Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-06
LESSON FOR DECEMBER Is
WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

LESSON TExT--Acts 1876: 1880.
IL; Rom. 1881.
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 .
Riverside.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Crosses the
Sea.
INTERMEDIATES AND sENIoR,ToP-
IC-Paufs Ambition.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-PauIs Aim and Methods.
The Gospel having broken the con-
fines of the Jewish city and 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
tianity thus ceased to be an oriental
religion and through the centuries has
been mainly occidental.
!. 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
closed doors about him. The Spirit
as 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
2. 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
straight course Paul moved out of his
own. country to the strategic center of
a 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 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-
tized. The work of the Lord thus
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 w. 13). Usually those whom God
is calling are found at the place of
prayer. Lydia was seeking the heav-
emily light. God sends many an in
Quirer to the prayer meeting.
q Listening to the Preaching of the
Word of God wv. 13, 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
3. Her Heart Was Opened by the
Lord ". 14). Only the Lord can con-
vert soul. 1t is our business to
preach the Word of God and 1t Is
Gods business to open the heart of
the inquirer. No one is ever converted
against his will.
A. She Was Baptized w. 15). Every
one whose heart the Lord has opened
desires to confess Him in baptism.
5. Her Household Believed Also ".
15). This was as it should be. Real
conversion cannot be concealed.
6. Practiced Hospitality w. 15).
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
% 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
4 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.
w. Paurs Aim in Preaching the
Gospel Was Worldwide (Rom. Is:
1920.
His hearts transcendent desire was
to so preach the Gospel that the Gen
tiles might become obedient to the
faith. In order that this might be ac-
complished he pushed cut into unex-
plored 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
Prayer.
Bring your plans your purposes to