The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-10-02

Romans 1854.
GOLDEN TExT-oo 70 therefore. and
teach all MISUNDERSTANDING rS:1s.
PRIMARY TOPIC - Paurs Wonderful
Dream.
JUNIOR roPIc-aod's Call to . New
Continent
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
IC-A Cry for Help.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tho Worlds Need OF Christ
The roots Of American life, cul-
tural and religious, reach back in
to the European soil on which our
forefathers dwelt. The lesson be-
fore us is therefore of peculiar in
terest, for it relates the first step
in the carrying Of the gospel into
Europe. and ultim ately to
America.
Paul, the missionary with a pas
tors heart, felt constrained to 60
and visit the centers where he had
ministered on his first journey. AS
he proceeded he was providentially
hindered and led by the Holy Spirit
to Troas. Here his next "step"
seemed for time to be STOP"
but soon God in a vision called
him into Maoedonia-and the COS
pei had come to Europe.
It is Of interest to note that Paul,
as he thus began his second mis-
sionary journey. was
I. .Obedient to the Spirit (Acts
16:6-f2).
He had certain plans in mind.
He set out with q purpose, but
he was willing to have his own
itinerary changed as the Holy
Spirit led. 1t is significant that the
guidance was negative as well as
positive. The stops as well as "the
steps Of a good man are ordered
by the Lord" Cps. 1929. Chris
tians will do well to remember that
providential hindering circum-
stances may be as much the lead
ing of God as the heavenly vision.
We are to be obedient to any guild
ance He gives but we are not to
be merely passive, but actively
submissive to His will. Paul was
about the Fathers business, not
idly waiting for the speaking of a
voice from heaven. It is to such
a man or woman that the Mace
DOMAIN call comes even In our day,
only now it comes from China,
India, South America, or Africa.
III. Faithful in Testimony wv. 10,
14).
Paul, with his companion Silas,
Timothy who had joined them at
Lystra, and Luke (note that the
"they" of v. becomes 1--WE" in
v. 1O) came to Philippi in Mace
donia, but they found no Mace
DOMAIN man waiting for them. Had
they been mistaken in their vision
and call?
True missionaries are not thus
easily discouraged. They had come
to be fishers of men. The fisher
man does not expect the fish to
come to him. He goes after them.
Paul soon discovered that there
was a place of prayer at the river,
evidently a gathering place of de-
Vout Jews for worship. There he
met the man of Macedonia who
turned out to be a woman. For
some reason the men were absent
from the place of prayer on the!
all = important Sabbath morning.
Lydia was a woman of distinc-
ton, business ability, and of high
moral character. But Paul knew
that even good people need to be
saved. He spoke the truth of God.
She accepted the message as God
opened her heart, and at once she
entered into
iii. Fellowship in Service WIS.,.
Lydia proved herself to be one
OF that noble succession of women
who have served Christ and the
church. She and her household
shared in the ministry Of Paul by
their Christian hospitality, thus
helping forward the missionaries.
Observe carefully that she was not
saved by her works, but that her
works followed naturally after her
salvation.
turning now to one Of the epis-
ties OF Paul we look at his exposi-
ton of certain
~. Fundamental Missionary
Principles (Rom. 15:18-2D.
Those things which Christ h a d
wrought paul took no glory to
himself) through him Paul had
consistently directed into fields
where no one else had preached
the gospel.
The spirit of the missionary of
the cross is that Of the pioneer,
pressing ever onward, taking new
land, not duplicating the work of
others, not Jealous of their sue
cess, not seeking comfort or glory.
Men need the gospel; they are lost
without 1t. Let us press on into
the yet unoccupisd territory.
Sorrow and Enjoyment
We are sent here. in one sense, TO
bear and to suffer: but, in another.
to do and to enjoy The active day
has its evening of repose; even pa
tient sufferance has its alleviations.
when there Is a consolatory sense
OF duty discharged. Scott.