The Jones County News

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL Sunday School Lesson
(BY REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
(©, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

LESSON FOR AUGUST 28 FROM ASIA TO EUROPE.

LESSON TEXT—Acts 16:6-15.
GOLDEN TEXT—And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.—Acts 16:31.

REFERENCE MATERIAL—Rom. 15:15-21.

PRIMARY TOPIC—A Wonderful Dream.
JUNIOR TOPIC—Paul Crosses Over Into Europe.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC—Beginning Work on a New Continent.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC—Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.

I. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to Preach the Word (vv. 6-8).
We have here a lesson on divine guidance. The inclination of Paul and his companions was to tarry in the provinces of Asia preaching the word, but contrary to their inclination they were hurried along. There were many people in Asia yet who needed the Gospel. They might have reasoned "What difference would it make as to where we preach, just so the Gospel is preached?" Though seemingly small, the question as to whether the Gospel should be preached among the people in the East or in the West has determined the entire history of the church. Had they preached among the people in the East, Christianity would never have become worldwide. On the other hand, by laying hold upon the Grecian intellect and combining with it the push and energy of the Romans, it became worldwide. In the guidance of the Spirit we find Him just as active and as faithful in closing doors as in opening them. "The stops as well as the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord." We ought to as truly recognize God's hand in the "shut-ins" as well as in the "open outs."

II. Called to Macedonia (vv. 9-12).
Being now hemmed in on all sides, a vision was given to Paul of a man from Macedonia pleading for help. This was the solution of the mystery of closed doors about them. There is a negative and a positive side to the Spirit's guidance. If we will note both we shall be able to determine with a surety the proper course of action. In order to be led aright we must be sure that we are willing to be led, pray definitely for leading, and then render willing obedience as fast as the light comes. As soon as the divine way was known they rendered immediate obedience.

III. The First Convert in Europe (vv. 13-15).
The missionaries went to Philippi and spent several days studying the conditions there. The Jewish element in this city was very insignificant, so much so that they could not afford a synagogue; therefore the devout people were accustomed to worship at the river side. To this humble gathering Paul came and preached to the women gathered there. A certain woman from Thyatira believed his message, and was baptized. The work of the Lord had a very humble beginning, but it was destined to transform all Europe and the world. Lydia was a woman of wealth, culture, and wide experience, and yet she had need of Christ. The steps in Lydia's conversion are worthy of note:
1. Attendance at the place of prayer (v. 13). This is the case with most people who are saved. The Spirit of God puts it into the hearts of the people to come to the place of prayer.
2. Listened to the preaching of the word of God (vv. 12-14). The instrument used by the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners is the word of God. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
3. Her heart was opened by the Lord (v. 14). Regeneration is a supernatural work. When the Gospel is preached the Spirit of God makes it living and active, opening the sinner's heart for the reception of Christ.
4. She was baptized (v. 15). It is natural for the one who believes in Christ to desire to be baptized.
5. Her household also believed (v. 15). Thus we see that hers was a typical conversion.

IV. A Spirit of Divination Cast Out (vv. 16-18).
As the missionaries went out from day to day to the place of prayer they were accosted by a young woman possessed by a spirit of divination. She was owned by a syndicate of men who derived large gains from her soothsaying. This act of the woman became a great annoyance to Paul who, in the name of Jesus Christ, commanded the evil spirit to come out. Here is a case of a spiritual medium, a fortune-teller, being freed from demoniacal possession. Many men today are making money by the degradation of womanhood, and they resent any efforts to destroy their infernal business, even try to destroy those who interfere with their business. Here as everywhere Satan blocks the way as the Gospel of Christ is carried into new fields, but the Lord is again triumphant.

Spirit of God in the Church.
There may be some who ask, "Does the Holy Spirit fill the church today and transform the hearts and lives of men as He did in the days of the Apostles?" Yes He does, when the people of the churches become more anxious for the gift of the Spirit than for outward showing, when the most earnest prayers are uttered for the giving of the Spirit of God. In our devotion to organization, and clubs, and guilds, we sometimes forget the need of the Holy Spirit. And yet we know that souls are not saved by clubs and societies, and concerts, and by moving pictures at the evening services, but by the presence of the Spirit of God in the church, in both pastor and people.