The Arvada enterprise., 1920-02-05
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 9
PETER At LYDIA AND JoppA.


LESSON TExT-Acts s:32-&A
GOLDEN TExT-The prayer OF faith
raise him up.-Jamss Sis.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - Luke 5:
7-2: S:t0-M
PRIMARY ToPlc-what a Kind wom.
an Did.
JUNIOR ToPIc-wh., Peter Did .,
Lydia and Joppa.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP.
IC-The Beauty and influence Of an Un-
selfish Life.
In order 10 grasp the Significance Of
this lesson. we should recall the con.
dition which prevailed In the church
rs suggested In verse 81. Three char
acteristics are outstanding:
!. Frssdsm From Persecution.
Saul. the ringleader Of the persecut.
Ing forces, had just recently been con-
verted. thereby disorganixlng their
forces. allowing the church to enjoy a
breathing spell. This period Of rest
did not resul: in its growing lazy. In
different. worldly. and forgctful Of
God, but in growth In grace and In
the knowledge Of the Lord Jesus.
2. Spiritual Growth and Develop.
ment.
The rcal meaning of the word "cdi-
fed" Is "builded up" This does not
mean merely that the members were
being instructed and comfOrtet, hut
that strenuous efforts on the part of
the individual members. as well as
the body as whole. were being made
for the advancement of the divine life.
The word "edify" contains the meta
phor Of some grand building or s,ruc-
ture. As suggested by another. this
metaphor involves W 4 foundation.
This TX Jesus Christine other dare be
laid Il Cor. 3:12-18). (2) A contin-
uous progress. This means that q
Christians activities are purposeful
and that the work he undertakes
moves forward with the proper prog
ress. (3) Persistent effort. This
means that the present days work be-
gins the foundation upon which to-
mOrrOw's work must he built. Thus
day by day his life In being raised
higher and higher. as each separate
round Of material II being laid by
strenuous efforts. az A completion.
Finally the work Ia done. the build
Ing Is completed. the top stone 10
brought forth aud placed.
3. outward Growth.
Building up within the church
causes the whole work to be- admired
and respected by those without, in
ducing them to cOIlo. and identify
themselves with the cause. There Gun
be no forward movement without un-
less there be q corresponding move
ment within.
Our lesson today In the record Of
two stupend0us miracles. They are
the greatest signs wrought since tho
day Of Christ. The dreadful mximdy
Of palsy IL vanquIshed, and n corpse
is re,ennnted by the departed sOul.
The occurrence here Of this miracle
IL In keeping with the movements Of
the church At this time. The Lord
had promised these signs M they went
forth with the gospel message. They
were given M ENGAGEMENTS 10 the
disciples. to convince them that the
gospel did not lose nny Of lis power
by being spread. hut rather that Its
power increased. As the church go~x
everywhere preaching the Word there
will he n corresponding manifestation
Of power.
In tp ..S
This mans needy condition appealed
to Peter. just as men To-Day should an
peal 10 us In their semi dead stnte.
Like his Master. Peter could not re-.
fuse the needed help. In this he did
not direct attention To himself. but
confidently Appealed To the power In
the name Of Christ: Jesus Christ
heaicth thee" The mlnn who hnd kent
his bed for eight long years iinms-
dIntrly arose and made his bed. When
the Lord heals II il don. Instantly.
Peter wisely kept this miracle from
being the end by making II the means
To the end. That end wns the prcHen-
Ing Of the gospel. This brought most
gratifying results. for "xil tha, dw~lt
In Lydia snd Sharon snw him nnd
turned to the Lord"
II. The Raising nf I'orcas wv. w.
4D.
This woman WIS full of good works
and deeds which shS did, not
talked Of doing. Sh. WAS Q practical
Christian woman Of the kind that gets
down 10 the practical way Of showing
her love by doing deeds of helpful.
ness. Her death WAS n real loss. a.
was evidenced by the mourning of
those who had been helped. When
his good woman fell sick and died
.h~ disciples sent for Peter Peter
put them all forth. A. his command
her soul csme bsrk IN live In her hody.
This again caused them Ia believe I'm