November 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
515
God’s Gift of Love L uke 2 :8-20
BLACKBOARD LESSON
inth that Paul had a comforting and en couraging vision which caused him to re main in that place for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God. Lesson 5. “World’s Temperance Les son.” Gal. 5 :13-26. Golden Text, Eph. 5 : 18. This lesson taught that the gospel of the grace of God frees the believer from all license, or presumption upon the grace that saves him. By supplying another and a greater power, the gospel delivers from the power of the desires of the flesh. It is the Holy Spirit who secures the victory over the flesh and delivers the believer from being forced to do what the flesh dictates. The gospel also guards against spiritual pride in the believer and leads him into hu mility and forbearance. True temperance is found in turning from the license that denies the work of Christ, in being de livered from the desires of the flesh, and in showing that spirit of meekness and humil ity which characterized the Lord Jesus Christ. Lesson 6. “Paul in Ephesus.” Acts 19: 8-20. Golden Text, Eph. 5:11. In Ephesus, Paul was opposed by infi delity, which resulted in the opposers be coming hardened and disobedient, when they “spake evil of the way.” Conse quently, the apostle turned from them, leaving them to their deadness and sin. Likewise today, when any one persists in turning from the gospel in unbelief, finally that person is abandoned by God and al lowed to go his own way until that way ends in hell. Paul was also opposed by superstition in Ephesus, but this merely tended to make the truth more widely known. A revival broke out, and “mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Lesson 7. “Paul in Jerusalem.” Acts 21:27-39. Golden Text, Acts 22:15. Paul was accused of defiling the temple. This resulted in the formation of an angry mob whose avowed purpose was the taking of the apostle’s life. But he was protected by the Roman soldiers and kept peaceful by the presence of the Lord. Here began that persecution which finally took Paul to Rome and to his death. The lesson taught the method by which every Christian may have an unruffled spirit and a calm soul in the face of any danger. Lesson 8. “Paul in Rome.” Acts 28: 4:6-18. Golden Text, 2 Tim. 4:7. After terrific experiences in which he faced death over and over again, Paul ar rived in Rome. He sent for the chief men among the Jews in order that he might dis arm their suspicion and thereby gain an entrance for the Word into the hearts of other Jews in that city. It was in this les son that Christianity was seen as the “sect everywhere spoken against”—’because of its claims, its character, and its condition of entrance, all of which were contrary to the natural man. Christianity has not changed, and if today it is not spoken against, it is because there Jias been some compromise which has altered its claims, its character, and its condition of entrance. Lesson 9. “Paul’s Letter to Philemon.” Philemon 4-20. Golden Text, Gal. 3 :28. This lesson gave the story of the run away slave, Onesimus, who was converted at Rome, and who returned to his master at Colosse. The letter contained the great doctrine of imputation, and it gave the Christian’s philosophy of redemption. One simus typified every Christian, both in his natural and regenerate states, and illus-
Memory Verse: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one an other” (1 John 4:11). Approach: For a long time, we have been studying about Paul and the wonder ful message which he preached to the peo ple as he went about from place to place. At this Christmas time, we think again about that message. ,Lesson Story: Many, many years before
Jesus came into this world, G od prom ised to send to the people His own Son, who would come to suffer and die for them, so that “who soever believeth in him should not per ish, but have ever lasting life.” Last week we t a l k e d a b o u t the heaven
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Lesson 2. “Paul in Philippi.” Acts 16: 22-34; Phil. 4:4-7. Golden Text, Phil. 4:4. Persecution met the apostle when he in terfered with the unrighteous gains made by men who owned a poor, demon-pos sessed slave girl. Paul drove the demon out and thus ended the owners’ chance for gain. In return, he was unjustly beaten by the magistrates and thrust into prison. But ' “all things work together for good,” and out of this bitter experience came the con version of the Philippian jailer and his household. The opportunity for preaching to'the jailer came when, in answer to the prayers and praises of Paul and Silas in the prison, there was an earthquake which shook the prison walls and opened the doors of the cells. This so alarmed the jailer that he sought the way of salvation and found it in the reply of Paul: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Lesson 3. “Paul in Thessalonica and Berea.” Acts 17:1, 5-15; 1 Thess. 2:7-12. Golden Text, Psa. 119:18. The work of Paul in Thessalonica was interrupted by the jealousy of the Jews. When they saw great crowds gathering to hear the gospel that Paul preached, they stirred up such strong opposition that Paul was forced to flee from the city. He went to Berea where the people were more noble than in Thessalonica because they searched the Scriptures to see if the things spoken by Paul were true. Nothing can take the place of such searching of the Scriptures. This lesson also showed the character of Paul’s work in Thessalonica. He acted as an evangelist, bringing the word of life to the people; then as a nurse, fostering the new life received by those who believed; and finally as a father, strengthening that new life. In Paul, we were given a picture of the true servant of Christ at work. Lesson 4. “Paul in Corinth.” Acts 18: 1-11. Golden Text, 1 Cor. 13:13. In Corinth, Paul found two friends, Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. “Because he was of the same craft [tent making], he abode with them.” Corinth was one of the most wicked cities of that time. As an antidote for the terrible sin and corruption, Paul offered nothing more than the simple gospel found in the Word of God. From the Scriptures, he reasoned with the peo ple, teaching them that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the Anointed One; the Prophet to be heard, the Priest to be trusted, and_ the King to be obeyed. The results of his work were, first, opposition from the Jews of the synagogue—which was answered by Paul’s leaving them to soul suicide, the Word having been with drawn from them; and second, reception of the Word on the part of some; these were saved and formed into “the church of God which is at Corinth.” It was at Cor
which God has prepared for those who love Him. Don’t you think that it was a wonderful thing that Jesus was willing to leave His Father and His wonderful home to come down to this earth and be born as a little baby ? You remember, He was born in a man ger. _There wasn’t even room for Him in the inn. And as He grew up and taught the people, although many were glad to hear His message of life and heaven and of God’s love for them, many people wouldn’t listen, and their hearts were filled with hatred and unbelief. They even cru cified Him. But death couldn’t hold Him. He rose from the dead, and because He rose, we, too, shall rise. He is in heaven now preparing this wonderful place for us. And when He left this earth He said: “I will come again, and receive you unto my self; that where I am, there ye may be also.” This is a wonderful story, isn’t it? We are so glad that we have such a won derful God who takes care of us, and such a wonderful Saviour who is waiting in heaven to receive us. DECEMBER 27, 1931 Review: The Spread of Christianity in Europe Lesson: 1 Thess, 2:1-11. Golden Text: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). * * . * Lesson 1. “The Macedonian Call.” Acts 16:6-15; Rom. 15:18-21. Golden Text, Matt. 28:19. In this lesson, we have the record of how Christianity came to Europe. Paul had at tempted to go to Asia, but he was “forbid den by the Holy Spirit.” He then thought to go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit interfered and led him to Troas. There he was given the vision of the man saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” In answer, Paul went immediately to Ma cedonia and there, in the city of Philippi, established the first church in Europe. Humanly speaking, the prayers of a few heathen women changed the face of the world, by drawing the gospel to Philippi, and thus planting the seed, from which came the fruit of Christianity in the West ern world. Where there are hearts willing to receive the truth, God will send it.
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