ffizOCII]g OH 5Pft C#P13341Lgi To VINQ gP13411=30&KI3 Secon Quarte 1971 Adult Division, No. 304, Second Quarter, 1971 Lesson Titles for the Quarter 1. Challenging Truths for All Times 2. Toward the Fullness of Christ 3. From Sinners to Saints 4. From Chaos to Community 5. Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown 6. God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled 7. Unity—Source of Peace and Progress 8. Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New 9. Walk in the Light 10. Spiritual Renewal Through Christ 11. To the Pillars of the Christian Home 12. Excellence in Endeavor Through Christian Principles 13. Be Strong in the Lord The regular Sabbath School senior division lessons and reg- ular Sabbath School World Mission Report are available free each month in Braille and magnetic tapes to blind and phys- ically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly (regular edition), No. 304, April-June, 1971. 30 cents a single copy, $1.20 a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94040. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, Cali- fornia. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses. Copyright, 1971, by Pacific Press Publishing Association Cover painting by John Steel, artist; © PPPA Drawings by James Converse The Blessing of Daily Study "Every day some portion of time should be appropri- ated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very founda- tion, and become familiar with what is brought out in the lesson."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 53. My Pledge As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath School lesson each day of the week. (signed) 3 Studies in the EpisitIle t® the Ephesians SECOND QUARTER, 1971 Place of writing and date: "Having exercised his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar, Paul was sent to Rome, where he probably arrived in the spring of A.D. 61. Here he was a prisoner for two years. Thus it is likely that this epistle was written about A.D. 62."—SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 994. Historical background: "Paul wrote this epistle in times and surroundings that well form a background to his message. The bloody Nero was emperor; licentiousness, luxury, and murder were rampant. It is recorded, for example, that when L. Pedanius Secundus, a senator of Rome, had been murdered by a slave, in accordance with legal rights some 400 slaves of his household were condemned to death in retribution."—Ibid. Theme: "This book of the New Testament . . . may be described as a solemn contemplation of the lofty privilege into which God's eternal purpose has brought believers in Christ, followed by an exhortation to conduct worthy of this high calling. Beneath this simple structure of the epistle and pervading the whole is the fully developed conception of Christ as central in the universe and in history."—Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1946 ed., article, "Epistle to the Ephesians." Relevance: This letter was written during the closing days of Paul's min- istry, while he was a prisoner in Rome. See The Acts of the Apostles, page 176; Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 730. His great burden was that the believers should stand firm and that they should all come into "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the mea- sure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Eph. 4:13. "These messages, written with a power not of man but of God, contain lessons which should be studied by all and which may with profit be often repeated. In them practical godliness is outlined, principles are laid down that should be followed in every church, and the way that leads to life eternal is made plain."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 470, 471. 4 CHALLENGING TRUTHS FOR ALL TIMES "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, ac- cording to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:7. Study Helps: Patriarchs and Prophets, Eph 3:8). . . . He possessed singleness of pages 63-67; Prophets and Kings, pages purpose (1 Cor 2:2; Php 3:13), composure 681-702; SDA Bible Commentary. of mind (Php 4:11, 12 ; 1 Ti 6:6-8), ... and unfailing faith (Rom 2:28, 38, 39; Gal "This letter, containing the deepest 2:20; 2 Ti 1:12)."—SDA Bible Dictionary, church truth, is a treasure-house of rich "Paul," page 832. spiritual food, highly doctrinal in charac- ter. It contains the longest sentence in print, commencing at chapter 1, verse 3, and ex- LESSON OUTLINE tending through verse 14."—Kenneth Wuest, Acts Through Ephesians, page 213. 1. Salutation of the Apostle Paul "The Epistle to the Ephesians occupies Eph. 1:1-3 a place of supreme importance in the his- tory of Christian theology. It could almost 2. Chosen for Salvation by God be said that through the centuries the in- Eph. 1:4-6 fluence of Paul has been felt primarily through this epistle."—The Interpreter's 3. Redemption Through Christ's Bible, Vol. 10, p. 605. Blood Think on the Writer: Paul was "an Eph. 1:7, 8 apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." 4. Amazing Plan Made Known "As a theologian he ranks as perhaps the greatest of all time, having laid much of Eph. 1:9, 10 the foundation upon which Christian dog- 5. Believer's Inheritance Secure matics is built. His elevated concept of Christ has dominated Christianity. He was Eph. 1:11, 12 an able orator (Acts 17:22-31). . . . He was also a great evangelist. . . . Yet in spite 6. Sealed With the Spirit of of his many gifts and his high calling, he Promise was a man of great humility (1 Cor 15:9; Eph. 1:13, 14 5 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Sunday March 28 Part 1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, SALUTATION OF to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in THE APOSTLE PAUL Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed Eph. 1:1-3 us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." "The will of God." This gave Paul a strong conviction of divine calling. He uses the expression at least six times to the churches. (1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1.) By direct mandate of Christ he had been chosen (Acts 9:5-15), and by diligence and the grace of God he continued his witness till his death (2 Tim. 4:7). He undoubtedly was, after Christ, the gospel's greatest exponent and model church leader. "Saints." This is an early use of this word in the sense of "Christians" (Acts 9:13), and occurs in all his epistles except Thessalonians and Galatians and those written to individuals. "Blessed." He blesses God, who has blessed the saints "with all spiritual blessings." This comprehensive statement would doubtless include the doctrinal revelations such as adoption, resurrection, and immortality, as brought to light in the gospel. "Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 510, 511. What is the meaning of "an apostle of Jesus Christ"? Can each believer live every day "by the will of God"? What were the characteristics of a "saint" of Paul's day? From what kind of world had the "faithful" come? Eph. 1:1. THINK IT THROUGH Are "all spiritual blessings" available to us today? If we availed ourselves of them, would our homes and churches undergo some change? Have you found by ex- perience that "rejoicing in the Lord" is a helpful attitude in one's life? "No tongue can express, no finite from the throne of God. Then let us mind can conceive, the blessing that educate our hearts and lips to speak results from appreciating the goodness the praise of God for His matchless and love of God. Even on earth we may love."—"The Ministry of Healing," page have joy as a wellspring, never failing, 253. because fed by the streams that flow 6 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Monday March 29 Part 2 "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the CHOSEN FOR foundation of the world, that we should be holy and SALVATION without blame before Him in love: having predestinated BY GOD us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Him- self, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made Eph. 1:4-6 us accepted in the Beloved." "Through Him He picked us out before the creation of the world, to be consecrated and above reproach in His sight in love. He foreordained us to become His sons by adoption through Christ Jesus, to carry out the happy choice of His will, so that we might praise the splendid favor which He has shown us in His beloved Son."—Charles B. Williams. The Greek verb from which we get the meaning "to deter- mine beforehand" occurs in Rom. 8:29, 30 and Eph. 1:5, 11. God foresaw those who would accept the conditions of salva- tion. These He calls, justifies, glorifies. See Rom. 8:30. "By Jesus Christ." All that God does for us is through Jesus Christ. Paul labored to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Col. 1:28. It is God's will that all should be adopted into the Christian family. "We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour ef- fected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ. Let this grace be revealed to others. "Give the erring one no occasion for discouragement. . Let no tinge of scorn be manifest in the voice. . . . If you take an attitude of indifference, or show suspicion or distrust, it may prove the ruin of a soul. . . . Let him feel the strong clasp of a sympathizing hand, and hear the whisper, Let us pray. . . Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 250, 251. What is God's goal for the chosen ones? Having been chosen, what status were they to have in the family of God? THINK IT THROUGH Are there dangers in thinking that we are God's chosen persons? What is the antidote to this type of thinking? "All who will may see the mystery ... And to as many as receive Him, He of godliness. But it is only through a gives the power to become the sons of correct understanding of Christ's mis- God, even to them that believe on His sion and work that the possibility of name."—Ellen G. White Comments, being complete in Him, accepted in the "SDA Bible Commentary," Vol. 6, p. Beloved, is brought within our reach. 1 1 13. 7 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Tuesday March 30 Part 3 "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the REDEMPTION forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; THROUGH wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and CHRIST'S BLOOD prudence." Eph. 1:7, 8 Redemption comes by the voluntary sacrifice of Christ and by the voluntary faith of man in that sacrifice. Christ's death was unique. The life sacrificed for humanity was without sin (1 Peter 1:19), and it provided a "ransom for all." Not even one is excluded. 1 Tim. 2:6. Faith in the blood of Christ produces peace (Col. 1:20) and cleanses from sin. 1 John 1:7. We overcome by its power. Rev. 12:11. "Dear brother, dear sister, when Satan would fill your mind with despondency, gloom, and doubt, resist his suggestions. Tell him of the blood of Jesus, that cleanses from all sin. You cannot save yourself from the tempter's power, but he trem- bles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged." —Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 317. There is no magic in the shed blood. There is a twofold miracle involved in the process of salvation. First, that divine love provided the incarnation and shedding of Christ's blood for all men. Second, that through faith in the death on Calvary's cross, man could repent, confess, find conversion, and thus pass from sinner to saint. From this miracle he finds divine grace to abound "in all wisdom and prudence." . "He wants to restore His moral image in man. As you draw near to Him withconfession and repentance, He will draw near to you with mercy and forgiveness."—Steps to Christ, page 55. What changes come to the man who accepts the sacri- fice of Christ? How rich and complete is the bestowal of grace? How many have been excluded from the gospel plan? Eph. 1:7; Acts 17:30. THINK IT THROUGH As we contemplate the grandeur of the plan of re- demption, what can we say about its relation to the believers in the church? Should they be courageous, or fearful? "But the atonement for a lost world are not saved; yet the plan of redemp- was to be full, abundant, and com- tion is not a waste because it does not plete. Christ's offering was exceedingly accomplish all that its liberality has abundant to reach every soul that God provided for. There must be enough and had created. It could not be restricted to spare."—"The Desire of Ages," pages so as not to exceed the number who 565, 566. would accept the great Gift. All men 8 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Wednesday March 31 Part 4 "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, AMAZING PLAN according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed MADE KNOWN in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on Eph. 1:9, 10 earth; even in Him." Sin caused disunion. God's plan was to restore unity be- tween heaven and earth. Sin was the cosmic tragedy, and today it is the Number One problem in the world. But God has purposed that in time unity will be restored between heaven and earth. "The mystery of His will" is made known to man in its broad essentials without explicit mention of all the means used, which means man could not in his finite state understand. Paul speaks of "my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." Eph. 3:4. He received by revelation sufficient for the edification of the saints (Gal. 1:12; Col. 1:25), but elsewhere he acknowledges human limits to comprehension of infinite things. 1 Cor. 13:9-12. "Fullness of times. . . . The entire gospel age seems to be comprehended. As there are appropriate times for the sowing of the seed and the gathering of the harvest, there are also suitable seasons for God's activities in connection with the redemption of men. There are some things that could be ac- complished at one time and not at another, because He is deal- ing with beings who are free moral agents whom He will not even attempt to force into compliance with His purposes. Through the ages there have been successive unfoldings of the plans of God, stages of development leading up to the final consummation when there will be a universal unity."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 1:10. Who only was the author of the plan to bring unity into the universe? When was this plan to be made opera- tive? Who was its center? When will it be completely fulfilled? Eph. 1:10. THINK IT THROUGH Does my daily Christian life show that I am giving my full cooperation for my own benefit and that of others? "It was God's gracious purpose to or a reverent picture of the character make this revelation. He was not in the of God to present Him as reluctantly position of finding Himself in a di- yielding to the persuasions of man or lemma when faced with the outbreak of Christ before He is willing to forgive of sin, nor did He grudgingly set about sin or to come to the aid of His stricken the glorious, but agonizing, work of creatures."—"SDA Bible Commentary," redemption. . . . It is not an adequate on Eph. 1:9. 9 2—A2Qt71 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Thursday April 1 Part 5 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, be- BELIEVER'S ing predestinated according to the purpose of Him who INHERITANCE worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that SECURE we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted Eph. 1:11, 12 in Christ." Here Paul pursues the great theme of the divine purpose, the sovereign will of God in working out the ultimate triumph of righteousness over evil. We have a present inheritance, how- ever, and we are to give thanks for it. Col. 1:12. In some cases this inheritance is both here and in the here- after. Mark 10:30. Study the use of the word "inheritance" as it applies to our inheritance among the saints (Acts 20:32 ; 26:18), the present token (earnest) of more to come (Eph, 1:14). Mention some qualities of the inheritance of the saints through Christ's resurrection. 1 Peter 1:3, 4. For more on rewards and inheritance see Mark 10:29, 30. "To the praise of His glory" or its equivalent is used three times. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14. Is this praise just word of mouth, or what more is involved in the phrase "that we should be to the praise of His glory"? "An immense sacrifice was made on the part of God's dear Son, that He might have power to rescue fallen man and exalt him to His own right hand, make him an heir of the world and a possessor of the eternal weight of glory. Language fails to express the value of the immortal inheritance. The glory, riches, and honor offered by the Son of God are of such infinite value that it is beyond the power of men or even angels to give any just idea of their worth, their excellence, their magnificence." —Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 40. How is the believer's inheritance made secure? Who has decided that the believer is to have an inheritance? Does the will of God have something to do with the bestowal of the inheritance? Eph. 1:11. THINK IT THROUGH Do you think we value our Christian inheritance as intensely as did these first believers? By what means can we obtain this vivid sense of inheritance? "Christ is coming with power and splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will great glory. He is coming with His own be admired by all who have served glory and with the glory of the Father. Him. While the wicked flee, Christ's fol- . . . While all the world is plunged in lowers will rejoice in His presence. Then darkness, there will be light in every it is that the redeemed from among dwelling of the saints. They will catch men will receive their promised inheri- the first light of His second appearing. tance."—"Prophets and Kings," page The unsullied light will shine from His 720. 10 Challenging Truths for All Times LESSON 1 ❑ Friday April 2 Part 6 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the SEALED WITH word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also THE SPIRIT after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy OF PROMISE Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto Eph. 1:13, 14 the praise of His glory." "The word of truth" must here include all that Paul means in Romans 1:16—the whole gospel, of which he was unashamed. How did they hear this word? It was the apostles' exposition of the Christian gospel based on the Scriptures of their fathers. This was Christ's own method of preaching the word of truth. See Luke 24:27. Today men are seeking for truth from many sources other than the Inspired Word. "The truth is more than a collection of statements of fact, which would hay.e no salvation in them as such; the truth must finally bring us to Him who is 'the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6). Every noble impulse that arises in any man's soul, Christian or heathen, springs from that one Source. Indeed, the influence of the Holy Spirit is necessary to the effective reception of the truth (1 Cor. 2:12-15). . . . "There is an orderly change in the believer's life: first there is the hearing, then the believing, and then the sealing that puts upon him, as it were, an impression or stamp."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 1:13. "The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the con- fession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecra- tion of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now."—Testi- monies to Ministers, page 507. What heavenly ministry had come to seal the Ephe- sians as God's own people? Of what significance was this work? How does the ministry of the Holy Spirit relate to the inheritance? Eph. 1:13. THINK IT THROUGH On the basis of my spiritual growth in the last five years, when will the Holy Spirit be the fully controlling and energizing element of my life? "Only those who are living up to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the light they have will receive greater latter rain. It may be falling on hearts light. Unless we are daily advancing in all around us, but we shall not discern the exemplification of the active Chris- or receive it."—"Testimonies to Minis- tian virtues, we shall not recognize the ters," page 507. 11 Challenging Truths for All Time LESSON 1 April 3 Part 7 G SUMMARY QUESTIONS G A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER 1. The believer is blessed with (A) The blessings he needs; (B) All spiritual blessings; (C) Blessings for which he asks. 2. Complete : "In whom we have redemption through His , the forgiveness of , according to the riches of His 3. When were the believers chosen? (A) After sin entered- this world; (B) When converted; (C) Before the foundation of the world 4. True or False: God's plan included gathering together all things in Christ. 5. By accepting Christ what bestowal does the believer receive 6. True or False: The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. *only (g) :ea/le/pa/4u/ ue (g) :emu !3 (c) :a3e32 'sup 'poem (z) (/) :saarneud 12 TOWARD THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST 2 "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." Eph. 1:22, 23. Study Helps: The Acts of the Apostles, pages 469-484; Testimonies, Vol. 8, pp. 312- 335 ; SDA Bible Commentary. LESSON OUTLINE There are some who insist that the Chris- 1. Faith, Love, and Prayer tian church has lost its influence. Some as- Eph. 1:15, 16 sert the church has failed in all its goals and therefore is no longer relevant to the 2. Pray for Wisdom and Knowledge life of the world and its needs. Eph. 1:17 Paul sets out to show the grand potential of the church. The storehouse of God is 3. Hope of the Calling—Riches of replete with endless treasure available to Glory the humblest believer. Paul declares that Eph. 1:18 there is a mighty power in reserve for the church and the individual believer. 4. Power to Believers Eph. 1:19, 20 Think on the Writer: "No man ever lived who was a more earnest, energetic, and 5. Grandeur and Majesty of His self-sacrificing disciple of Christ than was Exaltation Paul. He was one of the world's greatest Eph. 1:21 teachers. He crossed the seas and traveled far and near, until a large portion of the 6. Eminence of Jesus in the Church world had learned from his lips the story Eph. 1:22, 23 of the cross of Christ."—Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 409. 13 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Sunday April 4 Part 1 "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the FAITH, LOVE, Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give AND PRAYER thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers." Eph. 1:15, 16 Paul was quick to notice spiritual growth on the part of the believers (1 Thess. 1:8; 2 Thess. -1:3, 4), and to express his appreciation, as shown in the text before us. Believers respond positively to words of appreciation. Appreciation finds entrance to the heart. Understanding is of great value in stimulating spiritual growth. "Wherefore" or "for this cause" refers to previous comments, such as verse 8, where the wisdom and prudence of the Ephesian Christians are mentioned. How could the faith of the Ephesians have been re- ported for Paul and others to hear about it? Why should Paul be concerned about the welfare of these churches? This letter was written from a Roman prison, and Paul had reason to wonder about a church "consisting of Jews and Gentiles, Asiatics and Europeans, slaves and freemen—all sym- bols of a disrupted world that was to be restored to unity in Christ."—SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 995. As Paul heard of the Christian growth of the believers, what was he led to do? Eph. 1:16. "Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. . . . The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies the power of truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposi- tion; but a godly example has a power that it is impossible wholly to resist."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 510, 511. THINK IT THROUGH Is the disunity of the world reflected in our individ- ual lives? Could Jesus be the instrument of God's recon- ciliation among individuals without affecting the disunity among various groups in society and among nations? "When we permit our communion fitful, but earnest, persevering, and with God to be broken, our defense is constant. . . . Let the heart be contin- departed from us. Not all your good ually uplifted in silent petition for help, purposes and good intentions will en- for light, for strength, for knowledge. able you to withstand evil. You must be Let every breath be a prayer."—"The men and women of prayer. Your peti- Ministry of Healing," pages 510, 511. tions must not be faint, occasional, and 14 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Monday April 5 Part 2 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of PRAY FOR WISDOM glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and reve- AND KNOWLEDGE lation in the knowledge of Him." Eph. 1:17 The incarnation is involved in the expression "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ." As the God-man, Jesus often referred to God as "Father" (John 17:1), "Our Father" (Luke 11:2), "My heavenly Father" (Matt. 18:35). These many expressions identify Jesus with humanity. Thus "the Father of glory" is both "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "My God, and your God." John 20:17. "The Father of glory" suggests Stephen's "the God of glory." Acts 7:2. The glory is part of the inheritance of the saints in Eph. 1:18. Does the church always present the picture of a group of saints in whom some form of this glory is seen? "Wisdom and revelation." Does it require wisdom to under- stand the revelation of God? Does it require divine guidance to comprehend the revealed Word? Is this a reason for constant and regular study of the Word in which God's wise plan of salvation is revealed? "It is contrition and faith and love that enable the soul to receive wisdom from heaven. Faith working by love is the key of knowledge, and everyone that loveth `knoweth God.' 1 John 4:7."—The Desire of Ages, page 139. Through prayer and study knowledge is gained, and in the case of thee-ali6stle he is praying that others have knowledge. What gifts does Paul pray for, for the Ephesians? By praying to God for these gifts, what does he recognize? "But there must be earnest study [of the Scriptures] and close investigation. . . . And we cannot expect to gain spiritual knowledge without earnest toil. Those who desire to find the treasures of truth must dig for them as the miner digs for the treasure hidden in the earth. . . . It is essential for old and young, not only to read God's Word, but to study it with wholehearted earnestness, praying and searching for truth as for hidden treasure. Those who do this will be rewarded, for Christ will quicken the understanding."—Christ's Object Les- sons, page 111. THINK IT THROUGH As we study the Bible, what assistance has been sup- plied to give us understanding? Eph. 1:17; John 16:13. In the past have we taken advantage of this help? "A true knowledge of the Bible can promises, we may claim. The life which be gained only through the aid of that it enjoins is the life that, through its Spirit by whom the Word was given. power, we are to live. Only as the Bible And in order to gain this knowledge we is thus held can it be studied effec- must live by it. All that God's Word tively."—"Education," page 189. commands, we are to obey. All that it 15 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Tuesday April 6 Part 3 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; HOPE OF THE that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and CALLING—RICHES what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the OF GLORY saints." "I pray that your inward eyes may be illumined, so that you may know what is the hope to which He calls you, what the wealth and glory of the share He offers Eph. 1:18 you among His people in their heritage." NEB. The apostle prays that the believers may be ever mindful of the significance of hope as a principle of life here and as a reward and privilege in the hereafter. The Lord Jesus is our hope. 1 Tim. 1:1. God is our guide and protector as we walk through life. We follow the truth of God as our way of life. Then at the end our hope for eternity will be fulfilled in the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What is your understanding of the phrase: "Know what is the hope of His calling"? Does the hope of your calling inspire and encourage you? Paul also prays that the believers remember the riches God has for them. Humanity is attracted to riches, but it shuns poverty. The lesson for us is to put our trust in God's riches which are our inheritance. Qualitatively and quantitatively God's riches amaze us as they are lavished on the believer by an eternal and loving heavenly Father. Guidance into truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), redemption through the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18, 19), the mediatorial ministry of Christ (1 Tim. 2:5), and everlasting life and happiness in the earth made new are but a few of the riches which God has showered on the believer. Name some riches of our God not mentioned in the paragraph above. THINK IT THROUGH In view of the times we live in, and in view of the grace and love of God to the believer, what should be the practical attitude of the church member to God's riches and worldly riches? Eph. 1:18; Matt. 6:19-21. "Having undertaken our redemption, save. Having collected the riches of the He will spare nothing, however dear, universe, and laid open the resources which is necessary to the completion of of infinite power, He gives them all into His work. No truth essential to our sal- the hands of Christ, and says, All these vation is withheld, no miracle of mercy are for man. Use these gifts to con- is neglected, no divine agency is left vince him that there is no love greater unemployed. Favor is heaped upon fa- than Mine in earth or heaven. His great- vor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury est happiness will be found in loving of heaven is open to those He seeks to Me."