The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1920-01-30


termost part of the earth-Acts 1:S
ADDITIONAL MATERIALLY Kings
17:24-31; Luke 10:33-35; John 4:1-42.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Telling Others About
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Peter and John in
Strange City.
IC-Three Missionaries and Their Tri-
umphs.
I. Preaching the Word Everywhere
". ~.
After the stoning Of Stephen the
enemies of the Lord were more active
than ever in their efforts to stamp
out the new faith With Saul as their
leader they rushed back to the city,
dragged from their homes and I'M
prisoned those who confessed Christ.
In this the devil overreached himself,
for the believers took flight and went
everywhere preaching the word. The |
time had come for the witnessbearlng |
to extend beyond Jerusalem and Jul
dea. Preaching was not confined to
the twelve. The Lord thus makes the
devils wickedness to further his own
purpose. Frequently, In the hour OF
trial, Christians see more clearly their
duty and bestir themselves to perform
IT. If Christians will not move on,
the Lord will shove them on.
II. Philip Preaching the Gospel In
Samaria. wv. 5-13).
Hitherto the gospel had reached
only Jews; now it's scope Droadens
and Jew is preaching to Samaritans,
and Samaritans are rejoicing in the
gospel of Christ proclaimed by a Jew.
His preaching was fruitful for multi
tudes believed his message. Much JOY
in this Samaritan city followed the re-
ception of the message. Both Samar-
itans and Jews were looking Tor
Christ, so they were glad to know that.
the Christ had comes. Christ is the
one name and person who Will break
down race prejudice. In him there
is unity and real brotherhood, for he
is the universal man. The only hope
Of the world is Christ.
So great was Philips success that
Simon Magnus professed faith and was
baptized. Simon was sorcerer VINO
by magical devices had made great
reputation, gaining control OF many
of the credulous and ignorant, so that
they regarded him as some great one
from God ". 10). The people turned
from this sOrcerer to the gospel OF
Christ,
iii. Peter and John Sent to samar-
la wv. 14-1O.
The church at Jerusalem sent two
of its best men to encourage the work.
They discerned that the Spirit had not
vet fallen upon the believers, so they
laid hands upon them and the Spirit
was given unto them. These Samari-
tans were really converted, regener-
ated, but had not yet been filled with
the Spirits gift. Believers should
seek the Spirits gift at once, for this
will exclude the interests of the world.
The mission of Peter and John shows
the unity of the church-the mother
church gave sanction to the new work
in Samaria. Much of the work Of the
modern evangelist is a failure be-
cause it is not properly followed up
by those who will instruct and bring
the converts into relationship with the
living church.
w. slmon's Wicked Request wv.
1920.
When Simon saw that the power OF
Peter exceeded that which he pos
sessed and that it was received
through the laying on of hands, he Of
fered money for the gift. This act re-
yeaIs the hypocrisy of this man. He
professed faith and was baptized, fol-
lowing after them for a selfish end
To desire and seek the gift of the Spir-
II for selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is to be
guilty of Simon's sin. All traffic in
sacred things has been called Isl
mony." from the name of this sorcer'
err. Peter told Simon that he had
neither part nor lot in this matter
that he should repent of his wicked
ness and pray to God for forgiveness
He requested Peter to pray for him
Simon practiced the art Of sorcery
for gain and influence. Now that ne
found his profits diminishing and his
influence waning, ne endeavored to &C
uuire> new power. All persons who
use their religion to further their am
billions to get gain are guilty of thi;
sin. Sometimes men join the church
for business, social, and political rea
sons; sometimes official positions are
covetnd, for the prestige and power
they give. Let all who are using the
name of the church for business pur
poses be warned by Peters rebuke
Let Simon's doom be a solemn warn