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pie and fine linen . . . in hell he lifted up his eyes.” (Luke 16:19, 23). “The deceitfulness of riches.” (Matt. 13:22.) “Go to, ye rich men, weep and howl.” (Jas. 5:1.) “Charge them that are rich in this world that they he not high- minded, nor tru st in uncertain riches.” (1 Tim. 6:17.) “They that will be rich fall into temptation.” (1 Tim. 6:9.) “So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” (Jas. 1:11.) We are so intent on money-making in this country, that we hare no time to read the Word of God. It is not impos sible for God to save a rich man, for all things are possible with Him. There are a few examples in the New Testament, hut there is also enough of warning to startle any one who calmly and soberly considers the matter. The rich young ruler was the leader of a long procession of those who have moved away from the loving Christ. The Lord looked on him and loved him, but he looked upon the Lord and did not love Him. He looked upon his own riches and, fascinated by them, was snared into eternal unrest. The young man was an idolater and his heart was shut up against the poor. His morality-counted for naught with Christ, and it only served to make his own eternal suffering the keener. Who will learn the lesson so clearly set forth? (5) SATISFYING SERVICE, vs. 27- 30. Note that Peter says, “We have for saken all and followed thee,” hut Jesus reverses the order and says, “They-that have followed me,” and afterwards “they who have forsaken.” Following Him is the main thing. Following Him in cludes all that is His will for us. Obedi ence always implies sacrifice. Some fol low Him without forsaking all, hut they follow afar off. Our Lord never esti mates affection by the quantity relin quished, but by the attitude of heart. Some yield all because the all is a hin
drance to discipleship. Some yield all by refraining from possessing things which would prove a hindrance. The test of it all is “For my Name’s sake.” The reward comes in the joy of fellow ship in service here, and the anticipated glory with Him in our resurrected bodies. (Rom. 8:23 ); (1 John 3:2). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; buf we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is.” PRACTICAL POINTS (1) There is no goodness apart from God. (2) To every question of “What m ust I DO to obtain eternal life?“ the answer is, “It is DONE.” (3) To have eternal life one m ust have Jesus Christ who IS Life Eternal. (4) Christ tested the young man by his own testim ony—“ALL these.” (5) Position and possessions are a great hindrance to possessing Christ. (6) Sorrow can never take th e place of sur render. (7) Eternal destinies hang upon the de cision—“What will you do w ith Jesus ?” (8) There is a downward drag to earthly possessions,—let go l Subject Illustration. The materials of this world and the elements about us are to be used to help mankind. They may be used to harm ourselves or others. Air is neces sary to physical LESSON life. If breathed ILLUSTRATIONS in sufficient quan- W. H. Pike tity and rightly, it invigorates a n d produces health, but if one were to spend all their, time in a poorly ventil ated room experimenting with air, pumping it from one receptacle .to an other, testing its pressure, analyzing its constituent parts, but did not breathe it sufficiently and rightly, they would die physically. T h is. is true in moral and spiritual forces that are all about us. The power of the living Christ is all about us, but thousands go starved into eternity like the rich young ruler be cause they heed not His words. Bible Illustration. Notice Ex. 10:8-24, how all was given into God’s hands by faith. Jno. 12:3. Here a woman’s hair, her chief adorn ment. The highest things of human
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