—"The Desire of Ages," page 57. 16 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Wednesday April 7 Part 4 "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to POWER TO usward who believe, according to the working of His BELIEVERS mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right Eph. 1:19, 20 hand in the heavenly places." What analogy do you see between the resurrection power in the case of Jesus, and "the exceeding greatness of His power to usward"? How would you contrast the power required to overcome weakness and sin in the believer and that required to raise Jesus from the dead? Does the conquest of sin figure in both cases? "This same resurrection power is that which gives life to the soul 'dead in trespasses and sins.' Eph. 2:1. That spirit of life in Christ Jesus, 'the power of His resurrection,' sets men 'free from the law of sin and death.' Phil. 3:10; Rom. 8:2. The dominion of evil is broken, and through faith the soul is kept from sin. He who opens his heart to the Spirit of Christ be- comes a partaker of that mighty power which shall bring forth his body from the grave."—The Desire of Ages, pages 209, 210. "Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave,—not merely as a mani- festation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal."—Ibid., p. 388. What assurance is given to struggling believers in these verses? What is the proof of God's mighty power in our lives? Could it be the condition described in 1 Cor. 13:4? THINK IT THROUGH In what sense does resurrection have meaning in this mortal life? Rom. 6:1-1 1. "The resurrection of Jesus was a sam- formed, diseased, or disfigured in this ple of the final resurrection of all who mortal life, yet in their resurrected and sleep in Him. The risen body of the glorified body their individual identity Saviour, His deportment, the accents of will be perfectly preserved, and we His speech, were all familiar to His fol- shall recognize, in the face radiant with lowers. In like manner will those who the light shining from the face of Jesus, sleep in Jesus rise again. We shall know the lineaments of those we love."—E. G. our friends even as the disciples knew White Comments, "SDA Bible Commen- Jesus. Though they may have been de- tary," Vol. 6, p. 1092. 17 3—A2Qt71 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Thursday April 8 Part 5 "Far above all principality, and power, and might, GRANDEUR AND and dominion, and every name that is named, not only MAJESTY OF in this world, but also in that which is to come." HIS EXALTATION Eph. 1:21 Every form of power is here intended. The ancient world feared many "powers," good and evil. The stars represented to them powers of all kinds. Angelic and demonic powers were legion to them. For believers, the coming of Christ into the world banished the fear of all evil powers, for Christ is Lord of all. Compare Rom. 8:38, 39. The heathen gods were graded, some greater or more evil than others. Christ is "above all." Compare "angels, nor prin- cipalities, nor powers" (Rom. 8:38), "angels and authorities and powers" (1 Peter 3:22), et cetera. The worship of angels appeared in some forms of later Ju- daism, and the Christian leaders warned against this. (Col. 2:16-18. To them, Christ was the Supreme Person in the universe, sitting at the right hand of God. Ps. 110:1. His name is above every name and has an influence which cannot be estimated for greatness. Revelation 5. "His [Christ's] resurrection is a pledge of the resurrection of the saints (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:20-22), and His exaltation a pledge of the final exaltation of the saints."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 1:20. "The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church, and glorify it with Him, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come."—The Desire of Ages, page 787. How is the power of Christ compared to the other powers in the universe? Compare Heb. 1:2, 3. THINK IT THROUGH The power of God is implied in the very name of Jesus: Matt. 12:21; John 14:13; Phil. 2:9-11. "The disciples were to carry their in the name of the Father, the Son, and work forward in Christ's name. Their the Holy Spirit. Christ's name was to every word and act was to fasten at- be their watchword, their badge of dis- tention on His name, as possessing that tinction, their bond of union, the au- vital power by which sinners may be thority for their course of action, and saved. Their faith was to center in Him the source of their success. Nothing was who is the source of mercy and power. to be recognized in His kingdom that In His name they were to present their did not bear His name and superscrip- petitions to the Father, and they would tion."—"The Acts of the Apostles," page receive answer. They were to baptize 28. 18 Toward the Fullness of Christ LESSON 2 ❑ Friday April 9 Part 6 "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave EMINENCE OF Him to be the head over all things to the church, which JESUS IN is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." THE CHURCH Eph. 1:22, 23 "In this passage these words fill up the picture of our Lord's transcendent dignity, by the declaration of the actual subjuga- tion of all the powers of sin and death, rising up against Him, in the spiritual war which is to go on till the appointed end." —Ellicott's Commentary, on Eph. 1:22. Should this give courage to Christ's church on earth today? In what way is "the church, which is His body" affected by your exemplification of the Lordship of Christ? "He walks in the midst of His churches throughout the length and breadth of the earth. He watches them with intense interest to see whether they are in such a condition spiritually that they can advance His kingdom. Christ is present in every assembly of the church. He is acquainted with everyone con- nected with His service. He knows those whose hearts He can fill with the holy oil, that they may impart it to others."— Testimonies, Vol. 6, pp. 418, 419. In the plan of Heaven God-chosen men were to carry on the work of the church under the direction of Deity. Jesus chose twelve as those who should begin this ministry. "These men He purposed to train and educate as the leaders of His church. They in turn were to educate others and send them out with the gospel message. That they might have suc- cess in their work they were to be given the power of the Holy Spirit. Not by human might or human wisdom was the gospel to be proclaimed, but by the power of God."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 17. THINK IT THROUGH How should a reverent understanding of Christ's lead- ership of the church affect our relationship to leaders and members of that church today? Eph. 4:15, 16. "Thus in His people He is glorified. His people in their purity and perfec- ... The church, endowed with the righ- tion, as the reward of His humiliation, teousness of Christ, is His depositary, and the supplement of His glory,— in which the riches of His mercy, His Christ, the great Center, from whom grace, and His love, are to appear in radiates all glory."—"The Desire of full and final display. Christ looks upon Ages," page 680. 19 OL Answers: (1) C; (2) the spirit of wisdom; (3) The hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance; (4) Power of the resurrection; (5) B; (6) The Head. oimntp atp sinuls s‘is!.up St Juqm .9 sapsodu pue siatidoid alp anoqv (D) !paumu sum 1E1.11 DWELL X.IDA3 3/10CW (a) !ppom atp jo tram snouiej atp iiEanoqv (v) isnqD sum snms iuqm od, .s e.sianaqaq age ut pavom Jamod ivqm aQualtiSqua 2uTuuisiapun .natp Jo saAa alp 2tnnuti zaJju mouI oa may Joj /se aq ptp siouj omi lutim •E e.sianallaq uu!satida alp ioj Ise plud pip 2uIssan Jutim 7 warp ioj pakum (D) !magi of Usti IZIO1SEd E apuiN (g) fapsIda uu magi ivas (v)fop aq pip iuqm ‘sit.nus age anot Jpip puu suu!satidg atp jo tp!uj jo Pluaq fined Ja13V 213MOd Aanis anoA AO 1S31 V o sNou.s3no Ativwwns O L IJOd or may Z NOSS31 Jo ssaullnd p.tvalcu LESSON 3 FROM SINNERS TO SAINTS 3 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10. Study Helps: The Desire of Ages, pages Christ and His followers, and when he was 31-38, 342-349; SDA Bible Commentary. arrested and convicted of his sin [on the road to Damascus], he immediately forsook The apostle Paul places great emphasis his evil ways, and professed the faith of on the importance of individual Christian Jesus."—Ellen G. White, Sketches From the experience. He thought of individuals as in- Life of Paul, page 35. tegral parts of the whole church. The church rises to a higher degree of spirituality to the LESSON OUTLINE extent that its individual members become more like their Lord in character. 1. The Dead in Sin Made Alive Paul lived in a world of idol worshipers Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:12, 13 with erroneous ideas. The anger of the false 2. Worldlings Before; Believers Now gods was believed to be placated by the works of the worshiper. Paul was anxious Eph. 2:2, 3 to show the ancient world that his God was 3. God's Mercy to Sinners not an angry idol, but a merciful, loving, Eph. 2:4-7 powerful Deity. The practice of good works was popular and supposed to be meritorious, 4. Saved by Grace and the people understood religion that Eph. 2:8, 9 way. Now the time had come for the world to unlearn this error and to learn about 5. Good Works—God's Purpose divine grace and mercy as the only basis of Eph. 2:10 salvation. Think on the Writer: "He had been 6. Profile of Symmetry strictly conscientious in his opposition to Col. 1:9-12 11 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 ❑ Sunday April 11 Part 1 "And you hath He quickened, who were dead in tres- THE DEAD IN passes and sins." SIN MADE ALIVE "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Eph. 2:1; hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven Col. 2:12, 13 you all trespasses." Whereas we were "dead in trespasses," we are now dead or irresponsive to the promptings of sin. Does this mean that we are no longer subject to temptation from hereditary human nature? Or does it mean that we now have power to resist temptation till the great day when "we shall all be changed" from mortal to immortal? "As God raised Christ from the dead, that He might bring life and immortality to light through the gospel, and thus save His people from their sins, so Christ has raised fallen human beings from spiritual death, quickening them with His life, filling their hearts with hope and joy."—E. G. White Com- ments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1115. What experience comes to the sinner after his sins have been forgiven? Through whom and by what process does forgiveness come? Forgiveness is a great act of divine mercy. Christ has brought us a wonderful blessing in forgiveness. He is the only one who can give us forgiveness. Acts 5:31; 4:12; 1 John 1:7, 9. For- giveness comes in response to repentance, the first step in turn- ing to God. Acts 3:19. We receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Matt. 26:28. The believer after receiving forgiveness has a duty to others. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." "Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit. He who is un- merciful toward others shows that he himself is not a par- taker of God's pardoning grace."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 251. THINK IT THROUGH When others offend us, what should the attitude of the believer be? How should we forgive a brother? Matt. 6:12; 18:35. "The light shining from the cross re- produces a new life in the soul. The veals the love of God. His love is draw- thoughtsld— i deiires ar—e— brought into ing us to Himself. If we do not resist obedience to the will of Christ. The this drawing, we shall be led to the heart, the mind, are created anew in foot of the cross in repentance for the the image of Him who works in us to sins that have crucified the Saviour. subdue all things to Himself."—"The De- Then the Spirit of God through faith sire of Ages," page 176. 22 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 ❑ Monday April 12 Part 2 "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the WORLDLINGS course of this world, according to the prince of the power BEFORE; of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of BELIEVERS NOW disobedience: among whom also we all had our conver- sation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature Eph. 2:2, 3 the children of wrath, even as others." In verse 2 Satan is indicated as responsible for the evil course of this world. He claimed power over the world. Luke 4:6. He is the great adversary and tempter of man. 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Thess. 3:5. He is the enemy. Matt. 13:39. He is the deceiver of the whole world. Rev. 12:9. He is the father of lies. John 8:44. In verse 3 the word "all" must include both Jews and Gentiles. All are guilty before God. In the first chapter of Romans there is an extensive exposition of the guilt of man in the evil course of this world. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteous- ness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Rom. 1:18. All through the exposition of evil in Romans 1:19-32 the per- sonal pronoun is used to indicate the responsibility of men for the evil in their lives. Before becoming believers in the Lord, in what kind of world had they walked? Explain the responsibility for evil in the world. In The Desire of Ages, pages 36 and 37, there is an extensive description of the world of the first century, from which a few excerpts are taken: "The deception of sin had reached its height. All the agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in operation." "Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,—to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning." "The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust." "Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion." THINK IT THROUGH Meditate on the wonder of the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Should we concentrate on what we were in the past, or on what the present and future offer us in Christ? Eph. 2:7. "Satan's deceptive power was to be Only He who knew the height and the broken. This could not be done by force. depth of the love of God could make . . . Only by love is love awakened. it known. Upon the world's dark night To know God is to love Him; His charac- the Sun of Righteousness must rise, ter must be manifested in contrast to 'with healing in His wings.' Mal. 4:2." the character of Satan. This work only —"The Desire of Ages," page 22. one Being in all the universe could do. 23 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 ❑ Tuesday April 13 Part 3 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love GOD'S MERCY wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in TO SINNERS sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of Eph. 2:4-7 His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Quickened. . . . This word . . . and its simpler form . . . refer to a change from death to life, a rebirth, a new life. As Christ was quickened from the grave, so man is quickened from spiritual death. It is God's purpose to bring man into a new sphere, a new relationship in which he is governed by new principles."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 2:5. "Heavenly places." "If we are raised together with Christ, and are 'in Christ Jesus,' and Christ is at the right hand of God in heaven, then we, in that sense, are sitting with Him in heaven."—/bid., on Eph. 1:3. "God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy.. . . It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteous- ness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. . . . "By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's jus- tice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted."—The Desire of Ages, page 762. Are the riches of God's grace extended to man in the ages to come? in this life? or in both? What difference in manifestation can you suggest? THINK IT THROUGH What do you understand by the idiomatic expression "to sit together in heavenly places with Christ"? See CoI. 3:1,2. "And the years of eternity, as they somed thrill with more fervent devo- roll, will bring richer and still more tion, and with more rapturous joy they glorious revelations of God and of sweep the harps of gold; and ten thou- Christ. . . . As Jesus opens before them sand times ten thousand and thousands the riches of redemption and the amaz- of thousands of voices unite to swell ing achievements in the great contro- the mighty chorus of praise."—"The versy with Satan, the hearts of the ran- Great Controversy," page 678. 24 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 0 Wednesday April 14 Part 4 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that SAVED BY GRACE not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest Eph. 2:8, 9 any man should boast." "It is grace on God's part and faith on man's part. Faith accepts the gift of God. It is through the act of entrusting our- selves to Him that we are saved, not that faith is the means of our salvation, but simply the channel."—SDA Bible Com- mentary, on Eph. 2:8. How does the apostle describe salvation in Rom. 8:24, 25? "Hope is an essential element of our salvation and must never be omitted from our contemplation of what the Christian life means. Faith accepts; but EirpreTpects. Faith is concerned with Him who promises; but hope is occupied with the good things promised. Faith appropriates; hope anticipates. It is in the power of this hope which the New Testament calls `that blessed hope' that we are to live and labor. Hope is always centered on the coming of the Lord, and included in that, on the resurrection from the dead with complete deliverance from sin, likeness to Christ, and the full revelation of our sonship to God in Him (1 Cor. 15:51-57 ; Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 Thess. 4:15- 17; 1 John 3:1, 2)."—W. H. Griffith Thomas, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, page 222. "He [Christ] saw that the weakness, the curse of the church, would be a spirit of self-righteousness. Men would think they could do something toward earning a place in the kingdom of heaven. . . . Thus there would be an abundance of self and little of Jesus. Many who had made a little advancement would be puffed up and think themselves superior to others. They would be eager for flattery, jealous if not thought most im- portant. Against this danger Christ seeks to guard His disci- ples."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 400, 401. What three elements operate in our obtaining salva- tion? Eph. 2:8. What is the initial and dominating factor in our salvation? Eph. 2:4. How is boasting precluded? Rom. 3:27. THINK IT THROUGH Name some reasons, besides the one below, why so few accept this gracious gift. "129pejitance is associated with faith, ness. . . . This repentance has in it and is urge in in the gospel as essential nothing of the nature of merit, but it to salvation. Paul preached repentance. prepares the heart for the acceptance . . . There is no salvation without re- of Christ as the only Saviour, the only pentance. No impenitent sinner can hope of the lost sinner."—"Selected Mes- believe with his heart unto righteous- sages," Bk. 1, p. 365. 25 4—A2Qt71 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 111 Thursday April 15 Part 5 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus GOOD WORKS— unto good works, which God hath before ordained that GOD'S PURPOSE we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10 This verse shows clearly the reason why and where "good works" figure in the Christian life. Christ initiates everything by His grace, abolishing all enmity and uniting us, from what- ever background, in one with Him. See verse 15. What would men say to a new man created by Christ if he did evil works? Do good works flow from man's will to be good, or from inward Christian motives? Gal. 2:20. "By their good works, Christ's followers are to bring glory, not to themselves, but to Him through whose grace and power they have wrought. It is through the Holy Spirit that every good work is accomplished."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, page 80. Is a man saved by his good deeds? Where faith in the righteousness of Christ is the dominating factor, then, good works always follow. Various aspects of good works are seen in the following quotations: "Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in cooperation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 326, 327. "The rich Christian has a special opportunity to serve his fellowmen and to show to the world the results of gra-CC-When non-Christians see the gracious unselfishness of rich Christians they will naturally tend to have respect for the Christian way of life, and may, indeed, turn to Christ. . . . "The rich Christian is entrusted with a solemn responsibility. The way he handles wealth will affect his spiritual cleyclopment as well as the comfort of those less fortunate."—SDA Bible Commentary, on 1 Tim. 6:18. "God calls for those who will be workers together with Him. . . Christ supplies the efficiency, and man becomes a power for good. Truthfulness and integrity are attributes of God, and he who possesses these attributes possesses a power that is invincible."—Messages to Young People, page 35. THINK IT THROUGH At this late hour evil is rapidly approaching its climax. Does this accentuate the necessity for, or the futility of, good works? Heb. 10:24, 25. "No one can give place in his own the sea suffer no loss thereby. That heart and life for the stream of God's which they give is repaid a hundred- blessing to flow to others, without re- fold. For the stream that goes singing ceiving in himself a rich reward. The on its way leaves behind its gift of hillsides and plains that furnish a chan- verdure and fruitfulness."—"Thoughts nel for the mountain streams to reach From the Mount of Blessing," page 81. 26 From Sinners to Saints LESSON 3 ❑ Friday April 16 Part 6 '"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do PROFILE OF not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be SYMMETRY filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strength- ened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be Col. 1:9-12 partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." How can man be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom," et cetera? "The 'knowledge' here spoken of is the 'full knowledge,' to be attained in measure here, to be made perfect in heaven."— Ellicott's Commentary, on Col. 1:9. This wisdom pertains to the essentials of personal salvation. Paul desired the Ephesian Christians to "come to under- stand the height of the Christian's privilege. He opens before them, in- the most comprehensive language, the marvelous power and knowledge that they might possess as sons and daughters of the Most High."—The Great Controversy, page 476. "Some may say it- is exalting our own merits to expect favor from God through our good works. True, we cannot buy one victory with our good works; yet we cannot be victors without them. The purchase which Christ recommends to us is only complying with the conditions He has given us. True grace, which is of inestimable value, and which will endure the test of trial and adversity, is only obtained through faith and hum- ble, prayerful obedience."—Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 89. How'many aspects of the Christian life are mentioned in this text besides "every good work"? Name some good deeds of others and the good effects of them. THINK IT THROUGH Think over your own Christian experience. Do you find times when to do good deeds has cost you something? Have you encouraged someone lately to continue to do good deeds? "Good works cost us a sacrifice, but jectionable traits of our characters. The it is in this very sacrifice that they pro- warfare goes on, and thus we grow in vide discipline. These obligations bring grace. Thus we . are prepared for a us into conflict with natural feelings and place among the blessed in the king- propensities, and in fulfilling them we dom of God."—"Testimonies/' Vol. 6, gain victory after victory over the ob- pp. 262, 263. 27 8Z Answers: (1) Quickened them; forgiven their trespasses; (2) Satan and sinners; (3) God called after the sinner first; (4) A; (5) workmanship, good works, walk in them; (6) Power of God. pauatpSuans JanaIraq alp st Jamod iegAn tptivi. .9 ll pplogs am lutp pautepo aiojaq Tug poo tpuon ' (nun snsaf ls!itip In paleato stilt aJE OM Jolt :alaidutop •s .s3ponit uutung Alt (g) f pp; Onoitp aputS AEI (y) a)anes uatu aJe MOH •t, osiu poo nip po Jauuts alp pp 10 ‘isig Jauuts alt; Jaije wo poo pa .E pi.toivi. atp tu pa atp Joj aicpsuodsat Die °gm 7 ‘‘st.us pue sassedsap ut peap atam otim„ asotp ioj auop pof seti letim I S3MOd Aanis dflOA AO 1S31 V 0 sNous3no Ativwwns o I Pod LI- may E NOSS31 slums GI s.tautqs tuo4,/ LESSON 4 April 24 FROM CHAOS TO COMMUNITY 4 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph. 2:13. Study Helps: The Acts of the Apostles, potent than had ever before been witnessed pages 593-602; The Desire of Ages, pages in Ephesus, and were of such a character 597-600; The SDA Bible Commentary. that they could not be imitated. . . . Thus the Lord exalted His servant, even in the This lesson makes crystal clear that the estimation of the idolaters themselves."— change from unbeliever to believer is a Ellen G. White, Sketches From the Life of reality. The contrast is sharp. The condition Paul, pages 135, 136. before is ugly, hopeless, despairing, and lost; that after is beautiful, hopeful, secure. "Far off." That is in pagan or heathen LESSON OUTLINE unbelief. Can a person be "respectable" 1. Spiritual Chaos today and yet be "far off" from Christ? Paul has other expressions indicating this Eph. 2:11, 12 "far off" condition. For example: "aliens 2. Dawn of Community from the commonwealth of Israel" (Eph. 2:12), "alienated and enemies" (Col. 1:21), Eph. 2:13-15 "alienated from the life of God" (Eph. 3. Christ, the Reconciler 4:18). In what ways can you think of alienated people today? Eph. 2:16-18 Think on the Writer: "As Paul was 4. The High Privilege of Com- brought in direct contact with the idolatrous munity inhabitants of Ephesus, the power of God Eph. 2:19 was strikingly displayed through him. . . . "The manifestations of supernatural 5. Community Foundation power which accompanied the apostle's Eph. 2:20, 21 work, were calculated to make a deep im- pression upon a people given to sorcery. 6. A Contributing Community . . . The miracles of Paul were far more Eph. 2:22 29 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 ❑ Sunday April 18 Part 1 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past SPIRITUAL CHAOS Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and with- Eph. 2:11, 12 out God in the world." Does the victory of the gospel over these Gentiles have any hopeful relevance to the conditions of the world today? Here is a partial list of alienating influences we face in Christian witness: heredity, poverty, ignorance, pride, love of money, friendships. Can you add others? "Without Christ. . . . This is no condemnation of the Gen- tiles, but simply an assertion of the fact that, being without connection with the Messiah, they were without the source of regenerative power.... "Strangers. God made His covenants with Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 12:3; 22:18). They were to make the cove- nant privileges available to the Gentiles and to invite them to participate in the worship of the true God. . . . They failed to carry out God's plan, and the Gentiles remained 'aliens' and `strangers.' Before Christ came, the knowledge of the 'cove- nants of promise' was thus confined almost entirely to the Jews. "No hope. The Gentiles had no hope in the Messiah, hence, no hope for the blessings that would flow from Him. In the catacombs of Rome the word `hope' is commonly found in Christian inscriptions, but it is never found in the inscriptions on heathen tombs. "Without God. . . . This is the ultimate in misery and loss. The Gentiles were not atheistic in the sense of lacking gods, for they had many gods. They were without the knowledge of the true God, whose attributes are holiness, love, justice, and mercy."