Sunday worship and celebration

On Sunday at the Adult Bible class, we did our second lesson on the Letter to the Philippians - the Epistle of joy. Our focus was on the founding of the church.

Paul arrived in Philippi a Roman colony. The story centres round two women - the lady from Thyatira and a slave girl who was demon possessed. Paul delivered this poor girl from her demon possession.

While Paul's Jewish opponents were prompted by religious differences, the Gentiles were driven solely by economics. The result was a riot which led to the arrest and imprisonment of Paul and Silas. While in prison the apostles sang and prayed. The Lord in a wonderful way caused a mighty earthquake, the prison was shaken and Paul and Silas were set at liberty.

The frightened jailer in desperation cried out "What must I do to be saved?" The response from Saul was the well known and oft quoted text, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

It is interesting to note that God used three people from different echelons of society - the wealthy woman Lydia, high class society lady, then at the other end of the ladder a poor slave girl. Then there was this jailer who would be middle class, I reckon. God loves the rich and the poor, His message is for the whosoever.

The story of the birth of the church at Philippi is a lesson on divine guidance. God directed His servants in a variety of ways. He directed through the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. He directed through the prohibition of the Holy Spirit who caused Paul to change his plans, and through the vision given to Paul in Troas. He even directed through the evil actions of the slave girl's owners and the injustice of the magistrates. He did all these these to plant the church in Philippi.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."(Rom. 8: 28) God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform!

After the holiness meeting, our daughter Gladys and family took us out for lunch to celebrate my wife's birthday. It was the only time when she could get the whole family together. Sunday was a great day!