The Hope pioneer., 1919-07-24
LESSON FOR JULY 27
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

LESSON TExT-Phil. 4:1o-oo.
GOLDEN TExT-lf we walk in the
light. as he Is in the light. we have fel-
lowship one with another. and the blood
Of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth US from
= AbpirioSAh si5ii NAT MArER1A1-psa,ms 1888:
Is: Nal. 3:lS; John 1890. 81: Cor. 1919:
RPRfs. PRfMARY AalS T6FSSinK II 59hn tn' 5.,u. and
one another (Acts 12:1-l7: John 1880.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Keeping company with
Gods people (Acts 2:37-47).
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-Our Chris
tan friendships (John 15:12-15).
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Basis
and benefits of Christian fellowship,
The Epistle to the Philippians fur
nishes us with beautiful example Of
fellowship between Paul and the
church ut Philippi. 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 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 Expression 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 fiourished he was
made to greatly rejoicS. He recognized
that the Lord was ministering to him
through these people, therefore he re-
joiced in the Lord. This was very
tactful way Of saying II thank YOU"
This gift was gladly received because
he was in need and also because It as
sured him that his old friends still
loved him.
u. Paui's Manly Independence (vv
11-13).
Though sincerely approaching the
gift. he would have them know:
l. He was independent of circum-
stances ". 1D. 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)
so whatever he was experiencing at
the moment was from the hand Of the
loving Father. Happy, 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 (v
12). If it be prosperity, he would re-
joice and praise God; If 1t be adver.
sity, he would patiently suffer it,
knowing that 1t was permitted by the
Heavenly Father because it was need
full for his best interests. This Is a
fine example of self-mastery. If
thing desired was not Forthcoming he
would not allow his heart to desire it.
3. His faith was in Christ ". 13).
The soul-poise which Paul possessed
was not of himself, but because Christ
indwelt him. Such composure is
only possible as Christ lives In ana be-
comes the dynamic of ones life. When
the life is thus surcharged with the
energy of Christ, he is absolutely indie
pendent Of circumstances. Such poise
is possible to all who will unreserved.
ly yield themselves to God.
III. The Fellowship Of Paul ana the
PhiIippian Saints wv. 14-19).
1. The gift of this church to Paul is
an outstanding example Of Christian
sympathy (vv. 14-16). No other
church had remembered Paul at all In
his great need, but this one rendered
pecuniary aid again and again, afford
ing fine example of mutual love be-
tween minister and the people sup
porting him.
2. The gift spiritual blessing to the
church ". 17). Paul was pleased with
their gift not primarily for it's value to
him, but because Of the blessing which
the people derived from giving it. It
was fruit which ahounded to their ac-
count. 1T is more blessed to give
than to receive" tActs 20 :35).
3. Their gift was an acceptable act
of worship-"an odor of sweet smell.
well-pleasing to God" ". 18). True
Christian giving is an act Of worship
to God.
4. Their gift would be rewarded by
the Heavenly Father ". 19). True
Christian giving is not on the basis Of
prudence. but by faith in the living
God who will make recompense ac-
cording to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.