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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
Peter wanted to build tabernacles on the mountain, but this request was not granted, because Christ was mind ful of the valley below where there was a man in need. See, here is a “V” which reminds us of the valley. There is a man in it with upraised hands. The cross comes down from' the mountain, just as Christ came down into the valley. The cross cov ers the needy man. It is not enough to have the bless ings . of the mountains—we must re member the needy in the valleys, and take Christ to them. they had discussed. Their instinctive sense of shame sealed their mouths. It was pride that had motivated them in their conversation as to who was the greatest, each man thinking he should be the one. Christ began to teach them that "if any man desire to be first, the sarhe shall be last of all” (v. 35). The path to greatness leads downward to hu mility and self-effacement. J e s u s showed by the example of a little child that pride of place had no ele ment of greatness in it. To receive even a little child in the name ol the Lord Jesus is to receive the Lord Him self, and to receive Him means to re ceive the Father. n. T h e -P atience of T rue G reatness (9:38, 39) The words, "he followeth not us,” are the sign of the speaker’s smallness and ignorance of the truth. There is an unpleasant assumption upon the part of some individuals that, because the Lord has granted them a little light, they possess all the light there Is. This is the curse o f sectarianism which has torn asunder the saints of God, and produced deplorable d i v i- sions among Christians of today. Jesus pointed out that no one can do anything in His name, and at the same time be against Him. Hence, in stead of forbidding -the work of oth ers, thè one with true greatness will encourage others, while at the same time attempting to lead into fuller understanding of the truth, as did B L A C K B O A R D LESSON
Aquila and Priscilla with Apollos at Ephesus (cf. Acts 18:24-26). III. T he S implicity of T rue G reatness (10:13-16) True greatness has in it the sincere simplicity of childhood. Simplicity is not shallowness as some think; it may be deeply profound. To express great truths, the Lord used language that even a child could grasp. The orte who possesses true great ness will be ready to receive as a child reeeives. The idea that it requires adult years in order to understand God’s truth is wholly- a mistaken one. In fact, it is the reasoning of adults that hinders reception of the truth. The disciples thought Jesus was too great a personage to bother w i t h children, but He corrected that thought by pointing out that the childlike mind is the one that finds understanding and entrance into the kingdom (cf. Lk. 18:17). iv . T he E ssence of T rue G reatness (10:42-45) ; In striving for chief places, the dis ciples revealed they were fa r from the true spirit of greatness. The greatest in the kingdom of God is the servant of all. Hence our Lord Himself will forever hold the chief place. He pos sessed true greatness because He had no pride of place, even though that highest place was His by right of birth and nature and character. Points and Problems 1. "They had disputed among them selves, who should be the greatest” (Mk. 9:34), Strange indeed is it that these hum ble fishermen and public^is who were so close to Christ should have stooped to the little business of self-seeking. They had given up all fo r Christ’s sake and would still give up much more. But now they were disputing among themselves as to which was to be the ''greatest in the future kingdom. This story has been included in the inspired record fo r our learning and warning. Pride is a soul-ruining, service-destroy ing sin. It is a mark of littleness. 2. "And he took a child, and set him in the midst” (v. 36). The child is still in the midst—in the home, in the school, in the church, oh the play ground—and the Saviour expects us to learn from him the elements of true greatness. They are: a teachable mind; a trustful s p i r i t , unprejudiced atti tudes, naturalness, l a c k of malice, loveliness, a tender conscience, inno cence,;responsiveness, and humility. 3. "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me” (v. 37). What remarkable incen tive to work with boy? and girls! Lov ing l i t t l e children and influencing them for Christ is the same as loving
mg Us of the blood o f Christ which was shed on the cross fo r our sins. (Pull down until the top shows.)
FEBRUARY 20, 1944 JESUS TEACHES TRUE GREATNESS M ark 9:30 to 10:45
Anc* came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was It that ye disputed among your selves by the way? 3.4 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the' twelve, and salth unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set hirh in the midst of them: and when he had tak en him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 38 And John answered him, saying, Mas ter, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he .followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which -shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 10<:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when ,Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such js the kingdom of God. -15 Verily I say qnto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And. he too:k them up in his arms, put his, hands upon them, and blessed them. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exer cise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but. to minister, and to give his life a ransom.for many.v LESSON TEXT: Mk. 9:33-39; 10:13-16, 42- 45. GOLDEN TEXT: ‘‘For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many’' (Mk. 10:45). DEVOTIONAL READING: Phil. 2:1-11, T he E nemy of T rue G reatness (9:33-37) O N THE vyay to Capernaum, the the Lord knew what was in t h e i r hearts, He asked them what it was Outline and Exposition I.
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disciples had reasoned with one another as to who among them was the greatest. Though of course
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