The Arvada enterprise., 1919-07-24

ADDITIONAL MATERIAT-PsAlms lSS:
II; Nal. sls; John 1870. 81; I Cor. la:i3:
sf%fn. PRaAhY hhas T6fIsoSinn n 5cnn VIVA J..u. and
one another (Acts l2:l-i7; John ls:Sx
JUNIOR TOPIC-Kesping company with
Gods people (Acts. 2:N-<O.
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-our Chris
tian friendships (John lb:l2-l6).
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Basis
And benefits OF Christian fellowship.
The Epistle to the Philippians fur
nishes us with a beautiful example Of
fellowship between Paul and the
church at Phillppi. This church on
several occasions sent Paul money for
his support. The particular ministry
of this sort at the hands Of Epaphro-
ditus while Paul was q prisoner at
Rome was the occasion for this epis-
tie. His words Of Thanksgiving for
this gift is the text Of our lesson.
!. PauI's ExprsssIon Of Appreciation
(4:1O).
The Philippians had on several occa-
sions expressed their sympathy and
love for Paul by their gifts. but con.
siderable time had elapsed since any
gifts had reached him. When their
care for him again nourished he was
made to greatly rejoice. He recognized
that the Lord was minlstering to him
through these people. therefore he re-
joiced In the Lord. This was "a very
tactful way Of saying II thank YOU"
This gift was gladly received because
he was In need and also because II az
sured him that his old friends still
loved him.
u. PauI's Manly Independence (vv
11-13).
Though sincerely appreciatlng the
gift, he would have them know:
1. He was independent Of circum-
stances ". lD. Through discipline Of
the Lord he had learned to be content
with his lot. He knew that all things
work together for good (ROm. 8 :28).
80 whatever he was experiencing at
the moment was from the hand Of the
loving Father. Mappy. Indeed. is the
man who has learned this secret. Paul
was willing to take poverty or pros.
perity. whatever came.
2. Willing to take what God sent "
12). II It be prosperity, he would re-
.joics and praise God; II II be adver
sity. he would patiently suffer II,
knowing that II was permitted BY the
Heavenly Father because II was need.
ful for his best interests. This ID q
hne example Of sd1f.mastery. II q
thing desired was not Forthcoming he
would not allow his heart TO desire It.
3. His faith was In Christ ". 1877.
The xoul-poise which Paul possessed
was not Of himself. but because Christ
indwelt him. Such cOmpOsure II
only possible M Christ lives In and be-
comes the dynamic Of ones life. When
the life In thus surcharGed with the
energy Of Christ, he In absolutely indie
pendent Of circumstances. Such pOlxs
II possible to all who will unreServed.
iy yield themselves to God.
~. The Fellowship q Paul and ths
PhIilppIan 8aints (vv. 1870.
I. The gift Of this church to Paul 10
an outstanding example Of Christian
sympathy wv. 14-16). No other
church had remembered Paul at all In
his great need. hut this one rendered
pecunissy aid again and again. afford.
ing hne example Of mutual love be-
tween 4 minister and the people sup
porting him.
2. The gift a spiritual blessinE to tho
church ". ~. Paul WAS pleased with
their gift not primarily for its value to
him. hut because Of the blessing which
the people derived from giving II. II
was fruit which sbounded to their &C.
count. ut is more biessed 10 give
than to receive" (Acts 20 1851.
3. Their gift WAS an acceptable act
Of wOrship-''an odOr Of q sweet smell.
well.pleSsing to God" ". IS). True
Christian giving n nm sct Of worship
to God.
4. Their gift would be rewarded BY
the Heavenly Father ". l0). True
Christian giving In not on the basis Of
prudence. but by faith In the living
God who will make recompense nc.
cordIng 10 his riches In glory by Christ
Jesus.