Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-07-16


GOLDEN TEXT-"Blessed are they
which are prosecuted for righteous
ness sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven" Matt. $40.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Paul Heals a
Lame Man.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Stoned at Lys-
ira.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Going Forward in the Face of Diff
ieulties.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Tribulatons and Triumphs of Mis-
sionaries.
/. Paul and Barnabas Preaching at
Iconium wv I'D.
Their experience here was similar
to that at Antioch. They entered the
Jewish synagogue and preached caus-
ing a multitude of Jews AMI Gentiles
to believe. The upbeieyng Jews
stirred UP the Gentles to the most
bitter opposition.
/. Their Manner Of Preaching ".
y.
This is suggested by the little WORD
so" in verse one. They SO spale that
a great multitude believed They were
true preachers Only thai which brings
conviction of sin and induces decisions
for Christ can be truly called preach
ing in the Biblical sense. 1t is not
enough to merely bring the truth to
the people 1t must be brought In
such way that men and women will
decide for Christ. This is also true of
the Sunday school teacher.
2. Their Attitude Towards Opposi-
ton (v. 81
This is suggested by the word
therefore" Long time therefore they
tarred. The opposition did not pre-
vent their preaching, hut melted
them to continue preaching.
3, The Lord Accompanied Their
Preaching With Miracles (v. g.
Since the opposition was so fierce,
the Lord granted special help which
was needed
4. The Effect Of Their Preaching
". a.
The multitude of the city was di-
vided. Where men faithfully preach
the gospel, there will be division.
5. Paul and Barnabas Assaulted
wv SD.
The Jews and the Gentiles united in
this assault Being appraised of their
effort, they fed TO Lystra and Derbe.
II. An Attempt to Worship Paul
and Barnabas as Gods wv. S-1S),
/. The Occasion wv. $40.
1t was the healing of the lame man.
Gods gracious power shown in heal
ing this lame man occasioned a new
difficulty. That which ought to have
been help was turned into
hindrance. This was a notable mir
acle. The man was confirmed
cripple. He had never walked. On
hearing Paul preach, faith was born
in his heart (Rom. 1017. When Paul
perceived that he trusted Christ. he
called with loud voice that all could
hear for the man to stand upright.
The cure was instantaneous for he
leaped up and walked ". 10).
2. The Method wv. 11-13).
Barnabas they called Jupiter and
Paul, Mercurius. because he was the
chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter
brought oxen and garlands ready to
offer sacrifice unto these men ". 13).
g. Their Efforts Frustrated wv.
14-1S).
This foolish act was happily averted
by the tact of the apostles.
Cd They denied that they were d.
vine beings and declared that to wor-
ship beings with like passions to them
selves was criminal
(2) They directed the people to
turn away from these vain things unto
the living God who made heaven and
EARTH and has left witness of Himself
in that He has always done good, Civ
ing rain and fruitful seasons, and fill
ing their hearts with gladness.
III. The stonins of Paul wv 49,
22).
Wicked Jews from Antioch and
Iconium pursued Paul with relentless
hate to this place where they stirred
up the very people who were willing
to worship them little while before
This shows that satanic worship can
soon be turned into satanic hate This
hatred took form in stoning Paul and
dragging him out of the city for dead
God raised him UP, and with undaunt-
ed courage, he pressed on with his
missionary duties, bearing the good
, tidings to the lost.
~. The Organization Of Churches
in the Field wv. 23-2S).
EMANCIPATION with Paul did not
meana hasty and superficial preaching
Of the gospel, but the establishment
of a permanent work. Elders were
appointed in every church The work
Of the missionary is not done untfl
governing ana self-propagating
churches are established on the fed