“Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine;” that thy profiting may appear to all.”
LESSON XIII.—SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 1896.
REVIEW.
Golden Text: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.” Luke 24:47.
LESSON 1.—Warning against Sin. Luke 13:22–30. Golden Text: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Luke 13:24. Three pictures illustrate the sinner’s lot in this lesson,—the strait gate, the shut door, and those who see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and themselves left out. The principal point is to strive, agonize, to enter in.
LESSON 2.—Parable of the Great Supper. Luke 14:15–24. Golden Text: “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17. When those that were bidden to the feast made excuses, the call went forth to the poor, lame, halt, and blind to come. Primarily, the Jews were referred to as being the first invited guests. The application is just as pertinent to all who slight the message of salvation. But the Gospel is for every one. There is room for all in the Father’s house.
LESSON 3.—The Lost Found. Luke 15:11–24. Golden Text: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. This is the story of the prodigal son. Adversity brought him to his senses, as it does many who imagine the pleasures of the world preferable to the Lord’s way. But in the sequel behold the mercy and joy and love and forgiveness manifested by the Father.
LESSON 4.—The Rich Man and Lazarus. Luke 16:19–31. Golden Text: “Ye can not serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13. From this allegory we learn three things: that the wicked are often rewarded by riches in this life, simply because they serve mammon; that the righteous, the poor here, will receive eternal riches hereafter; and that the word of God with its revelations is all sufficient to point men to Christ, and, in fact, no other means will be used if this be rejected.
LESSON 5.—Faith. Luke 17:5–19. Golden Text: “Lord, increase our faith.” Luke 17:5. The story of the ten lepers is here told, and reference is made to that faith with power even as a grain of mustard seed. Such faith, be it never so small, will save a man.
LESSON 6.—Lessons on Prayer. Luke 18:9–17. Golden Text: “The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13. In the words of the text, “he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” True humility is what God wants, and the trust and confidence displayed by the children whom Christ blessed.
LESSON 7.—Parable of the Pounds. Luke 19:11–27. Golden Text: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10. Two lessons are taught: (1) That the kingdom of God was future when those words were spoken, and (2) that of his servants the Lord would expect faithful service, diligent work, with that committed to them, until his returning.
LESSON 8.—Jesus Teaching in the Temple. Luke 20:9–19. Golden Text: “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.” Luke 20:17. The parable of the vineyard, the husbandmen, the rejected messengers, and the Son whom the husbandmen slew, is the subject of this lesson. Primarily spoken of the Jews, it applies to the church of all times. Not alone to the church, but to each individual.
LESSON 9.—Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold. Luke 21:20–36. Golden Text: “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33. Study carefully the prophecy here given, foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and also the end of the world. Note the signs preceding each, and the nearness of the latter event as revealed by the signs in sun, moon, and stars, as well as on earth. Note the manner of the Lord’s coming.
LESSON 10.—Warning to the Disciples. Luke 22:24–37. Golden Text: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5. The disciples disputed as to who should be greatest. Perhaps similar thoughts come to others in regard to position in this life. Jesus’ mind then is the example, which was one of entire unselfishness and devotion to others. He became a servant; so let us, for the greater glory. Just where he places us is where he wants us.
LESSON 11.—Jesus Crucified. Luke 23:33–46. Golden Text: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3. Study the narrative of the last supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the betrayal, trial, mockings, scourgings, and crucifixion. Note that Christ’s promise to the penitent thief was in response to the request to be remembered when he came into his kingdom, and see Dan. 7:13, 14; Luke 21:27; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.
LESSON 12.—The Risen Lord. Luke 24:36–53. Golden Text: “The Lord is risen indeed.” Luke 24:34. The special thought is the reality of Christ’s resurrection. Note the proofs, by seeing, handling, and by his eating, also the change that came over his disciples’ conception of his mission after this event. He truly came to bring repentance and to remit sins, and in the near future he will come again to abolish all sin and re-create the earth for an eternal, actual, tangible dwelling-place for his saints. Do you want to be an inhabitant there?
