Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-07-25
LESSON FOR JULY 27
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

LESSON -EXT-Phi1. 4:10-2O.
GOLDEN TEXT-If 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
all sn.-I John III
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Psalms 1873:
So; Nal. 9;16; John 1920, 21; 1 Cor. 1912;
Romans 12:15, I6; 1 John Alb.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving Jesus and
ol,e another (Acts 12:1-17; John 1888.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Keeping company with
Gods people (Acts. 2:37-4T
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-Our Chris
tian 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 at 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 a prisoner at
Rome was the occasion for this epis
tie. His words of thanksgiving for
this gift is the text of our lesson.
I. Paul's Expression of Appreciation
a 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 f1ourished he was
made to greatly rejoice. 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 81 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.
II. PauIs Manly independence wv.
| 11-13).
Though sincerely approaching the
| gift, he would have them know:
1. 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. S:2S),
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.
l2). If it be prosperity he would re-
| joice and praise God; if it be adver-
sity, he would patiently suffer it
knowing that it was permitted by the
Heavenly Father because it was need,
full for his best interests. This is
line example of self-mastery. If a
thing desired was not Forthcoming he
would not ALLOW his heart to desire it
8. His faith was in Christ ". 49,
The soul-poise which Paul possessed
was not of himself, but because Christ
| indwelt him. Such composure is
only possible as Christ lives in and 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 Cod
Ill. The Fellowship of Paul and the
PhiIippian Saints wv. 14-19).
l. 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 a fine example of mutual love be-
tween a minister and the people sup
porting him.
2. The gift a spiritual blessing to the
church ". 10. Paul was pleased with
their gift not primarily for its value tc
him, but because of the blessing which
the people derived from giving it. 1t
was fruit which abounded to their ac.
count. ut is more blessed to give
than to receive" (Acts 20 :35).
3. Their gift was an acceptable act
of worship-"an odor of sweet smell
well-pleasing to God" ". 1S). True
Christian giving is an act of worship
to God.
f. 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.