The Coolidge examiner., 1936-10-16

NOLDEN 1EA1-lHe WOIo oI 6OQ
is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword. Heb. 4:12.
PRIMARY TOPIC-When People Read
the Bible
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Power of Jesus
Name.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP.
IC-How May Win Others to Christ?
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Evangelism and the Bible.
The persecution at Philippi served
not to discourage Paul and Silas,
but rather to send them forward
into new territory with the gospel
message. Passing through tW o
cities they came to Thessalonica,
then as now a city Of considerable
Importance. After successful
though stormy ministry there they
journeyed forty miles further to
Berea, where the Word was re-
ceived with gladness.
The portion of our lesson from
the Book of Acts relates how the
Word was preached and received
in these two cities, and the excerpt
from the letter which Paul later
wrote to the Thessalonian church
shows what manner of life the
preacher sought to live among
them.
1. Preaching the Word (Acts I'LL,
$50.
PauPs experience at Thessalonica
presents an excellent illustration of
1. How the Word should be
preached wv. /, 5-8).
This section is incomplete with
out verses "a, which are omitted
from the printed portion but should
be included in the study of the
lesson. Notice four things concern
ing his preaching.
a. The place ". -. Paul went
to the synagogue, not by chance
or because it was a great religious
holiday, but because it was his
"custom." The synagogue was the
center of Jewish worship, and there
Paul met those who were ready to
receive the Word of God.
Some Christians are content to
remain comfortably in church and
forget to 60 out into the highways
and hedges, but there are others
who have become so accustomed
to going elsewhere that they neglect
the opportunity for spiritual min
istry in the church.
b. The method (vv. 2-3). "Rea-
soning from the Scriptures" No
better method has ever been de-
vised. 1t is Gods method. Let
US get back to exposition of the
Scriptures-"opening" them to men
and women, "alleging," or setting
out in order the truth.
C. The subj ect ". 81. He
preached three fundamental doc
trines-the atonement, the resurrec-
ton, and the deity of Christ. Scrip
ture prea ching will be doctrinal
prea ching. We need more of it.
d. The result wv. 4-8). Faithful
prea ching of Gods Word brings one
of two results in the hearts of men
they are either persuaded" and
converted, or they become angry
and persecute. Those who. rightly
received the truth were glad to join
with Paul; the others raised hue
and cry because Paul and Silas
we're turning 1.-The world upside
down." AS a matter. of fact the
world was already wrongside up,
and Paul sought to set it right.
1t is still upside down in our day.
Let us not be surprised if it objects
to our efforts to bring it to its
senses.
Coming to Berea, we find Paul's
experience there an illustration of
2. How the Word should be re-
ceived (vv. Gid.
Good hearers are as important
as good prea chers. How should the
Word be received?
a. With readiness Of mind ".
I'D. This is a mark of nobility.
The world regards the sophisticated
doubter as the learned man, but
he is not. Noble is the mind and
heart that readily receives Gods
truth.
b. Carefully and thoughtfully ".
ID. There would be less error and
folly in the pulpit if there were
more intelligent Bible study in the
pew. Do not assume that what
some learned professor, or distin-
guished radio preacher says is true.
Check his message by the Word of
God.
In the final portion of our lesson
Paul tells the TheSSalonians that
when he was with them he was
concerned not only about prea ching
the Word, but also about
III. Living the Life q Ihess. 2:7-1O.
Paul did not contradict his
prea ching by his living. His was
l. Sacrifcial service wv. 7-9.
The man who breaches for his
own glory-or gain-is not true
prea cher of the gospel.
Q. Consistent example (vv.
10-12).
The minister of Christ must be-
have ''holily, righteously, and I'M
blamably' if his people are to walk
worthy of God"