Lesson 11 September 5-11
Sharing the Story of Jesus Commentary in Navy Inspiration in Maroon
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week’s Study: Eph. 2:1-10, 1 John 4:7-11, Mark 5:1-20, Heb. 10:19-22, Gal. 2:20, 1 Cor. 1:30.
Memory Text: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13, NKJV).
As stated in an earlier lesson, nothing argues more eloquently for the power of the gospel than a changed life. People may argue with your theology. They may debate about doctrines. They may call into question your understanding of the Scriptures, but they will rarely question your personal testimony of what Jesus means to you and has done in your life.
Witnessing is sharing what we know about Jesus. It is letting others know what He means to us and what He has done for us. If our witness consists solely of trying to prove that what we believe is right and that what others believe is wrong, we will meet with strong opposition. If our witness about Jesus comes from a heart that has been transformed by His grace, charmed by His love, and amazed at His truth, others will be impressed with how the truth we believe has impacted our lives. Truth presented in the context of a changed life makes all the difference.
When Christ is the center of every doctrine, and each biblical teaching reflects His character, those we are sharing the Scriptures with are much more likely to accept His word.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 12.
Sunday ↥ September 6
Jesus: The Basis of Our TestimonyAs Christians, we all have a personal story to tell, a story about how Jesus changed our lives and what He has done for us.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. What were we like before we knew Christ? What is ours since we have accepted Christ?
A. Before we knew Christ (Eph. 2:1-3).
B. After we knew Christ (Eph. 2:4-10).
What an amazing change! Before we knew Christ, we were “dead in trespasses and sins”, “walked according to the course of this world”, “fulfilling the desires of the flesh”, and “were by nature children of wrath” (NKJV). To put it simply, before we knew Christ, we wandered aimlessly through life in a lost condition.
We may have experienced what appeared to be happiness, but there was an angst of the soul and an unfulfilled purpose in our lives. Coming to Christ and experiencing His love made all the difference. Now in Christ we are truly “alive”. Through the “exceeding riches of His grace” and His “rich … mercy” toward us, we have received the gift of salvation. He has raised us up to “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (NKJV). In Christ, life has taken on new meaning and has new purpose. As John declares, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4, NKJV).
Read Ephesians 2:10. What does this text tell us about how central good works are to the Christian’s faith? How do we understand this idea in the context of salvation by faith “without the deeds of the law” Rom. 3:28?
How has your life changed because of Christ, a change that could possibly help someone else come to a knowledge of Jesus?
Monday ↥ September 7
The Transformative Power of Personal TestimonyJohn and James, the sons of Zebedee, were known as the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17, NKJV). In fact, it was Jesus who gave them their nickname. An illustration of John’s fiery disposition took place when Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria. When they tried to find a place of lodging for the night, they met with opposition due to the prejudice of the Samaritans against the Jews. They were refused even the humblest of accommodations.
James and John thought they had the solution to the problem. “When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’” (Luke 9:54, NKJV). Jesus rebuked the brothers, and they all left the village quietly. Jesus’ way is the way of love, not combative force.
In the presence of Jesus’ love, John’s impetuosity and anger were transformed to loving-kindness and a gentle compassionate spirit. In John’s first epistle, the word love appears nearly forty times; in its various forms, it appears 50 times.
Read 1 John 1:1-4, 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:7-11; and 1 John 5:1-5. What do these passages tell you about John’s testimony and the changes that took place in his life because of his interaction with Jesus?
There is an eternal principle of the universe. Ellen G. White states this principle well in these words: “The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened”. — The Desire of Ages, p. 22.
When we are committed to Christ, His love will shine through us to others. The greatest testimony of Christianity is a changed life. This does not mean we will never make mistakes and that we might at times not be the conduits of love and grace that we are supposed to be. But it does mean that, ideally, the love of Christ will flow from our lives, and we will be a blessing to those around us.
How well do you reflect the love of Christ to others? Think about the implications of your answer.