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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
It appears only in Matthew in its complete form. Matthew is the record of the King and His kingdom. John the Baptist had already announced that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (Matt. 3:2). This was so because, the King was present. In chapter four the King had been tested. It is al together fitting that in chapter five we should have the laws or the con stitution of the kingdom. Primarily, this is what is contained in the Ser mon on the Mount. 2. The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is not tq give the way of salvation for sinners. It was deliv ered to the disciples of Jesus, those already saved. Furthermore, there is nothing of the cross or of the new birth in this Sermon, and 'our Lord plainly declared elsewhere that with out these there can be no salvation. Concerning His cross He said, "It must be” (Matt. 26:54) and, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abideth alone” (John 12:24). Regarding the new birth, He said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). Since there is nothing of His cross or of regeneration in this Ser mon, it is perfectly clear that it is not a message on salvation. Instead, we have in it certain great principles which are always applicable to the lives of God’s children and which will find their fullest expression when Christ’s kingdom is established in the earth. 3. “Blessed ore the poor in spirit . . . they that mourn . . . the meek i. s (vs. 3:10). Thus is set forth the character of the citizens of Christ’s kingdom. They are the truly “ blessed” or “happy” ones. The only way to the realization of true happiness is through glad submission to the Son of God. Jesus possessed perfect joy because He knew perfect obedience. His joy is now to be realized in His disciples, and will be more com-
pletely enjoyed when He reigns from sea to sea. A clever artist has so copied the Sermon on the Mount with pen and ink that by careful and var ied shading he has produced the face of Christ. The fullest expression of these chapters is our Lord. Through seeing Him .we are enabled to live out the great principles outlined therein. One of the best instances of sub lime control is told of the character, “Old Born Drunk.” Several months after his conversion, he entered a saloon in order to sell papers. Some of his old associates saw him, and thought they would have some sport. One of them called for a pot of beer and bade him drink. The old man shook his head. They offered him money, but still he refused. Then came the insult! “If you won’t take it on the inside, then have it .on the outside.” With that, the mocking workman flung the whole pot of beer into the old man’s face. But he stood there, unretaliating, in imitation of his Master; and the rough men at the bar were so moved at his sweetness of spirit that they took up a subscription for him, and he he left the' place a hero.—Adapted from Twice Born Men, by Harold Begbie. Jesus Teaches us to Pray M a t t h e w 6:9-13 MEMORY VERSE: “Thou hearest me always” (John 11:42).. AIM: To show what true prayer is. APPROACH: When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He wanted His they were! The Lord taught that while it is right to pray anywhere— in church, at home, on street corners, or any other place—it is wrong to do this •if we want only to “ be seen of men” (v. 5). 1 J ’Division see Some other people who were there when Jesus was, thought they had to make long prayers, saying the same things over and over. The Lord Jesus taught that it does not matter how many words we use when we pray. What matters is how much love Golden Text Illustration M a t t h e w 5:10 • friends to k n o w how to pray, and He w.a n t s us td know, too. LESSON STORY: Some of t h o s e p e o p l e had the habit of d o i n g things to show off. They even prayed, wanting others to them and say how important
HOLU THOSE EYES . . .THEY’RE THE “FRONT GATE” TO THE SOUL / / . f
Does your Sunday School lesson a'ppeal to the eye as well as the ear? The eyes are the' “ front?gate” to the soul. H old those eyes! You r lesson w ill have five times the possibility o f victory in you r pupils’ lives. W h en you appeal to /tlie ir /cyes you can get Johnny and Mary to go the ne^Ystep/.'.. to do something about the l e s s o n , » $md thus to remember 90% o f i t . . Reach those eyes tlyough'Visual A id s.Th e Pupils’ Manuals and Leaflets in ih ^ A L h 'B IBLE G R A D E D SERIES o f Sunday Scho o h f.essons1are Visual Aids. They dramatize the lesson. Thfey open the “ front gate” during the week. Johnny and/Mary .will like to fill in blanks . . . solve '■ Puzzles. .vfipd missing words. Th ey’ll get the FAC TS o f the lesson betvveen Sundays, the T R U TH o f it on Sunday. //
The ALL BIBLE GRADED SERIES bf Sunday School Lessons is unique in the manuals it offers for pupils of all depart- _ ments, and the supplemental flannelgraph visual aid features which are available for Beginner, Primary and Juniot Departments. Write today for particulars.aod sarrrt’e manuals.
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