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28 And It came to,pass, .when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were aston ished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as' one having authority, and not as the scribes. LESSON TEiXT: Matt. 6:33; 7:12, 16-29. GOLDEN T E X T : “Seek ye first the king dom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’' (Matt. 6:33). DEVOTIONAL READING: John 15^7-14. Outline and Exposition I. T h e O b je c t o f L o y a l t y (6:33 ) TT ESUS had spoken of the need- I lessness of anxiety on the part of Christians. He said that material things would be added to those who made God’s kingdom and righteousness their supreme object. God’s kingdom is where His will is paramount to all others; and where that will is done because of inward desire rather than outward pressure or fear of punishment. There 'is no such kingdom as this upon the earth now. It is true that the United States , Supreme Court handed down an opinion on February 29, 1892, to the effect that this coun try “ is a C h r i s t i a n Nation.” But actually this statement is far from true. Even though it were true, it would not make this country to be God’s kingdom. Citizens of the kingdom seek God’s righteousness — not a righteousness springing from law-keeping, but from the nature of God Himself. It is not obtained by doing anything but is received as a free gift. It is “ the righteousness which is of God by faith” in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:9). It comes through the sacrifice of Christ, who was made “ sin for u s...tha t we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21). II. T h e C o n d u c t o f L o y a l t y (7:12 ) This verse occurs m the so-called Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus set forth the,principles prevail ing in His kingdom. He had just spoken of the certainty of receiving answers to prayer, and then said, "therefore..." Because the heavenly Father is ever on the giving hand,
giving good things to all who ask, “ therefore” His people are to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. When Christ said, “This is the law and the prophets,” He referred of course to the second table of the law —man’s relation to man. This prin ciple is to be followed not in order to receive what is desired, but -simply because it is a principle of the king dom of God, to be observed whether the “others” follow i t .or not. When loyalty to God’s kingdom is supreme, the natural inclination1will be to do good to others. III. T h e R e v e l a t io n - of L o y a l t y (7:16-29) Loyalty is revealed by the character of fruit borne (vs. 16-20). It is strik ing that when Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” He was referring to the evil, not the good. A good tree has Christ within and that will mean Christ without; He will make Himself known through the one in whom He abides. This tree must bring forth good fruit. In like manner one in whom Christ does not dwell will bring forth ■evil fruit. Also, the spring of all service will be loyalty to Christ (vs. 21-23). The first step in doing the will of God is to obey His command to accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour (cf. 1 John 3:23). Many refuse to believe on Christ and yet think they can do serv ice for God. They will prophesy.in His name, and do many wonderful works, but alas, these are but the works of iniquity in those who reject Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Apart from Christ, all work, however admired and good in the sight of men, is iniquity in-the sight of God. The tine whom God knows is the one who knows, receives, and serves Christ Jesus the Lord. Loyalty will form the foundation of every wise life (vs. 24-29). To hear and to do what the Lord says is to be wise above all the wisdom of the world. In the parable, both l houses were alike with the exception of the foundations. When the test came, the foundations were revealed. The house with the rock foundation stood ; the other collapsed. Thus it is that loyalty is tested by what is unseen in the Christian, that is, the foundation upon which he stands. And for the Christian, the foundation is Christ” (1 Cor, 3:11). Points and Problems 1. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God. and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). The emphasis should be placed upon the word first. Things spiritual are vastly more important
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