The Green Forest tribune., 1916-05-19
LESSON FOR MAY q
THE CRIPPLE OF LYSTRA.
| ESSON TEyTAc+s IA

Make a list of the seven cities men toned in this lesson and locate them on a map. Let seven pupils attack to the map a flag, or banner, to locate each one. The visit to lconlum oc' cured probably in the spring ot A. D' AZ (Ramsey). Paul and Barnabas hao a great triumph and severe testing at Iconium, wrought great victory ol faith and became popular at Lystra, only to meet great tribulation. On their homeward journey they con- firmed saints, set np rules and gave account of their labors to the home church of Antioch.
 !. In Iconum (vv. ID. This was a Roman city of great antiquity itind importance. The modern city konia Is an important Mohapmedan and trade center. Tradition says Paul was imprisoned for beirg a magician and teaching a wonZan named Thekla not to marry. This woman endured great hardships and trials for the faith, hn- ally becoming a nun at Selencia ana dying at the advanced age of ninety From this tradition we get most of our ideas of Pauls appearance-sman, bandy-legged, large eyed, shaggy eye brows, long nose, full of grace with sometimes the face of man and at others of an angel. This is tradition only, but is probably somewhat near the truth. Paul followed his usual first witnessing in the synagogue, wit messing to the entire population, Jew and Gentle, and dividing them effec- lively by his words about Jesus.
 II. In Lystra (vv. 8-21. (D Popu- larity (vv. S-1S). Their introduction here would seem propitious, healing the cripple and at once gaining the esteem of the people. Alteration and gratitude appeal to the human heart. Underneath the heathen idea that the gods "came down to us in the likeness of men," is the great and glorious truth of the incarnation John 1:14; Phil 2:6, D. We should hesitate to condemn these men of Lystra too se- verely, for what American community is not open to condemnation in this regard? Too many Christians offer garlands (v. 13) at the feet of the men whom God has used to work his c7ighty w2rks. It was common com pIaInJ that III the uayss or riTrrE gfg5test victories, men could not find MT. Moody when a service was dismissed, or get into his quarters at the hotels; he would give no opportunity for self glorification. Paul and Barnabas had hard work to restrain these hero wor- shipers (v. 1D, and to convince them who they were and how they had been enabled to accomplish such 8 wonder full miracle (v. 15). Paul was of like stature" with them and would not ac- cept worship as did the Caesars or Herod (12:22, 23). He exhorted the Lystrians to turn from these vain things l. e., such idol worship, unto the living God" (see also 1 Cor. 8:4; miraculously interfered to turn men from their evil ways (v. 16), but left them to their own devices to show their inability to find their way back to him (see Acts 17:30; I Cor. 1:2D. Yet God is not without witnesses" (v. I'D. The seasons and the natural laws point to God, yet men still re- main blind and ungrateful. Thus by vehement exhortation they prevented this act of sacrilege. CD Persecution (vs. 19, 20). The mob is ever fickle, (v. 18), but 1t did not turn them unto the living God" (v. 15). Conversion is the simple turning from idols q Thess. 1-9), a rational thing, but one contrary to the pride of men who de- sire to "do something whereby they may merit or can demand their sal vation. Even as Paul had difficulty to turn people aside from idols, so today it is hard to keep men and women from idolatry, not the gross or vulgar idolatry of heathenism, but the re fined idols of culture, success, power money and pleasure. To his difficul ties Paul had the added persecution o1 the vindictive Iconians and these from Antioch (v. 19). God delivered hin from this trial q Cor 11:25, 27). Al loyal witnesses must expect persecu ton from the God-hating world Q
 Tim. 3:12; John 15:18-20).
 III. The Return (vv. 22-2s). "Whe1 1 they had preached tho gospel to thu city" (v. 2D literally having evan
 gelized the city" they started hom'
 confirming believers and appointin, leaders in each center visited. The.
 did not take the short cut of 160 mile
 to Pauls home in Tarsus, but the,
 visited their new converts.
 Symbolically the cripple of Lystr
 is type of sin, (a) helpless, (b) borl
 in that condition (Psa. 51:5), Co ha
 to be helped from without, by outsid
 power (Rom. 5:6); (d) all could SC
 the change Games 2:1S). This mil
 acle wrought (a) Praise from the pet
 pie, (b) Protestation on the part c
 Paul and Barnabas, (c) Persecutio
 from the fickle and disappointe
 priests who melted the people. Pel
 secution helped the proclamation (
 the gospel. Those who believe
 strengthened Paul by sharing his da1
 ger (v. 20) and because of this e,
 perience Paul made many disninlaa