SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2023--Part of God’s Family

[Richard Myers]

 

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

It is difficult for us to comprehend fully the relationship that our God, the Creator of the universe, wants to have with us human beings. (The mere idea of it is astounding!) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV). Or as Ellen G. White wrote: “Can any human dignity equal this? What higher position can we occupy than to be called the sons of the infinite God? . . . Can any worldly honor equal this?”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 341. It’s only the darkness of this sin-laden world that causes us not to appreciate fully the status that we have been given in Jesus. Yet, if we are not careful, the lure of the world and the things of the world will pull us away from Christ. The Word of God informs us of the temptations and allurements of Satan. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9, 10, NKJV).

The Lord, however, gives us guidance on how to earn money and utilize it wisely and not to let it be something that, as Paul warned, can lead to “destruction and perdition.” In the more than two thousand verses in the Scriptures that deal with money and possessions and our attitude toward them, God gives practical instruction on how to live above the stresses of life and to manage in financially faithful ways what we have been given. In this quarter’s lessons, we will study God’s ideal in our relationship with Him and clearly see how we can develop a trust so deep that we will remain faithful to Him, even when we can’t buy or sell. (See Rev. 13:17.) But this kind of faith does not come overnight; by faithfully managing what God has given us, we can be prepared, even now, for whatever comes our way.

It is true that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. As our faith grows, the tests that God allows will be ever greater. But, when it comes to being selfish, that changes in a moment when after long wooing by the Holy Spirit the heart is given fully to God. It is called conversion. As with the thief on the cross, we love the Lord our God with all of the heart and thus we give Him all that we are all that we have. If we hold anything back, we are not His.

God is the One with the resources, and when we work with Him, He allows us to handle them for Him. It is the Savior’s purpose that human beings, purified and sanctified, shall be His helping hand.

Amen! As long as one is purified and sanctified, He has power to walk in all of the light entrusted to him. When we lose our connection with God, we are no longer purified and sanctified. We do not believe in once saved always saved. In order to be saved, one must first be cleansed of all sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

For this great privilege, let us give thanks to Him “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13, 14). God is the One with the resources, and when we work with Him, He allows us to handle them for Him.

God’s counsel to His children through the wise man, Solomon, is: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase” (Prov. 3:9, NKJV). This counsel is appropriate because “ ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created’ ” (Rev. 4:11, NKJV).

Amen!  God is worthy!  If we want to see the blessings promised, then we need to help those who do not have the power to do what God has asked. The church remains in a Laodicean condition, thus even those who go to church on the Sabbath, and pay tithe and offerings, many of these will not enter heaven because they did not repent of their sins, and were not cleansed from all unrighteousness.

From a merely secular perspective, we live in very challenging and stressful times. However, our Christian worldview gives us confidence and hope as we see the signs Jesus gave to let us know that the great climax of human history, the second coming of Christ, is very near—even at the door. We pray that these practical lessons will deepen your faith and trust in God and encourage you to be a faithful manager for Him.

G. Edward Reid, MDiv (Andrews University), MPH (Loma Linda University), JD (Georgia State University), is an ordained minister and licensed attorney who served for many years as the director of Stewardship Ministries of the North American Division

[Richard Myers]

LESSON 1 *December 31—January 6

Part of God’s Family

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon


Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 3:26, 29; Ps. 50:10–12; 1 Chron. 29:13, 14; Phil. 4:19; 1 John 5:3; Matt. 6:19–21.
Memory Text: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1

As Christians, an amazing feature about our relationship with God is that He trusts us to manage His affairs on the earth. At the very outset of human history, God explicitly delegated to Adam and Eve the personal care of a flawless creation. (See Gen. 2:7–9, 15.) From the naming of the animals to keeping the Garden, and to filling the earth with children, God let it be known that we are to work on His behalf here.

He also blesses us with resources, but we are the ones whom He has entrusted to manage them, such as to collect money, to write the checks, to do the electronic transfers, to make the budgets, or to bring our tithes and offerings to the church on Sabbath mornings. God encourages us to spend the resources that He has given to us for our own needs, for the needs of others, and for the advancement of His work. Incredible as it may seem, we are the ones whom God has entrusted with raising His children, building His buildings, and educating the succeeding generations.

