INTRODUCTION The devil made me do it.’’ This was a popular saying a few years ago but it was a comic cop-out, for in our minds we know the devil can’t make us do anything without our cooperation. Our bodies are ours; we can make it an instrument of righteousness. Why do we do the things we do? We would like to blame many things and many people - anyone or anything but ourselves. Paul said, “It is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me,” (Romans 7:30). The reason for what we do may be as important as the deed itself, for without the reason the deed would never* exist. And the reason, or part of it, lies within us. From within, out of the mind of men, come all the vicious sins that destroy, (Mark 7:21-23). On the other hand, a good g°°d things out of the good treasure of his mind, (Luke 6:45). LESSON BACKGROUND Philippi was the site erf the first church Paul planted in Lurope. Refresh your memory by reading Acts 16:11-40 ™ time was about A.D. 50 or 51. When Paul moved on to other fields, the Philippians sent offerings to support him in his work. But Paul sometimes traveled fast and far Apparently his friends in Philippi lost touch with him for a rane. When they learned that he was a prisoner in Rome they promtly sent a messenger with their offering. Paul’s ’ letter to the Philippians is his thank-you note. Paul hoped to be released and to visit the Philip pians again. But whether he was able to see them or not he urged them to be true to the faith in spite of persecS That urging is continued in the text. Unity: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies; fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind,” (Philippians 2:1-2). To be in Christ is to be sure of final victory and eternal life. Anyone with that assurance should not be frightened by opposition. The Chrisitans at Philippi did have comfort of love, both in God’s love and in their love for each other They did have fellowship of the Spirit, for the Spirit of God lived in them. And there was an abundance of bowels and mercies. The ancients used the word bowels as we use heart to mean feelings of emotions. In various English versions the word bowels is translated to tenderness, or as affection, or as kindness, or tenderheartedness. All of the things named In this verse could help the Philippian Christians to be faithful through all their troubles; they can help us as well. In spite of oppo sition and persecution by the heathen, the things named in V. 1 could help the Chrisitans maintain peace and unity among themselves. • “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in fewliness of mind let each esteem other better than Kiemselves. Look not every man or his own things, but fivery man also on the things of others,” (Vv. 3-4). v A person or group may do some good work just to get ahead of another person or group, not from any real taterest in the work being done. Vainglory is the kind of lelfish pride that often motivates suefc competition. Some— people of Rome were preaching Christ “of envy and strife” fohen Paul wrote this letter. Paul was being preached, but kow much better it is when good work is done with good motives. Lowliness of mind is a great help in Christian vorking together for the glory of God. When people esteem sach other, they work together happily, well, and sffectiyely - if they are wholeheartedly devoted to the work >eing done. Every man should, of course, give proper considera tion to his own things - his interests, his wishes, his ideas. He should care about the daily work he does, the welfare of his family, the help he can give to others. But he should also give consideration to the things of others, their interests, wishes and ideas. He should care about the welfare of the church families, and about their sharing in the worship and work of the church. In planning the church program, conflict is certain if each person thinks that his way is best, and therefore he will not listen to the wishes of Anyone else. In humility, as in many other things, Jesus set the example for us. He said, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” Jesus practiced what he preached, (John 13:3-15). Why do we do right? That question is suggested by ode lesson title, “Motives For Moral Living.” We have been thinking about moral living more than about moral motives. Review Philippians 2:1-13 for answers to “Why f we do right.” We do right - a. ) because we are grateful for the encouragement we have in Christ the comfort of love, the fellowship of the Spirit, the affection and compassion of God’s people; b. ) in order to bring joy to those who have taught us; c. ) for the sake of peace and harmony with our brethren in the church; d?) in ordor to follow the examples of Jesus ; ... e. ) in order to work out our own salvation; and f. ) because in that we cooperate with God. Near the end of his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “Be careful for nothing.” Obviously, careful there doesn’t meat) what it means on modern speech. Paul is saying, “Don’t worry; don’t be overanxious. Pray and trust God instead.” After Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient