Cleveland County herald., 1919-07-24
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDESQlOOL
 LESSON (By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D, Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago3 Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY 27
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.
LESSON TEXT-Phil. 4.10-2O.

LESSON TEXT-Phil. 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 sin.-I Johns1:7.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Psalms 133: 1-3; Nal. 9:16; John 17:2o, 21; I Cor. 12:12; Romans 12l5 l6; John 4:7-1S.
 PRIMARY TOP1C-Loving Jesus and one another (Acts 12:1-17; John 13:34.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Keeping company with Gods people (Acts. 2:37-4D.
 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 a 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- the. His words of thanksgiving for this gift Is the text of our lesson.
 1. PauI's Expression of Appreciation (4:10).
 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 a very tactful way of saying q 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. PauI's Manly independence {vv. 11-13).
 Though sincerely appreciating the gift, he would have them know:
 l. He was independent of circum- stances (v. ID. 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 :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 perity, whatever came.
 2. Willing to take what God sent (v 12). 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 fine example of self-mastery. If a thing desired was not forthcoming he would not allow his heart to desire it.
 3. His faith was in Christ (v. 13). The soul-poise which Paul possessed 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 inde- pendent of circumstances. Such boise is possible to all who will unreserved. ly yield themselves to God.
 Ill. The Fellowship of Paul and tho PhiIippian Saints (vv. 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 SUD- porting him.
 ?. The gift a spiritual blessing to the church (v. ID. 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 abounded to their ac- count. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20 1851.
 8. Their gift was an acceptable act of worship-"an odor of a sweet smell. well-pleasing to God" (v. 1S). True Christian giving Is an act of worship to God.
 4. Their gift would be rewarded by the Heavenly Father (V. 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.