The Omaha guide., 1946-12-28
PAUL CLAIMS THE WORLD
FOR CHRIST

LESSON TEXT Acts 9:15; 1927
23:1l' "a 1881: Romans 1916: Is % 2
MEMORY SELECTION-I am debtc
both to the Greel;s. and to the barba' ans
Doth to the wise and the unwise.-
Romans TIA.
The gospel is for the whole wcr,f
God wants all men to hear and com
to repentance John 3:16: II Pc
800.
For the establishment of the grea
missionary program with its world
wide sweep. he called a man gift
ed. prepared and anointed for the
work, ely Paul. whose life an
ministry have been our interestir
portin.i these three months.
Now we find him at the cry
center of the then known world t.
claim it for Christ. Politically, com
mercially. socially and religiously
Rome was the very heart of ths
known world which centered arounc
the Mediterranean sea tthe namL
of which means 1.-The middle of the
earth').
Having preached almost every
where else. Paul had a longing tt
face heathendom at its very cente,
and claim trophies for Christ anc
the gospel.
Our Scriptures present:
I. Gods Plan and Mans Purpose
(Acts 9:15; 19:21.
Choice involves the thought of Sc.
lection because Of certain qualities
or abilities. The Lord had prepared
Paul for just this ministry, and nov
he chose him to carry it out. That
encourages US to believe that God is
leading in the experiences of our
lives, preparing us for the day when
he will call and use US. Let US be
yielded and ready.
Our second Scripture (Acts 1920
tells us that the plan of God was
put into operation by the purpose in
Paul's heart. God does not have
to depend on man to do his work.
but he does just that! We may hin
der his full use of US if we fail to
purpose in spirit to do his will,
as Paul did. God wanted Paul in
Rome. That was his plan, and that
was the purpose Of Paul's heart.
ii. Gods Confirmation and Mans
Determination (Acts 23:11; Rom. /:
1916; 15:22-24.
Man needs to have his good pur-
poses confirmed by the Lord, and
so it was in the case of Paul. He
had been taken prisoner for the Cos
pel's sake. His trial had resulted
in an uproar. Things did not look
too promising for him. Humanity
speaking, there was a question
whether he would get anywhere. let
alone to Rome.
In mans hour of discourage
ment God stands by with a GOOD
word. "Be of good cheer" he tells
Paul; "as thou hast testified Of
me in Jerusalem so must thou bear
witness also at Rome"
In his letter to the Romans. Pau
expresses his determination to come
to them. There were hindrances.
there was a contemplated trip to
SPAN (Which he probably did MOI
make. but in spite of all these
things ne would come in due time.
The reason for that determination
tremendously interesting and per.
inent to our own lives. He saw
himself to be a debtor. The gospc,
had been committed to him, not as
a deposit for his own good OF
pleasure, but as something ht
must give out to everyone who hac
lot heard. including Rome.
We, too. who know Christ are III
ebt to a world which has not heard
# him. That includes the cultured.
whom we often forget, and the I'm
cultured. the men of every race
everyone who has need of a Saviour
The tremendous urge which
moved Paul should be characteristic
{ every believer. Think what i
would mean for the evangelizatioli
f the world if every Christian said
AS much as in me is, l am ready
% preach the gospel ". 1O.
III. Gods Salvation and Mans
declaration tAcis ~23:28-3l).
A slight chs IN the arrange
nent of our 'ures brings us
0 u c~oncludins taought. God hao
ent salvation to the Gentiles and
hey would hear it ". 28). even if
ne preacher had to come as a pris
,ner, for Paul came thus to Rome
How wonderfully God arranged it
II, for Paul was given the privi-
ege. even as a prisoner. Of living
lr two years under guard in a prl-
ate house. Here he won his guards
. Christ. many members of Cae
ar's official household (Phil. 4 22l.
NJ others who came and went a.
e preached and taught. mo man
irbidding him. ". 30.
When man declares the gospel
f salvation which God has sent
Mighty things are wrought for The
Tory Of God and the good Of men
1t is just that which We should b.
bout with renewed zeal and dili
.ence during the new year jus
head. We are in debt, and w
must discharge our Indebtedness b.
declaring to all that Jesus saves,
leeps and satisfies.
Best wishes for a most blessed
new year! 1t may well be the most
important year in all history. Let US
make use of it for the glory of Cor