LESSON VI. NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. THE FRUITLESS TREE.-MARK 11: 12-23. 12. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon; and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not ye'. 14. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard #. 15. And they came to Jerusalem; and Jesus went to the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16. And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. OUTLINE: August 6, 1882. 18. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his doctrine. 19. And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Ans. Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus am partaker of His anointing, that so I may confess His name, and present 21. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away, 22. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, and shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. { 1. THE UNFRUITFUL TREE WITHERED GOLDEN TEXT: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much 'fruit.” John 15: 8. INSTRUCTION. Verse 12. Morrow-Monday of Passion week. 13. Fig tree** leaves; it usually bears fruit first, then leaves. Time not yet-had not fully come, but it made a show of fruitfulness. 15. Began to cast out; He had done the same nearly three years before; but the evil custom was revived. (Read John 2: 13-19). 16. Through the temple, i. e.; through the court of the Gentiles. 17. Written; Isaiah 56: 7. 19. Even-Monday evening. 20. Morning-Tuesday. Dried up; the barren must perish. 21. Thou cursedst; Peter says: Jesus had not used the word cursed. 22-23. A lesson on faith. Mountain means any great obstacle, hindrance, difficulty. CATECHISM. Ques. 32. But why art thou called a Chris- | myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to tian? Him; and also, that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life, and afterwards reign with Him eternally, over all creatures. QUESTIONS. Verse 12. When did the events of this lesson take place? What does the hunger of Jesus teach us concerning His nature? 3. Which usually appears first on a fig-tree, leaves or fruit? Did this tree, then, make a profession of fruitfulness? What had it only? 14. What sentence was passed upon the unfruitful tree? What fruits does God expect of those who profess the faith of Christ? (see Galatians 5: 22--26). What nation put forth leaves, but bore no fruit? Is this the case with hypocrites and unfruitful members ? 15-16. When, before, had Jesus cleansed the temple? What court of the temple was specially polluted ? 17. What is God's house? What do wicked men try to make it? 18-19. What made cowards of His enemies? 20-21. What did Peter say ? 23. What is meant by mountain? Has the faith of Christians already cast down the mountains of idolatry in many lands? What prayer ought we to make? (Lord, increase our faith). LESSON VI. Ninth Sunday after Trinity. I. THE UNFRUITFUL TREE WITH ERED. Aug. 6, 1892. This does not mean heaps of earth and stones, but obstacles in the way of the believer. Faith gives the victory over the hindrances of the flesh and of the mind-over the oppositions of the world and of the devil. Christian faith has overthrown the mountains of heathenism in many lands, its idolatry, cruelty and wickedness. Early on Monday morning of Passion Week Jesus departed from Bethany on His way to Jerusalem, and He was hungry. He may have "risen up a great while before day" (Mark 1: 35), and thus have started on His journey II. THE POLluted TempLE. without beakfast. The reality of His Twice Jesus cleansed the Temple-human nature is proved by His hunger. once at the beginning of His ministry, No doubt, the disciples were also hungry. and again at its close. See John 2: The fig tree stood by the wayside, 13-17. The evil practices had returnand whatever fruit it might bear, would ed. be for the use of the passer-by. Jesus Buying and selling are out of place approached this, if haply He might find in God's house. Church fairs often fruit; for it had already put forth prove a snare to a congregation. Far leaves, and made a profession of fruit- better would Christians contribute liberfulness. Leaves are promises; and all ally of their means, and thus support professions are promises to God and man. their church, than to resort to doubtful practices in order to get help. Especially should such practices of selling and buying be kept outside of the church Did Jesus not know the tree was barren before He approached it? Perhaps not; for it was a part of His humiliation to subject Himself to our human edifice. It is "a house of prayer." condition, and to learn as we do. He The Scriptures teach that our bodies did not always use His Divine power are the temples of the Holy Ghost. (1 and knowledge, though ever at His Cor. 6: 19). Hence we are to reverence command. No man exerts his full our bodies, and keep them pure and powers of body or mind at all times. chaste. On certain occasions only, men put forth He drove out the desecrators of the all their efforts. So with Jesus. Temple. His zeal terrified them, and The time for figs was not yet. Why, they fled before Him. Their guilt made then, did it put forth the promise of them afraid. The glance of His eye fruit? It was a type of the Jews, who was appalling to them as the lightning's professed to be God's servants but omit- flash. Here