The Brinkley argus., 1919-08-14
LESSON FOR AUGUST IT
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

LESSON. TEXTs-Acts IS; l3:1; 14:2S:
 GOLDEN TE&T-Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.-4dark I6:l5
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - MattheY g 2s.1s-20: Luke A:45-5S: Acts 26:12-20
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Helping everybody Co know Jesus.
 JUNIOR ToPIC-The whole world needs Jesus.
 INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-Taklng the gospel to the whole world
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Chris tan missions. aims and results.
 l. The Obligation of Missions tMark 1G:15).
 God saves men for a purpose That purpose Is to be 1aborers together with him in the salvation of others. Christ's parting message, yea, his final com mission to the disciples was, GO, preach the Gospel to every creature" This obligation still rests upon the church. Since the command is to preach the Gospel to every creature this obligation will obtain as long eI there is one uaresched soul.
 q. The Power of Missions tActs I:S).
 This power Is the supernatural in- dueement of the Holy Spirit Mission ary endeavOr without the Holy Spirit is doomed to failure. Power to witness for Christ Is the purpose of the gift of the Spirit. Success will crown the efforts of those who go forth under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit The Spirit was not given pri- marlly to make Christians happy, but to make them strong 10 carry the Gospel to the heather. However those who go forth in this blessed serv- ice in the Spirits power are truly happy.
 III. The Scope of Missionary En- deavor (Acts 1:S).
 The disciples were to begin their witnessing where they were when the Holy Spirit fell upon them-Jerusa- lem But they were to go out from there to the "uttermost parts of the earth' This is the program for ev- cry disciple of Christ. Begin witness ing where Christ saves you. and then 70 to your neighbors next to you, and on to the remotest bounds of the earth. There Is no such thing as nome mis- sIons." except that you begin at home.
 ". The First Foreign Missionaries u3:1-14; 2S).
 l. Who they were (13 :2). Bar nabas and Saul were selected-the very best two men in the church. The eyangelization of the world Is a task of such tremendous importance that 1t challenges the church 10 offer her best men and women. Since an institution is judged by it's representatives, 1t be- comes the church to put her most capa- ble men to the front
 2 Bv whom sent 13:2, 4). The Holy Spirit chose these men and sent them forth to their work The church at Antioch seemed 10 have deliberate ly planned this missionary enterprise. II was after prayer and fasting that the Spirit ordered the church to send forth these missionaries. IL should be he business of the church to constant iy seek the mind of God relative tc sending forth laborers Into the Lords vineyard The Spirit calls and sends men forth. but he does this through inc church.
 3. Some experiences ot the first for eign missionaries
 CD Withstood by Elymas the sor- cerer (13 .G-f2) Elymas moved by the ,lesu sought 10 turn the mind of SergI- us pau.us from inc faith. thus barring the Gospel as il enters upon ifs widest mission of salvation, The most vile lalnous act which one can commit Is to turn soul from the Gospel @. Wor=L.ped as gods (l4:s-19. (a) The occasion tyv. S10 God accompanied he testimony of these missionaries hy his mighty power. He wrought mir acle through Paul At his call the lnyeteratc cripple-ooe who had newer walkct leapod up and walked The eur. vas instant (h) The method (rv. 11-l3). They called Baruubas. Jupi- tor. aua PauL Mercury. because he was the cuf.l speaker They declared that the gods had eoae down iu tbe like ness of ueu and they brought oxen and garlauo- to offer sacrifice. (e) Their effort. lo.lcd (vv. 14-1s) T. The mis- sionarles rent their clothes and ran iu among the people, saying they were Eot divine but beings of like passions with themselves 2 They urged the people fo turn to God. B. Paul stoned (vy. l0-22). Stirred up by wicked Jews from Antioch and Iconl- um, the rabble who a moment ago were worshiping are filled with satanic hate. Doubtless Paul remembered Stephens experience. God raised him up and he went forth 10 discharge his duties as a missionary. Such men of courage are needed today.