Evening star., 1925-09-05
Sunday School Lesson

through a knowledge of the Christ and
the power Of His resurrection. His
religion had stood the test of time and
he had faith that it would be a win
ner in eternity. He had seen the
risen Lord and experienced the con-
verting power of that vision in his
own soul and the joys of salvation.
He hoped to share the power of JUS
tification through Christ's resurrec-
ton.
Paul saw in the Lords triumph
over the grave a power that quickens
ones spiritual life. The full expert
ence of its power was before the
apostle. 1t had been the source of
his conversion. 1t had caused him to
concentrate all his powers in an eff
fort of attaining the mark, which
would assure him the prize in the bat
tie of life. He forgot his past sue
cesses. He pressed on with all his
power in response to the heavenly
calling Of God in Christ, desiring to
obtain the citizenship of Heaven
through being identified with Him in
a life of self-denial, sacrifice and serv-
ice. He used his steadfastness in the
faith to encourage the members Of the
Philippian Church to obey the rules
Of the road.
Road Rules.
Every highway has to have rules
governing it's use. Paul in his closing
words made a practical application
of the message of gratitude and love,
contained in the epistle. TO the af-
fairs Of the church in Philippi AL
though his body was broken and bow
ed by the past. he kept a sweet spirit
ual outlook upon life. He had met the
hostility turbulence and menace along
hierh
through the presence of the Lord. It
was this spirit that enabled him to
rejoice and summon the various mem
bers of the church, especially, two Of
its leading women, TO lay aside the
spirit of distrust and dislike, so that
they can enjoy the spirit of joy and
peace.
He called them to consider the lovely
things. He impressed upon them
their duty to obey the precepts of
their faith, so as to be able to possess
a spirit of fopbearance toward one
another He pointed out for their con-
sideration the imminence of the Lord S
return. There is no doctrine of the
Scripture which is more productive of
developing Christian character than
the teachings concerning the second
coming of Christ Jesus. The hope
of His return will fill one with joy
anu a spirit LndI VIII prompt them
to overlook the small things, that are
apt to disturb their Christian fellow
ship.
The rules of the Christian highway
call for one to think of Gods power
and to intrust to His direction all the
affairs of life by prayer and thar
giving and not TO be anxious about
the outcome. 1t is by prayer and
thanksgiving and not TO be anxious
concerning the uotcome.. The one who
is anxious concerning coming events
accomplishes nothing. 1t weakens
and wears one out. 1t shows disre-
spect of the Lord. II is destructive
of the glorious liberty of the chill
dren of God "
The enjoyment of the freedom of
the Christian highway depends upon
obeying the rules of thinking along
the lines of whatsoever things are
true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and
good report The virtue and praise
that comes from considering these
things appears in our character and
conduct. The Christian who con-
siders these things will build up in
the likeness of Christ and will help
strengthen the church. LAS a man
thinketh, so is he" let us therefore
think in accordance with the high
calling Of God in Christ Jesus and be
obedient to His will. BY so doing we
will enjoy our fellowship with Christ
and commend our religion to others