Author Topic: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 11--3rd Quarter 2016--Jesus Bade Them, “Follow Me”  (Read 6756 times)

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Wally

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Lesson 11 * September 3-9





Jesus Bade Them, “Follow Me”




So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Richard Myers

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Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: John 10:1-5, 16; Luke 9:2; Rev. 14:6-7; Luke 19:1-10; Acts 26:11-27; Rev. 3:20.

Memory Text: “And a stranger will they (the sheep) not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” John 10:5

In A.D. 362 Roman emperor Julian launched a campaign to revive paganism. Christianity was taking over the Roman Empire, and he and the pagan leaders were worried. Julian’s advice to a prominent pagan priest expresses his concern, and gives a clue as to why Christianity was growing so rapidly: “ 'I think that when the poor happened to be neglected and overlooked by the [pagan] priests, the impious Galileans [Christians] observed this and devoted themselves to benevolence. . . . [They] support not only their poor, but ours as well, everyone can see that our people lack aid from us.’ ”-Quoted in Rodney Stark, Cities of God (San Francisco: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006), p. 31.

The Romans had counted on Christianity’s fading away when their leader, Jesus Christ, died. Instead, record numbers of Roman citizens were following Jesus. How did they explain this “problem”? Jesus’ followers were demonstrating His love through meeting the basic needs of those around them. That’s what Jesus did when He was here, and that’s what His followers are to do as well.

Amen. But, the "social gospel" is not the answer. It is the work of Babylon. Some are doing good, others are decoys. Have you heard of the "healing" that takes place? Do you believe this is of God? Satan is at work. God has given us a particular work to do. The healing that God wants us to reveal is not the laying on of hands of those who refuse to change their lives. We are to use the method Christ has given to us. Most people make themselves sick by their lifestyle. The greatest killer in the wealthy nations is heart disease and cancer. Both are often caused by what people eat. God has given His church light on this over a hundred years ago. It is within our power to teach the truth to those who want to prevent disease or regain their health.

Diabetes, type 2, is not a disease, but a metabolic disorder that can be reversed when a healthful diet is eaten and the person gets daily exercise. Think about the effect this has on those we work with who regain their health. Yet, many who have access to this light, do not want it. Why not? Because it calls for a change in their habits. This ought to be the subject of this quarter's lessons if we want to walk in the path Jesus walked. The health message is the "right arm" of the gospel message. It will be the greatest opportunity we have to open hearts to the gospel message. In lands where there is much opposition to Christianity, we can open hearts as God blesses His work. In India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and China there are those who will appreciate true medical missionary work.


No wonder, then, that when given the offer to follow Jesus, so many did.

It was not the food for the poor that changed lives, it was the gospel message that transformed lives. The love revealed by His disciples opened the door for the reception of the gospel message. Many will profess to serve God after receiving food, but their hearts are not fully given to Jesus. Hearts are softened by love and kindness, but it is a knowledge of God that causes many to follow Jesus with the whole heart.

Think about it. Why are so many in the church today who have not given the whole heart to Christ? What has attracted so many into professing Christian churches? What keeps so many in the churches when they have not made a full surrender? What is missing in their lives?

What happened in Rwanda over 20 years ago when we saw Seventh-day Adventists killing other Seventh-day Adventists? Not all participated in this tragedy, but many did. What was the difference in the hearts of those who did? Did a "social gospel" bring many into the church? Feeding the hungry does not convert the heart. We need Jesus.

Those who know the voice of their Shepherd will follow His voice and reflect His character.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Sunday September 4

They Know His Voice

Read John 10:1-5, 16.


10:1   Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 
 10:2   But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 
 10:3   To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 
 10:4   And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 
 10:5   And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 
 10:16   And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd. 

How do these texts illustrate the importance of why we, as Jesus’ representatives, must form positive and loving relationships with people in our communities as we seek to lead them to Jesus? How can we help them learn to hear His voice?

We must reveal Christ to them in our characters, our words and our good works. But, this does not make a convert. We must point them to God and His Word. They must learn of Him. They must receive His grace just as we must in order to maintain our connection with Jesus.


The whisper of a friend is more powerful in drawing people to Jesus than is the shout of a stranger. When we make friends who learn to trust us, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) can work through us to help these people hear, know, and follow His voice.