Amazing considering the failure of Israel of Old, and the failure of the Roman Church, and all of the Protestant Churches up to today. The next to last is now called Babylon. But, even though the last church is in a Laodicean condition, God has the power to bring about a revival and reformation. He has promised He will do this, not for our sake, but His His holy name's sake (Eze. 36:22-25). Many in His church will reject His offer of salvation and be cast out. Let none despair, His promises are true.

We look at the blueprint entrusted to us and what do we see has come of it?  If this quarter's lessons encourage us that there will be revival and reformation, then we praise God for the encouragement. If it does not call for revival and reform, then shame on the church that God has entrusted so very much light. As for those who reject His love and do not walk in the light entrusted to us, He has a warning:

Formality, Not Organization, An Evil
Evil does not result because of organization, but because of making organization everything, and vital godliness of little moment. When form and machinery take the pre-eminence, and a laborious task is made of carrying on the work that should be done with simplicity, evil will result, and little will be accomplished in proportion to the effort put forth. The object of organization is just the reverse of this; and should we disorganize, it would be like tearing down that which we have built up. Evil results have been seen, both in the Sabbath-school work and in the missionary society, because of making much of machinery while vital experience was lost sight of. In many of the imagined improvements that have been brought in, the mould of man has been placed upon the work. In the Sabbath-school, men and women have been accepted as officers and teachers, who have not been spiritually minded, and had no live interest in the work committed to their care; but matters can be set in order only through the aid of the Holy Spirit. The same evil has existed for years as now exists in our churches. Formality, pride, and love of display have taken the place of true piety and humble godliness. We might see a different order of things should a number consecrate themselves wholly to God, and then devote their talents to the Sabbath-school work, ever advancing in knowledge, and educating themselves so that they would be able to instruct others as to the best methods to employ in the work; but it is not for the workers to seek for methods by which they can make a show, consuming time in theatrical performances and musical display, for this benefits no one. It does no good to train the children to make speeches for special occasions. They should be won to Christ, and instead of expending time, money, and effort to make a display, let the whole effort be made to gather sheaves for the harvest......

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom; and when God is not depended upon, the result of education is only to elevate ungodliness. The reason that the church is weak and inefficient is that there is a want of the grace of Christ among those who profess the truth for these last days. If the Lord has ever spoken by me, there is sin of almost every character cherished by many who claim to be children of God; and unless they separate themselves from Satan and cling to Jesus our righteousness, the woe of God will be upon those who have had great light, and yet have chosen to walk in darkness. “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin; Woe unto thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.” [Matthew 11:20-25.]

It is a fearful thing to have great light and blessing, to have many opportunities and privileges, and yet make no saving use of them. Those who do not make a saving use of their opportunities, will be condemned by the privileges God has granted to them; but those who walk in the light will have increased light. Those who have had the light of truth, and yet have failed to walk in the light, are under the same sentence of condemnation as were Chorazin and Bethsaida. Shall not these warnings be heeded? Shall not these admonitions have weight with us? In the near future it will be seen just who have been walking humbly with God, and who have been obeying his orders. Those who have been walking in the sparks of their own kindling will lie down in sorrow. It will be seen that they have made a terrible mistake. O let us awake! light is now shining; let the windows of the mind and heart be open to welcome the heaven-sent rays. Shall Jesus say of those who profess to obey the truth, and yet who fail to walk in its light, “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them”? [Matthew 13:14, 15.]—Christian Education, pgs 134, 140.

Thus we see here the failure of the work within the organized church is not the failure of organization, but of those who fail to surrender the whole heart to Christ. It may be that we will not succeed in transforming all of our hospitals, schools, publishing houses, and churches into the institutions there were meant to be, but dare not say it is the fault of the organization, it is not. New leaders will be chosen, leaders who are being led by God and who will walk in the light of the blueprint given by God Himself. Not all leaders will be sifted out, but only those who refuse to repent and carry out the instructions entrusted to His Church.


In this week’s study, we will explore the privileges and responsibilities of being a part of the family of God.

Praise God!  With such great privileges given to us come great responsibilities. Many who are not yet a part of this great organization, the last of the seven churches in Revelation, will be brought in to replace those leaving. God does have a people who are and will walk in the light of love.

