The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-05-20

Make q llSI OF lut seven S4IIto mn
toned in this lesson and locate them
on a map. Let seven pupils attack 70
the map a flag. or banner, 10 locate
each one. The visit 10 lconium &C.
Cured probably in the spring OF a. u.
a ramsey. Paul and Barnabas had
@ great triumph and severe testing
at Iconium. wrought a great victory OF
faith and became popular at Lystra'
only TO meet great tribulation. On
their homeward Journey they con-
firmed saints, set up rules and gave
account OF their labors TO the home
church Of Antioch, from which they
had started this first journey.
I. In IconIum wv. ~. This was
a Roman city of great antiquity and
Importance The modern city Konia
is an important Mohammedan and
trade center Tradition says Paul was
imprisoned for being a magician and
teaching a woman named Thekla not
TO marry. This woman endured great
hardships and trials for the faith. fin
ally becoming a nun at Selencia and
dying at the advanced age Of ninety.
From this tradition we get most OF our
ideas of Paul's appearance-small.
bandy-legged, large eyed, shaggy eye
brows, long nose; full of grace with
sometimes the face of a 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
and Gentle, and dividing them effec-
lively by his words about Jesus.
u. In Lystra wv. 8-2D. % Popu-
larity wv. 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 heather idea that the
gods came down to us in the likeness
OF men," is the great and glorious
truth of the incarnation John l:l4;
Phil. 2:6, y. We should hesitate to
condemn these men of Lystra too Sc
verely, for what American community
| is not open to condemnation In this
regard? Too many Christians offer
/ garlands ". 49, at the feet of the men
whom God has used to work his
mighty works. 1t was common COM
/ plant that in the days of his greatest
! victories, men could not find Mr..
Moody when a service was dismissed.
or get into his quarters at the hotels
he would give no opportunity for SELF
Qualification. Paul and Barnabas had
hard work to restrain these hero wor-
shippers ". 14, and to convince them
who they were and how they had been
enabled to accomplish such wonder
full miracle ". 15). Paul was OF like
stature" with them and would not &C
cept worship as did the Caesars OF
Herod Q2:22, 23). He exhorted the
Lystrians to turn from these vain
things" 1. e., such idol worship. unto
the living God" (see also l Cor. ga;
Thess. 1:9). Hitherto God had not
miraculously interfered to turn
men from their evil ways ". 16), but
left them to their own devices to show
their inability to find their way back
to him (see Acts 1890; | Cor. ED
Yet God is not without witnesses
". 10. 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. (2) Persecution
Tvs. 10. 20). The mob is ever tickle
". 49,, but it did not turn them unto
the living God" ". 49,. Conversion
is the simple turning from idols q
Thess. 1-9), 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
walton. Even as Paul had difficulty tc
turn people aside from idols, so today
II is hard to keep men and womer
from idolatry, not the gross or vulgar
idolatry OF heathenism, but the re
fined idols of culture, success, power
money and pleasure. To his Difficult
ties Paul had the added persecution o.
the vindictive Iconians and those from
Antioch ". 49,. God delivered hin
from this trial q Cor. 1l:25, 2O. AL
loyal witnesses must expect persecu
ton from the God-hating world Q
Tim. 3:12; John 15:1S-20) Some thinl
that this was when Paul was caught
up into the third heaven" II Cor. -:
pa. His treatment did not stop his
testimony. nor separate him from
friends Tvs 90 Oh
III. The Return wv. 22-29). 'Wher
they had preached the gospel to the
city" ". 2D literally having evan
gelized the city" they started home
confirming believers and appointing
leaders in each center visited. They
did not take the short cut of 100 mile:
u Paul's home In Tarsus, but they
Waited their new converts.
Symbolically the cripple OF Lystr;
iE type 81 sin. (a) helpless, (b) born
IN that condition (Psa. 81 81. (c) haC
~ be- helped from without. by outsid,
pDwer Rom. 5:GD; Id all could SEE
The change James 2:l8D. This mir
hie wrought taJ Praise from the peo
pie ~ PrntcBtntiOn on the part o.
FagI ann Ehrnhbns. Co Persecution
tran The nckln and disappointed
Driss's rhp melted tho people