Gilpin observer., 1919-08-07
LESSON FOR AUGUST 10
WINNING OTHERS TO CHRIST.

LESSON TExTs-Acts 16:s-15; James s.:
10, 20.
GOLDEN TExT-Ye shall be witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem, and In all
Judea. and in samaria. and unto the ut
termost parts of the earth.-Acts 1:S.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Luke 1911
10: John 3:1-16: Acts 2Ol7-21: 2S:30. 81
PRIMARY TOPIC-Helping others to
know Jesus (Acts 16;9-15).
JUNIOR TOPIC-Telling our friends
about Jesus John 1:4O-46).
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC - witnessing
for Christ.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Per-
sonal evangelism the duty and privilege
of all Christians.
I. Paul Called to Macedonia (Acts
16 :9-12).
The inclination of Paul and his COM
panion was to tarry in the province Of
Asia, preaching the Word, but they
were hurried along against their incl-
nation. Realizing that the Spirit knew
best they obeyed. In the guidance
of the Spirit we find him just as active
and as faithful in closing doors as in
opening them. Those who are disposed
to do the will of God should heed this
fact. Being hemmed in on all sides,
Paul saw in vision man of Mace
donia pleading for help. He now saw
clearly the mystery of the closed doors
about him. AS soon as the divine way
was known they rendered immediate
obedience. AS true servants of God
they did not question his wisdom nor
delay action. Christ, the Divine serv-
ant, is the pattern of obedience for all
time.
u. Paul Winning Lydia to Christ
(Acts 16 1915.
With Paul as leader, the missionaries
went to Philippi where they spent sew
eral days studying the conditions there
The Jewish element in the city was
very insignificant, as they could not af.
ford a synagogue, making it necessary
for the devout people to frequent the
river side for worship. To this humble.
gathering Paul came and preached to
the women gathered there. A certain
woman by Thyatira, proselyte. be
lieved In his message and was baptized.
The work Of the Lord here had very
humble beginning, but it was destined
to transform all Europe and the world.
Lydia's Is typical conversion, there
fore 1t is worthy to note
1. Her attendance at the place Of
prayer ". 13).
2. She listened to the preaching Of
the Word Of God wv. 12-14).
3. Her heart was opened by the Lord
". 14).
4. She was baptized ". 15).
3. Her household believed ". 15).
III. The Blessed Issue Of SouI.Win.
ming (James S 10, 2O).
The business Of soul-saving is the
most important in which human be-
ing can engage. Anyone who has been
saved can point lost souls to the Savior.
Christ came to save the lost duke
19:1O). II is the blessed privilege of
all Christians to labor together with
God In rescuing the perishing. The re-
suit of sOul-saving is twofold:
I. 1t saves souls from death ". 2O).
Meditation upon the three words
Saves" "soul," death" will make us
conscious Of the tremendous impor-
tance of soul-saving. We must realize
the value Of the souls before we can
give ourselves to the work Of saving
them. soul Is Of more value than
the whole world Matt. e:26). God
valued souls so much that he gave
Jesus to die for them (John 3 :16).
2. Hides a multitude of sins" w.
2O). Gods way Of hiding sin Is to save
men from 1t. Every sinner has null
titude Of sins, therefore every soul
saved hides that multitude Of sins.
When sins are thus hidden they are out
NJ ro1s ", rt.x r..
east Is from the west. so far hath he re-
moved our transgressions from u.s."
(Psalms 1O3:12). He remembers our
sins against US no more. Elsa. 43 :25.)