God is raising up a class to give the loud cry of the third angel’s message. “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” ( Acts 20:30). It is Satan’s object now to get up new theories to divert the mind from the true work and genuine message for this time. He stirs up minds to give false interpretation of Scripture, a spurious loud cry, that the real message may not have its effect when it does come. This is one of the greatest evidences that the loud cry will soon be heard and the earth will be lightened with the glory of God.—Letter 20, 1884, p. 2

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 7.

[Richard Myers]

SUNDAY January 1
We Are Part of God’s Family

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” Eph. 3:14, 15.
What imagery is evoked in this verse, and what hope is found there?

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He states, “ ‘In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name’ ” (Matt. 6:9, NKJV). Later He repeats the same prayer privately with His disciples (Luke 11:2). Jesus told us to call His Father, “Our Father in heaven.” When Jesus encountered Mary after His resurrection, she wanted to embrace Him. “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” ’ ” (John 20:17, NKJV).

Because we have the same Father as Jesus, He is our Brother, and we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus became a member of the earthly family so that we could become members of the heavenly family. “The family of heaven and the family of earth are one.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 832.
Read Exodus 3:10; Exodus 5:1; and Galatians 3:26, 29. What do these verses say about how God relates to us? Why should this be so encouraging?

In contrast to a view of creation in which we are deemed the mere products of cold, uncaring natural laws, Scripture teaches not only that God exists, but also that He loves us and relates to us in such a loving manner that the imagery of family is often used in Scripture to depict that relationship. Whether Jesus calls Israel My people or us sons of God or refers to God as our Father, the point is still the same: God loves us the way family members are supposed to love each other. What good news amid a world that, in and of itself, can be very hostile!

Amen! And even more convincing that He loves us, He allowed His innocent Son to come to this dark spot in the universe where Satan claims dominion, a helpless   baby subject to the weakness of humanity to fight the battle of life as we must fight it at the risk of failure and eternal loss. Wonder O heavens and be astonished O Earth, herein is love!

Imagine a world in which we treated everyone as family. How can we learn to relate better to all human beings as our brothers and sisters?

Learn of our Father's love. Spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes where we behold the stripes by which we are healed. By beholding His glory( His character) we will be transformed into His image (character). We then will love even the unlovable. (See 2 Cor. 3:18).

[Richard Myers]

MONDAY January 2
God Is the Owner of Everything


Read Psalm 50:10–12; Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; and Haggai 2:8. What’s the message here, and what should this truth mean to us and how we relate to whatever we possess?

The book of 1 Chronicles, starting with chapter 17, records King David’s desire to build a house for God. He shared this desire with the prophet Nathan, who responded, “ ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you’ ” (1 Chron. 17:2, NKJV). But that night the word of God came to Nathan and instructed him to tell the king that, because he was a man of war, he couldn’t build God’s house. His son would do the work instead. David asked if he could, at least, draw the plans and prepare the building materials. When David was granted this request, he spent the rest of his life amassing a tremendous amount of hewn stone, cedar, iron, gold, silver, and brass “without measure.” When all of the building materials had been prepared and assembled at the building site, David called all the leaders of Israel together for a ceremony of praise and thanksgiving.

In 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14, in King David’s public prayer, who did he say was the real source of all the building materials that he and the people had spent time and money preparing? Of course, in essence, he said, “We really can’t take any credit for all these special materials because we are just giving You back Your own stuff.”

No we don't take credit, but how does God look at those who give of what they have to His glory and to help others? It is contrary to our fallen nature to give what we have to others. How can this be changed? Only in one way, we must be born again of the Spirit. We must die daily, else even in paying tithe, it is selfishness. God does not accept any form of selfishness. It is the heart that is fully surrendered to God that gives glory to God. But, He loves us while we were yet sinners. This is the grace that transforms sinners into saints.

The point is important for all of us, whether rich or poor (but especially the rich). Because God made everything in the beginning (see Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Ps. 33:6, 9), He is truly the rightful Owner of all that exists, including whatever we possess—no matter how hard and diligently and honestly we have worked for it. If not for God and His grace, we would have nothing, we would be nothing; in fact, we wouldn’t even exist. Thus, we must always live with the realization that, ultimately, God owns all that is, and by praising and thanking Him for His goodness to us, we can keep this important truth before us.

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this?” (1 Chron. 29:14, NKJV). What beautiful principles are expressed in these words, and how do they reflect what our attitude toward God should be and our attitude toward what we possess?

