The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-04-21
PAUL BECOMES A, MISSIONARY

LESSON TEXT: Acts 1914; 14:8-20.
GOLDEN TEXT: The Holy Spirit said.
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto have called them.-Acs
1879.
Men are Gods instruments for ac-
complishing His purpose in spread
ing the gospel message. They must,
for such high and holy calling, be
men called and prepared by Him,
faithful to Him, and willing to sac
rifice all for His glory. Paul is a
great example of such life. He
was
I. Separated by the Church (13:
1857.
God was about to begin the great
missionary enterprise, which opened
with the journeys of Paul and con-
tinues to this day. The church at
Antioch had capable men in Its
membership, and the Holy Spirit
called for the separation Of two Of
these, Paul and Barnabas, for q
special work.
A number of interesting things
emerge here. It Is good to note that
the church had men trained and
ready for service. Do we?
Observe that the Holy Spirit
worked through the church. There
are those who do not speak too high
ly of the place of the church in this
matter. Certainly it is true that If
the church has lost its vision and
message, God may call men even
outside Of its membership. But the
orderly way-and Gods way, If the
church lis ready-is to have the
church separate men for service.
The church at Antioch gave its
best, without question and without
hesitation. 1t is an example worthy
of our emulation.
ii. Sent by the Holy Spirit (13:4).
There is sense in which the Holy
Spirit functions as the executive
member of the Trinity. His purpose
is to magnify the name Of the Lord
Jesus Christ, to bring men to faith
in Him. To carry out that plan, He
sends meA out to speak Of Jesus.
The sent one is always successful,
for he goes the way, at the time,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
To be sent by Him is the mark Of
distinction upon the Christian work.
er.
iii. Serving by Deed and Word
(14:8-18).
The story Of the healing Of the
man who had been a cripple from
birth centers around that beautiful
word "faith."
God is always looking for faith in
men and women, and so we who
serve Him should learn to be alert
for even the slightest indication Of
a belief in Christ. All too often we
blunder along, a bit too eager for
action, or too insistent upon thing
being done in just our way, and
thus fail to see the CLEAN of faith
to which we may address the gospel
appeal.
"Seeing that he had faith" ". 81,
Paul turned all the power Of the
eternal God loose in the impotent
feet of the man, land he leaped up
and walked" God help us to be
ready to be channels for the outflow
ing of His powerl
Impressed by the miracle, the
people wanted to accord the disci-
Piles the worship of gods. One is inn
pressed both by the promptness with
,,,b;oL Do,,1 ord Rornoho. .+oNxo5
the demonstration and the skill with
which they improved the occasion
for a testimony for Christi
The servants Of Christ are In far
greater danger when men speak
well of them and would worship
them, than they are in the hour Of
opposition and persecution. Not
that anyone would suggest that a
true word of appreciation or honor
be withheld from a faithful teacher
or preacher, but let it be given for
Gods glory and not for the praise
of man.
Nv. Suffering for Christ's Sake
(14:19, 20).
The highest praise quickly turns to
the most bitter hatred. Finding that
they had foolishly attempted to defy
two Jewish preachers, and being
visited by the Jews who made it
their business to pursue Paul to this
city, they stoned him.
incidentally, it is Of interest to
observe how Jealous people can be
for an evil cause. Having set out
to hinder the gospel they were will
ing, yes eager, to spend time and
money to carry out their purpose.
The children of Satan are often more
diligent than the children of light
(cf. Luke 1879.
Paul was left for dead; in fact,
there are those who believe that he
was dead, and that it was at this
time he was caught up into the heav-
ems ard had the vision spoken of in
II Cor inthians 12:14. If that was
the case, the raising of Paul was an
actual resurrection from the dead.
For a man so stoned as to be left
for Quad, to arise and journey on
the following day to another city,
was miracle Of Gods power.
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