Roanoke Rapids herald., 1921-08-26

LESSON TEXT-Acts 1868.
GOLDEN TEXT-And they said. believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou 7hait
be saved, and thy house-Acts 1881.
REFERENCE MATERIAL--Rom. 10 10
u.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Wonderful Dream.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Crosses Over Into
to Europe.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Beginning Work on New Continent
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.
J. 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 inclha-
tlon they were hurried along. There
were many people In Asia yet who
needed the Gospel. They might have
reasoned what difference would 1t
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 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 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
a. truly recognize Gods hand In the
"shut-ins" as we'll as In the "open-
outs"
u. Called TO Macedonia wv. 9-12).
Being now hemmed In on all sides,
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
a negative ard n positive side 10 the
Spirits guidance. If we will note
both we shall be able to determine
with surety the proper course of ac-
tlon. Iii order to be led Alright we
must b0 sure that we are willing to
be led, pray definitely for leading, aud
then render willing obedience as fast
as the light comes. AS soon as tho
divine way was known they rendered
immediate obedience.
~. The First Convert In Europe
wv. 1870.
The missionaries went to Phllippi
and spent several days studying the
conditions there The Jewish element
In this city was very insignificant;
50 much so that they could not afford
a synagogue; therefore the devout
people were accustomed to worship
at the river side. To this humble
gathering Paul came and preached to
the women gathered there. A certain
woman from Thyatira believed his
message. and was baptized. The work
of the Lord had very humble begin
ming. but 1t was destined to transform
all Europe and the world. Lydia was
womar of wealth, culture, and wide
experience, and yet she had need of
Christ. The steps In Lydia's conver-
sion are worthy of note:
/. Attendance at the place of prayer
". 13). This is the case with most
people who are saved. The Spirit Of
God puts II into the hearts Of the peo-
pie to come to the place of prayer.
2. Listened to the preaching of the
word Of God (vv 12-14). The instru-
ment used by the Holy Spirit In the
conversion Of sinners is the wori Of
God. Faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of Cod (Rom.
10:17).
3. Her heart was opened by the
Lord w. 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
". I5). Thus we see that hers was
A typical conversion.
~. A Spirit Of Divination Cast Out
wv. 16-1S)s
As the missionaries went out from
day to day to the place of prayer they
were accosted by young woman pos
sessed by spirit of dlvlnation. 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 case of spiritual medium,
n 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