It is, of course, important that we know Jesus’ voice ourselves before we can help others know it as well. We need divinely given discernment to distinguish between the cunning voice of Satan and Jesus’ voice. Indeed, we must never forget the reality of the great controversy and that we have an enemy that works with great stealth to keep people from coming to a saving relationship with Jesus.

Amen! We need Jesus in our hearts. We must be fully surrendered in order to have this love for others. We must be hearing that "still, small voice." We must want to walk in the light given to us. Do we study the counsel given? Or do we neglect to seek His will? What does the answer say about our relationship with Jesus?


Nevertheless, we can be powerful conduits who help people know the voice of Jesus. He speaks through nature (even despite the ravages of the Fall), providential circumstantial workings, the influence of the Holy Spirit, godly people, and His Word. (See Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 85-91.) As we ourselves come to know and obey that voice, we can be guides to others as well. The last thing we want to be is, as Jesus once warned, the blind leading the blind (see Matt. 15:14).

Amen.  Jesus speaks to us today about this blindness. He applies it to His church. The blind are leading the blind.
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev 3:16,17.

One of the problems with being blind is not seeing the truth sitting right in front of us. Why do so many of our children leave the church? Why are there as many divorces in our church as in the world? Why are we still here? Why have we not followed the light given in regards to evangelism?


Why did Jesus have such compelling power to draw people to Him? It is because His example of unselfish giving of Himself is hard to resist. When we, His body, set selfishness aside and take on the nature of a servant, letting Him live out His life within us, others will be drawn to the call of the Christ in us.

Amen! When will "we, His body, set selfishness aside"?  When selfishness is set aside, it is only because we have allowed Jesus to take possession of the heart, the whole heart. Do we understand conversion brings about a new creature in Christ Jesus? Do we understand what brings about a full surrender?


As the Good Shepherd’s representatives, we must reflect the characteristics of His ministry when we bid people to follow Him. Authenticity in word as well as genuine service that reflects Jesus’ sacrificial love opens the ears of those whom we serve and breaks down barriers between the community and the church.

It breaks down barriers between sinners and saints. "Love begets love."


What are concrete ways that you can help others hear the voice of the Shepherd?

As the lesson pointed out, we need to be hearing the voice of God before we can help others hear the voice of God. In a Laodicean church, we need to share the simplicity of the gospel that others might be converted in the church. Do we understand the simplicity of the gospel?

     Great efforts are made by many to present an attractive exterior. Far more essential is it to have the truth implanted in the heart; for grace in the heart will work outward. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, that is, it does not consist of ceremonies. There is danger of ceremonies becoming too numerous, of the simplicity of the Gospel being lost in a multiplicity of machinery. When professing Christians work without truth enthroned in the heart, their religion is only a stumbling-block to sinners. "Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots." The church will be perfect only when its members live the truth, vindicating the honor of God by winning souls to Christ. Signs of the Times, November 29, 1899.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Monday September 5

We Are to Seek


Read Luke 19:10, Mark 1:17, Luke 9:2, and Revelation 14:6-7.

 19:10   For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 
  1:17   And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 
 9:2   And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 
 14:6   And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 
 14:7   Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 


Amen! "Heal the sick." And preach the gospel!! Here is the work entrusted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is the method we see revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Would it surprise you to know it is just the work entrusted to you and me?


What is one key point that all these texts have in common? That is, what are they telling us to do?

We are left here on this Earth to minister to others, to point others to Jesus Christ. And, we are told just what to say and what to do. What more do we need to know? What is the gospel?


For years a Seventh-day Adventist congregation prayed, “Lord, please draw the people in our community to our church and to You”-as if our church is a giant magnet that will magically draw people in. Yes, sometimes people do walk into our churches, searching for God, all with no apparent effort on our part.

But what is your church to do when years go by and no one from the community walks through your doors? If you merely focus on praying for people to come, you are not following Jesus’ method for winning souls. He mingled, socialized, and sought out people to save. “We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are. . . . There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them.” - Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 229.

Amen. But, let us hear the rest of the counsel that is more than "social justice." Picking it up where the lesson stopped:


     There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them. 
 
