The Omaha guide., 1946-11-09

plans 2:5-ll.
MEMORY SELECTON-I can do all
things through Christ which strengthen.
eth me.-Philippians Alb.
Missionary zeal keeps a Christian
In action for God. After a time al
the church in Antioch, the urge to
preach the gospel sent Paul out on
his second missionary journey. This
time his partner was Silas, because
he and Barnabas had separated
over taking Mark along, since he
had turned back in the midst Of the
first missionary journey. Timothy
took his place (Acts 1915.
Our lesson Is Of unusual import
because It tells US how the gospel
first came to Europe, from whence
It Later came to America. PauTs
efforts to continue his ministry in
Asia were hindered by the Holy
Spirit (Acts 1875. y. II was then
that he was given q heaven-sent
vision Of q man in Macedonia cry
Ing for help. At once the party set
out to obey the leading Of the Holy
Spirit tAsts 1879. 10).
I. Pasl's Mials.ry = the Philip
DiA.s tAes la:1l-l5).
PhihPHi was an important city.
q Roman colony and outpost. Ap-
parently the Jews who had come
there TO live had not felt any strong
desire for religious fellowship, for
they had bsilt no synaSogue. Ger
tain cody women Met on the Sab
bath hy the riverside for prayer.
Hare was Faa,'s opportunity and
be teok It.
+. The story Of the conversion Of
Lydia has many elements Of re.
eial interest. 1t presents the turn
Ing point In the progress Of the sos-
pal. which by he grace and lead
ing Of God brought 1t northward
to Earope rather than southwark
into Africa or eastward through
Asia Many Of rs have heard be-
cause Of the way Paul was led, and
n wonders II Europe and America
might not Otherwise have been the
dark continents" rather than
Africa and India. We are what we
are by the grace Il God He sent
as the gospel through Paul that day
at Philippi.
Then We note that the first con-
vert was a woman. She was not
the last woman to give an attentive
'aar and . balisving heart to the
gospel message. The church
through all its HISTORY has been
blessed by the readiness Of women
to bear and heed the gospel.
We like 10 note that Lydia set a
pattern Of hospitality and service
(which her sisters in the church have
maintained (see v. $50. She ''conl
strained the visiting preachers TO
the comforts of her home,
land thus put forward the work OF
Christ (see III John 5-8).
1t is encouraging to observe how
Perfectly the leading of the Holy
Cpirit worked out in the experience
of Paul and his brethren. The Lord
sent his prepared messenger to tn
place where there was a prepared
,aeart waiting to receive the Word.
We m;y confidently go on the er,
2nds Ct Jul God, knowing that
when rs leaoA he goes before and
prepares the way. That does not
mean that there viii be no trial !
I'd difficulties. Paul had plenty oil
hem tsee II Cor. 1~1:23-33). Put j.
oeS mean that we may go Mn
. e assurance of blessed results, =.
5 name, and with the grace tol
ear whatever one along the
! ay for his glory. ,
The sscona Scripture portion of
iir lessen is not related to the first
except that it gives . portion Of the
! %ter which Paul, by the inspira-.
IN Of the Holy Spiril wrote to the
llurch which he hsd helped TO
establish At Philippi about II years
Ter.
4. Paui's Message TO the Philip
P-ans CPhil. 2:5-ll.
Although after Lydia's conversion
Paul met opposition and suffered,
nprisonment tActs 16:16-4O). that
as only the beginning Of a blessed
ministry there.
The church at Philippi though
Dor and prosecuted was loyal and
/ armhearted. They sent a gener-
tus gift to Paul. who was in prison
Ia Rome. He wrote 10 thank them.
md his letter became a real hymn
K Joy and assurance. It discusses.
christian experience, its principle,
pattern, purpose and power.
Chapter 2 presents the mind Ct
Christ as the pattern Of true Chris
lian living. Nothing is to be done
for vain glory ". 81, but in the
spirit Of Christ. who willingly gave
up his glory with the Father that
he might become our Saviour. It
has well been said that if he had
not done so, we should have been
amazed at his glory, but we should
never have been saved.
He who might have "grasped'' ".
IS. R. W his equality with God, laid.
pit aside that as a man he might die
for the salvation Of lest mankind
". 81.
Little wonder that Ged has given
him such a high and exalted posi-
ton wv. Slid. One day every tongue