Since last month the following have expressed a desire to join t is Class, and we accordingly give their numbers:-
131 A. G. G.
132 C. C. & R. M.
133 M. W.
The subject selected for this month is-
Christ our Example.
The subject matter is to be drawn from the New Testament only, and should be arranged as follows:-
First, the particular Christian grace illustrated.
Secondly, the act or words of Christ that illustrate it.
Thirdly, the passage in which the act or words are recorded.
We trust that this subject may be worked out not only with the usual completeness, but with earnest prayer that it may be engraved on our hearts more deeply than over, that each member of the Class may become a better " epistle of Christ."
The sub-division is arranged as follows:-
Matt. 1-7, by 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 122.
Matt. 7-14, by 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 123.
Matt. 15-21, by 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 124.
Matt. 22-28, by 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 125.
Mark 1-5, by 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 126.
Mark 6-10, by 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55, 127.
Mark 11-16, by 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 128.
Luke 1-6, by 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.
Luke 7-12, by 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79.
Luke 13-18, by 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87.
Luke 19-24, by 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95.
John 1-7, by 1, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 133.
John 8-14, by 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111.
John 15-21, by 2, 3, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121.
Acts to Ephesians, by 70, 71, 112, 129, 132.
Philippians to Revelation, by 130, 131, 132, 88, 113.
We now give the results of last month search, according to the division of the subject. One of the papers we have received on the "Humility of Christ " is so complete, that we have printed it entire, with the addition of a few details from the other papers.
PRIDE
Its History-
In the sight of God it is-
Hateful and an abomination, Prov. 6:16, 17; 16:5.
Sin, Prov. 21:4.
It proceeds from-
The heart of man, Mark 7:22.
It is found in-
Those who depart from God, Lev. 26:19; Rom. 1:21.
The wicked, Hab. 2:4, 5.
Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2:4. Satan, 1 Tim. 3:6.
It is especially to be guarded against by those who-
Are young, 1 Tim. 3:6. Rich, 1 Tim. 6:17. Learned, 1 Cor. 8:1.
It is characteristic ofThe last days, 2 Tim. 3:2. False teachers, 1 Tim. 6:3, 4. The world, 1 John 2:16.
Was one of the sins of Sodom, Ezek. 16:49.
Its varieties-Haughtiness of heart, loftiness, arrogancy, Jer. 48.29, scornfulness, Isa. 29:20; of countenance, Psa. 10:4; of heart, Prov. 16:5; of spirit, Eccl. 7:8; of birth, John 8:33; of religious privilege, John 9:28; of intellect, Rom. 1:21.
Its characteristicsPersecutes the poor, Psa. 10:2; Seeks not God, Psa. 10:4; Rises against God, Psa. 86:14; Despises the righteous, Psa. 119:51; Forges lies, Psa. 119:69; Despises the humble, Psa. 123:4; Stirs up strife, Prov. 28:25; Lacks uprightness, Hab. 2:4; Exalts itself against God, Zeph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 10:5; Rejects the Truth, 1 Tim. 6:3,4; Speaks evil of dignities, James 3:14; Defiles a man, Mark 7:20.
Leads toShame; Prov. 11:2; Contention, Prov. 13:10; Destruction, Prov. 16:18; Abasement, Prov. 29:23; Hardening of the heart, Dan. 5:20; Self-deception, Jer. 49:16.
Shall bePunished with death, Deut. 17.12; Judged, Job 26:12; Brought down, Psa. 12:3; 18:27; Obad. 1:4; not suffered, Psa. 101:5; Rebuked, Psa. 119:21; Duly rewarded, Psa. 94:2; Destroyed, Prov. 15:25; Humbled, Isa. 5:15; Trodden under foot, Isa. 28:3; Marred, Jer. 13:9; Abased, Dan. 4:37; Burned up, Mal. 4:1.
Is resisted by God, 1 Peter 5:5.
Woman's pride of Dress, and God's judgment thereof, Isa. 3:16.
Examples of Pride-
Religious and Spiritual Pride-
Cain, Gen. 4;
Judah and Jerusalem, Jer. 13:9, 10;
King (little horn) Dan. 7:25;
King (of fierce countenance), Dan. 8:25;
Capernaum, Matt. 11:23.
Scribes, Pharisees, Matt. 23:1, &c.;
The young ruler, Mark 10:17;
Heathen, Rom. 1:21;
Jews, Rom. 2:17;
Corinth. Church, 1 Cor. 4:8;
Laodicean church, Rev. 3:17.
