LESSON XXXIII.

PRACTICAL RELIGION.

Colossians III. 12-25.

We are only children,

Weak and apt to stray;

Father, guide and keep us
In the heavenly way.

GOLDEN TEXT: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. COL. iii. 23.

1. What does Paul say about obedience to parents? "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord."

2. Why ought we to do what is pleasing to the Lord?

3. Who else will be pleased, if you obey your parents?

4. What effect will it have on your whole life, if you

always obey your parents while young?

5. Whom ought you to obey besides your parents? 6. Will you repeat the Golden Text?

7. What is it to do a thing heartily?

8. Why is this the true way to do a thing?

9. What is it to do a thing "as to the Lord"?

It is to do it as though we were doing it for him.

10. Is not every good thing we do, done for the Lord?

11. What does Paul say that they will receive who serve the Lord?

He says that they will receive a reward.

12. What is a reward?

13. What reward do you think those receive who faithfully serve God?

14. What does Paul say of him that doeth wrong?

“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done."

1. Where, when, and by whom was the Epistle to the Colossians written?

2. Where was Colosse?

3. What does Paul exhort the members of the Colossian church to put on? iii. 12-14.

4. Have we met with any such exhortation before in Paul's writings?

5. What exhortation does he give in verse 15?

6. What is it to have the peace of God in our hearts?

7. What cause have we for thankfulness?

8. What is meant by the "word of Christ," in verse 16?

9. Why ought this to dwell in us richly?

10. How do "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" help our moral and religious growth?

11. What exhortation is given in verse 17?

12. What is it to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus"? 13. What precept does the apostle give in verse 20?

14. What other reasons can you give for obedience to parents besides the one that it "is well-pleasing unto the Lord"? 15. What precept is given in verse 22 ?

16. Whose servants are we all?

17. How is everything to be done? 23.

18. Why should whatever is done be done heartily?

19. Is serving God limited to what are called religious acts, or does it include every act that is useful and good? 20. What does Paul say of him who does a thing heartily, as to the Lord"? 24.

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21. What is meant by the "reward of inheritance"? 22. What reward will be our inheritance for the good that we do?

23. What does "ye serve the Lord Christ" mean?

24. What is said of him that doeth wrong? 25.

25. Is there any exception to the rule that every wrong act is punished?

INTRODUCTION. The Epistle to the Colossians was written by Paul while he was a prisoner at Rome, about A.D. 62, and sent to the church at Colosse, a city in the western part of Phrygia, a province of Asia Minor. The church here may have been founded by Paul, but this is not certain, nor is it certain that he ever visited the place. The Epistle is a short one,

containing but four chapters, and, like nearly all his Epistles, may be divided into two parts, doctrinal and practical. This Lesson is based on a selection from the practical part of the Epistle.

NOTES. Colossians iii. 12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies. "Clothe yourselves therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, with compassionate affections." — Noyes. "A heart of compassion.". Revised Version.

14. And above all these things put on charity. "And over all these things put on the robe of love." - Noyes. — Which is the bond of perfectness. This is in accordance with 1 Cor. xiii., where the apostle eloquently describes love as the greatest of gifts.

12-16. "In sharp contrast to the dismal list of vices and immoralities which he had just enumerated in the preceding verses, 5, 8, 9, he gives the beautiful and holy traits of the new human race in Christ, such as hearts of tender compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, charity, peace, thankfulness, perfection.”. Livermore. The exhortation given by Paul in these verses is strikingly similar to those given by him in passages which we have already examined in these Lessons. Rom. xii. 1-21; 1 Cor. xiii. 1-13; Gal.v. 22-26;

Eph. iv. 25-32.

16. Let the word of Christ. The gospel, the truth taught by Christ. "As efficient means and instruments of bringing about this great change of character, and ripening the best fruits of a holy and heavenly life, he proposes three agencies and methods of culture: first, the word of Christ; then mutual teaching and admonition; and, finally, singing psalms and hymns with a devout spirit." - Livermore.

17. In the name of the Lord Jesus. In the spirit of Christ, as his disciples.

22-25. These verses were addressed to those Christians at Colosse held as bond-servants, or slaves; but the principles here laid down are of far wider application. Obey in all things. "Unless one who labors for another obeys, the relation is virtually ended or reversed. Wherever there is authority or responsibility, there must be corresponding obedience and confidence. 'In all things' has its limits arising from the sphere of labor and the law of God." —Your masters according to the flesh. In distinction from "the Lord Christ," their heavenly master, mentioned in verse 24. — Not with eye-service. Not simply doing the things which your master or employer will see, and neglecting the rest. Not simply to please men, but with an undivided heart doing all things as in the sight of God. What a blessed thing it would be if the principle of fidelity which Paul here inculcates were universally observed! "Fidelity, in whatever situation we may be in life, is acceptable service to the Lord."

23, 24. "Whatever ye do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the recompense of inheritance; serve Christ as your Lord. '— -Noyes.

CHRISTIAN PRECEPTS.

1 Thessalonians V. 14-23.

I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win;
Nor try to conquer any world
Except the one within.

Be thou my guide until I find,
Led by a tender hand,

Thy happy kingdom in myself,

And dare to take command.

GOLDEN TEXT: Abstain from every form of evil. - 1 THESS. V. 22. 'Revised Version.)

1. What exhortation does Paul give about patience? "Be patient toward all men.'

2. Why should we be patient towards others?

3. What does he say about rendering evil for evil?

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man.”

4. Why should we not render evil for evil?

5. What does Paul say about following that which is good? "Ever follow that which is good."

6. What effect will it have on us if we always follow that which is good?

7. What does the apostle say about rejoicing?

"Rejoice evermore.'

8. What is there that should lead us always to rejoice?

9. What does Paul say about praying?

"Pray without ceasing.”

10. Do you know what this means?

11. What does he say about giving thanks?

"In everything give thanks."

12. To whom ought we to give thanks?

13. To what does Paul say that we ought to hold fast? "To that which is good."

14. Will you repeat the Golden Text?

15. What is it to abstain from anything?

16. What kind of a life would yours be, if you should always heed what is taught in this Lesson?

1. When, where, and by whom was the First Epistle to the Thessalonians written?

2. Where was Thessalonica, and when had Paul visited this city?

3. What exhortation does the apostle give in 1 Thess. v. 14? 4. What is there in this verse that is applicable to us? 5. What is said in verse 15, and for whom was it intended? 6. How far is it applicable to us?

7. What does the apostle say about rejoicing? 16; Phil. iv. 4. 8. What occasion have we to "rejoice evermore "?

9. What does "pray without ceasing" mean?

10. What does "in everything give thanks" mean?

11. Is there ever a time when we have nothing to be thankful for?

12. What are some of the things for which we ought especially to be thankful?

13. What are some of the ways in which we may quench the Spirit?

14. What are meant by "prophesyings," in verse 20? 15. What application has this verse to us?

16. What precept is given in verse 21?

17. What is meant by "prove all things"?
18. What precept is given in verse 22?
19. What is a better rendering of this verse?
20. What benediction is contained in verse 23?

INTRODUCTION. The Apostle Paul, while on his second missionary journey, spent several weeks in the city of Thessalonica and founded a church there. On leaving Thessalonica he went to Berea, then to Athens, and then to Corinth, where he spent a year and a half. It was during his stay in Corinth, about A.D. 52, that he wrote the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. It is an interesting fact that it was almost beyond doubt the first written of the books of the New Testament.