     The invitation to the feast was first given to the Jewish people, the people who had been called to stand as teachers and leaders among men, the people in whose hands were the prophetic scrolls foretelling Christ's advent, and to whom was committed the symbolic service foreshadowing His mission. Had priests and people heeded the call, they would have united with Christ's messengers in giving the gospel invitation to the world. The truth was sent to them that they might impart it. When they refused the call, it was sent to the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind. Publicans and sinners received the invitation. When the gospel call is sent to the Gentiles, there is the same plan of working. The message is first to be given "in the highways"--to men who have an active part in the world's work, to the teachers and leaders of the people.
     Let the Lord's messengers bear this in mind. To the shepherds of the flock, the teachers divinely appointed, it should come as a word to be heeded. Those who belong to the higher ranks of society are to be sought out with tender affection and brotherly regard. Men in business life, in high positions of trust, men with large inventive faculties and scientific insight, men of genius, teachers of the gospel whose minds have not been called to the special truths for this time--these should be the first to hear the call. To them the invitation must be given.  COL 230. 


These will not respond to the offer of temporal food. But, they too, suffer from the modern diseases which so often afflict the children of men.


Various metaphors illustrate this idea of seeking:

1. The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are in the fold to seek for the one who has wandered away (see Matt. 18:10-14). Jesus is telling this story in the context of His admonition to nurture and protect “little ones” from sinning. The “little ones” could be literal children or immature Christians. If they wander back into the world, we, like Jesus, are to seek for them and lovingly bring them back to Him.

The point here, as in the texts above, is similar: we are to be proactive in seeking the lost. We need to make an effort to reach out to them. Though, on occasion, it happens that someone walks in off the street and says, “Teach me about God, about salvation, about truth,” that’s generally not the norm, is it?

2. “Christ’s method” of reaching the lost “will not, cannot, be without fruit.” - Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 144. Are we, however, focusing only on the “low-hanging fruit”-people who already share our Christian worldview, such as Christians of other denominations? What are we doing about reaching the “hard-to-reach fruit”-secular people, atheists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, et cetera? Historically, people with Christian worldviews find Adventism relevant, but we must do a much better job of sharing Jesus with faith groups that have other worldviews.

Amen! Christ's method alone will work. We must follow the path laid out for us. The "social gospel" is not the way. Let us study what has been entrusted to us as a people. Let us labor not just for the poor by offering food and clothing. This we must do, but, it is not the particular emphasis given to God's remnant church.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Tuesday September 6

The Bridge


Sometimes a church will have community service outreach programs in areas of health, family, personal finance, conflict management, et cetera, and might ask: What is the bridge to bring them to the “Follow Me” stage? We rather should ask, Who is the bridge? Answer: You are! “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” - Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470. Churches that are successful in keeping inquiring visitors engaged from event to event and program to program are blessed with members who genuinely love God and are eager to nurture lasting friendships.

The question needs to be asked "how do we develop "loving and lovable Christians?"

On the flip side, church members who are careless in their approach to visitors, or even lethargic toward them, can have a very negative impact on your church’s outreach. “The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 371.

The author of the lesson has stated an often not understood problem. We want more baptisms? Maybe more baptisms would be detrimental the to the church?  What does God mean when He inspired Ellen White to say "church members who have never been converted." How can that be? How can the church vote into membership those who are not Christians? How can a pastor baptize one who is not converted? Cannot the difference be seen between those who are converted and those who are not? Does the Bible tell us there is a difference? If so, where?

Does Jesus warn us this condition of having church members who were never converted, and having church members who are not in a converted state even though they were converted in the past? Is it possible this condition could apply to pastors and conference leaders also? Could the blind be baptizing the blind? Are things better off in the church today than when the prophet was in the church? No, they are not. Here is what was happening in her day.

     The minds of many are clouded with unbelief because those who unite with the church as the chosen of God do not reveal the virtues that are the fruits of the Spirit. Joining the church is not a sure evidence that a man has joined himself to Christ. The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.  12MR 51. 

So it is today. If God were to bring many into the church, what would happen to those who were truly converted? What would they think of God's church in such a condition? Just what I thought when I first entered the church. I wept. I stayed, but many others will not stay.

“The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth...."
Read Luke 19:1-10.

 19:1   And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho. 
 19:2   And, behold, [there was] a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 
 19:3   And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 
 19:4   And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that [way]. 
 19:5   And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 
 19:6   And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 
 19:7   And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 
 19:8   And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold. 
 19:9   And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 
 19:10   For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 


Why did Zacchaeus find it necessary to climb a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus? What spiritual lessons should we take from this story?

