The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-27
Sunday School
Lesson


the gifts they have sent to him.
Little wonder that this lessen can
be titled, "Joy in Christ"
Paul begins this lesson by detail
ing some of the things (which hap
pened unto me-" He is happy al
though chained TO a big soldier Of
the Praetorian Guard. This Guard
consisted of some ten thousand
picked soldiers. These were gener-
ally Romans and If on this Guard
they had double pay and special
privileges, together with . good
pension. They were big and tough.
and to one of these men Paul was
chained day and night. This gave
! him an opportunity to preach to
them and he also would write. II
was in this condition that he penned
his love letter to the church at
Philippi. Because of Pauls cour-
age and holiness, his fellow Christ
ians had become bold and were
preaching the Gospel with renewed
fervor. Fire spreads fire and We
find Paul firing his followers with
unquenchable zeal.
PauPs holiness ard courage was
contagious. II can be with anyone.
G. Ernest Thomas tells of the time
when Margaret Lee Rumbeek, the
author, was valedictorian of her
class. Her class advisor suggested
that she carry on conversation
with the honored guest and speaker
of the day. She whispered to him.
I'm scared 10 death. ""I'm scared
too" he answered. 'I've got my
speech written down, but l don't
think it's much good" He continued
I'm tell you a secret; then you'll
never need to be scared again as
/ long as you live. Everyone on earth
is shy and self-conseious. Every
body's timid about meeting strang-
ers. So If you'll just spend the
first minute you're with q stranger
trying to make him feel comforta-
bic, you'll never suffer from self
consciousness again. Try IT," Marg-
aret RuInbeck accepted the advice
and says that it works unfailingly.
The honored speaker at her gradu-
alton that night was Franklin Del.
anO Roosevelt, the Assistant Seere.
tary Of the Navy.
Paul tells Of the preaching in
Rome. Some do It for love and
others proclaim Christ Of faction
and raise up affliction for me-"
Perhaps some of the old Judalzers
were around preaching a doctrine
which divided the faithful. Paul
could have been angry but instead
his attitude was indicative Of the
greatness Of his soul. What Of Il
If they are preaching in their en-
yious, Jealous tones? So long as
they preach the word of Christ. IL
is enough. Here We see the superb
tolerance together with the passion
for even the word Christ This
would be q wonderful lesson for
our churches today. All that was
happening to Paul was for his sci.
walton. 1t Is a wonderful feeling 10
know that all things york together
for good 20 them that love the Lord.
Christ meant great deal. In
fact. everything 70 Paul. For him
TO live is Christ and 10 die IL
gain. Whatever happened was good
since he could be with Christ. en-
JOY his presence and comfort Ia
either case. Yet be felt that be
would like to continue In the fleth
for the sake Of bis friends here On
earth. He wanted 10 continue his
work and one Of Paui's energy and
strength naturally would prefer
continuing his unfinished ministry.
Or. Mead tells Of one preacher who
actually died when the doctor told
him that he would have 70 stop
preaching. He just didn't want te
live II be couldn't preach the prse-
ious gospel. How The world needs
men with such . spirit Not preach.
ers alone, but Iaymen with q
passion for Christ.
Paul expresses hope that be win
be allowed 10 return 70 bis pet
church. He Il enjoying bis minis
Try, even though be Is In = eel,
10 chains, and knows that some are
preaching = doctrine he doesn't
Ike Just 50 they preach the name
/ Of Christ. II God slIlt II Be will
return 90 them bit whateSer hap
pens. gioFily Christ. ''Only LEI Jour
manner ~ life - worthy 81 fha
| gospel Of ChFisi II t0eailed
! Christians would eaiy practice this
/ counsel, thsy TOO. would find toy
"a the sersies q their Lord.
/ Il il said that Nhsn Maxim Ger.
/ ~ visited America ~ vas tsken
70 Coney Island NrKYe hs saW ths
thosssndt u peopse swaFmEag q
boat. He waa asked shat - thoagtl
! q the .aizht His answer vas,
What . sad people 20 must Be =
IHapp8nass deTEnas - the ianaT
=