Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-10-29

Lord. and in the power of his might" =
Eph. 6:10.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Lovlng and obey
ing Our Parents.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How to Be Strong.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Strong Armor for Hard Fight
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Fight Against Strong Drink.
This is not a temperance lesson in
the usual sense that it deals with in
toxicants, but in the sense that it has
to do with the believers walk in con-
fict with the devil. Perhaps there has
been no time when the evil one has
made such a terrific fight as he is
now doing in his attempt to nullify
the Eighteenth amendment The Chris
tan has been saved by grace. Though
his redemption is free. between it's
beginning and consummatiOn there is
a real, severe and protracted conflict.
This conflict is most difficult and
dangerous because it is not with flesh
and blood, but with principalities,
powers and spiritual hosts of wick
edness in high places. Though the
conflict is severe and painful, we
should bravely battle on because the
issue is sure if we go forth in the
panoply of God.
/. The Source of the Believers
Strength ". 10Y.
1t is in the Lord. Only as the
branch is united to the vine, or as a
limb is united to the body, is there
strength of life. We dare not attempt
this conflict in human strength and
wisdom.
+ II. The Enemy wv. Hip.
The enemy is the devil, a personal
malicious being, with his many sub
ordinates His personality is proven
ty the names given him, and actions
predicated of him. He has an exalted
position, and is mighty in power, and
all unsaved men are under his power.
He is the original sinner, and is ex-
tremely cunning. He has power over
death; enters into men; blinds their
eyes lays snares for them, and Sits
Gods servants In carrying on his
work, he has his churches and min
listers. However, he is resting under
a curse The death blow was given
on the cross, and he will receive his
doom in the lake of fire.
III. The Christians Armor wv.
1910.
This means that his weapons Of
/ offensive and defensive warfare are
not of mans devices. Just as his
strength is from the Lord, so is his
armor The believer dare not act
merely on the defensive. lie must
attack his spiritual enemies as well
as resist their spiritual attack.
1. A Girdle of Truth ". 40.
The trath Of God, sincerely and
honestly embraced, alone Will avail
in this conflict Reason, tradition
speculation and dead orthodoxy via
! fail in the crucial hour
2. The Breastplate of Christ's Right
eousness ". 14).
| AS the meta plate covered the vital
organs of the warrior. so the right
| esusRess Of Christ protects MS freM
the enemy's assault.
g. Feet She'd With the Preparation
of the Gospel Of Peace w. 15).
This suggests the firm foothold Of
| the soldier and his alacrity readiness
to proclaim the message of peace.
T. Shield of Faith ". 16).
! BY this he is able to quench all
| the fiery darts of The wicked Christ
| is the object OF that faith.
5. The Helmet of Salvation ". ~.
| hlac
man. knowing that he is child of
| God. and felow-citzen with the saints,
! to lift up his head with confidence
and to vigorously assault the enemy.
g. The Sword of the Spirit ". 1O.
This is the Word of God the
Christians offensive weapon; with it
he can most effectively put his enemy
to flight This Christ used in the
| temptations in the wilderness, Matt.
"A, 7. 10, H. The church Of Christ
has won all her triumphs by the Word
of God Where she goes on using
this, she goes on conquering but
when she falls back upon reason. cul-
ture,, traditions, science, or the COM
mandments of men. she goes down In
defeat before the adversary.
~. The Way to Get Strength to
Use the Armor, and Courage to Face
the Foe wv. 1920.
ThlsSis by prayer-and prayer alone.
1. Every Variety and Method of
Prayer should Be Employed ". 49,.
.. He Prays for His Comrades. "All
the Saints" ". lS)
He sees all the believers standing
shoulder to shoulder against the
enemy,
3 He Is Persistent ". 1S.