behold the severity of Christ, ted to bring forth good fruits. The sins as well as His goodness. of omission are thus condemned as well as those of commission. HOW DID YOU LIKE THE SERMON? No man eat, etc. This was the sen--Let us, if only for the sake of variety, tence against the barren tree. There is change this trite commentary on our nothing said here about a curse, though Sunday engagements. How did you Peter afterwards interpreted the adverse enjoy the prayers? How did the readjudgment as equivalent to a curse. ing of God's Word affect you? How much reality did you feel in confessing your sins? How many of your sick, weary, sorrowful and sinful friends did you remember on your knees? How much did your thoughts go with the hymns you sang? How much did you pray that the servant of God might be blessed in his word, and that your own soul might be humbled and assured in In His hunger we see the humanity of Jesus; in His power to wither the tree we see His Divinity. Here is warning, not for the open transgressors, but for us who are professors of religion,who have much to say about Christianity. We raise high expectations; how are we fulfilling them ? The lesson which Jesus specially enforces is faith in God. v. 22. (1). the love of Christ? And how far has Faith relies upon God's almighty pow- the prayer been answered? "Oh, but," er. (2). It is patient, willing to wait you say, "these are really private queslong, if need be. (3). Does not despair tions." Then put them to yourself, of final victory, but removes mountains. dear friend.-Christian Commonwealth. LESSON VII. TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. PRAYER AND FORGIVENESS. MARK 11; 24-33. OUTLINE:{ Commit to memory verses 24, 25. 24. Therefore I say uuto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26. But, if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 27. And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28. And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29. And Jesus answered and said unto them I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31. And they reasoned with themselves, saying If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 1. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF PRAYER. Vs. 24-26. Ques. 33. Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, since we are also the children of God? Aug. 13, 1882. 32. But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. GOLDEN TEXT. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” 33. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. CATECHISM. Verse 24. On what does the power of prayer depend? What is faith? What does Christ tell us to pray for? 25-26. What is the true spirit of prayer? Is there forgiveness for unforgiving people? Are our prayers always answered in the way we desire? How often must we forgive? (See Matt. 18: 21-22). INSTRUCTION. Verse 24. Believe that ye receive; the power of prayer is according to the measure of faith. 25-26. Stand praying: to stand in prayer is the attitude of confidence: to prostrate ourselves is to pray with depreciation, as a penitent sinner. Both attitudes have their time and place. But in every prayer, charity and a forgiving spirit are necessary. Forgive, says Jesus. 27. Come again to Jerusalem-on Tuesday. 28. By what authority? Who licensed you to preach? They questioned His right. 29. I will ask you. He met their question by another one. 30. Baptism of John-his whole mission. Was it Divine, or only human? 31-32. They reasoned. Probably Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea told the Apostles this. 33. We cannot tell.-they would not. Jesus then refused to tell them of His authority: I do not tell. 27. On what day did this delegation come to Jesus? Where was Jesusat the time? 28. What did these enemies call in question? Did public teachers generally receive QUESTIONS. Matt. 6. 12. Ans. Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; but we are children adopted by God, of grace, for His sake. authority from the scribes and priests? Had Jesus asked for such permission? 29-30. Had this same party ever authorized John to baptize? Did they ever positively decide for or against John? Who sent him? Who gave Jesus His authority? 31-32. Were these men afraid to confess the truth? Had not John told who sent him to baptize? (John 1: 33-34). 33. Would Christ have answered sincere inquirers? Did He gratify idle curiosity or quibbling Who sent Jesus, and gave Him authority? LESSON HYMN: "My dear Redeemer, and my Lord, etc." manded whence He had received authority to teach the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. LESSON VII. Aug. 13, 1882. "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire." Longing desire prayeth always, though the tongue be silent. If thou art ever longing, thou art ever praying. (Augustine). The second condition is faith. Believe "He that cannot forgive others breaks V. 26. An unforgiving spirit is not Their question rests on the fact that public teachers in general were licensed to teach. Who gave Jesus His authority and license? The Jewish rulers certainly did not. Instead of answering directly, My heavenly Fatber gave me this authority, He asks them another question. Who commissioned John the Baptist to teach and baptize? Did the priests, scribes, and elders? No. Then his baptism was