Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-08-25
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
JoURNEYING TO JERUSALEM.
LESSON TEXT-Acts 2O:16-sS.

After his experience in Ephesus Paul
went to COrinth, where, amidst much
sickness and aftliction, he cared for
the churches, corrected their wrong
conduct and probably wrote several of
his letters and epistles (II Cor. 4:7-11;
IL :2S; II :20). From Corinth he jour
neyed by way of Phillip to Troas
where he preached his famous long
sermon ". 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 Paurs 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 good
map).
I. A Great Review wv. 1929. PauTs
craftsmanship and genius for organi-
cation is nowhere more clearly set
forth than here. He had plans for
great evangelistic campaign of Latin
lands, (Ch. 10 :21). 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; 1 Cor. 1918; Acts
"A I'D and he was accompanied by a
considerable number of pilgrims. (See
V. ~ 1t is a 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 Q
his character among them (vv. 1919
They knew his manner of life, how
that, as bond servant, and with all
lowliness of mind" he had served
their church. They also knew that
with tears he had wept over their hard
and impenitent hearts ". 31) 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 ". Ply.
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 tC
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 builC
up the heavenly character in all mer
by overcoming evil with good; (4) hi!
prospects (vv. 22-24). Constrained il
spirit, under an obligation, though no
outwardly bound, Paul knew and fel
himself as one bound by conscienc,
and duty to go on his way to Jerusalem
in order to carry out his plan of |
united, federated church Of Jews ant
Gentiles.
He counted not his life as dear unit
himself If so be he might hold ou
until the end and accomplish hi
course and ministry. This epoch-mak
ing journey, one of the greatest in his
tory, suggests in many points ou
Savior's last journey towards tina
same city Ouke 9 :51). Like his mas
ter, Paul knew that ahead of him wer
trials, but he also knew that God wa
leading him in obedience to the SpiI
It's guidance, though it was over tn
protests of his friends.
He was to have the unique expert
ence of visiting the land he so longe
and desired to visit-Rome-no a
his own expense but at the expens
of the empire, and in manner whic
gave him an entree into the courts @
the emperor, also to testify to tn
truth before governors and ruler
along that journey.
y iis - GTCdN wv. ZO-OCJs II
great experience when one can dt
clare himself pure from the blood {
! all men ". 26), and that he has nt
shFunk from declaring the whole cour
! sci of God. Such conduct alway
brings an obligation upon those VIII
know and hear such men, viz, tbs
it should be emulated. These elder
were to return to the church at Eph,
4 sus, not to be servants of themselvt
l but to feed the church of God ". 2S
Il Paul knew, as a prophet, what woul
\ be in store for them wv. 29-3O). Their
4 fore he exhorts them to watch. an
1 warns them how by his own hands /
| had supported himself and had lived
| righteous life among them ". 34). E
/ commends them ". 31) 'to God and I
/ the Word of his grace which is alb
Il to build them up and to give them &
il Inheritance among all them which n
il sanctified'' (JOhn II 10. 1t was n
II stubbornness on PauFs part which lt
II him to go to Jerusalem. He w;
II bound in the spirit, and that san
II spirit which was leading him wou
III also remove the obstacles and abit
III with these elders as they went bat
1 to their ministry in Ephesus, and he
i them to live lives of service and n
ii of covetousness wv. 33-34). He h;
shown them all things needful, and e
horts them in a marvellous way ". 81
We have here rescued from oblivi
a new saying of our Lord Jes
j Christ, "It is more blessed to give TIL
to receive" one not found in the &c
pels.
= 1t is this giving which produces
higher quality of happiness and a mo
noble character.
1t is the blessedness Of Christ,
u heaven, and of the Christian religiC
E. It is also the blessedness that {
dures.
Paul then poured forth his pray
on their behalf wv. 36-39).
0f | III l. h. do oIr