The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-08-26
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sil14ldayScllool.
= Lesson '
(By REV. p. B, FITZWATER. d. d.
Ieacher Of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago)
%. 1921. Western Newspaper Union,
LESSON FOR AUGUST %
FROM ASIA TO EUROPE.

LESSON TExT-Acts 1ss-ls.
GOLDEN TExT-And they said. believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
De saved. and thy house.-Acts 1854
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Rom 16;15-
PRIMARY ToP1c-A wonderfui Dream.
to Europe.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Begtnning Work on q New Continent
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.
!. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to
Preach the Word wv. 6-S).
We have here a lesson on divine
guidance. The inclination of Paul
and his companions was to tarry in
the provinces Of Asia preaching the
word, but contrary to their inclination
they were hurried along. They might
have reasoned "What difference would
it make as to where we preach, Just
SO the Gospel is preached?" Though
seemingly small, the question as to
whether the Gospel should be
preached among the people in the
East or In the West has determined
the entire history of the church. Had
they preached among the people in
the East, Christianity would never
have become worldwide. On the other
hand, by laying hold upon the Grecian
intellect and combining with it the
push and energy of the Romans, it
became worldwide. In the guidance
of the Spirit we find Him just as ac-
tive and as faithful in closing doors
as in opening them. THE stops as
well as the steps of good man are
ordered of the Lord" We ought to
as truly recognize Gods hand in the
'shut-ins'' as well as in the "open-
OUTS
u. Called to Macedonia wv. 9-12).
A vision was given to Paul of man
from Macedonia pleading for help.
This was the solution of the mystery
Of closed doors about them. There is
negative and positive side to the
Spirits guidance. II we will note
both we shall be able to determine
with a surety the proper course Of ac-
tion. In order to be led Alright we
must be sure that we are willing to
be led. pray definitely for leading, and
then render willing obedience as fast
as the light comes. As soon as the
divine way was known they rendered
immediate obedience.
III. The First Convert in Europe
(vv. 13-15).
The missionaries went to Philippi.
The Jewish element in this city was
very Insignificant; SO much so that
they could not afford synagogue:
therefore the devout people were ac-
customed to worship at the river side.
To this humble gathering Paul came
and preached to the women gathered
there. certain woman from Thy
atira believed his message. and was
baptized. Lydia was woman OF
wealth. culture, and wide experience,
and yet she had need of Christ. The
steps in Lydia's conversion are worthy
Of note:
1. Attendance at the place of prayer
". 13). This Is the case with most
people who are saved.
.. Listened to the preaching Of the
word of God wv. 12-14). The instru-
ment used by the Holy Spirit in the
conversion Of sinners is the word Of
God. Faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God" (Rom.
1O:17).
3. Her heart was opened by the
Lord ". 14). Regeneration is su-
pernatural work. When the Gospel
is preached the Spirit Of God makes
It living and active. opening the sin
ner's heart for the reception Of Christ.
4. She was baptized ". 15). 1t is
natural for the one who believes in
| Christ to desire to be baptized.
s. Her household also believed
". 15). Thus we see that hers was
| a typical conversion.
~. A Spirit Of DivinatIon Cast Out
| wv. 1919.
AS the missionaries went out from
| day to day to the place of prayer they
were accosted by young woman pos
sessed by a spirit of divination. She
was owned by syndicate of men who
| derived large gains from her sooth-
| saving. This act of the woman be-
came a great annoyance TO Paul who,
in the name of Jesus Christ. com
manded the evil spirit to come out.
| Here is a case of a spiritual medium.
a fortune-teller, being freed from de-
| moniacal possession. Many men to-
day are making money by the degra-
| dation Of womanhood, and they resent
| all efforts to destroy their internal
business, even try to destroy those
who Interfere with their business.
Here as everywhere Satan blocks the
way as the Gospel of Christ is car
ried into new fields. but the Lord is
again triumphant.