Pride shown by Ambition-
Eve, Gen 3:6;
The builders of Babel, Gen. 11:4;
Miriam, Num. 12;
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Num. 16;
Adonijah, 1 Kings 1:5;
Disciples, Mark 9:33; 10:35.
Pride of Position-
Pharaoh, Ex. 5:2;
Israel, Deut. 8:14-20;
Michal, 2 Sam. 6:23;
David, 1 Chron. 21;
Naaman, 2 Kings 5:11;
Uzziah, 2 Chron. 26:16;
Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 23:25;
Haman, Esther 5:11;
Shebna, Isa. 22:16;
Ammon, Jer. 49:4;
Edom, Jer. 49:16;
Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4:30;
Belshazzar, Dan. 5:23;
Nineveh, Zeph. 2:15;
Herod, Acts 12.
Pride of Power-
Israel, Deut. 1:43;
Egyptians, Ex. 18:11;
Goliath, 1 Sam. 17;
Sennacherib, 2 Kings 19:23;
Amaziah, 2 Kings 14:10;
Assyria, Ezek. 31:10, 11;
Egypt, Ezek. 30:6.
Pride of Person-
Absalom, 2 Sam. 15:1-10;
Ahitophel, 2 Sam. 17:23;
Jezebel, 2 Kings 9:30;
Daughters of Zion, Isa. 3:16;
Satan, Isa. 14:13;
Ephraim, (Israel), Isa. 28:1-3.
Pride of Possessions-
Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:13;
Moab, Jer. 48:7;
Tire, Ezek. 28:2-10
HUMILITY.
What God thinks of it.
He exalts, Job 5:11; hears, Psa. 9:12; 10:17; guides and teaches, Psa. 25:9; does not despise, Psa. 51:17; saves, Psa. 76:9; has respect, Psa. 138:6; lifts up, Psa. 147:6; beautifies with salvation, Psa. 149:4; gives grace to, Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; protects in the day of anger, Zeph. 2:3; dwells with, Isa. 57:15.
The humbleAre ill-treated by the wicked, Job 24:4; Isa. 32:7; receive wisdom, Prov. 11:2; are upheld by honor, Prov. 29:23; shall increase their joy in the Lord in the day of blessing, Isa. 29:19; shall be exalted, Matt. 23:12; shall find satisfaction in God, Psa. 22:25; shall inherit the earth, Psa. 37:11; Matt. 5:5; shall receive riches, honor, and life, Prov. 22:4.
HumilityIs before honor, Prov. 15:33; is commended, Prov. 16:19; is to be sought, Zeph. 2:3; a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:23; should characterize the believer's walk, Mic. 6:8; Rom. 12:3; Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3; 1 Tim. 6:11; 1 Peter 5:5; should characterize women, 1 Peter 3:4.
It is needful that the proper application of these passages should be borne in mind.
False humility is to be avoided as leading to pride, Col. 2:18, 23. Examples of HumilityWe would remark that we have not included in the examples of humility, those who had by their ways displeased God, but who in consequence of warnings received, or judgment actually carried out had humbled themselves under His hand.
The course of such can scarcely be said to have been characterized by humility-see the cases of Ahab, Nebuchadnezzar, and others.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST
Shown (1St) by placing Himself in humiliating circumstancesHe made Himself of no reputation; took upon Him the form of a servant; was made in the likeness of men, Phil. 2:7.
Was made of a woman, Gal. 4:4,
In the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom. 8:3.
Being found in fashion as a man; He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, Phil. 2:8.
Was made a little lower than the angels, Heb. 1:9.
Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, 2 Cor. 8:9.
Was born in a stable and laid in a manger, Luke 2:7.
Lived in the despised village of Nazareth, Matt. 2:23; John 46. Was subject to Joseph and Mary, Luke 2:51.
Called the carpenter's Son, Matt. 13:55.
Worked as a carpenter, Mark 6:3.
Had not where to lay His head, Matt. 8:20.
Was subject to hunger, Matt. 4:2.
Was tempted by Satan, Matt. 4:1, &c.
Was with the wild beasts in the wilderness, Mark 1:13.
Was subject to weariness, John 4:6.
Was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Isa. 53:3; Luke 19:41; John 11:35; See also Mark 3:5; 7:31; 8:12; 14:34; Luke 22:44; Matt. 26:38; Luke 19:41; John 12:27; Psa. 69:20, 29; Lam. 1:12;3. 1-17; Luke 22:44.
Lived in dependence on God, Matt. 4:4, &c.
Made Himself subject to the law of God, Gal. 4:4.
To the laws of government, Matt. 17:24-27.