How are we able to offer so willingly? It is not good enough to say it is all God's. We must be truly converted before we will want to offer what we have. It is true that each breath we take is of God's doing. But, unless the heart is fully surrendered to God, it makes no difference that we belong to God as does everything He has made. Then our effort to help others comes from helping them meet their physical needs, and then helping them understand the plan of salvation which is centered in knowing God and beholding His glory daily.

[Richard Myers]

TUESDAY January 3
Resources Available for God’s Family

God’s greatest gift to His children is Jesus Christ, who brings us the peace of forgiveness, grace for daily living and spiritual growth, and the hope of eternal life.

“ ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ ” (John 3:16). “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” (John 1:12).

Salvation, then, is the foundational gift because, without this gift, what else could we get from God that in the long run would really matter? Whatever we might have here, one day we will be dead and gone and so will everyone who ever remembered us, and whatever good we did will be forgotten, as well. First and foremost, then, we must always keep the gift of the gospel; that is, Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2), at the center of all our thoughts.

Amen!

And yet, along with salvation, God gives us so much more. To those who were concerned about their food and clothing, Jesus offered comfort by saying, “ ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you’ ” (Matt. 6:33).
Read Psalm 23:1, Psalm 37:25, and Philippians 4:19. What do these verses say about God’s provision for our daily needs?

Also, when Jesus talked to His disciples about going away, He promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort them. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15–17). “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

Then the Spirit Himself gives amazing spiritual gifts to God’s children. (See 1 Cor. 12:4–11.)

And, when one is converted the Holy Spirit takes possession of the heart and brings with Him, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance which is self control. All of these are there, not one missing. We can have love, joy, and peace in the middle of the storm if we will give the whole heart to Jesus. We can only do this if we trust Him with all we have and all we are. How can we love Him in this manner? We must know Him. How can we know Him so intimately? Spend time with Him. Study His character. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes. Why? It  is there we see Him hanging from a tree with His back bleeding from the stripes that we deserve. This is the grace that transforms sinners into saints. By beholding His glory we are changed into the same character.

In short, the God in whom “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28), the God who “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25), has given us existence, the promise of salvation, material blessings, and spiritual gifts in order to be a blessing to others. Again, whatever material possessions that we have, whatever gifts or talents we have been blessed with, we are indebted in every way to the Giver in how we use those gifts.

There is something else that we might encourage others to consider. The Bible teaches us that giving is a blessing to the giver. "I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." If we would encourage our children to give to others when they are very young, then they would experience the joy that comes from helping others. When we pay tithe because we have to, there is no joy. When we give because it helps others, then we have joy.  This is the difference between those who are truly converted and those who are not. Love, joy, and peace come to all who love the Lord our God with all of the heart.

[Richard Myers]

WEDNESDAY January 4
Responsibilities of God’s Family Members

We all enjoy the spiritual and temporal blessings and gifts that God gives us. How comforting to know, too, that we are “part of the family.”
Read Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37.

  6:5           And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 
 22:37   Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

Amen!!

What does this mean, and how do we do it?

Amen! The author of the lesson has gotten to the all important point. Unless we love the Lord our God with all of the heart, we can do no good thing including paying tithe or giving bread to the hungry. It is all selfishness unless we are converted, born again. Yes, it is good to give to the hungry, but unless one is converted, the glory is not God's.  How do we love God supremely? We have to know Him. The Bible tells us we love Him because He first loved us. How do we know He loves us? The Word is a revelation of that love. Thus, if we would read the Bible to know God, we would know Him. But, it is not good enough to read the Bible and know God, and stop reading the Word. Why? If we know God is that not good enough? Sadly, it is not good enough. We are a forgetful people. If we forget God and who He is, then we default back to our fallen nature and can do no good thing. We need to be connected with God in order to be a partaker of His divine nature. If we allow our minds to wander away from God, then we end up in the water just as did Peter when he took his eyes off of Jesus. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus. Why? So we would see grace daily. It would also be good to stop at noon and do as did Daniel that we forget not God and His grace.

How would you love God with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37)? Interestingly enough, the Bible gives us the answer, and it’s not what most people expect.

Read Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 and 1 John 5:3.

10:12   And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 
 10:13   To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 

 5:3   For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Biblically speaking, what is our proper response in our love relationship with our Father in heaven?

