Middletown transcript., 1921-08-27
LESSON FOR AUGUST %
FROM ASIA TO EUROPE.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 16:6-1s.
GOLDEN TEXT-Ard they said, believe
On the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved. and thy house.-Acts 1851.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Rom. 15:15-
II.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Wonderful Dream
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Crosses Over Into
In Europe.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
beginning Work on New Continent.
YOUNG PEOPLI: and ADULT TOPIC
Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.
|. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to
Preach the Word wv. 6-S).
We have here 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 inclina'
ton 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 Grecian
intellect and combining with it 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. 1.-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 well as in the 'Open-
OUTS
u. Called to Macedonia wv. 9-12)
Being now hemmed in OH 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
negative and a positive side to the
Spirits guidance. If we will note
both we shall be able to determine
with surety the proper course Of ac'
ton. In order to be led Alright we
must he 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
wv. 1870.
The missionaries went to Philippi
and spent several days studying the
conditions there The Jewish element
in this city was very insignificant;
so 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 a very humble begin
ding, but it was destined to transform
all Europe and the world. Lydia was
Il woman of wealth, culture, and wide
experience, and yet she had need of
Christ. The steps in Lydias CONVEX
sion are worthy Of note:
I. Attendance at the place of prayer
ic with YnnSt
people who are saved. The Spirit of
God puts it into the hearts of the peO-
pie to come to the place of prayer.
.. 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.
10:1O.
3. Her heart was opened by the
Lord ". 14). Regeneration is su
perEatural 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.
i. She was baptized ". 15). 1t is
natural for the one who believes in
Christ to desire to be baptized.
). Her household also believed
". 15). Thus we see that hers was
!. typical conversion.
". A Spirit of Divination Cast Out
wv 16-1S).
AS the missionaries went out from
day to day to the place Of prayer they
were accosted by young woman pos
Sessel by Il spirit Of divination. She
was owned by syndicate of men who |
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 |
llanded the evil spirit to come out. |
Here is a case of u spiritual medium. |
il fortune-teller, being freed from de-
,noniacal possession. Many men to-
Iiay are making money by the degra-
ilation 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.
led into new fields, but the Lord is
again triumphant.