The Bible Students' Class: Grace Illustrated in Christ

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  10 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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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-
It proceeds from-
It is found in-
It is especially to be guarded against by those who-
Its characteristicsPersecutes the poor, Psa. 10:22The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. (Psalm 10:2); Seeks not God, Psa. 10:44The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm 10:4); Rises against God, Psa. 86:1414O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. (Psalm 86:14); Despises the righteous, Psa. 119:5151The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. (Psalm 119:51); Forges lies, Psa. 119:6969The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. (Psalm 119:69); Despises the humble, Psa. 123:44Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. (Psalm 123:4); Stirs up strife, Prov. 28:2525He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. (Proverbs 28:25); Lacks uprightness, Hab. 2:44Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4); Exalts itself against God, Zeph. 2:10,10This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts. (Zephaniah 2:10) 2 Cor. 10:55Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5); Rejects the Truth, 1 Tim. 6:3,43If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (1 Timothy 6:3‑4); Speaks evil of dignities, James 3:1414But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (James 3:14); Defiles a man, Mark 7:2020And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. (Mark 7:20).
Shall bePunished with death, Deut. 17.12; Judged, Job 26:1212He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. (Job 26:12); Brought down, Psa. 12:3; 18:273The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (Psalm 12:3)
27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. (Psalm 18:27)
; Obad. 1:44Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. (Obadiah 4); not suffered, Psa. 101:55Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. (Psalm 101:5); Rebuked, Psa. 119:2121Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. (Psalm 119:21); Duly rewarded, Psa. 94:22Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. (Psalm 94:2); Destroyed, Prov. 15:2525The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. (Proverbs 15:25); Humbled, Isa. 5:1515And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: (Isaiah 5:15); Trodden under foot, Isa. 28:33The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: (Isaiah 28:3); Marred, Jer. 13:99Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 13:9); Abased, Dan. 4:3737Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4:37); Burned up, Mal. 4:11For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1).
Examples of Pride-
Religious and Spiritual Pride-
Cain, Gen. 4;
Pride shown by Ambition-
Miriam, Num. 12;
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Num. 16;
Pride of Position-
David, 1 Chron. 21;
Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 23:25;
Herod, Acts 12.
Pride of Power-
Goliath, 1 Sam. 17;
Pride of Person-
Absalom, 2 Sam. 15:1-101And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. 8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord. 9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. (2 Samuel 15:1‑10);
Pride of Possessions-
HUMILITY.
What God thinks of it.
He exalts, Job 5:1111To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. (Job 5:11); hears, Psa. 9:12; 10:1712When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (Psalm 9:12)
17Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: (Psalm 10:17)
; guides and teaches, Psa. 25:99The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9); does not despise, Psa. 51:1717The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17); saves, Psa. 76:99When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. (Psalm 76:9); has respect, Psa. 138:66Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. (Psalm 138:6); lifts up, Psa. 147:66The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. (Psalm 147:6); beautifies with salvation, Psa. 149:44For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. (Psalm 149:4); gives grace to, Prov. 3:3434Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. (Proverbs 3:34); James 4:66But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6); protects in the day of anger, Zeph. 2:33Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. (Zephaniah 2:3); dwells with, Isa. 57:1515For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15).
HumilityIs before honor, Prov. 15:3333The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33); is commended, Prov. 16:1919Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:19); is to be sought, Zeph. 2:33Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. (Zephaniah 2:3); a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:2323Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:23); should characterize the believer's walk, Mic. 6:88He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8); Rom. 12:33For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3); Eph. 4:22With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Ephesians 4:2); Phil. 2:33Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3); 1 Tim. 6:1111But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11); 1 Peter 5:55Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5); should characterize women, 1 Peter 3:44But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (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, 2318Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18)
23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:23)
. 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. 2:77But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:7).
Being found in fashion as a man; He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, Phil. 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8).
Was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Isa. 53:33He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3); Luke 19:4141And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (Luke 19:41); John 11:3535Jesus wept. (John 11:35); See also Mark 3:5; 7:31; 8:12; 14:345And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:5)
31And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. (Mark 7:31)
12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. (Mark 8:12)
34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. (Mark 14:34)
; Luke 22:4444And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44); Matt. 26:3838Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38); Luke 19:4141And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (Luke 19:41); John 12:2727Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. (John 12:27); Psa. 69:20, 2920Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. (Psalm 69:20)
29But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. (Psalm 69:29)
; Lam. 1:12;312Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. (Lamentations 1:12)
12He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. (Lamentations 3:12)
. 1-17; Luke 22:4444And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44).
Became a servant, Isa. 52:13,13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (Isaiah 52:13) &c.; Luke 22:2727For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:27); John 13:1-161Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (John 13:1‑16). Asked favors from others, Luke 5:33And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. (Luke 5:3); John 4:77There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (John 4:7).
Shown (2nd) in submitting (1) to rejection (2) to insult from Satan and from man-
(2) To insult, suffering, opposition, and hatred.
No man received His testimony, John 3
He came in His Father's name, and was not received, whereas the antichrist, who comes in his own name, will be received John 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43).
The song of the drunkards, 69:12.
He was denied by His disciple, Mark 14.66-72.
He was betrayed with a kiss by His own disciple, Matt. 26