even unto death, God highly exalted Him. We, too, shall be exalted when, with God’s help, we have worked out our own salvation. Have you read the last two chapters of Revelation lately? Temple Baptist’s Annual Revival Begins Sunday continued rrom Page 6A _ . Temple Baptist Church’s annual Fall Revival will begin Sunday. October 14, and will end October 19, Each night services begin at 7:30 Guest speaker for Sunday will be Rev. J. A. Cuthbertson of Plea sant Hill Baptist Church. You are welcome to come worship in prayer and song. Rev. Lennie Williams Sr. is pastor of Temple Baptist Church, located at 3916 Tucaseegee Rd. MGBC , The statewide Baptist meeting of the Mecklenburg General Baptist Congress of Christian Education will feature as speaker Charlottean Cedric Jones, minister of First Baptist Church-West. On Monday, October 29, at 3 p.m., Jones will be the keynote speaker during the General Baptist State Convention’s Laymen’s League An nual Session in Greensboro at the Convention Center. Charles Porter, member of Ebe nezer Baptist, is president of the Laymen’s League Auxiliary of the General Baptist State Conven tion. Jones is a District No. 3 worker in the Association of the State Sunday School Laymen’s League; he is president of the Mecklenburg Ge neral Baptist Congress of Christian Education Sunday School and Bap tist Training Union and first vice president of the State Sunday School Convention. TORRENCE CHAPEL AMEZ ” Recently the Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church in Davidson sponsored a workshop on Leader ship Development and the Func tions of a choir. The theme was “Helping People to Help Themselves.” Rev. Waddell, pastor of Torrence, David Waymer of the Mecklenburg County Agri cultural Extension Agency, and Eudean Knox a community leader, led the workshop. The function of a choir work shop was presented by Mattie Reid. PTL ..Rev. James O. Bakker of the board of directors of the Heritage Village Church and Missionary Fellowship announced recently the election of Ernest U. Franzone, senior vice president of the Brock Hotel Corporation of Irving, TX, as a member of PTL’s Board of Direc tors. HICKORY GROVE Hickory Grove’s United Methodist Women are having their Fall Craft and Bake Sale on October 27 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church, 6301 Hickory Grove Rd. There will be handmade crafts for fall, Thanks giving and Christmas, plus baked goods and concessions. Admission is free, and the Acitivities Building is accessible for wheelchairs. MT. MORIAH BAPTIST ..The public is invited to worship with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 381 CrestdaleRd., Matthews, during the Singing Department’s Anniver sary, Sunday, October 21, at 3 p.m. Many choirs have been invited to come render music. There will also be a guest speaker, Rev. J. H. Ferguson, pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, Monroe. Dinner will be served following the service. Rev. J. C. Robinson is pastor. The public is also invited to wor ship with Mt. Moriah during its Sunday Evening Worship Service and Bible Class at 6:45 p.m. Bring your Bibles. EAST STONEWALL AME . .The Voices of Hope Choir will be presented in concert under the most capable director, J. M. Walker, Minister of Music, Sunday, October 21, at 6 p.m. The church, East Stonewall AME Zion, is located at 1729 Griers Grove Rd. Rev. Bernard H. Sullivan, pastor. LITTEL ROCK AME . Little Rock AME Zion Church, 401 N. McDowell St., will hold its Annual Revival Services beginning October 15 and ending the 19th. Services begin each evening at 7:30. Dr. Richard K. Thompson, pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church, Washington, D.C., will be the evangelist. Rev. William M White Sr. is minister. GREENVILLE MEMORIAL ..The Greenville Memorial Mass Choir, under the direction of Joyce Johnson, will present its third Annual Concert Sunday, October 14, at 6 p.m., at the Greenville Me morial AME Zion Church, 6116 Monteith, in Hidden Valley. Special guest will be Stephanie Crawford, formerly of Boston, Mass. You are invited to come out and enjoy an evening of song and singing praises to the Lord. Rev. A. C. Hunnicutt is the pastor. MT. MORIAH BAPTIST ..Mt. Moriah Baptist Church,. 110 Lincoln St., Belmont, will have an old time prayer service Sunday evening, October 14, at 7. i - " 1 ' REV. AND MRS. LENNIE WILLIAMS SR. —".Temple Chapel pastor and first lady yie-icviveii pi dyer service will be held as a lead-in to revival week at the church: Oc tober 15-19. Members and friends are asked to put on their old fashioned clothes, long dresses, bonnets, hats, wide lies, old suits or overalls and hear the old time hymns of Zion as sung in earlier days. Revival begins Monday, October 15 with Rev. Dennis Bishop of Wough Town Baptist Church, Winston Salem This dynamic man of God has been preaching the gospel since the age of 12 and is known throughout North Carolina for his electrifying delivery and powerful sermons Service begins each evening at 7:30. Jim Hunt Stands for Progress! 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