, N. Y. Chas. E. Gremmels, Pres. ; J . E. Bennet, Treas.
mind of Jesus that He called the multi tude to His side that they might hear His word to the effect that true religion is a matter of the heart, not of out ward ceremony (vv. 10,11). No lesson is more needed today than this. A vast multitude is trusting for salvation in outward observances rather than in a vital heart relationship with God. Helps For The Children Jesus’ Love for Those in Need Matthew 15:29-38 Memory Verse: “This is my command ment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was ever seeking those who were in need. He saw many needs in the people whom He met. Some had sick bodies that needed to be made well. Some had burdened hearts that needed to be cared for. All needed to know Him as their Saviour and Lord. One day the Saviour went up into a mountain. Great multi tudes of people came to Him bringing their sick loved ones and friends for healing. The Lord Jesus caused the dumb to be able to speak; He made the lame to walk; He caused the blind to see; He healed all who were brought unto Him that day! For three days the people stayed with Jesus, watching Him heal the sick and listening to Him tell about His Father in Heaven. At last the Saviour told His disciples that He felt sorry for the people because they had had nothing to eat for three days. He not only thought of their sick bodies; He knew that all of them needed food. When the disciples wondered where they could find enough food for l so great a multitude, God’s Son said, “How many loaves have ye?” The dis ciples answered, “ Seven, and a few little fishes.” The Lord Jesus com manded the people to sit upon the ground. He then took the bread and fishes, thanked God for them, and gave them to the disciples to give to the people. After every one of the four thousand men, besides the women and children, had eaten and was filled, there were still seven baskets full of food left! God’s Son had again wonderfully supplied the needs of those about Him! Are you Christian boys and girls al ways seeking for ways to help those around you in your home, in your neighborhood, and at school? By helping others in their physical needs, you may have many chances to tell about the Son of God who alone can supply every need of the human heart. G OW N S P U L P IT -C H O IR CONFIRMATION BAPTISMAL DOCTORS MASTERS BACHELORS curs (OWNS HOODSi
Men were saying many things about the Lord Jesus Christ. His works had made a profound impression. His teach ings were like that of a prophet. But there was no united opinion as to who He was. Certainly it was important that His disciples should have a clear con ception as to His person. They were to be the leaders in His cause in the world. Thus it was that Jesus gathered His disciples unto Himself in a quiet place to make clear their understanding of His person. The Question and Its Answer Matt. 16:13-16 When Jesus asked the disciples con cerning men’s opinion of Him, He was given a variety of answers. The an swers given indicate a high estimate. John the Baptist, Elias, and Jeremiah were all great men. Of course, these were not correct answers. Jesus is more than any mere man. But Jesus pressed the matter further and asked for the opinion of the disciples. The ringing answer came forth from their spokesman, Peter, “ Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). It should be carefully noted at this point that Jesus is deeply interested in what men think about Him. He did not ask what men thought about His ethical principles or His Sermon on the Mount. The thing of utmost importance is that men know Him as “the Son of man” (v. 13) and “ the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Only such a one is able to save. The Response of Christ vv. 17-20 In His response to Peter’s great con fession, Jesus gave a word of benedic tion —“ blessed art thou” (v. 17). Then Jesus made it clear that the confession which Peter had made was of divine revelation. The natural man does not comprehend spiritual truth. Unless the Spirit of God works in men’s hearts nothing of lasting import will be ac complished. See First Corinthians 2:14. Jesus also gave a word of prophecy —“ I will build my church” (v. 18). This is the first mention of the word church in the New Testament. In this remarkable prophecy there is the kernel of all the subsequent truth which would be re vealed concerning the church. In it there are six great truths about the church: (1) its builder, “ I ;” (2) its formation, “will build;” (3) its owner, “my;” (4) its character, “ church” or ecclesia, a called-out body; (5) its foundation, “ upon this rock;” and (6) its endurance, “ the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In His response Jesus also gave a word of privilege —“ I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (v. 19). Our Lord was here speaking to T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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