The midland journal., 1946-11-08
PAUL POUNDS THE CHURCH AT
PHILIPPI


PHILIPPI
LESSON TEXT - Acts 1e:11-1s; Philip.
MEMORY SELECTION u can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.-Philiprians 4:13.
Missionary zeal keeps Christian
in action for God. After a time at
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 16:1-5).
Our lesson Is of unusual import
because il tells us how the gospel
first came to Europe, from whence
1t later came to America. Paups
efforts to continue his ministry in
Asia were hindered by the Holy
Spirit (Aets 1876, y. It was then
that he was given a heaven-sent
vision of man in Macedonia cry
ing for help. At once the party set
out to obey the leading of the Holy
Spirit (Aets 1879, 10).
1. Paul's Ministry to the Philip
plans (Acts 16:11-15).
Philippi was an important city,
a Roman colony and outpost. APP
parently the Jews who had come
there to live had not felt any strong
desire for religious fellowship, for
they had built no synagogue. Ger
tain godly women met on the Sab
bath by the riverside for prayer.
Here was Paul's opportunity and
he took it.
The story of the conversion Of
Lydia has many elements of spe-
cial interest. 1t presents the turn
ing point in the progress of the gos-
pei, which by the grace and lead
ing of God brought it northward
to Europe rather than southwark
into Africa or eastward through
Asia. Many of us have heard be-
cause of ane way Paul was led, and
one wonders If Europe and America
might not otherwise have been the
clark continents" rather than
| Africa and India. We are what we
| are by the grace of God. He sent
us 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
ear and believing heart to the
| gospel message. The church
through all it's history has been
blessed by the readiness of women
to bear and heed the gospel.
We like to note that Lydia set a
pattern Of hospitality and service
which her sisters in the church have
maintained (see ". 15). She "con-
strained" the visiting preachers to
enjoy the comforts of her home,
and thus put forward the work Of
Christ (see III John 5-8).
1t is encouraging to observe how
perfectly the leading of the Holy
Spirit worked out in the experience
of Paul and his brethren. The Lord
sent his prepared messenger to the
place where there was a prepared
heart waiting to receive the Word.
We may confidently 60 on the er-
rands of our God, knowing that
when he leads he goes before and
prepares the way. That does not
mean that there viii be no trials
and difficulties. Paul had plenty Of
them (see II Cor. 11:23-33). But it
does mean that we may 60 with
the assurance of blessed results, in
his name, and with the grace to
bear whatever comes along the
way for his glory.
The second Scripture portion Of
our lesson is not related to the first
except that it gives a portion of the
letter which Paul, by the inspira-
ton of the Holy Spirit, wrote to the
church which he had helped to
establish at Philippi about IL years
later.
ii. Paul's Message to the Philip
plans (Phil. 2:5-1D.
Although after Lydia's conversion
Paul met opposition and suffered
Imprisonment (Acts 1915 -40), that
was only the beginning Of a blessed
ministry there.
The church at Philippi though
poor and prosecuted was loyal and
warmhearted. They sent a gener-
Gus gift to Paul, who was in prison
in Rome. He wrote to thank them,
and his letter became real hymn
of joy and assurance. It discusses
Christian experience, its principle,
pattern, purpose and power.
Chapter 2 presents the mind Of
Christ as the pattern of true Chris
tian 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.