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 2:12. What were five conditions in the spiritual past of the believers? Why did the apostle propose that they think of their past? THINK IT THROUGH As you think of your past Christian experience, is it helpful in the present and the future? If not, is there a remedy? "The uses of remembrance. . . . I. It IV. It tends to quicken us to greater zeal tends to deepen the humility of saints and activity in the Lord's service. . . . as well as to increase their godly sor- V. It tends to make us more hopeful of row for sin. II. It tends to make us the conversion of others who are now grateful for our mercies and to make us what we once were as sinners."—"Pul- magnify the greatness and freeness of pit Commentary," on Eph. 2:11, pp. 77, divine love. . . . III. It tends to inspire 78. us with a stronger love for Christ. . . . 30 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 ❑ Monday April /9 Part 2 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far DAWN OF off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our COMMUNITY peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain Eph. 2:13-15 one new man, so making peace." The blood of Christ is spoken of as bringing us near. Look up the following texts for other blessings the blood of Christ brings to the believer: Rom. 5:9; Col. 1:14, 20. "He is our peace. . . . Christ is not only the peacemaker; He Himself is peace, the bond of union and of peace. In Him all the divisions of mankind are to be abolished. . . . By being their peace before God, Christ effected peace between Jew and Gentile... . "Middle wall of partition. . . . The imagery may have been derived from the barrier in the Temple separating the court of the Gentiles from the court of the Jews. . . . [In 1871 the stone with the warning inscription from Herod's Temple, which is now in the museum at Istanbul, was found. The inscription in Greek translated into English is: 'No stranger (non-Jew) is to enter within the balustrade around the Temple and enclosure. Whoever is caught will be responsible to himself for his death which will ensue.'] "Law of commandments. This is generally thought of as referring to the ceremonial law. .. . It was the interpretation the Jews placed upon it, the additions they made to it, and the exclusive and hostile attitudes they adopted as a result, that were the basis of the hostility."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 2:14, 15. Name the blessings which now come to the believers in their new condition "in Christ." Name some spiritual benefits which are said to come to the believer "by the blood of Christ." THINK IT THROUGH May we by our actions re-erect barriers that prevent "access to God"? 1 Cor. 8:9, 11. "All men are of one family by crea- Satan's circle the poor souls who have tion, and all are one through redemp- been deluded by his deceptions. It tion. Christ came to demolish every wall places them within reach of the throne of partition, to throw open every com- of God, the throne encircled by the partment of the temple, that every soul rainbow of promise."—"Christ's Object may have free access to God. His love Lessons," page 386. is- so broad, so deep, so full, that it See Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:13. penetrates everywhere.. It lifts out of 31 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 ❑ Tuesday April 20 Part 3 "And that He might reconcile both unto God in one CHRIST, THE body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and RECONCILER came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both Eph. 2:16-18 have access by one Spirit unto the Father." These verses complement the great passage on reconciliation in 2 Cor. 5:18-21. The word "reconcile" shows two parties once united, then separated by sin-,—alia now brought together again. This involves the harmonious original creation, the fall, the incarnation, and the whole plan of atonement. "The reconciliation of God to man, and man to God, is sure when certain conditions are met."—Fundamentals of Christian Education, page 370. These conditions are faith in Christ as our Sin Bearer, our representative before the Father, our Sus- tainer and Redeemer. "Came and preached peace." Jesus not only came and preached peace; "He is our peace." Eph. 2:14. This peace in our hearts is not just a pacific sentiment. It involves action in the battle against sin—surrender to Christ, witness against evil, work for others. It is peace of soul and personal commit- ment in the struggle against all forms of evil. "Access unto the Father." "We have access to God through the merits of the name of Christ, and God invites us to bring to Him our trials and temptations; for He understands them all."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1116. "We should all study carefully the instruction given in Co- rinthians and Ephesians regarding our relation to one another as members of the body of Christ."—Testimonies to Ministers, page 500. What phases of reconciliation are mentioned in our lesson today? Why is it important to the believer to have access to the Father? John 4:23, 24. THINK IT THROUGH Is it important to be reconciled both to our fellowmen and to God? "One of Christ's last commands to tion. This is an essential preparation His disciples was 'Love one another as that we may come before God in faith, I have loved you.' John 13:34. . . . If to ask His blessing."—"Christ's Object we have in any way grieved or Lessons," page 144. wounded others, it is our duty to con- See Matt. 18:15-17. fess our fault and seek for reconcilia- 32 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 ❑ Wednesday April 21 Part 4 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and for- THE HIGH eigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the PRIVILEGE household of God." OF COMMUNITY Eph. 2:19 Membership in the household of God is "the goal of God's ways with mankind! . . . For this end Jew and Gentile are being gathered into one and compacted into a new humanity." —The Expositor's Bible, Vol. 6, p. 39. Note that whereas the figure used in verse 19 is that of a household, in verse 20 it becomes a building, with "Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." Thanks be to the Father for the "household of God"! "Strangers and foreigners. . . The strangers . . were aliens, but the foreigners . . . were half-aliens, residents having no rights of citizenship and more properly called 'sojourners' (see Acts 7:6, 29)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 2:19. "Household of faith. That is, the church (see 1 Sam. 3:15; Eph. 2:19; 1 Peter 4:17). The church has an obligation to all men everywhere (see Matt. 28:19, 20), but first to its own members. This is true both in spiritual and in material matters. The church cannot serve the world acceptably unless its own house is in order."—Ibid., on Gal. 6:10. From the chaos of a world divided into Jews, Gentiles, strangers, foreigners, et cetera, Paul passes into an orderly community for which he uses the words fellow citizens, saints (holy ones), household of God. This all recalls God's original plan to make Israel "an holy nation." Ex. 19:6. God can wait and can change the details of His plans, but He always carries out His basic purpose. THINK IT THROUGH Does the honor mentioned in the following quotation describe the believers' real situation today? "We should realize more clearly the adopt them into His family, giving them value of the promises God has made to the privilege of calling Him Father. us, and appreciate more deeply the There is no degradation in becoming honor He has given us. God can bestow children of God."—"Fundamentals of no higher honor upon mortals than to Christian Education," page 481. 33 5—A2Qt71 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 ❑ Thursday April 22 Part 5 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles COMMUNITY and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner- FOUNDATION stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together Eph. 2:20, 21 groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." Here the heterogenous group of Jews, Gentiles, strangers, foreigners, become the household of God. Paul's favorite meta- phor for this change is "the temple of God," or the church as a "building fitly framed together," et cetera. Jesus expressed one of the great principles of the kingdom when He said: "I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18. The believers in all ages should be assured by this declaration. Compare 1 Cor. 3:9-17; 2 Cor. 6:16, where the unity of the church of Christ is the great burden of the apostle. "The prophets to whom God revealed the riches of His grace and the apostles, the special evangels of this grace, constitute the foundation. Other Christians make up the structure of the building. This passage does not say that the church was to be founded on one apostle, Peter, but upon all of them, with Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. "Chief corner stone. This expression is found only here and in 1 Peter 2:6, where the building is described as made of liv- ing stones. . . . The cornerstone is viewed as that which holds together an edifice. Christ holds together the various parts of the spiritual house, giving shape and unity to it. The metaphor is drawn from Ps. 118:22 and was applied by Christ to Him- self (Matt. 21:42)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 2:20. In 1 Peter 2:6, cited from Isaiah 28:16, we have "a Chief Cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." THINK IT THROUGH Does the church today owe anything to the builders of the past? 1 Cor. 3:6, 7; Heb. 1:1, 2. "One after another the foremost of Thus slowly ascended the temple of the the builders fell by the hand of the church of God. . . . enemy. Stephen was stoned; James was "Through the ages that have passed slain by the sword; Paul was beheaded; since the days of the apostles, the build- Peter was crucified; John was exiled. ing of God's temple has never ceased." Yet the church grew. New workers took —"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 597, the place of those who fell, and stone 598. after stone was added to the building. 34 From Chaos to Community LESSON 4 Ei Friday April 23 Part 6 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habita- A CONTRIBUTING tion of God through the Spirit." COMMUNITY Eph. 2:22 We have seen how the apostle has traced the experience of the believers in spiritual victories. They have been reconciled, have access to the Father, are members of the "household of God," they have a firm foundation, and then finally they are informed that the community "groweth." Now the apostle challenges them with the part they are to act in the growth of the church. They are to be a contributing community. They are called upon to perform their part in making the "habitation of God." In 1 Peter 2:5, 9 they are "lively stones" and "a chosen generation." What do all these metaphors mean to you about believers? Do they convey the idea of the importance and value of the church and the re- sponsibilities of the believers? Believers are to understand that they can build the church by their influence for God, by good works to those in need, by their testimony to others, by their faithful support of the church, by fidelity to God and obedience to His Word. "This building [the first temple] represents God's spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation, and tongue, and people. . . . They are living stones, quarried out from the world by the truth; and the great Master-Builder, the Lord of the temple, is now hewing and polishing them, and fitting them for their respective places in the spiritual temple. . . . "The care shown in the building of the temple [of Solomon] is a lesson to us regarding the care that we are to show in our character building. No cheap material was to be used. No hap- hazard work was to be done in matching the different parts. Piece must fit piece perfectly. Just as God's temple was, so must His church be."—Ellen G. White Comments, SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, pp. 1029, 1030. Of what did the apostle assure the Ephesians regard- ing their status in the community? Eph. 2:19. THINK IT THROUGH In view of the faithfulness of the workers for God in the past, what is our duty as members of the church today? "Through the ages that have passed have acted their part in the building of since the days of the apostles, the the temple. But the structure is not yet building of God's temple has never complete. We who are living in this age ceased. . . . have a work to do, a part to act."—"The "Paul and the other apostles, and all Acts of the Apostles," pages 598, 599. the righteous who have lived since then, 35 9E Answers: (1) "Having no hope, and without God in the world"; (2) By the blood of Christ; (3) Christ; (4) fellow citizens, of the household of God; (5) Apostles and prophets, and Jesus Christ the Chief Cornerstone; (6) Those whom God has chosen of every nation. e.i!lIcis ay Ononp pop jo uopeilcieg ue ss .191pa2oi TIN oqm .9 ;ling at slanallaq ay qpItim uo uoRepunoj alp sI volim •s pus `sautes alp T.p!m. inq `sna!aziaj pus sla2ueils wow ou @SC aA azojazalp moN„ :alaidluo0 .Jaiped ay 01 SSODDC anal sianagaq alp op uloqm g2nozq .E 112Iu apeul azu jjo iej a1am sampauros oqm ai( snsaf is!_uo u! mou :alaiduloD •z .1s!nip sidapae ati amjaq uompuop s‘uum s! ietim •I 213MOd Aanis snoA AO 1S31 V O sNolismo AIIVWWItS O L IJOd Ludil NOSS31 fillunuttuop somo tuald MISSION - ITS CROSS AND ITS CROWN 5 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Tim. 2:3. Study Helps: Steps to Christ, pages 87, changed the whole current of his life. The 88; The Acts of the Apostles, pages 112-122, persecutor became a disciple, the teacher a 155-165; SDA Bible Commentary. learner. . . . To the desert of Arabia he went, there to . . . learn of God." Educa- Most interesting and inspiring is the tion, page 65. aspect of church history which deals with the church's sense of mission. This concept is precious and uplifting to each member LESSON OUTLINE of the church. To the minister and the Christian worker it is dynamic, charged 1. Call to Duty with the power of God. Eph. 3:1-3 Mission has meant much to the Christian church. It seems to have a different ap- 2. Mission Shared proach in each case, but each is alike in its Eph. 3:3-6 goals. One of the great tasks of the leaders of the church is to maintain balance and 3. Mission Explained unity in fulfilling its mission. Eph. 3:7 Great numbers of men and women across the centuries and in our own times have 4. Grandeur of the Mission gone across the world in mission for God. Eph. 3:8, 9 Others have persevered at desolate and ob- scure posts of duty for long and torturous 5. Carrying on the Mission years. Sometimes God-authenticated mis- 2 Tim. 1:11, 12 sion seems not too heroic, but it is always glorious in the end. 6. Enduring the Suffering of the Think on the Writer: "At the gate of Mission Damascus the vision of the Crucified One 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 37 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 ❑ Sunday April 25 Part 1 "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for CALL TO DUTY you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that Eph. 3:1-3 by revelation He made known unto me the mystery." "For this cause." That is, because of the solid foundations and beauty of Christ's church. This phrase occurs in verse 14 and in Titus 1:5, and in no other place in the New Testament. Because of the blessings that have come to the community of the saints, Paul prays for more. "Dispensation of the grace of God." Does this mean his con- version, his imprisonment, his preaching power to the Gentiles, or his knowledge of truth? Paul's example of prompt and unreserved obedience to his commission can be followed (1 Cor. 11:1) by all of us in the church. We shall do well to read again the references made to his call to duty on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-31; 22:6-21; 26:12-19) and meditate on the Christian principles involved. To imitate his example will bring freshness and enrichment to our Christian experience. "The Saviour had spoken to Saul through Stephen, whose clear reasoning could not be controverted. . . He had wit- nessed Stephen's forbearance toward his enemies and his for- giveness of them. He had also witnessed the fortitude and cheer- ful resignation of many whom he had caused to be tormented and afflicted."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 116. "For you Gentiles. Paul was in prison because of his labors for the Gentiles (Acts 21:28), particularly for his maintaining that they were equally heirs to the promises. It was thus he had gained the hatred of his own countrymen. His breadth of vision leaped across all national barriers."—SDA Bible Com- mentary, on Eph. 3:1. "To you-ward. That is, to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15 ; 22: 21). His career and lifework consisted of entire commitment to the service of others (Acts 26:17, 18; Rom. 1:5)."—Ibid., on Eph. 3:2. Who made the first favorable Christian impression on Paul? Why was Paul a prisoner? THINK IT THROUGH In the circumstances of the conversion of Paul, how was the authority of the church confirmed? Acts 9:15. "Thus Jesus gave sanction to the au- salvation of men; He directs sinners to thority of His organized church and the church, which He has made a chan- placed Saul in connection with His ap- nel of light to the world.... pointed agencies on earth.... "Christ is the fountain; the church is "He respects the means that He has the channel of communication."—"The ordained for the enlightenment and Acts of the Apostles," page 122. 38 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 Monday April 26 Part 2 "(As I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye MISSION read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery SHARED:• of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and par- Eph. 3:3-6 takers of His promise in Christ by the gospel." Jews had no more extra privileges. Gentiles would suffer no discrimination. The gospel now was to know no national bor- ders. To the apostle this had been revealed by the Holy Spirit. He now makes public announcement. Fellow heirs! Fellow saints! Both are admitted to the church on equal footing; both are children of God. Both would suffer with Christ and both would reign with Him. Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:29. What truth does the apostle now announce? To whom was this truth revealed along with Paul? By whom was it revealed? What three privileges did this revelation give the Gentiles? "The Saviour longed to unfold to His disciples the truth re- garding the breaking down of the 'middle wall of partition' between Israel and the other nations. . . . This truth was re- vealed in part at the time when He rewarded the faith of the centurion at Capernaum, and also when He preached the gospel to the inhabitants of Sychar. Still more plainly was it revealed . . . when He healed the daughter of the Canaanite woman. These experiences helped the disciples to understand that among those whom many regarded as unworthy of salvation, there were souls hungering for the light of truth. "Thus Christ sought to teach the disciples . . . that in God's kingdom there are no territorial lines, no caste, no aristocracy. . . . But not until later did they realize in all its fullness that God `hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.'"—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 19, 20. THINK IT THROUGH What can the individual Christian, whatever his social or racial background, do today to eliminate the walls of partition? Does the greeting of Ananias to Saul ("Brother Saul," Acts 9:17) help us find the way? "The same agencies that barred men feel that they are virtually shut away away from Christ eighteen hundred from the ministry of the gospel. But let years ago are at work today. ... Pride them not feel that they are shut away and prejudice have built strong walls from Christ. There are no barriers which of separation between different classes man or Satan can erect but that faith of men. Christ and His mission have can penetrate."—"The Desire of Ages," been misrepresented, and multitudes page 403. 39 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 ❑ Tuesday April 27 Part 3 "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the MISSION gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual EXPLAINED working of His power." Eph. 3:7 Paul was made a minister by divine appointment. Compare Col. 1:23. The gospel ministry is a gift and an obligation. It is an honor and will be rewarded. 1 Peter 5:2-4. He testifies to the working of God's power in his experience. His conversion as one who persecuted the saints was indeed extraordinary. He recognized the working of the power of God in his call to the ministry and his subsequent success. 1 Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 6:6. He came to realize that the strength of God was "made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9. "Here, in the solitude of the desert, Paul had ample oppor- tunity for quiet study and meditation. He calmly reviewed his past experience and made sure work of repentance. He sought God with all his heart, resting not until lie—krieiv—for a certainty that his repentance was accepted and his sin pardoned. He longed for the assurance that Jesus would be with him in his coming ministry. He emptied his soul of the prejudices and traditions that had hitherto shaped his life, and received instruc- tion from the Source of truth. . . . "When the mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God, the finite with the Infinite, the effect on body and mind and soul is beyond estimate. In such communion is found the highest education."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 125,126. "Throughout his later ministry, Paul never lost sight of the Source of his wisdom and strength."—Ibid., p. 128. How graciously did Paul acknowledge Peter's success in labor for Christ? Gal. 2:8, 9: "Wrought effectually in Peter." Compare Eph. 3:7, where Paul spoke of his own work. Does grace make us gracious to all other men? Does this build up Christ's church? Eph. 1:9-12. THINK IT THROUGH As we consider Paul's devotion to the cause of God and his earnestness in its work, what does his example inspire us to be and do? "Paul's was a life of intense and bread. But in all the busy activity of varied activities. From city to city, from his life, he never lost sight of the one country to country, he journeyed, tell- great purpose,—to press toward the ing the story of the cross, winning con- mark of his high calling. verts to the gospel, and establishing "Paul carried with him the atmo- churches. For these churches he had a sphere of heaven. All who associated constant care, and he wrote many let- with him felt the influence of his union ters of instruction to them. At times he with Christ"—"Gospel Workers," pages worked at his trade to earn his daily 58, 59. 40 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 ❑ Wednesday April 28 Part 4 "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is GRANDEUR OF this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles MISSION the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who Eph. 3:8, 9 created all things by Jesus Christ." Paul here presents the grandeur of the mission. He remembers his persecution of the saints (1 Cor. 15:9), his human frailty, his need of grace for the monumental task. He is amazed at the truth he is to preach, its unity, its regenerating power. He is to "make all men see" the importance of the gospel. 2 Cor. 5:10, 11. He is to develop fellowship and brotherhood in a world of animosity and division. "Even these words [Deut. 4:5-8] fail of expressing the great- ness and the glory of God's purpose to be accomplished through His people. Not to this world only but to the universe are we to make manifest the principles of His kingdom."—Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 13. God uses men who have made mistakes, but who have re- pented. Consider the case of the apostle Peter: 'Send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon.' Thus God gave evidence of His regard for the gospel ministry and for His organized church. The angel was not commissioned to tell Cornelius the story of the cross. A man subject, even as the centurion himself, to human frailties and temptations, was to be the one to tell him of the crucified and risen Saviour. "As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 134. How did Paul consider himself? What were the two characteristics of the message Paul was to preach to the Gentiles? How long had this truth been hidden from the notice of the world? See lesson texts. THINK IT THROUGH Is there something for the church to learn from the call, the humility, the earnestness, and the success of the apostle Paul? Mention a few lessons we ought to learn from Paul's experience. "As your soul yearns after God, you rifice, the protection of His righteous- will find more and still more of the ness, the fullness of His wisdom, and unsearchable riches of His grace. As His power to present you before the you contemplate these riches you will Father 'without spot, and blameless.'" come into possession of them and will —"The Acts of the Apostles," page 567. reveal the merits of the Saviour's sac- 41 6—A2Qt71 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 ❑ Thursday April 29 Part 5 "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apos- CARRYING ON tle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause THE MISSION I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto 2 Tim. 1:11, 12 Him against that day." In verse 10 Paul speaks of life and immortality brought to light through the gospel, and now refers to that gospel "where- unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher." These titles are referred to elsewhere relating to the glorious gospel "committed to my trust." 1 Tim. 1:11; 2:7. Compare Eph. 1:1. He loved the people. 1 Cor. 16:24. He served the Lord with humility. Acts 20:19. He was diligent and untiring in his labors. 1 Thess. 2:9. He was not covetous. Acts 20:33. He preached the cross of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 2:2. He depended on the prayers of the church. Rom. 15:30-32. He carried a burden for all the churches. 2 Cor. 11:28. He was always planning advance in the Lord's work. Rom. 15:24. "The apostle felt that he was to a large extent responsible for the spiritual welfare of those converted under his labors. . . . Often in his ministry he would meet with little companies of men and women who loved Jesus, and bow with them in prayer, asking God to teach them how to maintain a living connection with Him. Often he took counsel with them as to the best methods of giving to others the light of gospel truth." —The Acts of the Apostles, page 262. Describe some of the principles used by Paul in his work. Are they valid and relevant to the work of the gospel today? (For example, assurance of divine call; also, a sense of God's power, as in Eph. 1:19.) THINK IT THROUGH Should not the churches in general urge young men of talent to prepare for the ministry? In the days just ahead many more ministers will be needed. "Paul made it a part of his work to "This feature of Paul's work teaches educate young men for the gospel min- an important lesson to ministers today. istry. He took them with him on his Experienced laborers do a noble work missionary journeys, and thus they when, instead of trying to carry all the gained an experience that later en- burdens themselves, they train younger abled them to fill positions of respon- men, and place burdens on their shoul- sibility.... ders."—"Gospel Workers," page 102. 