Imagine what might have happened if those who were blocking access to Jesus there in Jericho had paid attention to Zacchaeus’s keen interest in coming close to Jesus and had lovingly invited this “sinner” to the feet of the Savior.

Those of us who are part of the “crowd” around Jesus must be so “infected” with His love for struggling, sinful humanity that we become “contagious” Christians. If we are deeply aware of God’s love and grace for sinners like us, we will passionately seek those outside of the crowd who are short in spiritual stature and caringly usher them to Christ.

How do you act toward new faces in your church? Do you make an intentional effort to talk to them? Or do you ignore these people, thinking that someone else can minister to them? What does your answer say about yourself and what might need to be changed?

If we have Christ enthroned upon the heart, then we will love our neighbor. If we have not surrendered all of self to Jesus then how will we look at our neighbor? We cannot give to someone that which we do not have. Is the lesson telling us that we may not have Jesus in our hearts? How can we tell? Is there a sure way we can know our own status before God? Can we know if others are converted or not?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Wednesday September 7

The Bidding


Jesus and His disciples healed people and then turned their minds to eternal issues. (See Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 20.) Evangelist Mark Finley reminds us that not to introduce God to people is spiritual malpractice. Jesus’ method of evangelism was to touch people at their points of greatest need. This is medical missionary work. Christ was not content only to heal them physically and do nothing else. The goal is eternal life in Jesus. Medical missionary work may not start with bidding those whom we know to follow Jesus, but it should get there eventually. Out of our love for people, we will long to offer them everything that Jesus offers.

But you may say, “I will take care of the first part of Jesus’ method, but I don’t do the bidding 'follow Me’ part. That’s not my gift.” If you do the first part, you may surprise yourself by automatically sharing Jesus-and it will be so natural, so much easier, because you did the “groundwork” in the soil of their hearts.

Evangelism is not a "gift".   It is the natural result of being converted. We want to tell others about the One who we love supremely.


As you become better acquainted with the people you serve, be alert for opportunities to talk about faith and about what the Lord means to you. Seek for opportunities to bring up spiritual topics. Ask your new friends about their family, their occupation, and their religion, which opens the way to share your personal testimony.

When we are abiding in Christ and He in us, then will be praying for wisdom, and we will be praying for the Holy Spirit to open the door that we may discuss spiritual things. We will not be preaching Jesus or our church to someone who does not want to hear. It is the Spirit of God working with us as we minister to lost souls.


In fact, personal testimonies can be the most powerful way to witness, because they can also be the least threatening. You aren’t overtly preaching; you are simply telling a story, and we all should have our own personal story about what Jesus has done in our lives.

In His time, not in our own wisdom do we bring up what Jesus has done for us. We may talk about our trials and the peace we had in them, but we do not talk about Jesus until we know the heart is ready to hear such truth. We are also warned about not casting our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6 ). What does this mean?

Read Acts 26:11-27, the apostle Paul’s telling of his personal testimony to King Agrippa.

 26:11   And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities. 
 26:12   Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 
 26:13   At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 
 26:14   And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 
 26:15   And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 
 26:16   But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 
 26:17   Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 
 26:18   To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 
 26:19   Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 
 26:20   But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 
 26:21   For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill [me]. 
 26:22   Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 
 26:23   That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 
 26:24   And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 
 26:25   But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 
 26:26   For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 
 26:27   King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 


What can we learn from this for ourselves in seeking to witness to others about Jesus?

Notice the various stages. Paul told about what he was like before he knew the Lord. He then told about his actual conversion experience. And Paul then told about what God had done in his life since then. Then he made an appeal.

Where do we read about Paul's conversion experience? Not just the end of it on the road to Damascus, but the experience that ended when he met Jesus in person. We find a whole chapter devoted to it.


Though our stories might not be as dramatic as Paul’s, what is your own story with Jesus, and how can you learn to share it with others when the time is right?

It is not something we have to learn. It is something God puts on our heart to share. He tells us to comfort others wherein we have been comforted. We are His witnesses and we want to tell others of the love God has for us what great things He has done for us. Often bad things have happened in the past. It may not be good to share all, especially when it involves others whom we want to save also. But, as we pray for wisdom, God will hear and answer our prayers that others may know of Him, and His love and power.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Thursday September 8

Seek and You Shall Find


Read Revelation 3:20, Matthew 7:7-8, and John 1:12.

