The Dermott news., 1919-07-24
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDNYS0lOOL
 LESSON (By REV. P B, FITZWATER. D. D. Teacher of English Bible In the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago9 (Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY 27
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.
ESSON TEXT-Phil 4.I0-90-


 light, a.s he is in the light, we have fel- lowship one with another. and the blood of Jesus Christ hs Son cleanseth us from all sin.-I John IT.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Psams lS3: 1-3; Nal 3l6; John 17;2o. T. l Cor. l2:l2; Romans l2:15. Is I John 45-13.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving Jesus and one another (Acts 12:1-11, John 13.3D.
 JUNIOR TOPIG-Keepjng company with Gods people (Acts 2.37-41.
 INTERMEDIATES TOPtC-Our Chris tiau friendships John l5.i2-l5).
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPfC-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.
 l. pau's Expression of Appreciation (4:10).
 The Philippians had on several occa- sions expressed their sympathy and love for Paul ny their gifts. but con siderable time had elapsed since any gifts had reached him. When their care for him again iourished 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 saving "l thank you" This gift was gladly received because he was in need and also because II as sured him that his old friends still loved him.
 II. Paurs Manly Independence (vv 11-t3l.
 Though sincerely appreeiating tht gift, he would have them know.
 | He was independent of circum- stances tv ID. Through discipline of the Lord he had learned to be content with his lot. He knew that all things work together for good tRom x .2s1 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 tv 12). If il be prosperity. he would re joiee and praise God, if fl he adver sity, he would patiently suffer l. knowing that it was permitted by the Heavenly Father because II waS need tul for his hest interests This k fine example of ~tIt-maSteFy. If thing desired was not forthcoming he would mol allow his heart to desire it.
 3. His faith was in Christ tv. f31. The soul-poise which Paul possessed was not of himself but because Christ indwett him. Such compoSure k 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 nde- pendent of circumstances such potSe is possible to ull who will unreSerycd. ly yield themselves to God.
 III, The Fellowship of Paul and the PhiIippan Sants (yv it-19l.
 l. The gift of this church to Paul is an outstanding example of Christian sympathy (vN. l1-lG. No other church had remembered Paul at all in his great need. but this one rendered peeuniary aid again and again. afford ing fine example of mutual love be- tween Il minister and the people sup porting him.
 2. The gift spiritual blessing to the church ty. ID. Paul was pleased with their gift not primarily for its value to him. but because of the blessing which the people derived from giving it II was fruit which abounded to their ae- count ''lt is more blessed ro 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" (v. 1S). True Christian giving Is an act of worship 10 God
 4. Their gift would be rewarded by the Heavenly Father tv. 1a). True Christian giving Is not on the basis of prudence. but by faith in the living God who will make recompense ac- cordng to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 Within Gods ke<pinu