The Dolores star., 1923-08-31

Of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:lA.
REFERENCE Romans
1871. I5.l5-2l. II Cor. ll:l-l2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Paul Be-
came a Christian.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul the Mission
AIRY. -.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Paul the DRuutl'ss.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-PauTs Contribution 10 Christianity.
Paul's name stands second to none
in the annals of history. The story OF
his life is Of perennial interest.
|. His Birth. ". cf. phil 3:lD.
lie was born in Tursus Of pure He
brew stock. He could with Legitimate
pride boast of godly ancestry. 1t is
highly Important that each generation
should SO live that no handlCaps be
placed upon their children.
H. His Home Training. (3:5).
His parents We're pious people and
carefully reared him according to Jew
lsh standards. Most religious leaders
spring out of such homes; for example.
Moses, Samuel. Timothy. Stern prin-
cIples Of integrity were inculcated in
him thus giving him strength Of char
actcr to impress the world. He was
strongly attached to the peculiarltieI
of the Jewish religion. The heroes
which nodded his life were such men
us Joseph, Moses. David, Isaiah instead
Of Achilles, Hercules and Ulysses,
III. His Education. (Acts = 81.
Ills Patriotism. He was brought
up to love his nation. He proudly at
tirmed. II am jew" Paul was
nationalist of the true type. Children
should be taught to love their nation.
"a Love for the Bible. The Scrip
lures were to him the very Word of
God. What was found written therein
was the final word for Him. Loss OF
love for the Bible and implicit faith
therein is II tragedy.
3-ZealOus for Cod (Acts % :3).
The word Jealous literally means ito
boil" Zeal without knowledge is bet.
ter than no zeal at all
demonstrations. His supreme aim
was to possess II conscience void Of
oifcnse. Conformity to the dictates of
conscience is demanded. 1t is the law
of life for every man that because of
the blight of sin the conscience needs
to be taught by Gods Word.
5-Hc Had Trade. Every Jewish
boy, regardless of his fathers wealth,
was taught a trade. 1t was SAYING
among them that. He who failed to
teach his son "A trade. taught him to
steal" This would be a good plan in
our modern days.
~. His Conversion. (Acts % :G-10).
1-On the Way to Damascus. ". 60,
He was the enemy OF Christ and was
on his way to Damascus authorized to
bring bound such Christians AS might
be found to Jerusalem to be punished.
While on this journey he had time for
reflection and conscience began to
work.
"A Light from Heaven. wv. 6-9),
AS this light burned through the sky
over him, he fell to the ground humil-
lated. Accompanying the light was
voice saying. Saul, why persecutest
thou meY" Upon inquiry as to who
was speaking. the Lord declared that
1t was Jesus of Nazareth whom he was
prosecuting.
3-An Honest Inquiry. ". 1O). He
was willing to do what the Lord willed,
so he was instructed to go to Damascus
where fuller light would be given.
V. His Estimate of Christ. Phil.
3:7-9).
When he came to know Christ, he
counted all but loss in comparison with
Him. He saw Christ as the supplier of
righteousness. He who has Christ and
His righteousness has everything worth
while.
vi. His Transcendent Aim. Phil.
3:1O1H.
Ills aim was to know the power
Of Christs resurrection. even that he
might be made conformable to His
death and have fellowship in His suf-
ferings.
He desired to attain unto the
resurrection of the dead This refers
to the first resurrection in which the
believers shall come forth from among
the wicked dead.
3-He pressed toward the mark. He
did not count that he had yet attained.
He deprecated his present attain.
ments. perceived the dignity of his
calling and pressed forward with all
his strength in order that he might win
the prize. The conditions which de.
termine growth are first, decided dis
satisfaction with present attainments:
second, perception of the height of
truth, and third, resolute determine
ton to attain ut whatever cost.