 3:19   As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 
 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 
 3:21   To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

 7:7   Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
 7:8   For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

 1:12   But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 
 1:13   Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 


In what ways are these three passages related, and what are they saying to us about what it means to seek and to find the Lord?

I took the liberty to add a few verses so that we may understand them in context. The verses are especially important in the day in which we live. The truth will reveal if we want to know the truth that we may do it.

Revelation chapter three in the message to the Laodicean church is for us, for God's last church. It applies to us as a people today. Notice Jesus loves us even though we are unrepentant as a people. He tells us to repent. He promises if we open the door, He will come in. Come into what? Into the heart. If Jesus be outside knocking on the door of the heart, then He cannot be in the heart. This is important. Jesus wants the heart, the whole heart. He will not come into the heart until we want Him to take possession of it. We can hold nothing back. It must be an entire surrender to His will. This is conversion. And, we must maintain that surrender in  order to keep Jesus in the heart. If we invite Him in as ruler, then we will be given power to overcome any temptation that He allows to come to us. It is a promise, is it not?

The next verses tell us if we really want to abide in Christ, He is inviting us in. Of course answering our prayers is conditioned upon what?

The last verses in John reveal our condition when we come into this world. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. We must be born of His Spirit in order to have life and power to overcome. If we will learn of Him, if we will surrender our will to Him, He will come into our hearts and give us power to be His representatives on this Earth. He will make us partakers of His divine nature that we may escape the corruption in our flesh.


These texts together show that people must ask and seek and be open to receive Jesus. At the same time, Revelation 3:20 depicts Jesus as standing at the door and knocking so that a person will open the door and let Him in.

These ideas are not contradictory. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord is working on the hearts of people, drawing them to Him, even if people aren’t necessarily aware that this is what is happening. They are often seeking for something that life itself doesn’t offer them. What a privilege to be there to point them in the right direction and to help them better understand just what it is that they are looking for.

The fact is that, through you, Jesus can knock at the “door” of the lives of the people in your community, and anyone who willingly “opens the door” and receives Him will receive the blessings that come with Him (Rev. 3:20, John 1:12). Also, He invites His followers to ask, seek, and knock at His door and receive the “good gifts” of His kingdom (Matt. 7:7-8, 11).

Conversion is the end of a long protracted process of wooing by the Holy Spirit. The idea of leading people to pray the sinner's prayer is just a little deceptive. Most who pray the prayer have not given their hearts to Christ. Our work is to first apply the Laodicean message to ourselves, not to the sinner in the world. Often they are in a much better position than Seventh-day Adventists. Is that not what Jesus is saying? He would rather we were cold like those in the world than where we as a people are. Why?  Because we think we are just fine the way we are. What a deception! We need to pray for ourselves before we start having others pray the sinner's prayer.

When the Holy Spirit impresses you that someone is ready to “open the door” to Christ, ask, “Would you like to pray with me to receive Jesus Christ and become a member of His family?” The following is a sample prayer that he/she can pray:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

We need spiritual discernment to know when the right time is to make an appeal.

We ought to always after presenting the gospel truth to others, allow the opportunity for them to make a full surrender. But, we need to make it plain what that involves. If we do not understand the gospel then how can we make it plain? We cannot. Better to minister to others physical needs than to mislead. Love others as best as you can until you are converted. When the priests washed in the laver before they began their ministerial duties, it was to teach them and us, that we must not be speaking of spiritual matters when we are not cleansed from sin. "When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not..." Exodus 30:20,21.

While there’s always the danger of being too aggressive, there’s always the danger, perhaps worse, of not being aggressive enough. Sometimes people need a firm and loving push to make a choice for the Lord. Who knows who might be teetering on the edge between two choices: eternal life in Christ or eternal loss?

An opportunity to accept Christ, yes. A push, no. It must be a heartfelt surrender because one has fallen in love with Jesus. We do not want one to think they are converted when they are not.


We do, for sure, have a sacred responsibility.

