Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-09-03
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SllrrldaySchool
' Lesson '
tBy REV. P B. FITzwATER. DID,, Dean
Of the Evening School. Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago.)
10. 1925. Western Newspap per Union.)
Lesson for September 6
PAUL WRITES TO THE
PHILIPPIANS.
LESSON TExT-Phil s:7-ls: as


LESSON TEXT-Phil. 3:7-l6; 49,
GOLDEN TEXT can do all things
through Christ which strengthened
me."-Phil Alb
PRIMARY ToPIc-Paul and His
Friends
JUNIOR ToPIC-Paul Pressing To-
ward the Goal
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Choosing the Best Things
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Christians Goal
The contents of the epistle may be
summarized as follows:
l. Salutation dip.
2. Thanksgiving and prayer in which
he shows his loving interest in them
G:3-11.)
3. Triumph of the gospel in spite
of opposition Q:12-26).
q. Duties enjoined Il :27-2:1S).
8. Pauls promise to send Timothy
and Epaphroditus (2:19-3O)
9. Exhortations and warnings (3:1-
AID.
Z. Renewed appeal for unity a :2-9)
s. Personal matters a 1929.
Tile essential message Of Philip
plans Is revelation of the mind which
should dominate the Christian.
I. All Things Loss for Christ g .7-9).
The occasion for this remarkable
declaration was the claim of the.
Judaizing teachers for legal righteous
ness. In chapter 3:4-6 he enumerates
the grounds upon which he had
right to base his claims for legal
righteousness.
|. "Circumcised the eighth day" In
keeping with the demands of the law.
2. "Of the stock of Israel" related
by blood and birth.
3. Tribe of Benjamin." from which
the first king was chosen, and which
always remained loyal TO the nation
4. IAN Hebrew Of the Hebrews" In
contrast with some of mixed parent
age
5. Touching the law, Pharisee,"
the sect most Jealous for the ritual
of Judaism.
6. Concerning zeal, prosecuting the
the church.
Z. Touching the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless," as
to the condition of life demanded by
the law.
All Of these, valuable in themselves
when placed alongside Of the excel
lency of the knowledge of Christ were
abandoned for a better thing. The
vision of Christ gave him the true
perspective of values. In this light
he saw the utter worthlessness of
these things. After some thirty years
of such trials and sufferings as per-
haps no other human being ever knew,
he has no regrets and still counts
them as refuse in comparison with
what he had gained in Christ.
II. PauPs Present Desire wv. 1O-11).
l. THAT | May Know Him."
Personal acquaintance with the Lord
was his supreme desire. To know
the saving grace of Christ is good,
but to know Christ is infinitely bet
ter
4. ne uNSt VI Ills. heSuFfeCClOn.
This is an advance thought over
personal acquaintance 1t is the ex-
preston of the life of Christ through
the apostle. It is the power you gain
TO overcome, the mastery over sin
and self
3. Fellowship of His Susserings.'
Not only identified with Christ in
His sufferings by imputation, but that
he might fill UP that which is behind
of the affections of Christ (Col. :24).
4. "Attain Unto the Resurrection of
the Dead (v. ~
This will be accomplished when the
Lord comes Il Thess. 4:16-1D
III. Pressing Toward the Goal wv.
12-16).
Paul clearly grasped the meaning of
his perfection in Christ. yet he was
keenly conscious of his personal Iimi-
tations Herein is expressed the true
law Of progress in the spiritual life.
|. Conscious of Limitations (v. 12l
The first step towards progress is
to be profoundly dissatisfied with
personal attainments. No intellectual
advancement is ever made by those
who think they know enough, who are
satisfied with what they have.
2. Conscious of Transcendent Coal
". 13).
The Christian life is an upward call
ing.
3. A Resolute Determination to
Reach the Goal ". 14).
He declares. This one thing l do"
w The Right Occupation Of the
Mind tch. 4:1S)
ghe ideal controls the man. "As a
man. thinketh in his heart, so is he"
When once the mind IS guarded and
controlled by the peace of God, it will
dwell upon spiritual things.