The Jasper news., 1921-09-01

hhbtl VI ll0 1OIu
encampeth round about them that fear |
him, and dellvereth them.-Psalm A;7.
REFERENCE WATERFALL and II |
Thess.
PRIMARY ToPIc-God Takes Care of
Paul and Silas
JUNIOR ToPIc-A Midnight Experience
in Philippi
INTERMEDIArE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Courage in the Face of Persecution.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Preaching with Prosecutions
I. Paul and sllas In jail wv. 1929.
/. The occasion wv. 1924. When
the demon was cast out Of the maid
her supernatural power was gone;
therefore, the source Of revenue was
dried up. This so exasperated her
owners that they had Paul and Sllas
arraigned before the magistrates on a
| false charge. Those men ought
to have rejoiced that such
blessing had come to this poor girl.
They cared more for their gain than
for her welfare. This is true of the
iniquitous crowding together Of the
poor In unsanitary quarters In our ten
ement districts and the neglect Of pre-
cautions for the safety of employees
In shops and stores. Without any
chance to defend themselves they
were stripped and beaten by the angry
mob and then remanded to Jail, and
were made fast In stocks In the inner
prison.
2. Their behavior in Jail ". 25).
They were praying and singing hymns
to God. 1t seems quite natural that
they should pray under such condi-
tions, but to sing hymns under such
circumstances is astonishing to all who
have not come into possession Of the
peace Of God through Christ Even
with their backs lacerated and smart
ing. and feet fast In stocks compelling
the most painful attitude In the dun
geon darkness Of the inner prison,
with a morrow before them filled with
extreme uncertainty, their hearts went
up to God in gratitude.
3. Their deliverance ". 26). The
Lord wrought deliverance by sending
great earthquake which opened the
prison doors and removed the chains
from all hands.
u. The Conversion Of the JalIer
(vv. 27-34).
The jailer's' sympathy did not go out
very far for the prisoners, for after
they were made secure he went to
sleep. The earthquake suddenly
aroused him. He was about to kill
himself, whereupon Paul assured him
that the prisoners were all safe. This
| k1o fnv NUhof ho hOh
heard of their preaching and now
what he had experienced caused him
to come as a humble inquirer after
salvation. Paul clearly pointed out
the way to be saved-"Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ" The word "be-
: lieve" means tc yield to and fully obey.
The proof that-the jaller was saved is
threefold:
1. Transformation from brutality to
tenderness.
z. Confession Of Christ In baptism.
3. His whole household baptized.
III. The Magistrates Humbled wv.
B5-4O).
The earthquake brought fear upon
the magistrates. They gave leave for
the prisoners to go, but now they re-
fuse to go, claiming that their rights
; as Roman citizens have been violated
and demand public vlndication. Paul
was willing to suffer for Christ's sake
but he used the occasion to show them
that prosecuting men who preach the
gospel Is an offense against the Law
Of God and man.
!. ~. Preaching In ThessalonIca (vv
) 17-19).
At Thessalonica he found oper
hearts. He followed his usual custom
n Of going first to the Jew ". ~. After
: witnessing to the Jews he went to the
Gentiles. Concerning the Christ h'
affirmed:
i. at behooved Christ TO suffer-
D ". 81. No palmer teaching Is to b'
4 found anywhere than the suffering o.
!. Christ Elsa. 63).
!, 2. The resurrection of Christ from
{ the dead ". 81.
E 3. The klngship of Jesus ". y.
! The result of this preaching wa
that many Greeks, some Jews believed
e v. Preaching In Berea wv. 10-15).
Q His method here was the same a
al Thessalonica. He entered the jew
ish synagogue and preached Jesus unit
r them. The Bereans received the gos
d pei with glad hearts. Two striking
things were said about them:
!. They received the message gladly
s 2. They searched the Scriptures dali