The Coolidge examiner., 1936-12-24
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Improved N SUNDAY
Uniform oC-~~-
-:-LESSON = =
By REV. HAROLD L. LUNDOUIST,
Dean OF the Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.
g Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for December u
THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY
IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

LESSON TEXT-Hebrews ALA: 1872
1872
GOLDEN TEXT-The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever. Revelations
HIS.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Christma Round
the World.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Into All the World.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Why the Gospel Spread So Rapidly.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP.
IC-The Spread of the Gospel in South
ern Europe.
History has marveled at the
spread of the Christian faith in a
wicked and hostile world. Dark
were the days upon the earth when
the handful of believers in Jesus
Christ set out to preach the gospel.
Why did the Christian faith spread
so rapidly and build so soundly for
the future? The answer is found in
our lesson for today. 1t is three
fold. They declared
/. A Great Salvation (2:1-4.
The preaching of the apostles set
an example of sound teaching. They
knew that no programs" or
drives" would suffice to meet the
need of the world stepped in sin
and superstition. They preached a
great salvation, real gospel, and
God set his seal of approval upon
their work.
The presentation of Gods Word
and his gospel in the power of the
Holy Spirit is still the way of vic
torious usefulness for any believer
and any church.
Turning now to the great faith
chapter of Hebrews, we see the Sec
ond reason for the spread of Chris
tianity. Bible preaching brought
forth Bible believers men and
women who obtained "a good report
through faith
ii. A Victorious Faith 11:32-40).
Right presentation and proper ap-
prehension of Gods Word produces
noble and sacrifcial living.
The world is mot worthy" of it's
heroes Of faith. In fact, it not only
fails to recognize them and their
mighty deeds but mocks, Scourges,
tortures, and saws them asunder.
But they are written down in Gods
book of remembrance. He rightly
evaluates their faith and their nobil-
ity of character.
We need to learn of God how to
regard our fellow men lest we fol-
low the crowd in giving praise to
those who merit it not, and fail to
recognize the unsung heroes of faith
in our own communities and
churches who are the very salt of
the earth.
The final section of our lesson fol-
lows the first two in perfect Sc
quence of thought. We have noted
the apostolic message concerning
Gods great salvation. We have
seen that the gospel is indeed the
power of God which not only saves
but which produces heroic living.
Now we turn to our obligation to
continue that glorious succession of
these who live by faith.
III. A Race to Run Q2:1-2).
The picture in the writer's mind
is the great Olympic arena. All
around are the spectators. A race
is to be run. What a striking pic
ture of Christian life. For it, too,
is race. 1t has a prize, both
here and in the hereafter. 1t calls
for intense activity. 1t brings us
before those who either jeer at us
or cheer us on our way.
Many are the things which may
hinder a runner. One thing he can
not do is carry weights. These may
not be sinful things but those which
may be a hindrance to spiritual
progress. Let us put them away!
And then there is sin-that treach-
erous enemy that so subtly "be-
sets u.s. and entangles us. By
Gods grace let us cast it aside.
Greater than all the hindranceS is
the One in whose name we run and
to whom we look for victory. Look
ing past the difficulties, the specta-
tors, and even the course itself, we
see him who is "the author and
perfecter of our faith" The secret
of victory is to
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.