To whom much is given, much is expected. Ordained ministers in God's church will be accountable for all the suffering since 1888 if they have not fulfilled their responsibility to teach the gospel truth. How about those who are not pastors? Depending upon the light given, they too are accountable for delaying the coming of Christ which puts and end to suffering on this Earth, at least for humans until the day of the final judgment. But, those who have stood on vantage ground (ordained ministers), if not repentant will suffer in the final flames the longer.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Friday September 9

Further Thought: Read Psalm 77:20, Hosea 11:4, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Read Ellen G. White, “Teaching and Healing,” pp. 139-146, and “Help in Daily Living,” pp. 469, 470, in The Ministry of Healing; “ 'This Man Receiveth Sinners,’ ” pp. 185-197, and “ 'Go Into the Highways and Hedges,’ ” pp. 219-237, in Christ’s Object Lessons.

There was a young man who loved the Lord and who wanted to tell others about Jesus. Articulate, charismatic, he was a powerful witness. People loved to hear him speak. Yet, there was a constant problem: he was always afraid to ask people to make a commitment to Jesus. This surprised other church members, because in every other way he seemed so bold for the Lord, so willing to speak openly about his faith. Eventually, when asked about it, he gave the argument that we saw in Wednesday’s study that this was not his gift. He liked to sow seeds; he would leave it to others to reap the harvest. After a while, though, he confessed that, more than anything else, he was afraid of being rejected. He always felt a bit inadequate as a witness for the Lord (which is a good thing), and thus he was afraid that people would not make commitments to Jesus after he had asked them to do so. Others in the church explained to him that witnessing isn’t about us, but about Jesus. We are always going to be imperfect witnesses. Though we can prayerfully and lovingly point them to Jesus, we cannot play the role of the Holy Spirit, who alone can bring conviction and conversion. We, though, are to be the human conduits of the love of Christ to others.

Yes, the living preacher or teacher is to point all to Christ. He is to reveal the gospel message and put Jesus in the center of all he teaches. Then, he is to afford all who listened to the gospel the opportunity to accept Christ as Savior from sin. To not do so, would be to leave the sinner in his sin. The appeal is to surrender to God's love.


Discussion Questions:


    What would you say to someone who said that he or she was afraid to ask others to make a commitment to Jesus?
 
An appeal does not have to be the same as a baptism. It is not a legal enactment. It is affording one to declare he wants to serve Christ. He is ready to follow Jesus. Often, the understanding at this point is not real clear. But, the love of Jesus has been working on the heart, and there must be given to the sinner and opportunity to make public his desire to follow Christ.


    John 1:9 reads: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” How does this verse help us to understand that the Lord is seeking to reach every person with salvation?

The "Light of Life" is shining upon all who come into the world.


    How friendly is your church to visitors? What could you do better in regard to how you deal with strangers who walk in the door?

    When was the last time someone off the street simply walked into your church? How did the church respond?

Many of our churches are composed of a multitude of Laodiceans. What would we expect? This is why we spend so much time in presenting the truth about the gospel which is what reveals the love of God for the Laodicean. It is not a secret the church does not do what it ought to do. If it loses its own children, then why would it be different with the visitors? Did we not just read why it is that God does not work to bring many into His church? Why not? Do we remember what was said? Let's read it again. Maybe then we will quit asking church members to do what they cannot, without a new heart.


“The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 371.

    In class, talk about your own conversion stories. How have you used them, or how could you use them to be a witness to others?

Yes, our people do not need a sermon every Sabbath. What they are testimonies of what God has done for His people. Testimonies that reveal God has a church, God has power to change lives radically at the point of conversion. It really does happen. Not all remain in a Laodicean condition. Tell of  His loveliness, tell of His goodness, tell of His power. Lift up Christ that others may know of Him from the lips of converted Seventh-day Adventists.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Sabbath afternoon is a good time to study this week's Sabbath School lesson. It is not always possible to do so. But, today we did complete the lesson for all who have opportunity to study it. Please share your thoughts as you study the lesson. There is safety in a multitude of counselors. If you are not registered, send an email to administrator@remnant-online.com and we will get you registered so you can share with many of our brothers and sister from around the world.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

colporteur

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This is true , Richard. If we think we need the "gift of evangelism to evangelize" then it is very easy to rationalize doing nothing by thinking and saying, " I just don't have the gift. There may be true in terms of certain aspects of evangelizing that we are not as gifted at as another but that is different. Evangelizing is as much a gift to the converted as breathing is to the living. No healthy, living person would say, " I just don't have the gift of breathing.. so do I really have to do that ?"

