The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-05-23

| GOLDEN TEXT-Then Peter opened hi,
J mouth. and said. OF Ruth perceive tina
Soo Is no respecter OF persons.-Acis 10: "a
1.-THE best argument for Christian.
lty IS a Christian" (Henry Drum
mond). Peter presented just such
an argument when, early in the his
tory of Christianity, there arose a
; difference Of opinion regarding his
ministry to Gentle and his family.
The stumbling stone of offense be-
came a stepping stone TO higher
Things, leading to the place of broad
er horizons. Peter, instead of ap-
! pealing to his apostolic authority or
asserting his position, simply relat-
ed what God had done. He present
ed the best proof that God had actu-
ally been at work; namely, a re-
! deemed soul.
We may learn from this lesson
that the way to broadened horizons
and greater usefulness for the
church is by
i. A Vision of Gods Plan wv.
6-1O).
All men are equally precious in
God sight. God taught Peter very
effectively that, whether Gentle or
Jew, the Lord is mot willing that
any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance" Oh Pet. 800.
When God speaks we do we'll to
give heed to His message even
though 1t cuts across our ideas and
preJudlccs, as it often does. 1t is
not our plan that is important; it is
Gods plan and purpose. AS we
walk IN that way we shall have
III. An Experience of Gods Power
WV. ll-l5).
The Holy Spirit lad fallen on the
Gentlles and they actually had been
saved. Is 1t not singular that in the
early church they could hardly be-
Eeve that Gentle could be saved?
Nov we are astonished if Jew is
saved Why will We in our unb,..ef
limit the Holy One of Israel?
The all-powcrful gospel of the
grac', OF God is still saving men and
EHnen. Jews and Gcntiles, from
m@r sins. Have you seen it hap
pen! 1t is a great Inspiration to
\ fAIm and service. Gcd is ready so
20 encourage us-Ee is the same to-
day as He was when He sent Peter
to Correliua. Are We willing to run
His errands, proclaim His mcsseaeo
TO do so We need
III: IN appreciation CT Gods
Word ". 80.
Enc best way TO learn the mean
ing OF God 5 Word Is to use it, live it.
OBEY Il. If any man Will do his
VIII, Ee shall kno.Y of the doctrine
whether 1t be Of God" John 7:lO.
Peter had learned anew that Gods
Ncrd meant i1st what it said. We
Nho are Gods servants should be-
lcVc His Word and act on it in faith.
Observe that Cornelius had gath
cred group IN his household to hear
the Word Of God (Acts 1927, 33).
Could We not Go the same? Can
Mt each calculate with exactness
some time and place where the COS
Pei IS to be preached, ard is it not
possible TO bring thither ones rela-
tlvcs and friends? Secondly. when
present IN a place of worship. can
not each be prepared to say, we are
all here present all, family and
friends, mind as we'll as BODY. in
Inc sight Of God'-not to be seen by
others, not conscious so much of
others as of the presence of God: TO
hear all things not to be amused
or to sleep; that have been COM
mandcd thee of the Lord'-not TO
listen to human conjecture or the ex-
plotting of doubts, but TO receive a
positive message which is delivered
IN revcrent spirit and with the
prophetic formula: Thus saith the
Lord. What would happen were all
Christian churches filled with such
audiences Charles r. Erdman).
This brings us TO what is most i'm
portant of all in broadening our
spiritual horizons.
Nv. An Understanding of Gods
Love wv. II, 18).
Gods love is for all people. Since
lie has not raised any barriers of
race, creed, color, class, or social
position, 1t is not for His followers.
and assuredly not for His servants,
TO set up hindcring restrictions
which lie does not countenance. If
GOD intended to save Gentilcs, Peter |
wanted II be an instrument in His
hand, not hindrance in His way .
one OF the needs of our day is that
those doing Gods work should not
Withstand Him and His love. He
VINO IS the same yesterday. TO-DAY
ana forever, is ready to work as
powerfully today as He did in the
days OF Peter and Paul, or of Finncv
and Moody. Let US give Him Hberfy
TO work in and through us. not as We
may wish, but as lie desires. who
arc we that we should withstand