The Jasper news., 1921-08-25

REFERENCE MATERIAL,-Rom. 1S:i6-
PRIMARY ToPIc-A wonderful Dream
JUNIOR ToPIC-Paul Crosses Over Into
to Europe.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
beginning Work on a New Continent.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.
!. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to
Preach the Word (vv. 8-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
1t make as to where we preach, just
so the Gospel Is preachedr 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 Greclan
intellect and combining with 1t the
push and energy Of the Romans, 1t
became worldwide. In the guidance
Of the Spirit we find Him just as &C
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 tho
''shut-ins" as well as in the "open-
outs"
u. Called to Macedonia .(vv. 9-12).
A vision was given to Paul Of a man
from Macedonia pleading for help.
This was the solution Of the mystery
OF closed doors about them. There iS
a negative and a positive side to the
Spirits guidance. If 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. Tho 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 a 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. A certain woman from Thy
atira believed his message, and was
baptized. Lydia was a woman OF
wealth, culture, and wide experience,
and yet she had need OF Christ. The
steps In Lydia'g conversion are worthy
Of note:
i. Attendance at the place Of prayer
". 13). This is the case with most
people who are saved
2. Listened to the preaching of the
word Of God (vw 12-14). The instru
ment used by the Holy Spirit in the
conversion Of sinners is the word OF
God. sFaith cometh by hearing, emo
hearing by the word Of God" tRom
! 10:1D.
Lord ". 14). Regeneration Is su
pernatural work. When the Gospe
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 ". 16). 1t Il
natural for the< one who believes II
Christ to desire to be baptized.
8. Her household also believed
". 15). Thus we see that hers wal
a typical conversion.
~. A Spirit Of DIvlnatlon Cast ou
wv, 1919.
As the missionaries went out from
day to day to the place Of prayer the,
were aceosted by young woman pos
sessed by spirit OF divlnation. Sh'
was owned by syndicate OF men VIII
derived large gains from her sooth
saying. This act Of the woman be
came great annoyance to Paul who
in the name OF Jesus Christ. com
manded the evil spirit to come out
Here Is case OF spiritual medium
fortune-teller. being freed from de
moniacal possession. Many men to
day are making money by the degra
dalton Of womanhood. and they resen
all efforts to destroy their inferna
business, even try TO destroy thos
who Interfere with their business