The Elbert County tribune., 1916-08-25
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
JouRNEYlNe TO JERUSALEM.


After his experience In Ephesus Paul
went to Corinth, where. amidst much
sickness and afiliction, he cared for
the churches. corrected their wrong
conduct and probably wrote several of
his letters and epistles III Cor. 4:7-11;
IL :2S; u :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 witness to the power of the pray
er of faith and Pauls readiness to
serve in time of need. In his haste to
reach Jerusalem before the Day of
Pentecost "a. ID. $50 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 a good
mnp).
]. A Great Review wv. 17-2S). PauFs
craftsmanship and genius for organl-
zation 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 20; Cor. 16 :1-5; Acts
PAID and he was accompanied by
considerable number of pilgrims. (See
v. A. 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 G)
his character among them wv. 1S-19).
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 ". 3D 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 1t, amidst trials, self
denial and the lying in wait" Gam. r.
vi VI men No) his HlelilouS w. Zlt.
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
shrnnk not from declaring all that was
profitable for their encouragement, re-
proof, warning, help, training I'm 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 ali evils, even the prin-
cipalities and powers of evil.
1t was a great undertaking, and he
knew not what might befall him, but
he did know that bonds and aflliction
awaited him; however, none of these
things could move him from his pur.
pose.
He counted not his life as dear unto
himself If so be he might hold out
until the end and accomplish hb
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 Uuke :51). 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.
II. A Great Charge wv. 2s-3S). 1t is
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 coun-
sci of God. Such conduct always
brings an obligation upon those who
know and hear such men, viz, that
1t 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 prophet, what would
be In store for them wv. 29-30). There
fore he exhorts them to watch, and
warns them how by his own hands he
had supported himself and had lived a
righteous life among them ". 34).
We have here rescued from oblivion
a new saying of our Lord Jesus
Christ, "It is more blessed to give than
to receive" one not found in the gos-
pels.
1t Is this giving which produces a
higher quality of happiness and more
noble character.
1t is the blessedness of Christ, of
heaven, and of the Christian religion.
1t is also the blessedness that en-
lures.
Paul then poured forth his prayer
On their behalf wv. 36-39).
Blessed is the Sunday-school class
and the church which has such q