Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
LESSON FOR DECEMBER l6
WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

81; Rom. 15:lS-21.
GOLDEN TEXT am not ashamed
of the gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Preaching by a
Riverside.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Paul Crosses the
Sea.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Paurs Ambition.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
--Paufs Aim and Methods.
The Gospel having broken the con-
fines of the Jewish city ana country,
the middle wall of partition being
abolished, the time came for it to leap
across the Aegean sea and begin its
conquest of another continent. Chris
Eanity thus ceased to be an oriental
religion and through the centuries has
been mainly occidental.
l. Call to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-1D.
!. The Vision ". %. Being hemmed
in on all sides, vision was given to
Paul of man OF Macedonia pleading
for help. This made plain to him the
dosed doors about him. The Spirit
az definitely leads in the closing of
some doors as in the opening of 9th
ers. In finding the divine will we
should look both ways. Before there
can be any great forward movement
there must be a vision. The great
achievements Of men are the products
Of visions.
Q. The Advance wv. 10, 1D. As
soon as the divine way was known
they moved forward therein. Visions
must be quickly translated into ag-
gressive actions or else they are blot
ted from our skies. They neither
questioned the wisdom of God nor de-
layed action. This is characteristic
Of all of Gods true servants. With a
straight course Paul moved out of his
own country to the strategic center of
new continent.
II. The First Convert in Europe
(Acts 16 :12-15).
The missionaries first went to Philip
pi and spent several days in studying
conditions there. The Jewish element
IN this city was comparatively insig
nificant, SO much so that they could
not have a synagogue. Therefore, the
devOut people were accustomed to wOr-
ship by the riverside. To this humble
gathering Paul came and preached to
the women assembled there. A certain
woman from Thyatira, a proselyte,
believed his message and was bap-
bn orb Of No T ri
had very humble beginning, but it
was destined to transform all Europe
and the world. The steps in Lydia S
conversion are worthy of note for
they are typical.
/. Attendance at the Place Of Wor-
ship ". 49,. Usually those whom God
Is calling are found at the place Of
prayer. Lydia was seeking the heav-
enly light God sends many an In
quirer to the prayer meeting.
2. Listening to the Preaching of the
Word of God wv. ID. 14). 1t Is highly
important that at every prayer meet
ing the Word Of God shall be spoken,
so that the inquirer after God may
find the light.
8. Her Heart Was Opened by the
Lord ". 14). Only the Lord can con-
vert a soul 1t is our business to
preach the Word of God and it is
Gods business to open the heart of
the inquirer. No one is ever converted
against his will
4. She Was Baptized ". 80. Every
nr,a ~ WI hae n
desires to confess Him in baptism.
5. Her Household Believed Also ".
151. This was as 1t should be. Real
conversion cannot be concealed.
6. Practiced Hospitality ". 10y.
Those who have experienced Gods
saving grace are at once disposed to
have part in His work by rendering
aid to His ministers
III. Paul Preaching in Rome (Acts
Is 80, 81.
Paul continued his labors in widen
ing his testimony to the world amongst
thrilling experiences. In spite Of beat
ings, shipwrecks and imprisonments,
we find him near the close of his life
in the imperial capitol city. Though
"a prisoner he continues to preach the
Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ In
the providence Of God, he had liberty
to preach the Gospel to all who came
to him.
~. Paups Aim in Preaching the
Gospel Was Worldwide (Hom. 15i
1920.
His hearts transcendent desire was
to so preach the Gospel that the Cen.
tiles might become obedient to the
faith In order that this might be ac-
complished he pushed cut into unex-
piored regions, so that the light OF
the Gospel might shine into the dark
ness Of the heather world. May we
follow his example, for there is much
work to be done.