42 Mission—Its Cross and Its Crown LESSON 5 ❑ Friday April 30 Part 6 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, ENDURING THE I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me SUFFERING OF a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous THE MISSION Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 unto all them also that love His appearing." Note some of the sufferings of the apostle as he carried out his mission. They will give understanding of this wonderful man as he carried on "in Christ." Jesus told His disciples that they would be hated, persecuted, scourged, driven from one city to another. "If they have persecuted Me, they will also perse- cute you." John 15:20. See Matt. 10:17, 22. The apostle Paul had his full measure of persecution and abuse. Acts 14:19, 20; 16:23 ; 2 Tim. 3:11 ; 2 Cor. 11:23-27. Do you think we in the church today are ready for a repetition of this kind of persecu- tion? "Without money, without friends, without counsel, the aged prisoner stood before Nero—the countenance of the emperor bearing the shameful record of the passions that raged within; the face of the accused telling of a heart at peace with God. Paul's experience had been one of poverty, self-denial, and suffering. Notwithstanding constant misrepresentation, reproach, and abuse, by which his enemies had endeavored to intimidate him, he had fearlessly held aloft the standard of the cross. Like his Master, he had been a homeless wanderer, and like Him, he had lived to bless humanity."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 493, 494. How many times was Paul beaten with stripes? With rods? How many times was he stoned? How many times was he shipwrecked? What was Paul's reaction to per- secution for Christ's sake? 2 Cor. 11:23-30. Is persecu- tion an unmixed evil or a blessing to the Christian and to the church? Matt. 5:11, 12. THINK IT THROUGH Compare Col. 1:25, 26 and Eph. 1:1, 9 (the call of God to Saul of Tarsus) with today's lesson scriptures, and say what you think of the enduring qualities of man's faith. "Amidst the constant storm of opposi- the Crucified. He was but treading the tion, the clamor of enemies, and the blood-stained path that Christ had trod- desertion of friends the intrepid apo- den before him. He sought no discharge stle almost lost heart. But he looked from the warfare till he should lay off back to Calvary and with new ardor his armor at the feet of his Redeemer." pressed on to spread the knowledge of —"The Acts of the Apostles," page 297. 43 tit Answers: (1) prisoner of Jesus Christ, Gentiles; (2) His holy apostles and prophets; (3) By divine appointment; (4) Gentiles; (5) preacher, apostle, teacher; (6) good fight, my course, kept the faith. It paqs!uu anuti iti2noj anuti I» :alaidulop .9 „•sallwap alp Jo E puu uu puu palu!oddu um I olunaiaqm„ :alaidiuoD .s e...saipuap io smai 'Allupadsa yuaid o1 mud sum tuotim e.Jals!uuu E 3prui mud sum moH •E :pairanai mou pop Jo XiaisAtu alp s! BIOTA oZ 7 noiC .10j alp 'mud I asnuo sup zo,4„ :alaidulop •I 213MOd Aanis anoA AO 1S31 V o SNOLLS3110 Aavwwns o L 1-"d fivn S NOSS31 tuno.to puv sso.to sq—uoIssmi ...,11,t.• I Li t. ii4,1.111 11,1f1141,11111:1,1,10-4,Allhi ttli 9,11, GOD'S PURPOSE VICTORIOUSLY FULFILLED "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strength- ened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." Eph. 3:16. Study Helps: The Acts of the Apostles, the churches, and was enabled to exercise pages 399-418; Prophets and Kings, pages a constant supervision over them."—Ellen 229-234; SDA Bible Commentary. G. White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, page 281. Our lesson this week is that the church on earth is to have a large part in the vin- dication of the wisdom and knowledge of LESSON OUTLINE God as set forth in the plan of redemption. The church is to be "a spectacle unto the 1. Church Displays Wisdom of God world, and to angels, and to men." 1 Cor. Eph. 3:10, 11 4:9. Beings throughout the universe are to see the working of God's grace, His mercy, 2. Providence in Tribulation His forbearance, and His forgiveness operat- Eph. 3:12, 13 ing for the redemption of sinners. They will behold humanity (as many as will ac- 3. Paul's Challenge to Prayer cept) rescued from their plight by Divinity. Eph. 3:14, 15 Think on the Writer: "He felt deeply 4. Strength in the Inner Man the danger that threatened those for whom Eph. 3:16, 17 he had labored so earnestly, and he sought as far as possible to supply by written 5. Understanding the Love of communications the place of his personal Christ instruction. He also sent out authorized delegates to labor among the churches he Eph. 3:18, 19 had raised up. . . . These messengers ren- dered him faithful service, and being in 6. God's Abundance Available communication with them, he was informed to the Believer concerning the conditions and dangers of Eph. 3:20, 21 45 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 ❑ Sunday May 2 Part 1 "To the intent that now unto the principalities and CHURCH DISPLAYS powers in heavenly places might be known by the church WISDOM OF GOD the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal Eph. 3:10, 11 purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." At creation the beings of other worlds were glad. Job 38:7. Beings in heaven are concerned about the gospel cause. 1 Peter 1:12. One sinner converted stirs heaven. Luke 15:7. God pur- poses to give the universe a demonstration of His love through the church. "By the church. . . . The church was intended to be a living demonstration of God's wisdom, even as a recovered patient is a witness to the skill of the physician. . . . The church is not so much an agent of the power and wisdom of God as it is a proof or evidence of it. . . "Manifold wisdom. Especially as manifested in the work of redemption. The wisdom of God is also shown in the manifold forms in the material world, in the complexities of the human mind, and in the innumerable methods He uses to reach men and effect their salvation. The full extent of this wisdom will not be understood until the plan of salvation is ended. . . . "Christ Jesus our Lord. . . . Paul reminds his readers that the historic Jesus whom they acknowledged as Lord was the Christ of the eternal purpose of God to effect man's salvation and to vindicate His character. The unity his purpose calls for requires complete submission of each believer's will to its Lord and Master. . . The church that cannot fuse into unity and a common devotion to its Lord faces certain defeat and rejec- tion."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 3:10, 11. Describe the interest of the supernatural beings in the gospel cause on this earth. Eph. 3:10; 1:21; 6:12. Name the parts of God's plan in which Jesus plays a leading role. Eph. 1:11, 12. THINK IT THROUGH How are the believers connected with the "final and full display of the love of God"? Does this mean that each individual of each congregation is involved? "The church is God's appointed His sufficiency. . . . The church is the agency for the salvation of men. It was repository of the riches of the grace organized for service, and its mission of Christ; and through the church will is to carry the gospel to the world. eventually be made manifest . . . the From the beginning it has been God's final and full display of the love of plan that through His church shall be God."—"The Acts of the Apostles," reflected to the world His fullness and page 9. 46 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 ❑ Monday May 3 Part 2 "In whom we have boldness and access with confi- PROVIDENCE IN dence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that ye TRIBULATION faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory." Eph. 3:12, 13 "Boldness" was in speech and witness, as opposed to vain boasting. Paul knew the cause of his tribulation was his preach- ing the gospel. Col. 4:3; Phil. 1:13; 2 Tim. 2:8, 9. Bonds spread the gospel. Phil. 1:15-18. Paul had written: "All things work together for good." Rom. 8:28. "The Faith of Him. . . . We can come to God with boldness only on the basis that we have faith in Christ as our Mediator. He has been the only One •to bridge the gulf that has separated man from God since the entrance of sin.. . "Faint. . . . The apostle in prison was anxious that his flock be not disturbed by his plight. He was concerned, not so much for his own sake, but for theirs. They might conclude that what he had preached had little saving power in it; that the God in whom Paul trusted was unmindful of His servant's fate; that they themselves might soon face similar trials. Suffering cou- rageously borne is doubly glorious when both onlookers and sufferers draw virtue from it. "Your glory. Paul, like a good pastor, identifies himself with his flock. If he finds glory in his tribulation, they will share it with him. He is suffering on account of his exalted office as apostle and ambassador of God, and the Ephesians are the fruit of that apostleship. Hence they are entitled to reflect the glory." —SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 3:12, 13. Name some of the conclusions of Paul regarding his bonds. Eph. 3:12-14. What is the importance of access to the throne of grace at such times? Heb. 4:16. THINK IT THROUGH What is the value of the belief in God's providence to the Christian today? 2 Tim. 3:13-17. Do I trust in God's providential leading in my life? "Patience as well as courage has its gospel more than he could have ef- victories. By meekness under trial, no fected by a long life of faithful labor. less than by boldness in enterprise, Often when the servant of God is with- souls may be won to Christ. The drawn from active duty, the mysterious Christian who manifests patience and providence which our shortsighted vi- cheerfulness under bereavement and sion would lament is designed by God suffering, who meets even death itself to accomplish a work that otherwise with the peace and calmness of an un- would never have been done."—"The wavering faith, may accomplish for the Acts of the Apostles," page 465. 47 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 ❑ Tuesday May 4 Part 3 "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our PAUL'S CHALLENGE Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven TO PRAYER and earth is named." Eph. 3:14, 15 The thought interrupted in verse 1 is resumed in verse 14. The apostle's prayer acknowledges that all the saints, Jews and Gentiles, are stones in the same temple. Eph. 2:19-22. He expresses the grand reconciliation by Christ of all in the church. Paul's admonition, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1), applies at least in part to his example of dependence on prayer. An enriching idea is introduced with the mention of the fam- ily of God. This gives new honor to the family of the re- deemed. "The whole family. . . . Paul appears to be speaking of unity and seems to conceive of the beings in heaven and the saints on earth as one large family. If the translation 'every family' is adopted [instead of 'the whole family'] it seems necessary to conceive of several families in heaven. Such the Scriptures do not describe. It seems better therefore to adopt the reading 'the whole family,' which conveys the sense of unity and whole- ness of the community of God, the Father of all, a theme to which the apostle frequently reverts."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Eph. 3:15. "To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. . . . He who is 'holy, harm- less, undefiled' . . . is not ashamed to call us brethren. Heb. 7:26; 2:11. In Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our Brother." —The Desire of Ages, pages 25, 26. In whom is the family on earth united to the family in heaven? Eph. 3:15. What are the responsibilities of belonging to this family? 1 John 2:3, 4. The privileges? 1 John 2:5; 5:14, 15. THINK IT THROUGH What is the significance of the worship of the family on earth? "The church of God below is one earth, and the praise and thanksgiving with the church of God above. Believers from the worshipers below is taken up on the earth and the beings in heaven in the heavenly anthem, and praise and who have never fallen constitute one rejoicing sound through the heavenly church.... In the inner court of heaven courts because Christ has not died in they listen to the testimony of the wit- vain for the fallen sons of Adam."— nesses for Christ in the outer court on "Testimonies," Vol. 6, p. 366. 48 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 ❑ Wednesday May 5 Part 4 "That He would grant you, according to the riches of STRENGTH IN His glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in THE INNER MAN the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by Eph. 3:16, 17 faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love." "Strengthened with might. The might that strengthens is the power of God. The power is conveyed through the operation of the Holy Spirit. The same power that converts men must con- tinue in them if there is to be Christian growth. . . . As the physical strength is increased by food and the intellectual life by thought, so the spiritual life is sustained by the immediate presence and power of the Holy Spirit. "In the inner man. The Greek suggests power entering into and remaining there. The vital spiritual powers within a man have not sprung from his own nature; he has nothing of his own to offer, nothing of his own of which to boast. . . . "By faith. It is faith that opens up the heart of Christ. Faith is a confident trust in God and His promises, and is a contin- uously sustaining principle of life."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 3:16, 17. Keeping the words of Christ is closely connected with having the indwelling Christ. John 14:23. If an individual has love iiclig—liFai-rh-617—an endowment of great value. 1 John 4:7. What is promised to the believer who obeys the words of Christ? What will be the blessing of one who has love rooted in his heart? "The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to sustain its life. It sends down its roots into the earth. It drinks in the sunshine, the dew, and the rain. . . . So the _Christian is to grow by cooperating with the divine agencies. Feeling our helplessness, we are to improve all the opportunities granted us to gain a fuller experience. As the plant takes root in the soil, so we are to take deep root in Christ. As the plant receives the sunshine, the dew, the rain, we are to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 66, 67. THINK IT THROUGH Have you ever thought of the revival and reform that would come to our own lives, and those of others, if we were to bring fully into our lives the principle of love? 1 John 5:1-5. "In the contemplation of Christ we vocate, and the mansions He is prepar- linger on the shore of a love that is ing for those who love Him; and we can measureless. We endeavor to tell of only exclaim, 0 the height and depth this love, and language fails us. We of the love of Christ!"—"The Acts of the consider His life on earth, His sacrifice Apostles," pages 333,334. for us, His work in heaven as our ad- 49 7—A2Qt71 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 [11 Thursday May 6 Part 5 "May be able to comprehend with all saints what is UNDERSTANDING the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to THE LOVE know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that OF CHRIST ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph. 3:18, 19 The goal of the apostle for the saints is to know the love of Christ experimentally. His love for us is dynamic (Gal. 2:20) ; it impels to duty (2 Cor. 5:14) ; it has a relation with the com- mands of Jesus (John 15:10) ; and it is abundant (1 Tim. 1:14). The love of Christ is of fundamental importance to all believers in their conversion and growth in spiritual things. "May be able. The subject to be grasped is beyond ordinary comprehension; therefore Paul prays that his hearers may re- ceive a special enabling power for the attainment of it. . . . "All saints.. . . There are certain spiritual transactions that take place only in the individual heart, but there are other matters that belong to the community of God, and this com- prehension of the love of Christ is one of them. It is the com- mon possession that binds believers together. . "Love of Christ. Here, apparently, not our love for Christ, but His love for us. . . "Fullness of God. . . . Paul is presenting a most exalted view of the nature of man and of his possibilities for growth in grace. . . The blessings of God are not parceled out parsi- moniously. They lead to an ever-increasing comprehension of the mind of God, to a filling up of the void and empty places in men's lives with spiritual power."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 3:18, 19. "The contemplation . of the matchless depths of a Saviour's love "gliFilld fillthrEind, touch and melt the soul, refine and elevate the affections, and completely transform the whole character."—Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 213. What characteristics of the love of Christ do you see in the words "breadth," "length," "depth," and "height"? How does the love of Christ affect our lives? Can we love Christ and remain unconcerned about other men's wel- fare? THINK IT THROUGH How great should the influence of the love of Christ be in our daily lives? Will others perceive its effects in our deeds and words? "With untold love our God has loved edge of His love expressed to us while us, and our love awakens toward Him we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart as we comprehend something of the is melted and subdued, and the sinner length and breadth and depth and is transformed and becomes a child height of this love that passeth knowl- of heaven."—"Thoughts From the Mount edge. By the revelation of the attrac- of Blessing," pages 76, 77. tive loveliness of Christ, by the knowl- 50 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 ❑ Friday May 7 Part 6 "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abun- GOD'S ABUNDANCE dantly above all that we ask or think, according to the AVAILABLE TO power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the THE BELIEVER church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without Eph. 3:20, 21 end. Amen." In the doxology here Paul gathers up all that God has done for us through Christ. Compare other New Testament doxol- ogies: Rom. 16:25-27; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Jude 24, 25. Divine grace toward the saints is beyond human thought; hence, such expressions as "exceeding abundantly." God has great and vast power that works in the believers. Accomplishment of His pur- poses is a mark of His greatness. Rom. 4:21; 2 Cor. 9:8. These words filled the church with high spiritual courage as they realized the approaching dangers (Acts 20:29, 30), persecutions in the present and future (2 Thess. 1:4), and in the great task of building up the work of God (Eph. 2:21, 22). "God is able" has been the cry of the people of God through the centuries. Dan. 3:17; Matt. 3:9; 2 Cor. 9:8. We know He is able also in our day. "The Lord Jesus seeks the cooperation of those who will become unobstructed channels for the communication of His grace. The first thing to be learned by all who would become workers together with God is the lesson of self-distrust; then they are prepared to have imparted to them the character of Christ.... "It is not the highest work of education to communicate knowledge merely, but to impart that vitalizing energy which is received through the contact of mind with mind, and soul with soul. It is only life than can beget life."—The Desire of Ages, pages 249, 250. Give some examples of what God has been able to do for His people in past time. John 6:31; 1 Cor. 10:1-4. What is the extent of divine ability to bless the believer with His power? Ps. 23. What is the connection between the church and the glory of God? Matt. 5:16. THINK IT THROUGH Name some of the obstacles to being useful in doing good to others. What are the characteristics which fit one for doing maximum good? "He who loves Christ the most will ing or fainting by the way, God will do the greatest amount of good. There teach them hour by hour, and day by is no limit to the usefulness of one who, day. . . . If His people will remove the by putting self aside, makes room for obstructions, He will pour forth the the working of the Holy Spirit upon his waters of salvation in abundant streams heart, and lives a life wholly conse- through the human channels."—"The crated to God. If men will endure the Desire of Ages," pages 250, 251. necessary discipline, without complain- 51 God's Purpose Victoriously Fulfilled LESSON 6 May 8 Part 7 0 SUMMARY QUESTIONS 0 A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER 1. To whom is the "manifold wisdom of God" to be made known? (A) To the apostles and prophets, (B) to the powers of earth, (C) to the powers in heavenly places. 2. What did Paul think was the cause of his having been made a prisoner? (A) The Roman government, (B) the opposition of the Jews, (C) his preach- ing of the gospel. 3. Of whom is the family of God composed) 4. Complete: "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might 5. Complete: "And to know the love of Christ, , that you may be filled with 6. To what degree is God able to help the believer) 10 OM ;um lle anocie Anuopunqu 2u!paa3xa„ (9) :pop Jo ssaunnj DR; Tie 'o2paynoun glassed 109.1m (5) !ueuz iouu! 1.1! 4pIdS Sal At! (t) :44.no uo smes 344 pus uanoati ul Ouiaa (c) :3 (z) :3 (i) :slamsuv 52 UNITY--SOURCE OF PEACE AND PROGRESS 7 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." John 17:20, 21. Study Helps: Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. wrote to the churches, giving reproof, coun- 236-248; Steps to Christ, chapter, "Grow- sel, admonition, and encouragement, as their ing Up Into Christ"; SDA Bible Commen- state demanded."—Ellen G. White, Sketches tary. From the Life of Paul, page 147. This week we are to study the important LESSON OUTLINE subject of unity. For the church, unity has always been an important principle, in all 1. Challenge of Unity its aspects. In fact, unity among the be- Eph. 4:1-3 lievers and between the believers and God, in the church as a whole, is an imperative 2. Basis of Unity for final triumph. Quite generally unity has Eph. 4:4-7 been a requisite for advancement and prog- ress. Unity strengthens, division weakens. 3. Gifts of the Spirit for Unity Unity produces peace, while division pro- Eph. 4:8-1 1 motes frustration. 4. Fulfillment of God's Purposes Think on the Writer: "The news he re- ceived, of apostasy in churches of his own Through the Gifts planting, caused him deep anguish. He Eph. 4:12, 13 greatly feared that his efforts in their be- half would prove to have been in vain. 5. Spiritual Strength From Unity Many a sleepless night was spent in prayer Eph. 4:14, 15 and earnest thought, as he learned of the new and varied methods employed to coun- 6. A Growing, Enlarged Church teract his work. As he had opportunity, he Eph. 4:16 53 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Sunday May 9 Part 1 "1 therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that CHALLENGE ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, OF UNITY with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the Eph. 4:1-3 unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The groundwork of unity is the personal relationship be- tween each believer and the "one God, the Father ... ; and one Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 8:6. The apostle now calls the atten- tion of the believers to the components of the Christian way in some detail: lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance. In his writings mention is made frequently of the calling of the believer. 1 Cor. 7:20; Phil. 3:14; 2 Thess. 1:11; Heb. 3:1. Gracious Christian practice is to endeavor "to keep the unity of the Spirit." Effort and diligence through the grace of God bring unity. "The apostle exhorts his brethren to manifest in their lives the power of the truth which he had presented to them. By meekness and gentleness, forbearance and love, they were to exemplify the character of Christ and the blessings of His salvation."—Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 239. "The meekness and lowliness of Christ is the Christian's power. It is indeed more precious than all things which genius can create or wealth can buy. Of all things that are sought, cherished, and cultivated, there is nothing so valuable in the sight of God as a pure heart, a disposition imbued with thank- fulness and peace."—Ibid., Vol. 4, p. 559. What does the apostle emphasize as the concern of the believer? Eph. 4:3. Describe what he writes about the calling of the Christian in the texts given above. By what path is unity to be kept in the congregation? THINK IT THROUGH Was unity of great importance only for the church of Paul's time, or is it likewise needed in the church today? Am I doing everything to promote unity among the brethren of the church? "As members of the body of Christ their course. Paul's instructions were all believers are animated by the same not written alone for the church in his spirit and the same hope. Divisions in day. God designed that they should be the church dishonor the religion of sent down to us. What are we doing Christ before the world and give oc- to preserve unity in the bonds of casion to the enemies of truth to justify peace?"—"Testimonies," Vol. 5, p. 239. 54 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Monday May 10 Part 2 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are BASIS OF UNITY called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift Eph. 4:4-7 of Christ." "One body. . . . The Christian is not a solitary pilgrim; he belongs to a vital organism, the family of God. This unit re- places the state, the club, and even the human family as the supreme object of his attachment. "One Spirit. . . . The Spirit dispels the divisions within a man's own life, the inner disharmonies that make of so many lives veritable battlefields. Disunity is a certain sign that the Holy Spirit is absent. "One hope. . . . The Spirit validates this hope. . . Such a hope necessarily leads to the transformed life. . . . "One Lord. . . Those who give complete submission and allegiance to the same Lord are not at enmity with one another. He is Lord by creation and by re-creation, and all authority rests with Him... . "One faith. Paul seems here to be speaking of subjective faith in Christ as a personal Saviour rather than of faith as a creedal system. . . . There is only one means of salvation, namely, faith.... "One baptism. Baptism by water aptly symbolizes death and resurrection. Also, it signifies cleansing and separation, and is a public announcement of union with the body of Christ. Those thus initiated into the visible church grow together into the likeness of Christ's death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5). "One God and Father of all. . . . The common Father is the source of all unity. The greatest fact that the human heart can discover is that God is a Father who can be trusted, one who is a friend to man."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 4:4-6. Describe these seven concepts which support Christian unity and their relation to the individual believer. What additional concept is given by the apostle in verse 7? THINK IT THROUGH Why do the spirit of prophecy writings give repeated warnings against those whose actions tend to disrupt or disunite the church? "By the influence of the Spirit, the gathering good from every source, most discordant may be brought into educating, training, and disciplining harmony. Unselfishness is to bind God's self. . . . Thus heaven and earth are people together with firm, tender connected, and all divine agencies co- bonds. There is a vast power in the operate with human instrumentalities." church when the energies of the mem- —"My Life Today," page 39. bers are under the control of the Spirit, 55 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Tuesday May // Part 3 "Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, GIFTS OF THE He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now SPIRIT FOR that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended UNITY first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, Eph. 4:8-11 pastors and teachers." The reference in verse 8 is to Psalm 68:18, traditionally con- nected with the moving of the ark to Mount Zion. Hence, the victory of the church is attributed to God's enabling power. Wisdom and power (1 Cor. 1:24; Rom. 1:16) are given for the accomplishment of God's purpose. There are functions to be performed by the believers through God's grace, for the ac- complishment of unity. 1 Cor. 1:10; 13:11; Phil. 1:27. By what symbolic act did Jesus confer the Holy Spirit on His disciples? John 20:22. This was a promise, for "not until after the ascension was the gift received in its fullness."— Christ's Object Lessons, page 327. "Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth, He would bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him, and those who should believe on Him. . . . It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the Third Person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, that converting, enlightening, and sanctifying power, would be His donation."