Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1920-02-06
AESSoN FOR FEBRUARY 8
wEreR AT LYDIA AND JoPPA.


rss2se BIN up.-James Sis.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Luke s:
HIS. $4,000
PRIMARY TOPIC-what a Kind wom-
an Did
JUNIOR ToPIc-what Peter Did at
LsEstda and Joppa.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
lG-The Beauty and Influence of an I'm
sz1fish Life
an order TO grasp the significance of
THIS lesson, we should recall the con-
diHfon which prevailed In the church
as suggested in verse 81. Three char
as-3eristics are outstanding:
{. Freedom From Persecution.
Saul he ringleader of the persecut-
ing forces, had just recently been con-
vseried, thereby disorganizing their
fsFces. allowing the church to enjoy a
Breathing spell. This period of rest
stsf not result in it's growing lazy, in
different, worldly, and forgetfu of
<s.od, but in growth in grace and in
rffe knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
2 Spiritual Growth and Develop
swent.
The real meaning of the word "edi-
6ed' Is ''builded up" This does not
Ipean merely that the members were
being instruc, ed and comforted, but
chat 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
Bhor of some grand building or sruc-
ture- AS suggested by another, this
metaphor involves % a foundation.
This is Jesus Christine other dare be
laid q Cor. 3:12-16). (2) A contin-
NOUS progress. This means that a
Christians activities are purposeful
s1soves forward with the proper prog
ress. 80 Persistent effort This
aifeans that the present days work be-
sgtns the foundation upon which to-
uiorrow's work must be built. Thus
day by day his life is being raised
higher and higher. as each separate
round of material is being laid by
strenuous efforts. az A completion
&inaily the work is done, the build
ang is completed, the top stone is
brought forth and placed.
g. Outward Growth.
Building up within the church
causes the whole work to be admired
and respected by those without, in
ducing them to come and identify
themselves with the cause. There can
DC no forward movement without I'M
less there be a corresponding move
ment within.
Our lesson today is the record Of
TWO stupendors miracles They are
the greatest signs wrought since the
day OF Christ. The dreadful malady
of palsy is vanquished, and corpse
Is I've ;enanted by the departed soul.
The occurrence here of this miracle
is In keeping with the movements OF
the church at this time The Lord
nad promised these signs as they went
forth with the gospel message. They
Were given as announcements to the
t5ssciQles, to convince them that the
isrz1ka did not lose any of It's power
ey hseing spread. but rather that its
everywhere preaching the Word there
will he corresponding manifestation
of power
|. The Healing of Eneas wv. 32-35).
This mans needy condition appealed
Teo Peer. Just as men today should ap-
peal 70 us In their semi-dead state.
Like his Master, Peter could not re.
fuse the needed help. In this he did
mot direct attention TO himself, but
confidently appealed to the power in
the name of Christ: "Jesus Christ
henIeth thee" The man who had kept
Fiss bod for eight long years imme
sfiafssy arose and made his bed. When
rshe Lord heals 1t is done instantly.
Hssaer wisely kept this miracle from
itksiszg the end by making it the means
IN the end. That end was the preach
Ting Of the gospel. This brought most
gratifying results, for ~all that dwelt
Wy Tyddn and Sharon saw him and
turned to the Lord"
III The Raising Of Dorcas wv. So
al.
This woman was full of good works
and alms-deeds which she did, not
fHIked of doing. She was practical
Christian woman of the kind that gets
down TO the practical way of showing
her love by doing deeds of helpful
ness. Her death was real loss, as
Sras evidenced by the mourning Of
chose who had been helped. When
this good woman fell sick and died
the disciples sent for Peter. Peter
rut them ali forth. At his command
her soul came back TO live in her body.
This again caused them to believe on
the Lord.