I would not call it a proper response when we love the Lord our God with all of the heart. When we love God supremely, we will do all He asks of us. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to keep His commandments to the degree we understand. More than this, we have all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing. Thus, our response when we love God with all of the heart is to give glory to Him. We will have a heart cleansed from all unrighteousness, thus we will not sin out of love. God has promised we shall not be tempted beyond what we can bear. Thus, those who love the Lord our God with all of the heart will not sin. This is the proper statement of what happens when God has the whole heart.

From our daily reading in Desire of Ages, we read:   "The prince of this world cometh," said Jesus, "and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan's sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.

We also read from the same book:    All who became the subjects of Christ's kingdom, he said, would give evidence of faith and repentance. Kindness, honesty, and fidelity would be seen in their lives. They would minister to the needy, and bring their offerings to God. They would shield the defenseless, and give an example of virtue and compassion. So the followers of Christ will give evidence of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. In the daily life, justice, mercy, and the love of God will be seen. Otherwise they are like the chaff that is given to the fire.....In the time of John the Baptist, Christ was about to appear as the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make manifest to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from sin could they enter into fellowship with Him. Only the pure in heart could abide in His presence.

And one more that we might be encouraged:  "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."

Keeping the law? Obeying the commandments? For many Christians, unfortunately, the idea of obeying the law (especially the fourth commandment) is legalism, and they claim that we are called, simply, to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, God is clear: we reveal our love to God and to our neighbors by, yes, obeying His commandments.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). We are used to looking at this verse as, well, we love God and, therefore, we keep His commandments. That’s fine. But perhaps we also can read it as “this is the love of God”; that is, we know and experience the love of God by keeping His commandments.

In Matthew 7:21–27, Jesus said that those who hear and do God’s words are likened to a wise builder who built his house upon the solid rock. Those who hear but don’t obey are likened to a foolish builder who built his house on the sand—with disastrous results. Both heard the word; one obeyed, one didn’t. The results made the difference between life and death.

Think about the link between loving God and obeying His law. Why would love for God be expressed that way? What is it about keeping the commandments that, indeed, does reveal that love? (Hint: Think about what disobeying His law causes.)

Man comes into this world with a fallen nature separated from God and can do no good thing. We must be born again of the Spirit. Is this not what Christ told Nicodemus, a Laodicean leader in Israel? This is not an excuse for sin, in that God has provided a remedy at a very high cost. All may learn of Him who gave all that we might be converted and live eternally. How is God's love shown to us? How is our love for God shown?  If we love someone, will we murder them, will we steal from them, will we commit adultery, will we bear false witness against them?  Then the commandments are a law of love. When we love someone we manifest a character like the character of our Creator. We do not have this in us unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the godhead. He brings with Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit. We are then a new creature having been cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The commandments are a revelation of the character of God. We may have the same character if we will give God the whole heart. That will happen when we love Him and trust Him with all we have and all we are. This will happen when we spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.

[Richard Myers]

THURSDAY January 5
Treasure in Heaven

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:19–21.

What crucial truths is Jesus speaking here?

In this world, nothing is safe unless God keeps it safe. The "things" we possess can be lost in a moment. But, the things we have which are Spiritual cannot be stolen from us. Which is more valuable even if not lost, the things of this world, or eternal life with Jesus in a world without sin? If we love the Lord our God with all of the heart, then the things of this world are of little value to us. We may benefit from them, but our safety and joy are in Christ. If we use them to help others, then we have be given a great blessing knowing we have helped someone and that it might lead to a saved soul.

Who hasn’t read story after story of those who had amassed great wealth, only somehow to lose it? Our world is a very unstable place: wars, crime, violence, natural disasters, anything can come in a moment and take away all that we have worked for and, perhaps, even what we have honestly and faithfully earned. Then, too, in a moment, death comes, and so these things become useless to us anyway.

Of course, Scripture never tells us it’s wrong to be rich or to have amassed wealth; instead, in these verses Jesus warns us to keep it all in perspective.

What, though, does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? It means making God and His cause first and foremost in your life, instead of making money first and foremost. Among other things, it means using what we have for the work of God, for the advancement of His kingdom, for working in behalf of others, and for being a blessing to others.