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, pp. 1052, 1053. Is the list of gifts in Ephesians 4:11 complete, or does it indicate that all necessary gifts will be forthcoming when the church needs them? Compare the list in 1 Co- rinthians 12:28. What attitude of the believer will aid in preserving unity in the church? THINK IT THROUGH In what way does the ministry of the church have rele- vance in our day? What significant truth is made known in the paragraph that follows? "The Lord has His appointed agen- of God have been chosen to watch with cies, and a church that has lived jealous care, with vigilant persever- through persecution, conflict, and dark- ance, that the church may not be over- ness. Jesus loved the church, and gave thrown by the evil devices of Satan, Himself for it, and He will replenish, but that she shall stand in the world refine, ennoble, and elevate it, so that to promote the glory of God among it shall stand fast amid the corrupting men."—"Testimonies to Ministers," influences of this world. Men appointed pages 52, 53. 56 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Wednesday May 12 Part 4 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the FULFILLMENT OF ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we GOD'S PURPOSES all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge THROUGH THE GIFTS of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure Eph. 4:12, 13 of the stature of the fullness of Christ." "Perfecting." "To perfect" (katartizio) signifies either (1) to mend what is broken, as in Matt. 4:21, or (2) to complete what is unfinished, as in 1 Thess. 3:10. Continual growth and devel- opment in loyalty and character is implied and not the reaching of an ultimate perfection beyond which nothing more can be attained in this life. Peter writes: "Feed the flock" and gives other thought- provoking suggestions (1 Peter 5:2, 3). What is to be the atti- tude of the believer toward the minister? (Heb. 13:7, 17). "They [those endued with power at Pentecost] were com- pelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit's working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanc- tified, refined, and ennobled."—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 49, 50. "There must be a continual advancement. Step by step His followers must make straight paths for their feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Those who would labor for God must work intelligently to replenish the defi- ciencies in themselves and glorify the Lord God of Israel by standing in the light, working in the light of the Sun of Righ- teousness. Thus they will carry the church forward and up- ward and heavenward, making its separation from the world more and more distinct."—Testimonies to Ministers, page 406. What goal does the apostle hold before the church members and the ministry? In what way should the min- istry and the believers work and worship together? How zealous were those at Pentecost in cooperating with the Spirit? Acts 2:46, 47. THINK IT THROUGH In God's work what is the part of the ministry? Of the believers? Is our church doing its part? "In sending forth His ministers our labors of God's servant should, accord- Saviour gave gifts unto men, for ing to their ability, unite with him in through them He communicates to the working for the salvation of souls. This world the words of eternal life. This is is the work of all true believers, min- the means which God has ordained for isters and people. They should keep the perfecting of the saints in knowl- the grand object ever in view."—"Testi- edge and true holiness.... monies," Vol. 5, pp. 237, 238. "All who have been benefited by the 57 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Thursday May 13 Part 5 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to SPIRITUAL and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, STRENGTH by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby FROM UNITY they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, Eph. 4:14, 15 even Christ." Christians should be alert for deception. Paul often men- tions this seriously. 1 Cor. 3:18, 19; 15:33; 2 Tim. 3:13, 14; Col. 2:8. Growth in spiritual things is a goal set before believers. It is a part of the advantages to be reaped from unity in the Spirit. Paul thanks God for one of the churches which has grown in faith. 2 Thess. 1:3. To another he recommends grow- ing as a part of Christian experience. Col. 1:10. He urges unity as essential. See 1 Thess. 3:12, 13. "The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved •to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness."—The Desire of Ages, page 309. "Self-righteousness is not true righteousness, and those who cling to it will be left to take the consequences of •holding a fatal deception. Many today claim to obey the commandments of God, but they have not the love of God in their hearts to flow forth to others."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 279. "There can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but con- tinuous, so is the growth of character. At every stage of de- velopment our life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be constant advancement."—Education, pages 105, 106. Name the main points of emphasis of today's lesson. Name some of the effects of deception. How are the laws of spiritual growth like those for the growth of plants? Jer. 17:7, 8. THINK IT THROUGH Is the goal of spiritual growth an imperative for the Christian? "Our growth in grace, our joy, our is Christ first and last and always. He usefulness,—all depend upon our union is to be with us, not only at the begin- with Christ. It is by communion with ning and the end of our course, but at Him, daily, hourly,—by abiding in Him, every step of the way."—"Steps to —that we are to grow in grace... . It Christ," page 69. 58 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 ❑ Friday May 14 Part 6 "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and A GROWING, compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according ENLARGED CHURCH to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself Eph. 4:16 in love." The church is an institution that is to experience growth and enlargement. Increase, enlarge, grow, advance, and build were the ideals Paul cherished. Growth of the whole body was to be accomplished through the efforts of the parts. He had seen the church enlarge from Palestine and Syria to Asia Minor (Acts 13), from Asia to Macedonia (Acts 16:9), and from Macedonia to Achaia (1 Thess. 1:7). In true apostolic style and courage he places before the Ephesian believers this image of the future. "Fitly joined together" is the same as "fitly framed to- gether," as bonded together in a building. This is a striking symbol for church unity. The body is compacted by the con- tribution provided by every single joint or member. "Fitly joined. . . . Growing up into Him assures vitality flowing from Him into the members of the body, which are closely joined together. It is thus that persons of greatly varying gifts are able to work together. . . . "Maketh increase. . . . It is a twofold increase—growth of the church in numbers and of the individual in the spiritual graces."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 4:16. Describe the goals of the apostle as expressed in our Scripture. How had the gospel gone from country to coun- try in the time of Paul as described in the texts in the above paragraph? Of what did the final objective of the apostle consist? THINK IT THROUGH According to our text, how is the worldwide mission of the church to be accomplished? Compare Matt. 28: 19,20. "Christ's followers are to be more men. Angels of glory wait to commu- than a light in the midst of men. They nicate through you heaven's light and are the light of the world.... As Christ power to souls that are ready to per- is the channel for the revelation of the ish."—"Thoughts From the Mount of Father, so we are to be the channel for Blessing," page 40. the revelation of Christ. While our Sav- "Truth is, no doubt, the basis of iour is the great source of illumination, unity; but love is its vital power, at forget not, 0 Christian, that He is re- once keeping together all who are vealed through humanity. . . . The united, and drawing in those who are church of Christ, every individual disci- as yet separated."—Ellicott's "Commen- ple of the Master, is heaven's appointed tary," on Eph. 4:16. channel for the revelation of God to 59 Unity—Source of Peace and Progress LESSON 7 May 15 Part 7 0 SUMMARY QUESTIONS 0 A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER 1. Paul earnestly implored the Ephesian believers "to keep the of the Spirit in the 2. What are the two first reasons mentioned in support of unity in the church? 3. When Jesus ascended up on high, what did He bestow on men? 4. Complete: "For the perfecting of the , for the work of the 11 , for the edifying of the 5. Complete: "But speaking the truth in love, into Him in , which is the head, even Christ." 6. What is the twofold increase envisaged in unity in the church '6men4;.uds lenpygpu; uT `slacitunu ui twito.19 (9) !s2tqq; 'dn evioa dear (9) :;sago ;o Apoq 'A.neltqur 's;u;es (t) :11.qds otp Jo s;n0 (E) :4;.qds ouo 'Apoq auo (E) !a3ead Jo puoq 'AI;un (;) :siantsuv 60 PUTTING OFF THE OLD, PUTTING ON THE NEW "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:32. Study Helps: The Acts of the Apostles, make no concessions that would involve pages 469-484; Testimonies, Vol. 8, pp. 239- principle. At times the burden was heavy, 254; SDA Bible Commentary. but Paul stood firm for the right."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 199. The apostle well understood the impor- tance of spiritual maturity and experience in the believer. He proceeded to give in- LESSON OUTLINE struction to the saints as to what they 1. Abandon the Old should be and do in their role in the church with a message to all the world. Paul knew Eph. 4:17-19 that a deeply spiritual church is composed 2. Old Way Not Learned of Christ of deeply spiritual members. Eph. 4:20-22 The apostle knew as well that knowledge must precede spirituality. He felt the bur- 3. Put on the New Man den, and rightly so as an apostle, that he Eph. 4:23, 24 should give them instruction. He undoubt- edly recognized that instruction which is 4. Put Away Lying and Anger written has many advantages over that Eph. 4:25-27 which is spoken. Quite probably he had already spoken to them about the impor- 5. Put Off Stealing and Bad tant matters he now wrote to them about. Language The apostle was a teacher (2 Tim. 1:11), and he proceded to give the instruction. Eph. 4:28, 29 Think on the Writer: "In his ministry, 6. Grieve Not the Holy Spirit— Paul was often compelled to stand alone. Be Kind He was specially taught of God and dared Eph. 4:30-32 61 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Sunday May 16 Part 1 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye ABANDON THE OLD henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto Eph. 4:17-19 lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." "This I say . . . , and testify" is typical of Paul's earnest adjuration of the saints. Compare "I take you to record" (Acts 20:26), and "I testify . . . to every man" (Gal. 5:3). His deep convictions often called on God as witness. Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:23. "Testify in the Lord" again indicates his conviction that he was speaking with divine authority. "Vanity" is the way of the world, as in 1 Cor. 3:20 also. What the world calls wisdom is often ignorance and darkness. It alienates men from God. "Blindness of their heart" is sometimes rendered "hardness," indicating guilt for such a condition. Compare Mark 8:14-21, where ignorance and hardness appear in the same connection. Would the phrase "who being past feeling," indicate a condition beyond redemption? The whole point of this passage is that Christians should turn round and go in a new moral direction. "The apostle admonishes his brethren, in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that after having professed the gospel they should not conduct themselves as did the Gen- tiles, but should show by their daily deportment that they had been truly converted."—Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 171, 172. How is the worldly way of life described? What are believers admonished not to do? Eph. 4:17; 1 Peter 1:14. THINK IT THROUGH How is our way of life, our manner of living, related to the work we do? What is to be our attitude to "old habits and customs"? "God will not make men and women Old habits and customs must be shaken channels of light while they are in dark- off, and it is only by earnest struggles ness and are content to remain so, to correct these errors, and a full recep- making no special efforts to connect tion of the truth in carrying out its prin- with the Source of light. . . . There is ciples, by the grace of God, that the much for each to unlearn with respect victory can be gained."—"Testimonies," to himself, as well as much to learn. Vol. 4, pp. 485, 486. 62 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Monday May 17 Part 2 "But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye OLD WAY NOT have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the LEARNED OF CHRIST truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to Eph. 4:20-22 the deceitful lusts." "Learned Christ" implies not the use of a magical name, but to come to know both Christ and His way of life. When Paul wrote of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14), that was another way of expressing the adoption of a new way of life. It was not merely knowledge but a new moral attitude to life. "The sins that were practiced before conversion, are to be put off, with the old man. With the new man, Christ Jesus, are to be put on 'kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long- suffering.'"—Sons and Daughters of God, page 300. There must be detachment from the old man, and attach- ment to the new man in Christ Jesus. No compromise was possible between the new man and the old. There was to be no possible status of "peaceful coexistence" between them. "Conversation" in our text means "manner of life, habitual behavior, or personal conduct." "Learned Christ. . . . To have 'learned Christ' is not merely to have learned something about Him; it is to have become acquainted with His office and work as priest, prophet, king, advocate, and mediator, and to have appropriated for one's life the benefits of His atoning work. When Jesus Himself said `learn of Me' (Matt. 11:29), He was presenting Himself as the example; here He is offered, not as the great teacher, but as the very object of knowledge and faith."—SDA Bible Com- mentary, on Eph. 4:20. How was the teaching of Christ related to the Gentile way of life? What was the attitude of the believers to the teaching of Christ? What was to be the attitude toward the "old man"? THINK IT THROUGH Do you think that we today realize the fact that there is to be no compromise between the "old man" and the "new man"? How often do we need to put on the "new man" to maintain a victorious Christian experience? Luke 9:23. "The former sinful nature is to be because they promise happiness but stripped off once and for all, never to give sorrow, promise freedom but give be put on again; the new nature is to slavery, promise immunity from the re- be put on. . . . The robe of righteous- sults of wrongdoing, only to bring de- ness is to replace the filthy garments struction."—"SDA Bible Commentary," of self-righteousness. . . . on Eph. 4:22. "The lusts of the flesh are deceitful 63 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Tuesday May 18 Part 3 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that PUT ON THE ye put on the new man, which after God is created in NEW MAN righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:23, 24 Renewal is not just a wish. It involves a surrender of will to Christ, followed by certain voluntary practices. "And be renewed: from day to day, in contrast to the ad- vancing corruption of the old man. Similar word, and same idea of progressive renovation, in Col. 3:10, Rom. 12:2."—J. Agar Beet, Commentary on Paul's Epistles, page 345. "The heart that is surrendered to God, loves the truth of God's Word; for through the truth the soul is regenerated. The carnal mind finds no pleasure in contemplating the Word of God, but he who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, sees new charms in the living oracles; for divine beauty and celestial light seem to shine in every passage."—Fundamentals of Chris- tian Education, page 182. "Be renewed. . . . Despite centuries of degradation man still shows some traces of the original handiwork of God, and by the work of the Holy Spirit in the new birth and in sanctifica- tion 'the old man' . . . may be created new again. . . . "New. . . . The putting on the new nature, or 'man,' is not something we can accomplish of ourselves, nor is it merely a renovated man. God is the active power in the re-creation, but the change is not effected without man's consent and coopera- tion.. .. "After God. . . . God Himself is the ideal after which the new man is patterned (Matt. 5:48), and since the 'new man' is actually a return to man's original state, it means the restora- tion of the image of God in the soul."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 4:23, 24. Who subdues the "old man" in the life of the believer in God? After what pattern is the "new man"? What are the characteristics of the "new man"? THINK IT THROUGH Name some careless habits that can lead to the reap- pearance of "the old man." In what ways does inward renewal lead to outward change? Who is the judge of the validity of inward renewal? 1 Sam. 16:7; Jer. 17:10. "I saw that great changes must be ness. Then . . . every ambition of life wrought in the hearts and lives of very calculated to exalt self will be changed many before God can work in them by by the grace of God and employed in His power for the salvation of others. the special work of saving souls for They must be renewed after the image whom Christ died."—"Testimonies," Vol. of God, in righteousness and true holi- 2, p. 484. 64 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Wednesday May /9 Part 4 "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man PUT AWAY LYING truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of an- AND ANGER other. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down Eph. 4:25-27 upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil." This epistle contains a series of motivating Christian prin- ciples, and also a series of prohibitions. It is popular to decry prohibitions as negative, but often it is as important to know what we must and will not do, as it is to know what we will do. For example, before any situation arises, we know that we must not lie. If we are members of the body of Christ, practic- ing or speaking falsehood to each other is impossible. The word "neighbor" is not limited to fellow Christians. Luke 10:29 and following verses. "Be ye angry, and sin not." See Ps. 4:4, margin. Here is an exhortation joining anger with sinlessness. What kind of anger? "It is a righteous indignation against sin, which springs from zeal for the glory of God, not that anger prompted by self-love or wounded ambition, which is referred to in the scripture, 'Be ye angry, and sin not.'"—Testimonies to Ministers, page 101. "Then Paul gives the reason for telling the truth. It is be- cause we are all members of the same body. We can only live in safety because the senses and the nerves pass true messages to the brain. . . If, for instance, they told the brain that something was cool and touchable when in fact it was hot and burning, life would very soon come to an end. . . . All decep- tion impairs the working of the body of Christ."—William Barclay, Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, on Eph. 4:25, page 184. THINK IT THROUGH What specific sins named in this lesson are to be put away from the life of the new man? Compare "the wrath of God" and the anger of man. What is the exhortation with regard to anger? How does anger "give place to the devil"? Prov. 15:18. Do we know from Christian moral principles what we shall or shall not do in a given situation, or do we wait for a difficult situation to arise, and then act on the spirit of the moment? How is righteous indignation identified? "It is true there is an indignation that any supposed provocation feel at lib- is justifiable, even in the followers of erty to indulge anger or resentment Christ. When they see that God is dis- are opening the heart to Satan. Bitter- honored, and His service brought into ness and animosity must be banished disrepute, when they see the innocent from the soul if we would be in har- oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs mony with heaven."—"The Desire of the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive Ages," page 310. morals, is not a sin. But those who at 65 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Thursday May 20 Part 5 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him PUT OFF STEALING labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, AND BAD that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no LANGUAGE corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may Eph. 4:28, 29 minister grace unto the hearers." "Let the thief no longer steal!' From the lowest dregs of the Greek cities—from its profligate and criminal classes—the gospel had drawn its converts (comp. 1 Cor. vi.9-11). In the Ephesian church there were converted thieves; and Christian- ity had to make of them honest workmen."—Expositor's Bible, Vol. 6, p. 74, on Eph. 4:28. See also 1 Cor. 6:10; 1 Peter 4:15. "Corrupt communication." Here is a graphic prohibition against inappropriate speech. The gift of speech is to be used to edify, to build up spiritual life. "The right culture and use of the power of speech has to do with every line of Christian work; it enters into the home life, and into all our intercourse with one another. We should ac- custom ourselves to speak in pleasant tones, to use pure and correct language, and words that are kind and courteous. Sweet, kind words are as dew and gentle showers to the soul. The Scripture says of Christ that grace was poured into His lips that He might 'know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.' Ps. 45:2; Isa. 50:4. And the Lord bids us, 'Let your speech be alway with grace' (Col. 4:6) 'that it may min- ister grace unto the hearers' (Eph. 4:29)."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 336. What does Paul exhort Christians to do as the antidote for stealing? Eph. 4:28. To what place will the thief never be admitted? 1 Cor. 6:10. THINK IT THROUGH How should the believer give counsel or correction to his brother? What is given as a good rule in conversation? Would you say that the vast outpouring of words in our day is characterized by quantity or by quality? "In giving reproof or counsel, many no fretful repining or impure sugges- indulge in sharp, severe speech, words tion, will escape the lips of him who not adapted to heal the wounded soul. is following Christ.. .. By these ill-advised expressions the "When in the company of those who spirit is chafed, and often the erring indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty ones are stirred to rebellion.... Under to change the subject of conversation if all circumstances reproof should be possible."—"Christ's Object Lessons," spoken in love. . . . page 337. "No evil speaking, no frivolous talk, 66 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 ❑ Friday May 21 Part 6 "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye GRIEVE NOT THE are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, HOLY SPIRIT— and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be BE KIND put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even Eph. 4:30-32 as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." The sins Paul has been specifying in previous verses all grieve the Holy Spirit. The seal of God is on the man whose faith in Christ's righteousness produces a holy life. The disciples were so sealed at Pentecost. See Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1055. A few examples of how the Holy Spirit is grieved: "But there are many who have little faith. They are always fearing and borrowing trouble. . . . And their fear and repining grieve the Holy Spirit."—Gospel Workers, page 261. "Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions; when it is resisted, the Spirit of God is grieved."—Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 120. "Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yielding to feelings of covetousness."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 72. "When we seem to doubt God's love and distrust His prom- ises, we dishonor Him and grieve His Holy Spirit."—Steps to Christ, page 118. "It is not the opposition of the world that most endangers the church of Christ. It is the evil cherished in the hearts of believers that works their most grievous disaster and most surely retards the progress of God's cause. There is no surer way of weakening spirituality than by cherishing envy, sus- picion, faultfinding, and evil surmising. On the other hand, the strongest witness that God has sent His Son into the world is the existence of harmony and union among men of varied dis- positions who form His church."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 549. How is the believer to take care with regard to the Holy Spirit? Name the six evils the believer is now ex- horted to put away. Eph. 4:31. THINK IT THROUGH What attitude should the believer have toward those who have offended him but do not ask his forgiveness? "We should not think that unless are to have a spirit of compassion those who have injured us confess the toward those who have trespassed wrong we are justified in withholding against us, whether or not they con- from them our forgiveness. It is their fess their faults."—"Thoughts From the part, no doubt, to humble their hearts Mount of Blessing," pages 113, 114. by repentance and confession; but we 67 Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New LESSON 8 May 22 Part 7 0 SUMMARY QUESTIONS 0 A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER 1. Complete: "Having the understanding , being alienated from the life of God through the that is in them, because of the of their heart." 2. What is meant by the words: "The old man") 3. What is the meaning of the words: "The new man"? 4. Complete: "Let not the sun go down upon your 5. What is the reason Paul gives for exhorting the believer to work with his hands? 6. Complete: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, , even as God for Christ's sake hath IP mo4 uanj2Jo3 `iamoue auo 2upul2zo3 (9) :Illapaau 4.eq4 wpi anp 04 aAELI hew ay ;au (9) !mum. (4) !am 30 Aura poop (E) !am jo Aean pna lawaog (E) !ssaupuHq `aouviou2! 'pauanaap (j) :siaansuv 68 WALK IN THE LIGHT "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." Eph. 5:1. Study Helps: Testimonies, Vol. 2, pages the city [after being stoned], this youthful 50-55; The Desire of Ages, pages 321-327; disciple was among the number who . . . Prophets and Kings, pages 177-179, 186, saw him arise, bruised and covered with 187, 207-210; SDA Bible Commentary. blood, but with praises upon his lips be- cause he had been permitted to suffer for In the epistles of Paul the concepts of the sake of Christ."—The Acts of the Apos- light and darkness are used as figures to tles, pages 184, 185. represent righteousness and iniquity. If the recurrence of these figures has value, they must make a deep impression on the lis- LESSON OUTLINE teners. The intention is clearly to impress the 1. Power Through Example believers with the logic and reason support- Eph. 5:1, 2 ing walking in the light. He tells them that they were "sometimes darkness." In other 2. Conquer or Be Conquered words their way of life before conversion was laid in paths of iniquity. But they have Eph. 5:3-5 been converted and are now "light in the 3. Don't Be Fooled Lord." Hence it is only logical and natural that they should walk in the light. The Eph. 5:6, 7 force of this reasoning really retains its 4. As Children of Light dynamic for the believers of today. Medi- Eph. 5:8, 9 tate on this! Think on the Writer: "Among those 5. Acceptable to God who had been converted at Lystra, . . . was Eph. 5:10 one who was afterward to become a promi- nent worker for Christ. . . . This was . . . 