The Hagerstown Globe

By HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST, D.D.
Dean of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
Western Newspaper Union.

Lesson for May 14
Lesson subjects and Scripture texts selected and copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education; used by permission.

PAUL EVANGELIZES A PROVINCE

LESSON TEXT—Acts 19:1, 8-10; 20:17-21; Ephesians 2:19-22.
GOLDEN TEXT—But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.—Ephesians 2:13.

The Christian Church (that great organization which outwardly represents in the world the mystical organism which is the true Church) seems to be "stalled," if we may borrow a word from the automobilist, just like a well-designed and carefully built machine which has "died" on the road.

Perhaps the lesson for today may serve to stir up some of us to the responsibility of the Church, and particularly of its individual members, for an aggressive testimony for Christ. Certainly Paul knew nothing of the defeatism which seems to have laid its paralyzing hand on present-day Christianity.

Our lesson finds him again making the rounds of the churches he had earlier been used to establish. He knew of their dangers, the tendencies to backslide, the need of new life in the daily conversion of others, and he went about that business with the flaming zeal of an evangelist, with the tender compassion of a pastor, and always with the vision of the heavenly goal before him. Let us learn of Paul.

I. The Evangelist—Fearless and Tireless (Acts 19:1, 8-10).
At Ephesus Paul did the work of an evangelist with such a passion for souls and such power from God that even his enemy, Demetrius, testified (Acts 19:26) that "not alone at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people" from their heathen worship. He met great opposition both in the synagogue (v. 9) and from the worshipers of Diana (Acts 19:23-41). But he also found that God had opened for him "a great door and effectual" (I Cor. 16:9), and we read that many believed and showed their faith by destroying the books of heathendom which were in their homes (Acts 19:19).

Are the days of such evangelism gone? Since only the power of God can explain what was accomplished by Paul, the answer would depend on the reply to the question, Has the power and purpose of God changed? Obviously the answer is "No." God is the same, and when we are ready to meet His spiritual requirements He will move again in mighty power. Am I ready? Are you ready?

II. The Pastor—Lover of Souls (Acts 20:17-21).
Having completed his journey through Macedonia and Achaia, Paul is hurrying back to Jerusalem, and not having time to stop at Ephesus he sends for the elders to meet him at Miletus, the nearest seaport. He recalls to them the experiences which he has passed through, tells them of the bonds and afflictions which await him, but above all he wants to admonish and encourage them to go on for Christ. As a pastor who has been true to God and faithful in his ministry, he is able to point to his own walk and work among them as an example, doing this in all humility. Pastor, shall we ask ourselves if we could do the same, or would we need to

Especially noteworthy is Paul's reference to having gone from house to house as well as teaching publicly. The work of the pulpit or from the teacher's desk loses much of its savor and usefulness if not backed up by personal contact. Some men who preach well, excuse themselves from pastoral work on the ground that they are really preachers, not pastors. Others love to do pastoral work but do not apply themselves to the work of the study, and so they say their calling is that of a pastor rather than a preacher. Brethren, let us face that matter honestly and perhaps we shall find that we are simply taking the line of least resistance. Paul had none of that spirit. He preached with all zeal and power, but he also went from house to house, "serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears."

III. Fellow Citizen in God's Household (Eph. 2:19-22).
The evangelist and pastor here reminds his Ephesian converts that they have entered a goodly fellowship—"the household of God"—and have become "fellow citizens with the saints."

Some folk are called "joiners" because they like to join every possible society, organization, lodge, or what not. Well, here is the supreme fellowship of all, which knows no barrier of race, creed, social position, age, sex, or nationality, and which brings us into fellowship with the eternal God Himself. You may "join" if by faith you will take the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and thus enter into eternal life. Will you join God's people now?