Middletown transcript., 1916-08-26
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
JouRNEYINe TO JERUSALEM.
LESSON TExT-Acts 2O:1s-sS.

sickness and afflictiOn, he cared for
the churches, corrected their wrong
conduct and probably wrote several of
his letters and epistles (II Cor. 4:7-11 ;
II :2S; II :20). From COrinth he jour
neyed by way of Phillip to TrOas
where he preached his famous long
sermon (v. 5-12), that sermon which
had such tragic result. 1t is recorded
as a witness to the power Of the pray
er of faith and Paul's readiness to
serve in time of need. In his haste to
reach Jerusalem before the Day of
PentecOst "a. d. 5S) Paul did not re
turn to Ephesus, but, in order to save
time, he had the elders of that church
meet him at Miletus (See g good
map).
I. A Great Review wv. 1929. Paul's
craftsmanship and genius for organi-
cation is nowhere more clearly set
forth than here. He had plans for a
great evangelistic campaign Of Latin
lands, (Ch. 1920. Before pursuing
his plan he decided to visit Jerusalem,
carrying with him the collections
which had been Systematically taken
up in the various churches on this
tour from. 10 :26; l Cor. 1915; Acts
"a I'D and he was accompanied by a
considerable number Of pilgrims. (See
v. ~ 1t is good thing to pause Occa-
SiOnally and to take stock, to review
our lives and to see what progress we
have made. This Paul did, and to this
Ephesian delegation he enumerates ~
They knew his manner of life, how
that, as d bond servant, and with al
lOwliness of mind" he had served
their church. They also knew that
with tears he had wept over their hard
and impenitent hearts ". 81 and all
Of this amidst many testings; (2) his
method of work ". 20). Paul not
only worked at his trade of tentmak-
ing, but found time for the public
proclamation of the gospel and also
house to house visitation. He was
after men. not nOtOriety. He was al
ways and ever at it, amidst trials, self
denial and the "lying in wait" Gam. r.
W of men; (3) his methods (v. 2D.
He had the same message for Jew and
Gentle, repentance toward God and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ"
Repentance Is not for Jews alone. Paul
Shrank not from declaring all that was
profitable for their encouragement, re-
proof, warning, help, training in serv.
Ice and hard study. He had taught
them publicly in classes, and had Wis
tied them from house to house and had
invited them to his own home. Paul's
aim, as is the teachers aim, was to
make all people patriotic citizens Of
the kingdom of heaven while on earth,
that they might fight the good fight Of
faith against all evils, even the prin-
cipalitieS and powers Of evil, and build
up the heavenly character in all men
by overcoming evil with good; (4) his
prospects wv. 22-24). Constrained in
spirit, under an obligation, though not
Outwardly bound. Paul knew and felt
himself as one bound by conscience
and duty to go on his way to Jerusalem
in order to carry out his plan of
united, federated church Of Jews and
GentileS.
He Counted not his life as dear unto
himself If so be he might hold out
until the end and accomplish his
course and ministry. This epOch-mak-
ing journey, one Of the greatest in his
tory, suggests in many points our
Savior's last journey towards that
same city duke 9:5D. Like his mas
ter, Paul knew that ahead of him were
trials. but he also knew that God was
leading him in obedience to the Spir-
it's guidance, though 1t was over the
protests of his friends.
He was to have the unique expert
ence Of visiting the land he so longed
and desired to visit-Rome-no at
his own expense but at the expense
of the empire, and in a manner which
gave him an entree into the courts of
the emperor, also to testify to the
truth before governors and rulers
along that Journey.
u. A Great Charge (vv. 2S-38). 1t is
a great experience when one can de-
clare himself pure from the blood of
all men ". 26), and that he has not
shrunk from declaring the whole cUun-
sci of God. Such conduct always
brings an obligation upon those who
know and hear such men, viz, that
it should be emulated. These elders
were to return to the church at Ephe-
Sus, not to be servants of themselves
but to feed the church of God ". 2S).
Paul knew, as a prophet, what would
fore he exhorts them to watch, and
warns them how by his own hands he
had supported himself and had lived
righteous life among them ". 34). He
cOmmends them ". 31) ito God and to
the Word of his grace which is able
to build them up and to give them an
inheritance among all them which are
sancttfied" (JOhn 7:1O. 1t was not
stubbOrnness on Paul'S part which led
him to go to Jerusalem. He was
bound in the spirit, and that same
spirit which was leading him would
also remove the obstacles and abide
with these elders as they went back
to their ministry in Ephesus. and help
them to live lives of service and not
Of cOvetousness wv. 33-34). He had
shown them all things needful, and ex-
hOrts them in marvellous way ". 35).
We have here rescued from oblivion
a new saying Of our Lord Jesus
Christ, ut is more blessed to give than
to receive" one not found in the gos-
pels.