Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-08-29
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Brain) Acts 20:33-35; Philippians
4:4-13, for Sunday, Sept. |:
The two passages of this lesson
present two sides Of the same pic
ture. both giving US a true picture
of life; to the Ephesians he stresses
his independence, to the Philippians
he expresses his gratitude for SYM
pathy and interest.
V. 33. II have coveted no mans
silver, Or gold or apparel" Paul
would make clear the place for the
right motive in life; he was not
preaching for money though he
taught 1.-The laborer was worthy of
his hire
v. "a "Ye yourselves know that
these hands ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were
with me-" Not only did he provide
his own expenses, but he covered
the expenses Of his travelling COM
panions. He did more than reason
could demand.
v. 35. "In all things I gave you
an example, that SO laboring We
ought to help the weak, and to re-
member the words of the Lord Je-
sus, that he himself said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive" ,"
The short-sighted, sordid, soul
thinks that what it receives is clear
gain and whatever it gives is SO
much loss. But the truth is that
right giving is always richer than
gain.
V. a. Rejoice in the Lord al
way; and again l say rejoice" Of
ten faith is considered most funda-
mental in the Christian life. But
JOY is a corresponding virtue. Faith
is expressed in 345 Bible passages,
but joy in AIT. We believe in the
Lord in order that we may rejoice
in the Lord. If we are not joyous
Christians there is something wrong
with our faith.
V. 5. LET your moderation be
known to all men. The Lord is at
hand.' Paul proceeds to enumer-
ate some Of the means and forms of
Christian joy, the one in this verse
being forbearance such as he show
ed when in prison and in his many
prosecutions; forbearance follows
such faith in God as to make Christ
real and a present help in time of
trouble.
V. 6. "In nothing be anxious;
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with Thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto
God" Anxiety is a ruinous mastery
and a sign Of lack of faith in God.
There can be little joy to the anx-
ious soul. A faithful prayer life dis
pels anxiety and makes for faith
and hope and joy.
V. Z. "And the peace of God
which passeth all understanding
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus" With the
experience Of JOY is coupled the ex-
perience of a sweet peace, that per-
feet quietness of soul, that cannot
be explained by reason, but is a
mark of consecrated Christian eX-
perience.
V. s. ,"Finally, brethren whatso-
ever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are love-
ly, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, if
there be any praise think on these
things. One rises to the level of
his thinking; it is imperative then
that one use all his will power in
considering those things that are
honorable, just, pure, lovely, and
all else that is praiseworthy he
will lay hold of the best literature
and associate with only the best,
that his thinking may be on high
level
V. 8. "Those things which ye
have both learned and received and
heard and seen in me, do; and the
God of peace shall be with you. y
Paul taught the value of teaching
by example; he was not exhibiting
pride in calling attention to his
Christian life-it was the practical
way of preaching then as we'll as