The question for those who are not working for the Lord is, " do I have the gift of salvation?" If not, then we do not have the gift of evangelizing .... accept for the devil. To think that one can be a Christian that does not represent, reflect Christ, and do the works of Christ, is a contradiction.
It's easier to slow a fast horse down than to get a dead one going.

Richard Myers

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Amen, cp.   If I am not seeking out the lost, then I have lost my connection with Christ.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Tuesday

How do you act toward new faces in your church? Do you make an intentional effort to talk to them? Or do you ignore these people, thinking that someone else can minister to them? What does your answer say about yourself and what might need to be changed?

If we have Christ enthroned upon the heart, then we will love our neighbor. If we have not surrendered all of self to Jesus then how will we look at our neighbor? We cannot give to someone that which we do not have. Is the lesson telling us that we may not have Jesus in our hearts? How can we tell? Is there a sure way we can know our own status before God? Can we know if others are converted or not?


 We must have Jesus in our hearts and allow him to bring forth all of the fruits of His Spirit to continually experience conversion. If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His. See Romans 8:9:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Glen

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Friday September 9 We are always going to be imperfect witnesses.

The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy. All these, He says, “I have graven ... upon the palms of my hands” [Isaiah 49:16]. They are held in everlasting, imperishable remembrance. We want faith now, living faith. We want to have a living testimony that shall cut to the heart of the sinner. There is too much sermonizing and too little ministering. We want the holy unction. We need the spirit and fervor of the truth. Many of the ministers are half paralyzed by their own defects of character. They need the converting power of God. 12MR 325.1

Note: Ministers of God will NOT be paralyzed by defects of character because they have the converting power of God.

That which God required of Adam before his fall was perfect obedience to His law. God requires now what He required of Adam, perfect obedience, righteousness without a flaw, without shortcoming in His sight. God help us to render to Him all His law requires. We cannot do this without that faith that brings Christ's righteousness into daily practice. 12MR 325.2

The refining furnace is to remove the dross. When the Refiner sees His image reflected in you perfectly, He will remove you from the furnace. You will not be left to be consumed or to endure the fiery ordeal any longer than is necessary for your purification. But it is necessary for you, in order to reflect the divine image, to submit to the process the Refiner chooses for you, that you may be cleansed, purified, and every spot and blemish removed—not even a wrinkle left in your Christian character. May the Lord help you ... to choose to have the will and work of God accomplished in you.... Look up! Jesus lives. Jesus loves. Jesus pities, and He will receive you with all your burden of care and trouble if you will come to Him and lay your burden upon Him. He has promised He will never leave or forsake those who put their trust in Him. OHC 312.4


When the last steps of Christ's humiliation were to be taken, when the deepest sorrow was closing about His soul, He said to His disciples, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” “The prince of this world is judged.” Now shall he be cast out (John 14:30; 16:11; John 12:31). With prophetic eye Christ traced the scenes to take place in His last great conflict. He knew that when He should exclaim, “It is finished,” all heaven would triumph. His ear caught the distant music and the shouts of victory in the heavenly courts. He knew that the knell of Satan's empire would then be sounded, and the name of Christ would be heralded from world to world throughout the universe. LHU 300.3

Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. He spoke with assurance, knowing that an almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew that truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the bloodstained banner would wave triumphantly over His followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter (The Desire of Ages, 678, 679). LHU 300.4
...Jesus...will live through (YOU), giving (YOU) the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to (YOUR) soul a vital transfusion of Himself. Sabbath-School Worker 02-01-96.03  ...as the blood

Richard Myers

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Amen, Glen!  Good to see you back.

Some will not understand what inspiration is saying. Let me add a thought. There is no excuse for sin. Christ has at great expense provided a remedy. While defects of character are sin, and they may be removed from the life, we will never obtain holy flesh.....until the return of Christ.

When converted, truly converted, we have two natures. We retain our fallen nature, but when abiding in Christ and He in us, we become partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

As our Brother Glen has shared "Ministers of God will NOT be paralyzed by defects of character because they have the converting power of God." It is Christ in us that empowers the repentant sinner to resist the temptation to sin. It is the "converting power of God" that we need. And, we only have it when we are fully surrendered to Jesus, when we are "born of the Spirit", filled with His Spirit, manifesting the fruits of His Spirit, all of them. If we allow our minds to wander away from Jesus, then we lose the "converting power of God." As Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born of the Spirit. It is just as Pastor Sean has shared:


 We must have Jesus in our hearts and allow him to bring forth all of the fruits of His Spirit to continually experience conversion. If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His. See Romans 8:9:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Amen. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:13   ,14.

