The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-28
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.SUYD6YS(IllllL
lesson
tBy z, o, SELLERS. Acting director o.
Sunday School Course Of the MOODY
Bible Institute. CmcRg0o
LESSON FOR APRIL 80
pErER pgLIvgaEo FRoM eRlsoN.
LESSON rExr-Ae,s ls:i-Is.

him, ana dellvereth them.-PsalmS s4;T.
one day the sons of Zebedee" de-
sired Jesus to grant carte blanche
petition. Pressed further as to their
particular request, they petttloned for
the seats OF authority on the right
and left hand Of Jesus in glory IN
reply Jesus said that such a netitton n
was not proper one nor intelligent
.ly asked, but according to their In
trepId assertions OF willingness they
should be baptized with his baptism
Of death MARK lo:35-45), and that
the greatest OF his followers should
be servant Of ALL" Today's lesson is
a fulfllment Of that prophecy.
!. Peter in Prison, the Church Pray
Inc Tvs. 1.6l. Prosecutions had been
resumed t9:SD after temporary iull.
some people serve Christ by living.
others by yielding up their lives for
his sake. James mot the one men
toned in chapter lol was slain and
Peters death delayed in order not to
poilute the Toast of the Jewish Holy
week. Peters position vas nertlous.
Sixteen soldiers guarded him in a Ro-
man dungeon. But his enemies had
left God out OF their calculations and
the believers had linked themselves
through prayer with the source OF all
power. Against such force Herod'a
cunning plan. whereby he might curry
favor with the Jews ". 81. is power
less. But IL is now almost tho hour
for Peters execution. Why the de-
laye The greater to demonstrate
the power Of God. Herod and the Jews
cared not for. nor recognized. Easter,
but God cared for his servant and hon.
ored the prayers OF his saints. Peters
faith In the plans and PURPOSES OF
God is Indicated by his slumber and
:Ae need OF being fully awakened by
the angel. 3TheFe are four things about
that vigil OF prayer ". 6 offered by
the church on Reter's behalf. which
was so wondrously answered. ~ 1t
was directed unto God" Some pray
ers are offered to audiences or the
ears OF man, but not such as are an
swered. We have heard prayers. So
called. offered where the name OF
Jesus is never mentioned, and scaSce-
iy the name OF God. Literally ". 81
this was "stretch.out.ed'ly" prayer
and its earnestness was such as to
cfrcuuyent rs vile grandson OF
Herod TIE Great. (2l It was made
without ceasing" ("earucstly' r. w.
There was sincerity and an intensity
of desire Oh Peters behalf which Ian
guage can scarcely express ESee also
Rom. $3.50. The same word Is used
OF our Lords prayer in tho garden
when His sweat was as great drops
Of blood falling down to the GROUND"
duke 22:44. Rom. 1850, Col. 4:12,
10, r. W There is little such prayer
to be found, but once found 1t ia an
swered.
n. Prayer Answered, Peter at Liberty
Tvs. 7.1ll. The messenger Of God
". y brought light, yet the servant
Of God needed awakening. a sugges.
ton to apply to our modern church
life. His method OF awaking Peter
suggests that 1t often takes sharp
blows to arouse us to our duties and
privileges. The sinner has to be
awakened before he can be delivered.
Dellverance Is more needed than
sleep.
III. Joy and Arnazement Tvs. IBID,
Peter, finding himself untraumeled
and free upon the streets OF the city.
and no longer angel.accompanied, at
once repaired to his friends. DO we
seek the prayer meetings? 1t was
startling indeed for the subject of their
prayers to knock at the door; perhaps
he should have been more consider
ate Of their feelings. One, Rhoda,
readily responded, and It was her per.
sistent faith that finally overcame the
lack OF faith on the part Of the others.
While they were yet speaking God
had answered lisa 65:24l, but such
a prompt and complete deliverance
was not expected, and 1t amazed and
bewildered them. Rhoda seemed to
be expecting Peter, for as soon as she
answered Peters rap at the door she
recognized his voice ". 1A, and from
sheer JOY over the good news she was
able to communicate It to those pray.
ing, but she neglected the important
duty OF opening the door for Peter.
She was only a maid" and her mes
sage was but foolishness duke "a:
I'D, which her elders sought to ex-
plain, hut poor Peter still outside,
CONTINUED knocking which soon con
vinced those within, and upon open
ing tho door they saw him" and were
'astonished"
Calming their fears and admonish.
ing them to hold their peace ". III,
Peter turned their thoughts from him
self to Jesus and commanded that
James, the leader OF the Jerusalem
church, aud the brethren" be In
formed Of his delIversnce.
Meanwhile he went to another
place"
Herod when he sought to execute
Pe4er according to his plan Tvs. 3, a
was augered at the turn OF events,
vented his wrath upon Peters guards
". 19), and ID seeming disgust and
dudgeon over ia escape Of this great