The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-23
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON CON.
MENTS FOR JULY 4.

Subject: Paul's Second Missionary
Journey-Antioch to Philippi,
Acts 15:36.16:15-GoIden Text,
Acts 16:9-Commit Verses 8, 10.
TIME.-A. D. So. PLACE.
Troas, Philippi.
EXPOSITION Paul Forbidden
to Preach in Asia, 6-S. Asia" here
does not mean our modern Asia, nor
even Asia Minor, but a part of Asia
Minor, the Roman Province of Asia.
The time for Paul to speak the Word
in Asia had not yet come. So the
Holy Spirit said to Paul, you must
not speak the word in Asia. This
probably seemed strange to Paul, but
he wisely obeyed and asked no ques-
tons. If we would speak the right
word, in the right place, at the right
time, we must look to the Holy Spirit
for His guidance, and He will give it.
The time came later for Paul to speak
the word of the Lord Jesus" in Asia,
and wonderful results followed (ch.
1911, s, 10, &c, 27). If he had dis
obeyed the Spirit and followed his
own inclination and Judgment there
would have been no such results. But
though Paul obeyed the Spirit aitA
lid not speak the, Word in Asia, he
did not give up preaching. AS the
Spirit would not suffer him to speak
in one place, he went to another. The
Word was a fire in Paul's bones, and
he must speak somewhere. If Paul
had been like many OF US, he would
have taken the Holy Spirits prohibit
ton of his preaching in Asia as an
excellent warrant for taking a vaca-
ton. Paul's labors in Phrygia and
Galatia at this time were greatly
blessed. There is no description OF
them here, but we learn from later al
lusions to them that there were many
conversions and a number Of churches
organized (ch. 1923; Gal. 1:2). 1t
is we'll to note that Paul did not need
the guidance of the Spirit to set him
to preaching, but to keep him from 1t
comp. v. y. If it had not been for
the express prohibition of the Spirit
be would have gone to preaching In
the place nearest at hand. The Word
of God tells US to preach, and so we
need no special revelation for that
Matt. 28:19, 20; Nix. 1919. AS
Bithynia was the nearest country at
hand, they Immediately attempted an
entrance to conquer it for Christ. But
here again the Holy Spirit blocks the
way. How strange it all must have
appeared at the time. But God had
larger plans for His faithful servant.
II. Paul Called to Preach in Mace
donia, g., 10; VS.. S-12. Step by step
God leads His servant On. The means
God used for his guidance are va
rious; the direct guidance Of the Holy
Spirit, a vision comp. CHI. 9:l0-12;
10:1O-17, 80; 1879, 10; 22:1f-21;
27:23, "a; 2 Cor. 12:1-4, Z; Acts 3:
10, his own judgment ": 10, R. w..
The promptness with which Paul re-
sponded to the guidance of God, no
matter how it came, is worthy not
only of special note, but of careful
imitation. This is n of the greatest
secrets not only Of a happy, but an
efficient life. If we respond at once
to Gods leading, it becomes clearer
and clearer. If we falter, the guiding
light grows DINNER until it goes out
in thick darkness, and we are left to
grope our way az best we an. Come
over into Macedonia and help us"
What an outcast. wandering Jew
help proud and potent Macedonians,
especially people of the distinguished
colony at Philippi? Yes, for he was
the bearer of that in which alone Is
help for man-the Gospel. When
Paul heard that cry he knew it was
the preaching of the Gospel that was
called for ". 10).
III. The First Convert in Europe,
fills. Paul lost no time in starting
for the field to which the Lord had
called him. There had been no SUI
pernatural direction as to what part
of Macedonia he was to begin at. So
Paul used his common sense and went
straight for the first city of the dis
trict (R. W. Paul and his compan-
ions did not begin preaching at once
". y, R. W. They waited and
watched, and doubtless prayed for a
favorable time and place to strike the
first blow comp. CHI. 1874; l7:2;
1870. They began at last, in a very
quiet and humble way. They did not
advertise largely and get a great
crowd into the largest public build
ing. They just spoke to an obscure
but earnest company of praying wom-
en-. Some one has said the man of
Macedonia" turned out to be a wom-
an: it may have been the Philippian
iailer. Be that as it may, the work of
European evangelization began with
a handful of praying women. That
was one Of the most notable gather
ings of all history. The word spoken
resulted in the conversion Of a prom
inent and pious woman, Lydia,
Whose heart the Lord opened" That
was the turning point. There Is no
hope for any woman, or man either,
unless the Lord opens their heart
(Jno. 6:44, As; Eph. Ill, IS; Luke
24:45). But this He is more than
willing to do. The steps in Lydia's
conversion are very plainly marked
and typical. Cd She went out to
pray ". 49,. (2) She heard the
Word Tvs. 10, IA; comp. Jno. 5:24?.
go The Lord opened her heart. "a.
She gave heed unto the things which
were spoken ". IA R. w.. 80 She
was baptized ". IS; comp. ch. 2:41;
Mark 1910. Lydia carried her
whole household with her Tvs. 81,
SO; l Cor. 1:16). Lydia's heart went
ont in gratitude toward those whom
Cod had used as instruments in her
conversion and she constrained them
to come into her house sud ab'd1
'hare.
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