Was lowly, riding upon an ass, Zech. 9:9.
Became a servant, Isa. 52:13, &c.; Luke 22:27; John 13:1-16. Asked favors from others, Luke 5:3; John 4:7.
Came not to be ministered unto but to minister, Matt. 20:28. Was strengthened by an angel, Luke 22:43.
Made His grave with the wicked, Isa. 53:9.
Shown (2nd) in submitting (1) to rejection (2) to insult from Satan and from man-
(1) To Rejection. Was rejected at Bethlehem, Luke 2:7;
Nazareth, Luke 4:28,29; John 4:44;
Jerusalem, John 5:18; 7:1; 8:59; 10:31;
Capernaum, Matt. 11:23, 24; Chorazin, Bethsaida, Matt. 11:21;
Samaria, Luke 9:52, 53;
By His own (Israel) John 1:11; By Gentiles, Matt. 27:26, &c. By men, Isa. 53:3;
By the world that was made by Him, John 1:10;
By His brethren, John 7:5.
(2) To insult, suffering, opposition, and hatred.
He was called Beelzebub, Matt. 10:26.
A gluttonous man, a winebibber, Matt. 11:19.
A friend of publicans and sinners, Matt. 11:19.
A sorcerer, Matt. 9:34.
A Samaritan, John 8:48.
Calls Himself so, Luke 10:33.
A demoniac, John 7:20; 8:48, 52; 10:20.
A blasphemer, John 10:33, &c.
A sinner, John 9:24.
Ignorant, John 7:15; Luke 22:27, 28.
A liar, John 8:13.
A man not of God, John 9:16.
A lunatic, John 10:20.
He was received without common hospitality, Luke 7:44, 45.
His preaching was derided, Luke 16:14.
No man received His testimony, John 3
He endured the contradiction of sinners, Heb. 12:3; Mark 9:19, &c.
He was hated, persecuted, and disobeyed, John 15:18-25.
He came in His Father's name, and was not received, whereas the antichrist, who comes in his own name, will be received John 5:43.
He became a proverb, Psa. 69:11.
The song of the drunkards, 69:12.
A reproach of men; despised of the people, Psa. 22:6.
His people Israel saw no beauty in Him, Isa. 53:2.
They hid their faces from Him; they esteemed Him not, Isa. 53:3.
He was to them as a worm, and no man, Psa. 22:6.
They laughed Him to scorn, shooting out their lips, and shaking the head, Psa. 22:7; Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:40; Luke 8:53, &c.
They gaped upon Him with their mouths, Psa. 22:13.
They looked and stared upon Him, Psa. 22:17.
He was forsaken by His disciples, Mark 14:50.
A derision to all His people, and their song all the day, Lam. 3:14.
He gave His cheek to the smiters, Lam. 3:30.
He was denied by His disciple, Mark 14.66-72.
He was filled full with reproach, Lam. 3:30.
He gave His back to the smiters, His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, He hid not His face from shame and spitting, Isa. 1:6.
He was smitten with a rod upon the cheek, Mic. 5:1.
He suffered shame and dishonor, Psa. 69:19.
He was betrayed with a kiss by His own disciple, Matt. 26
He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, Matt. 26:15.
He was seized as a thief, with swords and staves, Luke 22:52.
He was bound, John 18:12, &c.
He was falsely accused, Matt. 26:60.
He was accused of sedition, Luke 23:2.
He was spit upon, buffeted, and mocked by the Jews, Matt. 26:67, &c.
He stood to be judged before the Roman governor, Matt. 27:11.
Barabbas, guilty of murder was preferred to Him, Matt. 27:20, Luke 23:25.
He was stripped, dressed in a gorgeous robe, with a crown of thorns, a reed for a scepter, was mocked, was spit upon and smitten by Gentiles, Matt. 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 23:11.
Was scourged, John 19:1.
Made to bear His cross, John 19:17.
Gall and vinegar given Him to drink, Psa. 69:21.
Crucified between two thieves, Matt. 27:38, &c.
Whilst on the Cross, reviled, railed upon, mocked, and derided by chief priests, scribes, soldiers, and thieves, Matt. 27:39-49.
They wagged their heads at Him, Mark 15:29.
He was pierced after His death, John 19:34.
His departure was rejoiced over, John 16:20.
His citizens hated Him, and sent a message after Him, saying, " We will not have this man to reign over us," Luke 19:14, compare Acts 7:54—60.
Lastly, when He comes, He will gird Himself, make those sit down to meat who have watched for Him, and will serve them. Luke 12:37.