6. The Test Is Light Timothy. When Paul was dragged out of Eph. 5:11-13 69 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Sunday May 23 Part 1 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; POWER THROUGH and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath EXAMPLE given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for Eph. 5:1, 2 a sweet-smelling savor." "Therefore be imitators of God" (RSV) "as well loved chil- dren imitate their father," (Barclay), raises the question: In what ways can man imitate God? Obviously only in moral qualities. These all find expression in the comprehensive meaning of love. "When Paul talked of imitation, he was using language which the wise men of Greece could understand. Mimesis, "imi- tation," was a main part in the training for an orator. The teachers of rhetoric declared that the learning of oratory de- pended on three things—theory, imitation, and practice."—Bar- clay, on Eph. 5:1. Christ is our example, and we are all to imitate His great example. 1 Peter 2:21. "It is designed that there should be a perpetual unfolding and enlarging of our spiritual powers and excellences. All our desires, hopes, efforts, are to be toward this. We are to be filled with the divine thoughts, replenished with the divine energy, warmed with the divine love. As a child catches the very tone of his father, so we are to catch the tone of our heavenly Father. . . . We are His beloved children."—The Pulpit Commentary, New Edition, page 231, on Eph. 5:1-14. "We may, by following the example of the Saviour, be in holy communion with Him; and by daily seeking to imitate His character and follow His example, we shall be a blessing to the world and shall secure for ourselves contentment here and an eternal reward hereafter."—Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 227. What fundamental principle of Christian life does the apostle recommend? Eph. 5:1; 1 Thess. 1:6. What is meant by being followers "as dear children"? THINK IT THROUGH What is the message of the early years of Jesus? Is His example of spiritual benefit even in our days? "Jesus is our example. There are closely we in a humble lot may walk many who dwell with interest upon the with God. . . . His work began in con- period of His public ministry, while secrating the lowly trade of the crafts- they pass unnoticed the teaching of His men who toil for their daily bread. He early years. But it is in His home life was doing God's service just as much that He is the pattern for all children when laboring at the carpenter's bench and youth. The Saviour condescended as when working miracles for the mul- to poverty, that He might teach how titude."—"The Desire of Ages," page 74. 70 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Monday May 24 Part 2 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, CONQUER OR let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; BE CONQUERED neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator, hath any inheritance Eph. 5:3-5 in the kingdom of Christ and of God." All uncleanness: "The vices of the old heathen self must be each of them replaced by the corresponding graces of the new man in Christ Jesus."—The Expositor's Bible, Vol. 6, p. 73, on Eph. 4:25 to 5:6. The "works of the flesh" (Gal. 5:19) include some of the sins here mentioned. Note how Paul passes from the impurities of the inner heart in verse 3 to their outward expression in verse 4. Covetousness: "Everywhere its slimy track is seen. It creates discontent and dissension in families; it excites envy and hatred in the poor against the rich ; it prompts the grinding oppression of the rich toward the poor.... Many a man comes statedly to church, and sits at the table of the Lord, while among his possessions are hidden unlawful gains. . . . For a goodly Babylonish garment, multitudes sacrifice the approval of conscience and their hope of heaven. . . . The gospel light is hindered in its course; the scorn of worldlings is kindled by practices that give the lie to the Christian profession; and yet the covetous professor continues to heap up treasures."—Patri- archs and Prophets, page 497. Why were the believers counseled not to talk about the sins of their former lives? What was to take the place of these conversations? Who would not be allowed to enter the kingdom of Christ and of God? THINK IT THROUGH In what specific ways do the words on Eph. 5:3-5 re- late to the position of the Christian amid the evil condi- tions of our times? "The prevailing spirit of our time is opposition to the plain word of God, of one of infidelity and apostasy—a spirit idolatrous exaltation of human wisdom of avowed illumination because of a above divine revelation. Men have al- knowledge of truth, but in reality of lowed their minds to become so dark- the blindest presumption. Human theo- ened and confused by conformity to ries are exalted and placed where God worldly customs and influences that they and His law should be. Satan tempts seem to have lost all power to discrimi- men and women to disobey, with the nate between light and darkness, truth promise that in disobedience they will and error."—"Prophets and Kings," find liberty and freedom that will make page 178. them as gods. There is seen a spirit of 71 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Tuesday May 25 Part 3 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because DON'T BE FOOLED of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children Eph. 5:6, 7 of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them." Vain words: In cities like Corinth and Ephesus there were temples dedicated to the gods maintained by the proceeds of prostitution of priestesses, et cetera. Some philosophers argued the reasonableness of these things since they had always been done. Thus were people deceived "with vain words." Philosophy of many kinds deceives men today. The Bible has much to say about deception of all kinds. See Heb. 3:13; Gal. 6:7; 2 Tim. 3:13, 14. "Vain words. Literally, 'empty words,' such as words sug- gesting that the sins enumerated (vs. 3-5) would not keep one out of the kingdom. Heresies were already threatening the in- fant church. Paul is warning against the deceptive manner in which false teachers were insinuating themselves into the Chris- tian community. For further general warnings about the decep- tions that would divide the flock see Rom. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:18; 2 Cor. 11:3; Col. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Eph. 5:6. "Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has originated. His work is still to devise new delu- sions, and his power and art in this direction continually in- crease."—Early Writings, page 221. "All who do not earnestly search the Scriptures and submit every desire and purpose of life— tirthaThiring test, all who do not seek. God in prayer for a knowledge of His will, will surely wander from the right path and fall under the deception of Satan."—Testimonies, Vol. 5, page 192. Where does the voluntary acceptance of deception and delusion inevitably lead men? Rev. 20:12-14. THINK IT THROUGH How are the faithful believers to be kept in the time of deception? "The Scriptures pointing forward to captive, but his deceptions are leaven- this time [of deception at the end of ing the professed churches of our Lord earth's history] declare that Satan will Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will work with all power and 'with all develop into darkness deep as mid- deceivableness of unrighteousness.' night, impenetrable as sackcloth of 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. His working is plainly hair. To God's people it will be a night revealed by the rapidly increasing of trial. . . . But out of that night of darkness, the multitudinous errors, her- darkness God's light will shine."— esies, and delusions of these last days. "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 414, Not only is Satan leading the world 415. 72 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Wednesday May 26 Part 4 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye AS CHILDREN light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit OF LIGHT of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and Eph. 5:8, 9 truth)." Paul often contrasted the past heathen life of believers with their present Christian life. See Rom. 11:30; Col. 3:7. In Eph. 4:17-20 he speaks of their former darkened understanding and their present enlightenment in Christ. "What communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14) is the same contrast. As an illustration of the Christian life, the apostle uses the word "walk." Walk in "newness of life," "honestly," "in the Spirit," "in wisdom." Rom. 6:4; 13:13; Gal. 5:16; Col. 4:5. The apostle John makes it clear that there is a precious reward to those who walk in the light. 1 John 1:7. Our identification is clear from our "walk," or manner of life. "Christ commands His followers to walk in the light. Walk- ing means moving onward, exerting ourselves, exercising our ability, being actively engaged. Unless we exercise ourselves in the good work to which our Saviour has called us, and feel the importance of personal effort in this work, we shall have a sickly, stunted religion. . . . We gain activity and strength by walking in the light, that we may have energy to run in the way of God's commandments. We may gain an increase of strength at every step we advance heavenward. God will bless His people only when they try to be a blessing to others." —Testimonies, Vol. 3, pages 436, 437. Now that the believers were in the light of the gospel, how were they to "walk," or what was to be their manner of life? Explain the connection of the Spirit with the "walk." What was the result of this connection? What do you understand to be the meaning of "walk as children of light"? THINK IT THROUGH Is it essential that religious knowledge and practice should flourish together? See Matt. 21:28-31. Can incon- sistency exist in a thoroughgoing Christian? How only can an inconsistent professing Christian obtain the happiness of real daily experience with Christ? John 14:21, 23. "But very few have an experimental as children of the light, and not as chil- knowledge of the sanctifying influence dren of darkness. . . . It will be more of the truths which they profess. Their tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in obedience and devotion have not been- the day of judgment than for those who in accordance with their light and privi- have been privileged with the clear leges. They have no real sense of the light . . . but have not profited by it." obligation resting upon them to walk —"Testimonies," Vol. 2, page 488. 73 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Thursday May 27 Part 5 "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." ACCEPTABLE TO GOD In Rom. 12:2 the apostle speaks of proving "what is that Eph. 5:10 good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." To prove God's promises we must accept and obey. "What is acceptable unto the Lord" becomes the intent of obedience. By trial in their experience, in prayer, in the study of the Word, in communion with and contemplation of the Master, Christians are to learn "what is acceptable unto the Lord." "Proving. . . . The Christian must be continually testing the good, the right, and the true with the intent of finding out what is pleasing to God (Rom. 12:2). The will of God as re- vealed in His Word and in experience is the touchstone by which the testing and approving is to be done. 'What would Jesus do?' becomes an important question continuously in the mind of the believer."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:10. "Acceptable unto the Lord." In Rom. 12:2 Paul speaks of proving the "good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The only way we can prove the good things of God is to be sincere in accepting them. Phil. 1:10. Accepted things in this way become more and more acceptable. Who is the Lord of our lives? See John 13:13; Phil 3:8. What is to be the great standard by which our conduct is to be judged? THINK IT THROUGH Define the meaning of being "acceptable unto the Lord." How does this relate to God's will? How can we know whether or not our lives are acceptable? See Acts 24:16; 2 Cor. 1:12. "The Pharisee and the publican rep- He came as a sinner, confessing himself resent two great classes into which lost; his only hope was the unmerited those who come to worship God are love of God. The Lord had respect to divided. Their first two representatives his offering, but to Cain and his offering are found in the first two children that He had not respect. The sense of need, were born into the world. Cain thought the recognition of our poverty and sin, himself righteous, and he came to God is the very first condition of acceptance with a thank offering only. He made no with God. 'Blessed are the poor in confession of sin, and acknowledged no spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of need of mercy. But Abel came with the heaven.' Matt. 5:3."—"Christ's Object blood that pointed to the Lamb of God. Lessons," page 152. 74 Walk in the Light LESSON 9 ❑ Friday May 28 Part 6 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of THE TEST darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even IS LIGHT to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by Eph. 5:11-13 the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." "Unfruitful works of darkness." Paul exhorts believers to "cast off" these works, because "the night is far spent, the day is at hand." Rom. 13:12. The time is late, the evil works are fruitless—this is convincing exhortation. "The end of those things is death." Rom. 6:21. The psalmist says: "Depart from me, ye evildoers." Ps. 119:115. Does it take courage to reprove evil, either by word or example? Reproof brings the work of darkness out into the light, but the reproof is both difficult and often resented. Prov. 15:12. Note what Jesus said about reproof. John 3:20, 21. Some do not think of the evil of their ways until reproved; thus reproof brings light to them. "Reproved. . . . The hidden and dark things in a person's life are exposed under the bright beams of spiritual light. When Christ turned the light of truth on the hypocrisy of His day, the sham was seen for what it really was. When deeds done in the dark are viewed in the dark, their outlines are obscured, their true character unrevealed."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:13. What exhortation does Paul give with regard to the believer and the former vices? Name the new attitude to be taken to these works of darkness. Eph. 5:11; Rom. 13:12. How does throwing light on an evil practice af- fect it? THINK IT THROUGH What kind of approach do you think should be made to someone or something needing reproof? "As you go to the one you suppose there be no shadow of hate or ill will, to be in error, see that you speak in a no bitterness. . .. Nothing but kindness meek and lowly spirit. . . . Avoid any- and gentleness can flow from a heart of thing in look or gesture, word or tone, love. . . . Bear in mind that the success that savors of pride or self-sufficiency. of reproof depends greatly upon the Guard yourself against a word or look spirit in which it is given. Do not neglect that would exalt yourself, or place your earnest prayer that you may possess a goodness and righteousness in contrast lowly mind, and that angels of God with their failings.... With care avoid may go before you."—"Testimonies," every appearance of anger; and though Vol. 2, pages 52, 53. you use plainness of speech, . . . let 75 9L Answers: (1) followers of God; (2) Let it not be once named among you; (3) Judgment of God; (4) light in the Lord, children of light; (5) By experience, by prayer, by study of the Word; (6) fellowship, reprove them. Jatpuz anq ‘ssampup Jo sTom Injimijun ay !pm ou anuq puy„ :aia[clumo .9 tstga op ol Amp alam •piol aqa oi 2upea[cl sum luqm meat AJ1 oa sJanallaq alp pauoqxa pled •s it SE 3IIVAA . ai( are mou lug ‘ssampup saumatuos aiam aX Jod„ :alatchuoD •i, s sueIsatida u1 pasn se „poo jo Joj uh(uouics E SI )utim •E qst looj pin ‘ssausnolanoo cssauffeapun ife inoqu uoqxa apsode alp pp leqm •z tt •ualpinio nap se azojalaql aA ag„ :alaidiuoD •I 213MOd Aanis HflOA AO 1S31 V <> sNous3n0 Aavwwns O L IAD d 6Z. fivIN 6 NOSS31 11A7 atg UT 3iivAA SPIRITUAL RENEWAL THROUGH CHRIST 10 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:16. Study Helps: Testimonies, Vol. 4, pp. row, that restrain evil, that uplift life from 554-564; Vol. 5, pp. 349-354; SDA Bible the selfish and the sensual, and glorify it Commentary. with the hope of immortality, how much is due to the labors of Paul and his fellow The lesson opens this week with the call workers?"—Education, page 70. to awake. The sleeper seems to be imper- vious to some condition or influence which has come about since he fell asleep. Failure LESSON OUTLINE to awaken from spiritual sleep eventuates in death. To the believers of Ephesus and 1. Awake to Opportunity elsewhere the call to awake now comes. The Christian life is not stationary, static. Eph. 5:14 It is an experience of growth. It is a battle and a march. The call is ever to higher 2. Believer Involvement ground spiritually. In the present case, time Eph. 5:15, 16 appears to have been lost, and time must somehow be redeemed. It must be done 3. Knowing God's Will with urgency "because the days are evil." Eph. 5:17 Deeper devotion, less selfishness and more selflessness, more and ever more love for 4. Infilling of the Spirit others, more helpful favors for the neigh- Eph. 5:18 bors—these are the challenges. 5. Spiritual Expression Think on the Writer: "Who can mea- Eph. 5:19, 20 sure the results to the world of Paul's life- work? Of all those beneficent influences 6. Servants One to Another that alleviate suffering, that comfort sor- Eph. 5:21 77 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON 10 ❑ Sunday May 30 Part 1 "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and AWAKE TO arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." OPPORTUNITY Eph. 5:14 "Wake up, 0 sleeper" (Moffatt) is a peremptory command to (a) some in the church who are not truly in Christ, (b) the sinner who has not yet found Him. He has a new challenge. We are to wake up, be in earnest, living in the light of Christ's teachings. Christ gives light and life (John 1:4), and He is the Light. John 1:9. "Give thee light. . . The soul that turns to Christ is assured of the healing rays of light that come from the 'Sun of Righ, teousness' (Mal. 4:2). The plea is for the impenitent to arouse from their lethargy, and thus to give Christ an opportunity to do His saving work in their souls."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:14. To be awake is to progress in spiritual life. To be asleep is to backslide. "God designs that Christians shall grow continually, grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ. All who do not grow stronger, and become more firmly rooted and grounded in the truth, are continually retrograding."—Testi- monies, Vol. 4, p. 556. How does the apostle appeal to the Ephesian believers about their spiritual condition? Eph. 5:14. What does it mean to be spiritually asleep? 1 Cor. 15:34. What is promised to those who awake? What is the nature of the "light" that Christ will give? Acts 26:23. THINK IT THROUGH Name some ways in which believers may deny God in their way of life while professing all the time to know God. "I call upon all who are resting un- special, solemn message entrusted to concerned in their present state of spir- their keeping to sanctify their lives and itual deadness, to arouse and arise to give to the world, and yet the power from the dead, and Christ will give of the truth is scarcely felt or mani- them light. . . . Many profess to know fested in our midst in zealous work for God, and yet deny Him in their works. God. . . . The light has not diminished, They reckon themselves among God's but we walk not in its rays."—"Testi- peculiar, chosen people, who have a monies to Ministers," page 451. 78 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON 10 ❑ Monday May 31 Part 2 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but BELIEVER as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." INVOLVEMENT Eph. 5:15, 16 Circumspectly. Christians in all ages must live carefully, strictly, according to principle. Christians working and living among pagans could accommodate easily to the language, habits, and pastimes of their neighbors. Is it true in our present un- believing age? The way to meet temptation is to resist it by Christian habits in thought, word, and deed. "Redeeming the time. Literally, 'buying up for yourselves the opportune time,' that is, making the most of the opportu- nity. . . . Redeeming the time is more than simply refraining from idleness or frivolous activities. A person is not good merely because he is not bad. Like Jesus, one must be 'about' his 'Father's business' (Luke 2:49), actively seeking opportu- nity to do good (Gal. 6:10), even to one's enemies (Matt. 5:44). In the parable of the Unjust Steward, Jesus pointed to the diligence and wisdom of the merchants of the world in conduct- ing their affairs, as an example to the children of light."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:16. "We are admonished to redeem the time. But time squan- dered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption. "In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place. He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 342. How does Paul describe the new life of the believer? Eph. 5:16. In what way is it suggested that one can make up for lost time? Why is the necessity for this effort very urgent? Rom. 13:12. THINK IT THROUGH What suggestions can you give for "redeeming the time"? Suggest some ways to improve your use of time now and in the future. "Paul exhorts his Ephesian brethren moment to the utmost in laboring for to redeem the time because the days your own eternal interest and for the are evil. . . . You are called upon to salvation of souls around you. By so reform, to be zealous of good works in doing you may save both yourself and the same degree that you have been those who are more or less controlled negligent of duty. Turn square about. by your example. These are motives Double your diligence.. .. Keep God's which should be duly considered."— commandments, and live, and His law "Testimonies," Vol. 5, p. 353. as the apple of your eye. Tax every 79 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON 10 ❑ Tuesday June 1 Part 3 "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what KNOWING the will of the Lord is." GOD'S WILL Eph. 5:17 The Christian's highest wisdom is knowing and doing the will of God, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fidelity to His Father's will controlled every thought and action of Jesus. John 5:30. He came to earth, not to do His own will, but to do His Father's will. John 6:38. The will of God is for our eternal life. John 6:40. God's will is not arbitrary and capri- cious, but righteous, full of truth and mercy. His will is perfect. Rom. 12:2. "Will of the Lord. To know the will of the Lord should be the supreme aim of the believer. . . . The trans 9Lm sed mind has not only a capacity to understand the wiof God, but a di- vinely implanted intuition which is the means of proving it as 'good, and acceptable, and perfect' (Rom. 12:2)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:17. Ger _wing_sa_rictification.. . . is nothing less than a daily dying to self and daily conformity to the will of God. . . . Paul's sanctification was a constant conflict with self. . . . His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did the will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature."—Life Sketches, page 237. Name the basic concept of Christian experience men- tioned by the apostle. Eph. 6: 6, 7. Give some of the ways in which Jesus followed the will of God. John 4:34; Acts 10:38. THINK IT THROUGH How does the believer bring his experience into har- mony with the will of God? Can this be done without God's help? Will God help the believer to come into union with His will? John 7:17. "The victory is not won without much and inclinations into submission to the earnestRIL. iyel, without the humbling of will of God; but if you are 'willing to self at every step. Our will is not to be be made willing,' God will accomplish forced into cooperation with divine the work for you, . . . 'bringing into agencies, but it must be voluntarily sub- captivity every thought to the obedi- mitted. . . . You are not able, of your- ence of Christ.'"—"Thoughts From the self, to bring your purposes and desires Mount of Blessing," page 142. 80 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON 10 ❑ Wednesday June 2 Part 4 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but INFILLING OF be filled with the Spirit." THE SPIRIT Eph. 5:18 Drunk with wine. This is a prohibition in specific terms. Drunkenness is a sinful inconsistency for Christians. It is a reckless waste of money and life. The prodigal son gave way to "riotous living" (Luke 15:13), or living dissolutely. Paul stipulated that church leaders should be "not given to wine." Titus 1:7. He included women in this prohibition in Titus 2:3. By antithesis Paul exhorts believers to be filled with the Spirit of God. Two extremes are here set forth. How did some spec- tators at Pentecost confuse the two? Acts 2:13. Does being "filled with the Spirit" always involve ecstatic displays of a Pentecostal nature? How would you relate a Spirit-filled life with visible enthusiasm? "The seeking after an earthly stimulant is replaced by the spiritual enthusiasm of the human spirit energized by the Holy Spirit. Although it is true that soberness accompanies the work of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless, the effect of the presence of the Holy Spirit is seen in enthusiastic witnessing for the faith. On the Day of Pentecost the demonstration of the Spirit in the words and acts of the disciples was scoffingly compared to drunkenness (Acts 2:13) ."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:18. "Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive." —The Desire of Ages, page 672. What vice does the apostle single out for condemna- tion? What is his exhortation regarding the Spirit of God? How may this exhortation be carried out? John 4:34. THINK IT THROUGH In the case of those believers who have less than a satisfactory Christian experience, could it be that the difficulty might lie in that they are "halfhearted" instead of being "wholehearted"? "The dispensation in which we are proclaim the special truths for this time. now living is to be, to those that ask, For all this the outpouring of the Spirit the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask is essential. We should pray for it. The for His blessing. It is time we were Lord expects us to ask Him. We have more intense in our devotion. To us is not been wholehearted in this work." committed the arduous, but happy, glo- —"Testimonies to Ministers," pages 511, rious work of revealing Christ to those 512. who are in darkness. We are called to 81 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON 10 ❑ Thursday June 3 Part 5 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart EXPRESSION to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God Eph. 5:19, 20 and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Across the centuries, singing has been a far-reaching power in the world. It has been a great factor in the life of the Chris- tian church and in the experience of the believer. The apostle exhorts the Ephesians to strengthen their experience by song and by expression of thanks. Spiritual strength results from spiritual song. Col. 3:16. Daniel made his prayers with thanks. Dan. 6:10. There is singing that is vocal, and there is singing in the soul that is silent but joyful. Both express praise to God. Paul is noted for his spirit of unceasing thanksgiving. 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:3. "Giving thanks. 'Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise' (MH 251). The spirit of praise is an antidote to evil and dis- couragement. When everything else is at its worst, the Chris- tian is at his best and is most cheerful. The spirit of thankful- ness prevails in joy or in sorrow, in victory or in defeat, for it is a permanent, sustaining attribute of Christian character.. . . "In the name of. God is the recipient of thanksgiving, but it is offered in the name of Jesus Christ. The Father is entitled to gratitude because He is our Father (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-6). He has demonstrated His Fatherhood in the giving of His Son; therefore prayer and thanksgiving are offered in the Son's name. Since through Christ all that the Father has to give has been made available to men, we can approach our God with the utmost confidence (John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23, 24)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:20. Through what spiritual exercise were the believers to give expression to their faith and their experience? Dis- cuss the relationship of sobriety, excitement, and joyful- ness as set forth in this lesson. Should a Christian's thanks be spasmodic or constant? THINK IT THROUGH Above all else, what is the blessing for which the believer should be constantly grateful? Ps. 115:1.. "In freeing our souls from the bond- above all else the death of Jesus to age of sin, God has wrought for us a bring happiness and heaven within our deliverance greater than that of the reach, should be a theme for constant Hebrews at the Red Sea.... Those who gratitude. . . . We should praise God dwell upon God's great mercies, and for the blessed hope held out before us are not unmindful of His lesser gifts, in the great plan of redemption, . . . will . . . make melody in their hearts and for His rich promises; praise. Him to the Lord. The daily blessings that we that Jesus lives to intercede, for us." receive from the hand of God, and —"Patriarchs and Prophets," page 289. 