The Coolidge examiner., 1936-08-28

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GOLDEN TEXT-And he said unto
them. Go ye into all the world. and
preach the gospel to every creature.
PRIMARY ToPIc-on a Journey for
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Gospel Starts
| Around the World.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Holy Spirit in. Missions.
The normal expression of saliva
| ton in the life of believer is a pas
sion for the conversion of others.
The early church soon began to full
| fill the great commission of it's Lord
and Master. It's first missionary en-
terprise was in the great and wicked
city of Antioch, only $50 miles from
Jerusalem, but far from God. In
this unpromising soil we find grow
ing:
1. A Model Mission Church WV.
19-2D.
Its establishment was in accord
with the plan of God, for it was:
l. The result of a faithful testi-
mony (vv. 10, 20).
Those who were scattered abroad
by persecution had but one crown
ing purpose-"preaNhing the Lord
Jesus
2. A gathering place for all God S
people wv. 10, 20). The truth was
| preached to both Jews and Gentiles.
3. A living witness in a wicked
city ". 2D.
''The hand of the Lord was with
them" Little wonder then that "a
great number believed and turned
unto the Lord" Note in verse 26
that it was in Antioch that the fol-
lowers of Christ were first called by
the beautiful name Christians. In
the midst of the most evil and de-
graded surroundings the sweet flow
er of Christian faith may grow.
II. The Model Mission Church Be-
comes Model Missionary Church
| Q3:1-1O.
We have here the first step in the
worldwide missionary movement
which continues to our day and
which has influenced the destinies
of men and shaped the course of
world history.
This first missionary enterprise
presents the essential principles
and methods which are vital to true
missionary work, even in our day.
To begin with, there must be a
proper base of operation, namely:
/. The home church (vv. 1-3.
God calls his messengers right
out of the church membership. On
the Sunday that this lesson is taught
missionary leaders of the next gen.
Grafton will be in the classes of
some crossroads Sunday school.
How important it will be that the
teacher present the truth of God S
Word plainly and faithfully.
Notice that this church was spir-
itually alive. 1t was church that
prayed, tasted, and ministered the
Word of God. 1t was responsive to
the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
was ready to sacrifice by giving up
it's leading men for the missionary
cause.
Next we have indicated the type
Of men called to be:
2. The missionaries (vv. 2-4).
a. The strongest men in the church
". q.
When you want something done,
ask busy man to do it. Gods mis-
sionary program calls for the best
the church can give, not misfits or
failures.
b. Spirited men wv. 3, ~.
God chooses and sends men into
service. He separates and places
them. We must be responsive to
Gods call for us and be quick to
assist men and women who are
called by God.
3. Missionary experiences (vv. s.
12).
a. Minister to all people wv. SD.
Paphos was a Greek city of high
culture and low morals. 1t was
ruled by Sergius Paulus, Roman
officer of noble character. With
him was Barjesus also called Ely
mas, a wicked Jew. The mission
ary messenger rejoices in the op-
portunity to preach to Greek, Ro-
man, and Jew, of high or low es-
tate, interested or bitterly antag-
onistic to the gospel.
b. Meet satanic opposition (vv. g.
100.
The devil has his servants who
live only to oppose the gospel. No.
tice that even as God has children
so also there are children "of the
devil ". 1). We choose our spir-
itual family connections.
c. Proclaim judgment on sin ".
ID.
This is not an easy thing to do but
is required of one who is filled with
the Holy Spirit"
d. Lead men to Christ ". 12).
In this case it was the result of
fear, which is powerful factor in
the conversion of some men.
The Masters commission, "go ye
into all the world and preach the
gospel" has never been altered,
modified, or abrogated. 1t is still
the great unfinished business of
the church.