Thanks for sharing, Glen and Pastor Sean.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Glen

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Many seem to think that it is impossible not to fall under temptation, that they have no power to overcome, and they sin against God with their lips, talking discouragement and doubt, instead of faith and courage. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. He said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” What does this mean? It means that the prince of evil could find no vantage ground in Christ for his temptation; and so it may be with us.—The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891. 3SM 192.2

Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ... DA 258.6


My point is that we may overcome as Christ overcame in sinful flesh. The indwelling Savior is able to live His life, today, in the regenerate and penitent sinner who has a perfect hatred for sin. This is the experience, in sinful flesh, that those who are translated without seeing death, will have obtained. We are each invited to "strive" to be among them.

His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties of this life, and fix them on Him, that by beholding we may be changed into His likeness. We may behold Christ to good purpose. We may safely look to Him; for He is all-wise. As we look to Him and think of Him, He will be formed within, the hope of glory. 7BC 970.9

Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand (The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905). 7BC 970.10
...Jesus...will live through (YOU), giving (YOU) the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to (YOUR) soul a vital transfusion of Himself. Sabbath-School Worker 02-01-96.03  ...as the blood

Richard Myers

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Translation is a wonderful thing. We live in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. Many have lost the true meaning of what this means. Not only do they not understand, their character will be measured by the law of God, but that God is preparing a people to stand through the time of trouble such as never was without a Mediator. These will be translated as was Enoch.

Translation often leads many to excuse their sins. They think about the conditions for translation and ignore the conditions for conversion. So, many will be lost thinking that one need not perfect a Christian character to enter heaven. They have been taught that one known sin does not reveal a separation between God and man. They have not understood being born of the Spirit is the condition for eternal life. Or if they believe this, they do not understand what it means to be born of the Spirit. Here is a good explanation of what it means to be born of the Spirit.

Book of Romans
8:4   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 8:5   For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 
 8:6   For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 
 8:7   Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
 8:8   So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 
 8:9   But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 
 8:10   And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 
 8:11   But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 
 8:12   Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 
 8:13   For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 
 8:14   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 


And from Desire of Ages
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." pg 676.


This is not the conditions for translation, but for conversion and eternal life. Translation requires that one has come to the point where one not only understands their continual need of Christ, but that need has become habitually ingrained in the character so that one does not allow his mind to wander away from Christ. It has become a habit to cling to Christ. When the church reaches this state, then probation will close and Christ will throw down His censor and lock the doors of the heavenly sanctuary. There will then be no more forgiveness of sin. Those who attain to this character will always follow Jesus. They will never let go of Christ and thus will live through the time of trouble such as never was and will be translated without seeing death.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Glen

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Amen !

Whatever in thought, word, or deed; in temper, affection, habit, or disposition is not in perfect harmony with the law of God, the Holy Spirit instantly detects. It then presents the gospel looking glass, that the sinner may see himself in his sinfulness. Sin and the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in the same heart. As the Spirit works upon the heart, the divine virtues of truth are implanted. There is seen that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Man accepts the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;” and he finds rest because there is perfect conformity between his will and the will of God. He is made a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Ms150-1899 (October 26, 1899) par. 56

God proves his people in this world. This is the fitting up place to appear in his presence. Here, in this world, in these last days, individuals will show what power affects their hearts and controls their actions. If it is the power of divine truth, it will lead to good works. It will elevate the receiver, and make him noble-hearted and generous, like his divine Lord. But if the evil angels control the heart, it will be seen in various ways. The fruit will be selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions. 2SG 226.1

Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols, and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If they will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride and evil passions, the angels of God have their charge, “They are joined to their idols, let them alone,” and they pass on to their work, leaving them with their evil traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will be fitted by the latter rain for translation. 2SG 225.1

...Jesus...will live through (YOU), giving (YOU) the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to (YOUR) soul a vital transfusion of Himself. Sabbath-School Worker 02-01-96.03  ...as the blood