82 Spiritual Renewal Through Christ LESSON -10 ❑ Friday June 4 Part 6 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of SERVANTS ONE God." TO ANOTHER "Be subject to one another out of reverence for. Christ, Eph._5:11 the Messiah, the Anointed One."—Amplified. Submission, or humility, is a characteristic of New Testa- ment teaching. In Rom. 13:1-7 we find submission to "the higher powers"; in '1 Peter 2:13 it is "to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake"; in 1 Peter 2:18 to 3:7 it covers a wide area from employers and owners to all domestic life. It was the Christian approach to lawful and orderly life and was based upon a deep respect and fear of God as seen in Eph. 5:21. To fulfill his mission properly, every Christian must have humility. One has tersely said: "Mutual subjection is part of a wise, circumspect walk, i.e. mutual recognition of each other's rights and of our obligations to serve them. Humility is not cowardice or servility. It is a recognition first of the sovereignty of God, and second of the Christian equality of man."—Selected. "Submission, humility, and subjection are essential charac- teristics of the believer. Before God and one's fellowmen, self is to be brought low. Often the demands we make of one an- other, even of our rights, are contrary to the spirit of loving ministry, which is the spirit of the gospel (John 13:15, 16; Gal. 5:15). In addition to submission to superiors in age and authority, and respect for those we consider equals, there is also a Christian submission due to those who may be con- -sidered inferior in position. This submission reveals itself in consideration, charity, and respect for the personality of all God's children."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:21. "Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant the life—it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and we are recognized as laborers together with God."—Christ's Object. Lessons, page 402. As a crowning virtue, what does the apostle call to the believer's attention? How is this virtue to be exercised? THINK IT THROUGH How and why does God work through the humble? -James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6. "The leader [Gideon] whom God those who -are most sensible :of their chose to overthrow the Midianites oc- own insufficiency, and who will rely cupied no prominent position, in Israel. upon Him as their leader and source . . . He thought himself the least in his of strength. He will make them strong father's house. But God saw in him .a by uniting their weakness to His might, man of courage and integrity. He was and wise by connecting their ignorance distrustful of himself and willing to fol- with His wisdom."—"Patriarchs and low the guidance :of the Lord. .. . The Prophets," page 553. Lord can work most effectually through •83 178 Answers: (1) A; (2) Redeeming the time, evil; (3) true; (4) be filled, Spirit; (5) Always; (6) yourselves, in the fear of God. it iaLpoue of DUO 2uu3ltuqns„ :alaiduloD -9 poo o3 sAumil a/4 ol smiles aga aIann Apuanbalj MOH •S aqa gatm 3nq !ssaDxa s! u!alarinn Aump you aq puy„ :alaichuoD •aourpoduu jo s! sun •s! pioq °IP 3° Illm aql luqm pumsiapun papoqxa s! Janaqaq aqi :asied JO arui .E it skup atp asneoaq „ .alatchuoD •Z •aj!! punia (D) ‘21.ussam (g) `11121[1 (v) .4sptiD tuoij pas!tuoid uaqi st letim caTetwe ianagaq aqi sup mud Jaw •I d3MOd Aanis anoA AO 1S31 V o sNousano Aavwwns O L imd 9 aunt 01 NOSS31 MItip Onana irornauali 17m11.11dS TO THE PILLARS OF THE CHRISTIAN HOME 111 "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matt. 19:6. Study Helps: The Adventist Home, pages with many tears. He was continually op- 211-223,231-243; The Ministry of Healing, posed by the unbelieving Jews. . . . pages 349-362, 388-394; SDA Bible Com- "Here, as at Corinth, he worked with his mentary. own hands to supply his necessities. In weariness and painfulness from unceasing When Christ came to the earth, He toil and constant danger, enfeebled by dis- brought a great revelation of gospel truth. ease, and at times depressed in spirits, he This truth immediately came into direct steadfastly pursued his work."—Ellen G. confrontation with the evil practices of White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, mankind in their way of living. Among the page 147. areas affected was the marriage institution. The status of women was shamefully low. Among the Jews a very liberal interpre- LESSON OUTLINE tation of Deut. 24:1 made a wife defenseless before the demand for divorce. A Jew 1. As Unto the Lord could obtain a divorce from his wife by merely handing her a bill of divorcement Eph. 5:22, 23 which had been written up by a priest. This 2. As Christ Also Loved was done in the presence of two witnesses. It was against the abuse of divorce that Eph. 5:24, 25 Jesus spoke out in Mark 10:2-9 and in 3. Love Exemplified Matt. 5:31, 32. He declared that adultery was the only basis for divorce, and not Eph. 5:25-27 some flimsy whim of a changeable husband. 4. As His Own Body It is to this situation that the apostle addresses himself in our lesson of this week. Eph. 5:28-30 Think on the Writer: "Paul's ministry 5. Joined Together by God in Ephesus had been a season of incessant Eph. 5:31, 32 labor, of many trials, and deep anguish. He taught the people in public and from house 6. Final Appeal to house, instructing and warning them Eph. 5:33 85 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Sunday June 6 Part 1 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as AS UNTO THE LORD unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the. Eph. 5:22, 23 Saviour of the body." The context of Christian submission is set by the general instruction: "All of you be subject one to another." 1 Peter 5:5. Paul finds it necessary to give some instruction on humility among married believers. The new spiritual condition of the Ephesians, like other aspects of their life, was in need of some religious orientation. The status of women and children in those times was degraded. Thus Paul gave strong and repeated emphases on the real meaning of submission, based on the relation between Christ and the church. "The headship of the husband consists in his ability and re- sponsibility to care for his wife, in the same way that Christ cares for the church. "The body. . . . As Christ is the 'Saviour of the body,' the church, so the husband should be the protector and sustainer of his wife and family."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:22, 23. Did submission of member to member in the Christian church make available for witness each person's gifts, or was it degrading? In what manner were the wives to be submissive to their husbands? Eph. 5:23. What was the attitude of the husband to be as he carried on as head of the family? What does "savior of the body" mean?' 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. THINK IT THROUGH According to the text of this lesson, how should prob- lems of the marriage relationship be approached? What is the value of cooperation, counseling together, and de- cision making in marriage? "It is no evidence of manliness _in the the family, binding the members to- husband for him to dwell constantly gether, even as Christ is the head of the upon his position as head of the family. church and the Saviour of the mystical ... It will not make him more manly to body..:. Christ's authority is exercised require his wife, the mother of his chil- in wisdom, in all kindness and gentle- dren, to act upon his plans as if they ness; so let the husband exercise his were infallible. The Lord has constituted power and imitate the great Head of the husband the head of the wife to be the church."—"The Adventist Home," her protector; he is the house-band of page 215. 86 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Monday June 7 Part 2 "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let AS CHRIST . the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Hus- ALSO LOVED bands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Eph. 5:24, 25 church, and gave Himself for it." "The subjection of the church of Christ is a free subjection, arising out of faith in His absolute wisdom and goodness, and of love for His unspeakable love."—Ellicott's Commentary, on Eph. 5:23, 24. This text does not mean that the husband's authority is unrestricted. He is to direct and care for his wife and family in love, not with dominating, dictatorial power. He is not like Christ in power and wisdom, but he is to practice Christ's loving care. The husband's authority must not oppose the wife's fidelity to her God. "A true husband never utters rude commands. His love will find expression in a variety of ways. It will be given in words of understanding and affection. The husband will properly pro- vide for the wife's temporal support (1 Tim. 5:8) ; he will do everything possible to assure her happiness (1 Cor. 7:33) ; he will give her every honor (1 Peter 3:7)."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Eph. 5:25. "Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate that which is noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities in each other. . . . Sympathy and respect en- courage the striving after excellence, and love itself increases as it stimulates to nobler aims. "Neither the husband nor the wife should merge his or her individuality in that of the other. . . . "Do not try to compel each other to yield to your wishes. You cannot do this and retain each other's love."—The Min- istry of Healing, page 361. How is the submissiveness of wives described in Eph. 5:24? How is the nature of the love husbands should have for their wives described in verse 25? THINK IT THROUGH When differences arise between husband and wife, when problems come, what approach should be made toward solutions? "Men and women can reach God's of heaven weaves with warp and woof ideal for them if they will take Christ finer, yet more firm, than can be as their helper. What human wisdom woven by the looms of earth. The result cannot do, His grace will accomplish for is not a tissue fabric, but a texture that those who give themselves to Him in will bear wear and test and trial. Heart loving trust. His providence can unite will be bound to heart in the golden hearts in bonds that are of heavenly ori- bonds of a love that is enduring."—"The gin. Love will not be a mere exchange Ministry of Healing," page 362. of soft and flattering words. The loom 87 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Tuesday June 8 Part 3 "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for LOVE EXEMPLIFIED it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such Eph. 5:25-27 thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." An example of marital devotion to keep in mind in the study of this lesson is that of Joseph in his relations with Mary the mother of Jesus. Matt. 1:19, 20; 2:13, 22; Luke 2:43-45. "Gave Himself. The supreme test of love is whether it is prepared to forgo happiness in order that the other might have it. In this respect the husband is to imitate Christ, giving up personal pleasures and comforts to obtain his wife's happiness, standing by her side in the hour of sickness. Christ gave Himself for the church because she was in desperate need; He did it to save her. Likewise the husband will give himself for the salvation of his wife, ministering to her spiritual needs, and she to his, in a spirit of mutual love."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Eph. 5:25. "As life with its burden of perplexity and care meets the newly wedded pair, the romance with which imagination so often invests marriage disappears. . . . This is a most critical period in their experience. . . . Often they discern in each other unsuspected weaknesses and defects. . . . Let all seek to discover the excellencies rather than the defects. Often it is our own attitude, the atmosphere that surrounds ourselves, which deter- mines what will be revealed to us in another. There are many who regard the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. . . . Love cannot long exist without expression. Let not the heart of one connected with you starve for the want of kindness and sympathy."—The Min- istry of Healing, page 360. By comparison with Christ's purpose for the church, what kind of homes should Christians have? Eph. 5:27, 28. THINK IT THROUGH How should the finances of the married couple be handled? Should little differences in opinion be allowed to become greater? "You must help each other. Do not what she pleases with this money. You look upon it as a virtue to hold fast the have not given her opportunity to ex- purse strings, refusing to give your ercise her tact or her taste because you wife money. have not a proper realization of the "You should allow your wife a cer- position that a wife should occupy."— tain sum weekly and should let her do "The Adventist Home," page 378. 88 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Wednesday June 9 Part 4 "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. AS HIS OWN BODY He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of Eph. 5:28-30 His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. The unity in the marriage bond as expressed here dispels the errors of domination, inferiority, subjection, et cetera. It is the closest and most blessed unity known among men. "The Lord Jesus has not been correctly represented in His relation to the church by many husbands in their relation to their wives, for they do not keep the way of the Lord. They declare that their wives must be subject to them in everything. But it was not the design of God that the husband should have control, as head of the house, when he himself does not submit to Christ. He must be under the rule of Christ that he may represent the relation of Christ to the church. If he is a coarse, rough, boisterous, egotistical, harsh, and overbearing man, let him never utter the word that the husband is the head of the wife, and that she must submit to him in everything; for he is not the Lord, he is not the husband in the true significance of the term."—The Adventist Home, page 117. In what words is supreme self-love condemned? Eph. 5:28. In what way does true marital love resemble the love of Christ for the church? Verse 29. THINK IT THROUGH Are you all that a married companion should be? Is it possible to cultivate before marriage the kind of char- acter that would make for a happy marriage companion- ship? "Instead of sinking into a mere house- "The wife must not consider herself hold drudge, let the wife and mother a doll, to be tended, but a woman; one take time to read, to keep herself well to put her shoulder under real, not imag- informed, to be a companion to her inary, burdens, and live an understand- husband. . . . Let ,her use wisely the op- ing, thoughtful life, considering that portunities now hers to influence her there are other things to be thought of dear ones for the higher life. Let her than herself."—"The Adventist Home," take time to make the dear Saviour a pages 110, 111. daily Companion and familiar Friend." 89 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Thursday June 10 Part 5 "For this cause shall a man leave his father and JOINED TOGETHER mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two BY GOD shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak Eph. 5:31, 32 concerning Christ and the church." The same quotation from Gen. 2:24 is found in Matt. 19:5 ; Mark 10:7, 8. Here is the basis of the beneficial institution of marriage, from which come the home, the family, and society. "A great mystery. . . . Paul is saying that the revealed mys- tery of the union of husband and wife is indeed a great and profound truth, but that he is applying it to the union of Christ and His church. While human marriage can be understood, the mystic union of Christ and believer, though a revealed truth, is still beyond our complete apprehension; we still 'see through a glass, darkly' (1 Cor. 13:12)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:31, 32. How close is the union of husband and wife said to be? Eph. 5:31. In what sense can the husband be "the head of the wife" (Eph. 5:23) and yet have unity and happiness in marriage? 1 John 3:23, last part. THINK IT THROUGH When two are contemplating marriage, what respon- sibilities are involved? "The mission of the home extends polite, courteous Christians exerts a beyond its own members. The Christian far-reaching influence for good. Other home is to be an object lesson, illustrat- families will mark the results attained ing the excellence of the true principles by such a home, and will follow t•he of life. . . . As the youth go out from example set. . . . Correct habits are such a home, the lessons they have formed. There is a careful recognition learned are imparted. Nobler principles of the rights of others. The faith that of life are introduced into other house- works by love and purifies the soul holds, and an uplifting influence works stands at the helm, presiding over the in the community. whole household."—"The Adventist "The home in which the members are Home," page 31. 90 To the Pillars of the Christian Home LESSON 11 ❑ Friday June 11 Part 6 "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so FINAL APPEAL love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she Eph. 5:33 reverence her husband." The primary emphasis in the whole of Paul's comments in Ephesians 5 is on Christ's redeeming love for the church. If be- lievers really understood the depth of that love, there would be fewer marital problems today. Can a husband love Christ su- premely and be unkind to his wife and children? Can a wife understand Christ's love and fail in wifely loyalties in her home? Both man and woman were created by and for God, and in Christ they are still His own. Col. 1:16, 17. In marriage they should act toward each other as Christ's redeemed children. "Reverence. . . . Paul does not mean cringing fear; that would be out of keeping with the counsel he has been giving. This honor and respect that is urged in no way eliminates love on the part of the wife. It means that God's natural order in the family should not be subverted, and that the special func- tion of leadership that God has laid upon the husband should be regarded. . . . Where there is mutual love and respect, ques- tions of domination or alienation will not arise."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 5:33. The home of Amram and Jochebed is an example of the influence of the home on the life of a great man—Moses. "She [Jochebed] faithfully improved her opportunity to educate her child for God. . . . The whole future life of Moses, the great mission which he fulfilled . . . , testifies to the importance of the work of the Christian mother. There is no other work that can equal this."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 243, 244. How much should a husband love his wife? Should we expect this to be reciprocated by the wife? Eph. 5:25, 33. To what extent do you think right parental attitudes affect the home? THINK IT THROUGH Is there any guarantee that a Christian home always produces good children, or a bad home bad children? Are the chances vastly in favor of the good home produc- ing good children? "There is no greater curse upon are led captive at the will of Satan. The households than to allow the youth to influence of an ill-regulated family is have their own way. When parents re- widespread and disastrous to all so- gard every wish of their children and ciety. It accumulates in a tide of evil indulge them in what they know is not that affects families, communities, and for their good, the children soon lose governments."—"Patriarchs and Proph- all respect for their parents, all regard ets," page 579. for the authority of God or man, and 91 Z6 Answers: (1) head of the wife, Christ is the head of the church; (2) A; (3) True; (4) God hath joined, put asunder; (5) They are the same flesh; (6) Father and mother. Joj a/veal uew e illm sannelai 31VIIIptl! S!1.1 JO OLIM '9 anoi pueqsnq lap uopelioqxa aql gupioddns pawasaid mou sf annotu puomppe aegm •s ft GUM 4ou la' ‘iaqiagoi azojalay leqm„ :alaidtuoD 1.! 103 jiasui!H a/keg pue qpinqo panot :asfed zo Onzi .E sioqqgpu Jlatp ono' /Coy se (D) ‘spueqsnq l!aql anal samm atp se (g) 'gamy aql paw' ispqD se (y) sawn 1laq1 anal mnoqs spueqsnH •Z ft se LIDA3 alp Si pueqsnq aqi zod„ :alaidwoD •I 213MOd Aanis mnoA AO 1S31 V <> SNOILS3flO Aavwwns O L Pod gr aunf L L NOSS31 autoH uliPsY 213 9211 Jo slanu o,L EXCELLENCE IN ENDEAVOR THROUGH CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES 12 "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise." Eph. 6:2. Study Helps: Messages to Young People, deemer."—Ellen G. White, Sketches From pages 325-338; The Adventist Home, pages the Life of Paul, page 148. 211-215, 220-228, 231-243; Steps to Christ, chapter, "The Work and the Life"; SDA LESSON OUTLINE Bible Commentary. 1. Message to Children This week we study valuable instruction to children and parents. Honor, discipline, Eph. 6:1, 2 and love are the basis of happy, disciplined 2. Reward of Obedience lives. Spiritual renewal will come to our experience as we rethink these lessons, espe- Eph. 6:3 cially as we see their importance to our 3. To Fathers About Children homes and our own times. Eph. 6:4 Think on the Writer: "Amid the con- stant storm of opposition, the clamor of 4. Instruction for Slaves enemies, and the desertion of friends, the Eph. 6:5-7 intrepid apostle at times almost lost heart. But he looked back to Calvary, and with 5. Reward of the Worker new ardor pressed on to spread the knowl- Eph. 6:8 edge of the Crucified. . . . He sought no discharge from the warfare till he should 6. Instruction to Masters lay off his armor at the feet of his Re- Eph. 6:9 93 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Sunday June 13 Part 1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is MESSAGE TO right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first CHILDREN commandment with promise." Eph. 6:1, 2 One of the main principles of the theocracy of Israel was the education of 'the children in the religion of the living God. The underlying concept of that education was obedience to God and to parents. One of the Ten Commandments is specific. Ex. 20:12. Parents in Israel were required to teach their children "dili- gently" the "commandments, the statutes, and the judgments." See Deut. 6:1, 7. "The obligation resting upon children to honor their par- ents is of lifelong duration. If the parents are feeble and old, the affection and attention of the children should be bestowed in proportion to the need of father and mother. . . . "Our obligation to our parents never ceases. Our love for them, and theirs for us, is not measured by years or distance, and our responsibility can never be set aside."—The Adventist Home, page 360. "Young as he was when brought to minister in the taber- nacle, Samuel had even then duties to perform in the service of God, according to his capacity. . . . His religion was carried into every duty of life. He regarded himself as God's servant, and his work as God's work."—Patriarchs and Prophets, page 573. How is the first duty of children described, and for what reason? Eph. 6:1; Ex. 20:12. THINK IT THROUGH What connection often exists between home training and the unrest among the youth of today? Is the early home training of little children important in our times? "This is the first commandment with land which the Lord will give the faith- promise. It is binding upon childhood ful. This is not a subject unworthy of and youth, upon the middle-aged and notice, but a matter of vital importance. the aged. There is no period in life The promise is upon condition of obe- when children are excused from honor- dience. If you obey you shall live long ing their parents. This solemn obliga- in the land which the Lord your God tion is binding upon every son and gives you. If you disobey you shall not daughter, and is one of the conditions prolong your life in that land."—"Testi- to their prolonging their lives upon the monies," Vol. 2, pp. 80, 81. 94 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Monday June 14 Part 2 "That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live REWARD OF long on the earth." OBEDIENCE Eph. 6:3 Obedience to God's commandments brings rich blessings. God promised blessings to Israel if they would diligently observe His commandments. Deut. 28:1-14. "Well with thee. . . . Children are happier when they have learned obedience to parents, and all are happier when they have learned obedience to God. "Live long. . . . A life that gains the blessing of God on this earth has promise of life everlasting. "It is well recognized that a wholesome family life, of which obedience is a part, tends to the well-being of society and of nations. Obedience to Christian parents means sobriety, indus- try, self-control, and all those other virtues that bring both physical and spiritual health. Paul is stating a natural law as well as announcing special blessings of God upon the obedient. The vices that shorten life will not be found in the Christian home."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:3. "It was their conscientious observance of the commands of Holy Scripture, that in the days of Jeremiah's ministry brought to Daniel and his fellows opportunities to exalt the true God before the nations of earth. The instruction these Hebrew children had received in the homes of their parents, made them strong in faith and constant in their service of the living God." —Prophets and Kings, page 428. "Their [Israel's] obedience to the laws of God would make them marvels of prosperity before the nations of the world. . . . If obedient, they would be preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations and would be blessed with vigor of in- tellect. The glory of God, His majesty and power, were to be revealed in all their prosperity. . . . God furnished them with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the earth." —Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 222. What is the main lesson in our text today? Compare Matt. 6:33; Deut. 4:40; 5:16. Have we all fully experi- enced the blessing of obedience? THINK IT THROUGH Have our own young people realized that not to obey their parents is to violate God's law? Do they realize that in the judgment they will have to give account for disobedience to their parents? "Children who dishonor and disobey "These plain teachings they must their parents, and disregard their ad- meet in the judgment. Yet there is not vice and instruction, can have no part one young man or young woman in in the earth made new. The purified twenty professing the present truth who new earth will be no place for the heeds these Bible teachings."—"Testi- rebellious, the disobedient, the ungrate- monies," Vol. 1, pp. 497, 498. ful, son or daughter 95 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Tuesday June 15 Part 3 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: TO FATHERS but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the ABOUT CHILDREN Lord." Eph. 6:4 Parents are reminded of two duties to their children, one a negative and the other a positive. Training children is a task that is neither easily nor rapidly done. Parents must remember that patience is a great part of teaching. Vexatious commands, incessant teasing, hasty blame and reproof, displays of temper —these are all provocation to children. Rather, show children and young people appreciation and encouragement for the things they have done right. Parents should remember that example carries far greater weight with children and young people than does advice. Par- ents' counsel should agree with their own way of life. "Provoke not. . . . The parallel passage in Colossians gives the reason for this admonition . . . (Col. 3:21). The present low ebb of parental authority sometimes springs from unjust, irritating, or even brutal demands made by parents on children. . . . Another prolific cause of resentment . . . is the capricious, inconsistent demands of some parents.. . . "Admonition. . . . Admonition encourages a child when he is in the right and warns him when he is in the wrong."