Amen!  This brings joy to the heart and glorifies our God. The only thing we take to heaven is our character and the blessing of having helped others up that steep narrow road that leads to heaven.

For instance, when God called Abram, He planned to use Abram and his family to bless all the families of the earth. God said to Abram, who “was called the friend of God” (James 2:23), “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Gen. 12:2, 3.

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9). We have the same challenge presented to us as was presented to him.

“Money has great value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351.

Amen!

“ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ ” (Matt. 6:21). Where does your heart tell you your treasure is?

From a practical standpoint, how can one tell where their heart is?  What is of more value, your possessions or your character?  Who or what do you talk about? Where do you spend your time? Where do you spend your money? How important is your life? Are you ready to lay it down for another? Where is your security?

We all need shelter, yet Jesus had none. We all need food, clothing, and love.  Was Jesus a Rock unto Himself? No, He was not, even though He was God. He trusted and relied upon His Father for whatever He needed. He had food, He was provided shelter, and while He walked alone in this world, He knew His Father loved Him. So it may be with us. God loves us, He has proved it in sacrificing and risking His innocent Son. Our problem is we do not spend enough time with Him to know Him so that we trust Him to take care of us no matter what happens.

It would be well to consider spending a thoughtful hour a day reading in Desire of Ages. By beholding His glory we shall be transformed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18).

[Richard Myers]

FRIDAY January 6

Further Thought: “The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings,— all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 21.

Amen!! Such love!!

“If you have renounced self and given yourself to Christ you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are opened to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants—all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good.”—Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 110.

Amazing!!  And the very best thing we do with it, it to bless others, thus giving glory to our God.


Discussion Questions:

    1. With all of these awesome gifts that God gives His children, we are compelled to ask, as did the psalmist, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12, NKJV). Make a list of the blessings and gifts of God to you in your spiritual and temporal life, and be ready to share it with your class. What does this teach you about how thankful to God you really should be?

It would be good to not forget what great things He has done for us.

    2. Though we think about God, and rightly so, as our Creator, Scripture again and again teaches that He is our Sustainer, as well. (See Heb. 1:3; Job 38:33–37; Ps. 135:6, 7; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; 2 Pet. 3:7.) From the galaxies in the cosmos to the beating of our hearts, to the forces that hold together the atomic structures that make up all known matter, it is only God’s sustaining power that keeps them in existence. How should this biblical truth help us understand just what our obligations are to God, in terms of how we use whatever He has given us? How does this reality help us keep our life and the purpose of our life in proper perspective?

Yes, we are obligated to love and help God. But, it means nothing unless we are converted. Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned. A selfish heart does not care about obligations to God. To whom much is given, much is expected. The  light shining on Seventh-day Adventists is very great. Thus, God expects more from us. A selfish person cannot do any good thing, but they can understand there is punishment for those who hurt others. Unrepentant sinners hurt others and God. Thus, it would be good for those who have been given great light to learn of God's love so they will be converted. There is nothing stopping  a selfish person from learning of God. Beholding His glory will transform the sinner. Then he can give glory to God. What will happen to those who have been given great light and not walked in it? Share with your class what you have found will happen to all who do not walk in the light of God's love.

    3. The lesson talked about why, of all God has given us, Jesus and the plan of salvation are the greatest gifts. Why is that true? What would we have if we didn’t have that and the great hope it offers us? An atheist writer depicted humans as nothing but “hunks of spoiling flesh on disintegrating bones.” Why, without the gift of the gospel, would he have a point?

God created man in His image (character). He was holy. We are evil now by nature. There is no love, joy, and peace without being transformed in nature. It is true we cannot change our flesh, but we can have transformation of heart and mind. This happens at conversion when the heart is given fully to God. Then we have love, joy, and peace even living in vile sinful flesh. Having the Holy Spirit in the heart makes us a partaker of God's divine nature. Christ had two natures, so may we as long as we love the Lord our God with the whole heart. When we allow the mind to wander away from Jesus, then the Spirit leaves and we default back to our fallen nature and walk in the flesh not in the Spirit. God wants us to be reconciled to Him, for our good and His glory.

This can only happen when we love God supremely and surrender our whole will to His will. this can only happen we know and trust Him with all we are and all we have. How does this happen? Share the answer with your Sabbath School class. Help them to overcome the Romans 7 man.