not of men. Did God send him? Why then did ye not believe him? They were caught in their own trap, and said: we cannot tell; that is, they Jesus means to say that John and He had received authority from the same source-not from earth, but from heaven. So did the Prophets of old. V. 25. When ye stand praying. To stand in prayer is the attitude of confidence. A child does not fear to stand Jesus refused to answer their quesbefore its father. A guilty person cow- tion; because an answer to so formal a ers before his master, and falls prostrate. demand would have implied that He Standing and kneeling in prayer are was acountable to these earthly rulers. both proper for the Christian. Kneeling But they had no right to question His in supplication, in confession of sins, authority. etc.; standing in giving thanks and ascribing praise. A third condition of prayer is forgiveness. Forgive, if ye have aught against any. On this condition God will forgive us. V. 27. They come again to the Temple. This was on Tuesday of Passion Week. It was the last occasion on which Jesus appeared as a Teacher and Prophet; and our lessons for the next five Sundays will be the words which he spoke at this time. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.-First-And Jesus answered him. The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord (Mark 12: 29). Second-For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9). Third-But I say unto you, Swear not at all (Matt. 5:34). Fourth-And he said unto them, the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). Fifth-Honor thy father and thy mother (Matt. 19:19). Sixth-Thou shalt do no murder (Matt. 19:18). Seventh-Thou shalt not commit adultery (Matt. 19: 18). Eighth-Thou shalt not steal (Matt. 19: 18). Ninth-Thou shalt not bear false witness (Matt. 19:18). Tenth-And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of covetousness (Luke Three classes of persons approached Him in a very formal manner, and de- 12:15).-Exchange. LESSON IX. TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES SILENCED. MARK 12: 13–27. 13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharis sees, and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for ho man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? 15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their nypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar's. 17. And Jesus answering, said unto them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. 18. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19. Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave OUTLINE : { Ques. 35. What is the meaning of these words, "He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ?" Ans. That God's eternal Son, who is, and continueth true and eternal God, took upon August 27, 1882. no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20. Now, there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 1. THE EARTHLY KINGDOM. Vs. 13-17. Verse 13. What two parties were sent to catch Christ in His words? Were they friends or foes to one another? 14. Was their saying concerning Christ true? Did they really mean what they said? What is meant by giving tribute? Who was Cæsar! 23. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24. And Jesus answering, said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? GOLDEN TEXT: “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Tim. 4: 8. 15. What was in their hearts? How much was a penny (i. e., denarius) worth? 16. What is meant by image and superscription? Whose image does a good heart bear? 25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26. And as touching the dead, that they rise; have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and God of Jacob? 27. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. INSTRUCTION. Verse 13. Pharisees-religious zealots. Herodians, a political party attached to King Herod. 14. We know Thou art true-trying to deceive by flattery. Tribute-poll-tax. The Jews hated the tax, because it was a sign of their subjection to Cæsar-that is, the Roman emperor. 15. A penny, a denarius, equal to 15 cts. 16. Image and superscription-likeness and writing. 17. Render, &c. Fulfil your duties to the earthly ruler, and also to the Heavenly King. V. 18. Sadducees, a skeptical, unbelieving sect of the Jews. 19. Moses wrote-Dent. 25: 5. 23. In the resurrection-meaning to say, if there is to be a resurrection. 24. Ye know not. Jesus then declares, (1) that there shall be a resurrection; (2), He proves it from the Old Testament. 25. Angels, spiritual beings who do not die. CATECHISM. QUESTIONS. Him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, that He might also be the true seed of David, like unto His brethren in all things, sin excepted. help to support the government of the State! Do we owe higher duties to God also? How shall we render Him a true service? 18. What did the Sadducees deny? 19-23. What did this incident tend to disprove? Did they think that death ends all? 24-25. What two things did the Sadducees not know? Shall the dead rise again, according to Jesus' word? Shall they marry? Like whom shall they be? 26-27. Of whom is Jehovah the God! Does this imply that men live after death? 17. What was Christ's reply? Must we Where shall the good live? LESSON HYMN: “Dear Sa¬iour, we are Thine.” |