LESSON 11. / Sept. 11, Sight Estimate of Life. Mark 8:34-38. This passage sets before us a pair of balances with the world in one and the human soul in the other. How shall we ascertain the true value of a soul} We must view it in the light of eternity, we must see it with the eyes of the Lord. God alone is able to set the right value upon a soul, and He has done so by giving His Son to redeem a souL Man can not redeem Ma soul, Psalms 49:6-8. The redemp- tion of the soul is precious; that means that it is beyond all human computa- tion to value. There is no price which can be paid which is sufficient to re- deem one soul. The wealth of this -world, added to the wealth of the uni- verse, would be inadequate. Unless a soul is redeemed in this world there can be no redemption, for there is no hope in the other world. God alone can re- deem the soul. To accomplish tins the Son of God had to die, for we are re- deemed with the precious blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 1:18-19. This price God paid gladly, John 3:16. We must place a high value upon life. In the redemption which God pur- chased we obtained eternal life, and have the treasure in earthen vessels. Death is essential to highest life, John 12:24-26. We must die to self, and all of self-love; be erucilled with Christ, Gal. 2:20. The mother dies daily to the demands of the flesh, for the sake of the child. The student dies to a hundred allurements that he may live to win the prize. Life out of death is the universal law. We must be -willing to suffer for this life, 1 Cor. 2:2, 2 Cor. 12:10. Every self-sacrifice, self-denial, and suffering, but adds to the joy we have in posses- sing this life. To possess earthly good brings no real gratification. To be able to bestow gifts is the real nleasure. The hoarding of goods constitutes a de- nial of Christ, .Tames 5:1-3, Matt. 10: 33. Yielding our earthly possessions and pleasures costs, but is everlasting gain. Paul counted all things loss that He might gain Christ in large measure. Tn the light of God's Word we see that life is properly estimated when we con- trast the present with the future— present temporal things with the eter- nal things. 2 Cor. 4:17-18.
LESSON 12. Sept. 18, Chosen for Service. Rom. 12:1-2.
This third lesson on service reveals God's method with His workers. Every believer in the Lord is a Chosen One, Eph. 1:4. They are the elect according to the foreknowledge of God, Col. 3:12, 1 Pet. 1:2. When we were sinners we knew nothing of this, nor could we. We only knew that we were lost, and that He called us in the Whosoever Will, Rev. 22:17. We are chosen for service. The pur- pose of the Lord in leaving us in the world is, that we may be witnesses and workers, Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 6:1. The Call of God to Service. Follow Me, Matt. 4:18-22, Matt. 9:9. He calls and He qualifies for the work. The first essential is to follow Him. Many are trying to serve who are not fol- lowing. Many others are seeking to qualify for service in some other way, but all in vain. God's Choice of Workmen. His ways are so different from man's ways, Isa. 55:9. He chooses the weak things of the world, 1 Cor. 1:26-29. He has or- dained praise out of the mouth of babes, .Matt. 21:1-6, Psa. 8:2, Matt 11:25. He qualifies His workmen. He gives a mouth of wisdom, Luke 21:15, which men are not able to resist, Acts 6:10. He gives boldness in utterance, Acts" 4:13, 24:24-25, so that kings and mighty ones are compelled to hear the message. The Spirit gives to every man severally as He wills, 1 Cor. 12:11. All of His witnesses and workers are essential to Him, and every one has His own place, 1 Cor. 12.12-31. All must give account for service, 2 Cor. 5:10. Illustrations of this lesson are to be found in the life of Moses, Ex. 14:16, Gideon, Judges 7:20-21; Israel's Shout, Josh. 7:20, and David's sling, 1 Sam. 17:49: The power is in God; it is imparted to His servants who are waiting to be used for His glory. LESSON 13. Sept. 25, Definiteness. Missionary Theme Luke 10:38-42. This sermon is a short but a solemn one. There is a contrast between the workers. Both are believers, both love the Lord, but one has the spiritual in- sight which the other lacks. The Lord draws a comparison between the choice of these two women. One had chosen
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