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:4. "Parents should be much at home. By precept and example they should teach their children the love and the fear of God; teach them to be intelligent, social, affectionate; to cultivate habits of industry, economy, and self-denial. By giving their children love, sympathy, and encouragement at home, parents may provide for them a safe and welcome retreat from many of the world's temptations."—The Adventist Home, page 185. Tell the two points about which counsel is given. Enu- merate the suggestions in the above quotations for giving direction to children and youth. What other elements be- sides patience are there in the teaching process? Define provocation in your own terms. THINK IT THROUGH How can parents of children and youth benefit from this lesson? What responsibility for the youth of the church do church members who are not parents have? "Happy are the parents whose lives and long-suffering of God, and who by are a true reflection of the divine, so teaching the child to love and trust and that the promises and commands of obey them, are teaching him to love God awaken in the child gratitude and and trust and obey his Father in reverence; the parents whose tender- heaven."—"Prophets and Kings," page ness and justice and long-suffering in- 245. terpret to the child the love and justice 96 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Wednesday June 16 Part 4 "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters INSTRUCTION according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in single- FOR SLAVES ness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with goodwill doing service, as Eph. 6:5-7 to the Lord, and not to men." Paul's teaching of the gospel was not to start a revolution against the evil of slavery, but an evolution in moral thinking was begun which eventually broke the chains of human bond- age. Christian concepts—that "God is no respecter of persons," and that "all nations of men" were made of one blood (Acts 10:34; 17:27)—were incompatible with belief in slavery. As masters and slaves worshiped the same God (Eph. 4:6), in the same church, and recognized Jesus as their Lord (verse 5), all must have been convinced of the incongruity of the situation socially and spiritually. The reference to diligence in endeavor, the spirit of the worker, and instruction to the masters, is relevant and useful to both employees and employers of our times. "The sense of Christ's Lordship ensures honesty in work. So the apostle continues: 'Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers.' . . . It is the common fault and temptation of servants in all degrees to observe the master's eye, and to work busily or slackly as they are watched or not. Such workmen act as they do because they look to men and not to God. Their work is without conscience and self-respect. The visible master says `Well done !' But there is another Master looking on who says `Ill done!' . . . In His book of accounts there is a stern reckon- ing in store for deceitful dealers and the makers-up of unsound goods, in whatever handicraft or headcraft they are engaged." —G. G. Findlay, Epistle to the Ephesians, pages 390, 391. What three qualities were to characterize the obedi- ence of servants? What is meant by "eyeservice, as men- pleasers"? See Matt. 23:5. Does this counsel apply only to slaves in Roman times, or to all men in all ages? What is the predominating feature that should characterize our Christian service? ("To the Lord," Eph. 6:7. Compare Eph. 5:22.) THINK IT THROUGH Would there be some revolution in social relationships today if all Christians would practice fully the gospel principles in our text? Would it open doors to new hearts for the message of a soon-coming Saviour? What effect would come to employee-employer relations? "Christianity makes a strong bond of by the same Spirit; and they are made union between master and slave, king one in Christ Jesus."—"The Acts of the and subject. . . . They have been Apostles," page 460. washed in the same blood, quickened 97 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Thursday June 17 Part 5 "Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, REWARD OF the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond THE WORKER or free." Eph. 6:8 The apostle now mentions the judgment, putting all men on the same level. See 2 Cor. 5:10. In the Roman world there were sharp differences in social status, but in the body of Christ this was not to be so. 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27, 28; Col. 3:11. A common human aspiration has been reward for service, but the world often bestows on drudgery little or no reward. Now Paul assures the slave of reward for the good deeds, if not in this world, in the next. To rob service wholly of reward lowers work into the desperation of forced drudgery. Although rewards are not really earned, yet God pictures at least some of His gifts as rewards. Rev. 22:12. This fact must have brought great joy to the slave. "Knowing. The slave may have the assurance that his life and deeds are observed by Providence, and that the rewards that come to other men will be his also. The great spiritual cer- tainties are the heritage of all believers."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Eph. 6:8. The slave, as a member of the church, gets knowledge and understanding of life never before available to him. This knowl- edge will lead him to faith (Rom. 10:17), and faith to victory. "Let a living faith run like threads of gold through the per- formance of even the smallest duties. Then all the daily work will promote Christian growth. There will be a continual look- ing unto Jesus. Love for Him will give vital force to every- thing that is undertaken. Thus through the right use of our talents, we may link ourselves by a golden chain to the higher world."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 360. "But when the Master receives the talents, He approves and rewards the workers as though the merit were all their own. His countenance is full of joy and satisfaction. . . . For every service and every sacrifice He requites them, not because it is a debt He owes, but because His heart is overflowing with love and tenderness."—Ibid., p. 361. What great truth is now announced to the slave? On what new level of society did this status place him? In what sense are "bond" and "free" on the same level? See Acts 17:26. THINK IT THROUGH Besides the rewards and benefits from endeavor men- tioned in the notes and texts of this lesson, what others have you experienced? Is there a connection between one's daily work and his religion? 98 Excellence in Endeavor LESSON 12 ❑ Friday June 18 Part 6 "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, INSTRUCTION forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also TO MASTERS is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Eph. 6:9 Him." In the Christian community human rights vitally concern the relationships between members and groups. The high and low, the rich and poor, are all brothers in Chiist. Even in servant-and-master relationships in Roman days the spirit of brotherhood was enjoined on all. The golden rule (Matt. 7:12) is to be put into practice. Every action is to take into account that both master and slave have the same Lord in heaven. At the bar of judgment He will ask both "What was done?" and "Who did it?" Then both good and bad deeds will meet their reward regardless of the status of the persons concerned. This kind of thinking and practice among masters and slaves put things entirely in a new light, and the prevailing social systems began to change. "Forbearing threatening. Special instruction had been given the Hebrews on the treatment of servants (Lev. 25:39-43; Deut. 15:12-14; Jer. 34:14), and even more was expected of Chris- tians, who had a fuller revelation of God in Christ Jesus as regards human relationships. Threatening implies fear and force, whereas the way of the gospel is the way of love. Threat- ening is usually the beginning of cruelty and must be entirely eliminated. It is a tremendous challenge to any administrator to exercise his authority in love rather than through power and force. It does not mean that he should not expect just service, but his warnings and discipline must be exercised with self- control and Christian charity. ReTect for the personalities of others is one of the first evidences'of the converted life."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:9. What were the instructions the apostle had for the masters? Eph. 6:9. What were the masters to keep in mind as they dealt with the slaves? Col. 4:1. THINK IT THROUGH Was it easy for Roman slave owners to practice these Christian principles? Did slaves and masters need divine grace in these matters as we do today? "Those who are the partakers of the will do all they can to make the world grace of Christ will be ready to make better for their stay in it. This spirit is any sacrifice, that others for whom He the sure outgrowth of a soul truly con- died may share the heavenly gift. They verted."—"Steps to Christ," page 78. 99 001 Answers: (1) Obey, for this is right; (2) Prosperity, live long on the earth; (3) Provoke not children to wrath, rear children in nurture of the Lord; (4) As servants of Christ; (5) good thing, doeth, receive of the Lord; (6) Your Master also is in heaven. paptiutuaz sluumas JO sJalsutu alp aJOAA 3DEJ 3-eqm Jo .9 (1 aq Hugs atuus age OM AOC JOA30SlatAA 3uip Stumoum, :aptclutop •s sitlunias alp azojaq lnd sum applias Jo ppout luqm .t, szatpuj aqi uan!2 s1 uotimioqxa iutim • ouatupuututuop sup Aaqo oqm asotp oa asuuoid age st augur 7 sltrazud .uatp piumoi uaJppy jo /Crop atp s! lam •I 213MOd Aanis dflOA 40 1S31. V <> sNolismo Ativwwns O L 4.10 d 6I dun! Z L NOSS31 Joavapug ui aouallaoxa BE STRONG IN THE LORD 13 "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Eph. 6:11. Study Helps: Prophets and Kings, pages ing with his own courage thousands of wit- 171-176; The Great Controversy, pages nesses for Christ, and wakening in thou- 613-634; SDA Bible Commentary. sands of sorrow-stricken hearts the echo of his own triumphant joy."—Ellen G. White, In the Epistle to the Ephesians we have Sketches From the Life of Paul, page 334. studied some of the most profound truths expounded by the apostle Paul. These prin- ciples have affected the thinking of millions LESSON OUTLINE around the world for almost 2,000 years. The course of human history has under- 1. Be Strong in His Might gone a radical change because of the gos- Eph. 6:10, 11 pel of Jesus Christ, and much credit is due to the apostle Paul as the chief human 2. Fight Against the Powers of exponent of the Christian way. Darkness In the lesson this week we study the apostle's final exhortation to the believers. Eph. 6:12 The text is a Biblical classic; its profound 3. The Whole Armor significance for the believer in his struggle day by day has been of great inspiration Eph. 6:13 and consolation to large numbers of Chris- 4. Belt, Breastplate, Shoes tians in all ages. Eph. 6:14, 15 Think on the Writer: "No faithful hand recorded for the generations to come, the 5. Shield, Helmet, Sword last scenes in the life of this holy man; but Eph. 6:16, 17 inspiration has preserved for us his dying testimony. Like a trumpet peal has his 6. Victory Through Prayer voice rung out through all the ages, nerv- Eph. 6:18-24 101 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Sunday June 20 Part 1 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in BE STRONG the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, IN HIS MIGHT that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Eph. 6:10, 11 devil." Victory goes to the strong. Spiritual survival is a question of strong faith in Christ. The believers will be strong only in the might of God. Phil. 4:13. Paul always has confidence in the power of God (Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 6:4, 7), and thus he exhorts, "Be strong in the Lord." While believing in the power of God to save, the Christian must ever remember that there is an enemy to watch. 1 Peter 5:8. God always has a means for the salvation of the just, and it is the armor of God. Ways by which the Christian can be strong in the Lord: "I saw that the strength of the children of God is in their humility. When they are little in their own eyes, Jesus will be to them their strength and their righteousness, and God will prosper their labors."—Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 307. "God has strength and wisdom in store for those who seek for it earnestly, in faith believing."—Ibid., p. 108. "Faith in Christ's power will impart strength to sustain, and light to guide."—Ibid., Vol. 5, p. 42. "Remember that prayer is the source of your strength."— Ibid., Vol. 7, p. 2437 "None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict."—The Great Controversy, pages 593, 594. "If the Word of God were appreciated as it should be, both young and old would possess an inward rectitude, a strength of principle, that would enable them to resist temptation."— Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 319. Repeat the two exhortations given by the apostle. How does the believer become "strong in the Lord"? 2 Tim. 2:1; 1 Cor. 16:13. What is the reason for putting on the "armor of God"? 1 Peter 5:8. THINK IT THROUGH Through what means are the believers to face the snares of Satan? Some of the snares of Satan in our cate the pages): "To many, scientific time are found in vague and fanciful research has become a curse" (522). "To interpretations of Scripture. Ellen G. keep the minds of men searching and White discusses many of these danger- conjecturing in regard to that which ous ideas in a chapter entitled "Snares God has not made known" (523). "The of Satan" in "The Great Controversy," fast-spreading belief that Satan has no pages 518-530. The following excerpts existence as a personal being" (524). give some idea of the content of the "Worldly wisdom teaches that prayer chapter (numbers in parentheses indi- is not essential" (525). 102 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Monday June 21 Part 2 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but FIGHT AGAINST against principalities, against powers, against the rulers THE POWERS of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness OF DARKNESS in high places." Eph. 6:12 With his keen spiritual perception, the apostle saw troublous times coming, not only for the individual but also for the church. There is a fight to be carried on by the believer. 2 Tim. 4:7. There is constant enmity against the church. Rev. 12:17. The enemy stalks as prey those who fear God. 1 Peter 5:8. "Resist" is the watchword for the believer. 1 Peter 5:9. "In the Word of God are represented two contending parties that influence and control human agencies in our world. Con- stantly these parties are working with every human being. Those who are under God's control and who are influenced by the heavenly angels, will be able to discern the crafty workings of the unseen powers of darkness. . . . They must give no place whatever to Satan and his angels. "But unless we are constantly on guard, we shall be over- come by the enemy. Although a solemn revelation of God's will concerning us has been revealed to all, yet a knowledge of His will does not set aside the necessity of offering earnest suppli- cations to Him for help, and of diligently seeking to cooperate with Him in answering the prayers offered."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1119. "The prayer of Asa is one that every Christian believer may fittingly offer. . . . In life's conflict we must meet evil agencies that have arrayed themselves against the right: Our hope is not in man, but in the living God. With full assurance of faith we may expect that He will unite His omnipotence with the efforts of human instrumentalities, for the glory of His name. . . . We may gain the victory over every foe."—Prophets and Kings, page 111. What should be the attitude of the Christian toward the forces of evil? Eph. 6:14; 1 Cor. 9:26. What is your understanding of the phrase "spiritual wickedness in high places"? THINK IT THROUGH In what ways do you think the believer must resist evil? 1 Tim. 6:12. "He [Satan] is now preparing for his will he make himself a mark for the last campaign against the church. All attacks of Satan. . . . who seek to follow Jesus will be "Christ will give strength to all who brought into conflict with this relentless seek it. No man without his own con- foe. The more nearly the Christian imi- sent can be overcome by Satan."—"The tates the divine Pattern, the more surely Great Controversy," page 510. 103 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Tuesday June 22 Part 3 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, THE WHOLE ARMOR that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and Eph. 6:13 having done all, to stand." In the evil day. Does this imply a specific future day? In Eph. 5:16 Paul says, "because the days are evil." So his genera- tion was evil. This was the thought of Jesus: "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." In our world every day is an evil day in the sense that the Satanic hosts are always active. The whole armor. God's armor must not be worn in part. David had less than a full armor when he fell into sin. See 2 Samuel 11; 12. Jacob had only partial armor when he deceived Isaac his father. Genesis 27. Peter was not fully armored when he denied his Lord. Matt. 26:69-75. The Christian is vulnerable at many spots, and often that characteristic he thinks is his strongest turns out, under tempta- tion, to be his weakest. As a chain is no stronger than its weak- est link, so the Christian is no stronger than his weakest ele- ment of character. In view of the variety of foes that must be met and the various weaknesses of the flesh, nothing less than the entire armor will suffice. "Having done all. . . . Trusting in God never deprives one of the privilege of exerting his own God-given powers to the utmost. Although it is true that the battle will never be won without God's armor and power, neither will it be won without the cooperation of the human with the divine." [See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, page 142.] "It is the armor of God, because the possession of it is the direct result of the presence of God within. Where the Spirit of God inhabits our nature, His presence ensures our possession of this armor of proof. "It is the armor of God because Jesus Christ, the God-man, was clothed in it, and in it defeated the foe. At any rate, we may learn what this armor is, and how best to use it, by study- ing the use Christ made of it."—Speaker's Bible, edited by James Hastings, on Eph. 6:13, pages 403, 404. What danger is involved if the believer is clothed in only a part of the, armor? What do the following mean to you: "withstand," "evil day," and "having done all, to stand"? See Luke 1:17, last part; 1 Tim. 6:12. THINK IT THROUGH How long will the Christian be involved in the war- fare? How only will the warfare be carried on success- fully? "God's servants are to put on every and help of Heaven. ... Never are we piece of the Christian armor. We are to yield to Satan's attacks. . . . In this not wrestling simply with human foes. warfare there is no release. . . . Those God calls upon every Christian to enter who are in Christ's service must watch the warfare and fight under His leader- every outpost."—"Testimonies," Vol. 9, ship, depending for success on the grace pp. 219, 220. 104 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Wednesday June 23 Part 4 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with BELT, BREAST- truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; PLATE, SHOES and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of Eph. 6:14, 15 peace." "Truth. . . . The truth spoken of here is more than personal honesty; it is the truth of God as it is lodged in the heart, ap- propriated, and acted upon.... "Righteousness. Some apply this to the righteousness of Christ that covers the child of God; others, to the Christian's personal loyalty to principle. Both are essential for successful warfare... . "Gospel of peace. . . In this verse . . . the idea seems to be that of steadfastness in the Christian warfare. Hence the gospel, in this instance, is not so much the gospel to be proclaimed, but the gospel that has found lodgment in the heart of the Chris- tian. . . . He stands firm on the knowledge of Christ incarnate, crucified, risen, ascended—the heart of the gospel, and the reason for peace."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:14, 15. All of these figures used to define the Christian's armor are drawn from Roman soldiers' equipment, probably in the order in which the warrior put them on. In another place it is "the armor of light"; it all means to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" and to live as He lived. Does the warrior language of our lesson teach salva- tion by works? Does a peaceful Christian nevertheless have to fight evil? See James 4:7. THINK IT THROUGH Is the witness for truth relevant to man's problems today? How does truth become the Christian's personal possession? "Truth has a power to elevate the "The truth of God is an anchor."— receiver. If Bible truth exerts its sanc- "Ibid.," Vol. 2, p. 304. tifying influence upon the heart and "The truth is designed to elevate the character, it will make believers more receiver, to refine his taste and sanc- intelligent."—"Testimonies," Vol. 4, p. tify his judgment. There should be a 545. continual effort to imitate the society "The truth in the heart is a wellspring we expect soon to join; namely, angels of life. It refreshes the weary and re- of God who have never fallen by sin." strains vile thought and utterance."— —"Ibid.," Vol. 1, p. 216. "Ibid.," Vol. 5, p. 601. 105 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Thursday June 24 Part 5 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye SHIELD, HELMET, shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. SWORD And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Eph. 6:16, 17 Spirit, which is the Word of God." The Roman shield protected the whole body against the enemy's arrows, sometimes heated or alight. Compare Ps. 120:4. "Faith. . . . This faith is active, like the shield that is raised to catch the fiery darts; it is also passive in that it trusts in God for deliverance. Under the impact of temptation of any kind it is faith that restores confidence and enables one to carry on the battle. . . . "Fiery darts. Ancient arrows sometimes had combustible ma- terials, such as tow and pitch, ignited on the head of the shaft so as to set fire to whatever they hit. This is an appropriate image for the fiery temptations that come to the child of God. They may take the form of fear, discouragement, impatience, unholy thoughts, envy, anger, or any other vice. But faith in God, held aloft like a shield, catches them, snuffs out the flame, and makes them fall harmless to the ground."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:16. "Paul knew that the higher Christian attainments can be reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness, and this he tried to instill into their minds. But he knew also that in Christ crucified they were offered power sufficient to convert the soul and divinely adapted to enable them to resist all temptations to evil."—The Acts of the Apostles, page 307. Name and describe the three weapons of Christian victory mentioned in the lesson. Quote some New Testa- ment words showing that we are "kept [guarded] by the power of God through faith." 1 Peter 1:5. THINK IT THROUGH Why do you think Paul mentions only one weapon of attack (the sword) among numerous pieces of defensive armor? Is this to encourage Christians to adopt a stand for truth, and, when the attacks of the enemy are over, to be found still standing for God and truth? "Many who should stand firm for shall take for his defense the divine righteousness and truth have mani- panoply and wield the sword of the fested weakness and indecision. . . . Spirit he will become the prey of the Those who fail to grow in grace, not powers of darkness. The faith of all will seeking to reach the highest standard be tested. All will be tried as gold is in divine attainments, will be overcome. tried in the fire."—"Testimonies," Vol. "This world is to the Christian a land 5, p. 104. of strangers and enemies. Unless he 106 Be Strong in the Lord LESSON 13 ❑ Friday June 25 Part 6 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in VICTORY the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance THROUGH and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance PRAYER may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Eph. 6:18-24 Amen." "Praying always" is linked with "all perseverance" and means effort or exertion in prayer. This is the case in all areas of spiritual life. "For all saints" is all-inclusive. We should pray for those we naturally like and those we may not like. "And for me" indicates Paul's conscious need for both words and courage. "Utterance" means not only words but wisdom in choosing and using them. Compare 1 Cor. 12:8, where Paul states that the Spirit gives "the word of wisdom." "Prayer is not another weapon; rather, it is the spirit, the manner, in which the whole armor is to be worn and the battle fought. Paul is here urging it as a perpetual state of mind, a continuous attitude of communion with God (see Luke 18:1; Phil. 4:6; Heb. 4:16). . . . "Perseverance in prayer is not for the purpose, by sheer persistence, of making God change His mind, in some such fashion as a begging child finally extracts what he wants from an unwilling parent. Perseverance in prayer, however, clearly indicates on the part of the suppliant a state of mind that gives God an opportunity to do things He could not safely do for him otherwise."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Eph. 6:18. Is it natural and easy to pray unceasingly, or do we need the Holy Spirit's help in this? THINK IT THROUGH What are the main characteristics of acceptable prayer? See Matt. 7:7; James 1:6; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2. "Pray in faith. And be sure to bring faith weaken, for the blessings re- your lives into harmony with your peti- ceived are proportionate to the faith tions, that you may receive the bless- exercised. . . . Pray, believe, rejoice." ings for which you pray. Let not your —"Testimonies," Vol. 7, p. 274. 107 BOL Answers: (1) whole armor, stand, wiles; (2) Real; (3) Whole armor; (4, 5) A. truth, B. righteous- ness, C. gospel of peace, D. faith, E. salvation, F. Word of God; (6) Praying always. e..101111P uepspro ag1 jo asn ay Aminloon of st uouonap jo apnlulu Jo in luqm .9 ;aids jo puoms (A) saoqs (D) 1z2mIall (a) aluidisualq (g) plants Cu) alaq (v) :sands pen aqi ut sruom Jadoid ay In gu liedialunop su Alqunb iump!ds e pug .10111JU jo aDa!d !pug 's ‘t, e.uo and Janaqaq op pinoqs JOULLIF uuus!JqD ay jo qpntu MOH • pat.u2uun JO pal Itna upprt apieq manallaq ay si 7 4..11/tap ay jo age lsu!de oa anu aq Amu ai( Too jo ay uo and„ :alaiduzoD ZI3MOd Aanis 21no). AO 1531 V O SNOILS3110 Aavwwns O L Pod 9g aural CI NOSS31 po7 ag A thoroughly modern, up-to-date examination of the various phenomena of nature, including geol- ogy, biology, philosophy, and their bearing on the question of creation and evolution. as fcr mean a search for Neaninz Richard M. Ritland Dimension Series A Now Look at Creation and Evol $2.95 UP AT YOUR BOOK AND BIBLE HOUSE ne, ler our there larshall, ....7 a..ARRY JOHN MULE ....The So- nijs.. s upposed/ V a r II educatir, .+v7 Q.--V DAUGHTHEYand cerizir rice f .-1/ 17 § (?- - 4-11r- n attempt to ve.q.ter • the tiouse, ; 4 istorip— not been sch, ph,„ final s end 1h. HOW SUSAN KENNEDY, -10 '3 21 )4. Lu el ttak FORMER KITCHEN DRUDGE, the PrIc jet SHOCKED HER HUSBAND , th shin lope tin nate )s07. ilp , eday ASTOUNDED HER CHILDREN esuldto ch ' first thS AND DELIGHTED HER FRIENDS • Aators nol to c y 1071, .1" 9 St --- It was easy. All she did was , fie buy a cookbook g t pick out a menu , and start cooking. Now company is no cause for panic: a because Susan is whiz in the kitche n. Nat 7 missionc Get one of these the state tnp most handy new public set cookbooks at to can politic your Book and a Worthy nt• Bible House. nictrt. Presumab cou ! , ;as an eye $3.95 ore .!overnor in epublican nein or does not say jtzt-f• his one interest ir post as head o ee private pitals, but rand J, ate tr hexes not eft. $4.95 the political ambitions. oY and Tr ESUliTAB' to te4 courses a 1 1 t icai trial Made Winston's months Thomas n to "„,, 0. P. amount or to I In:" 7) PnwelP‘5 re(' estify abn 1 he test nstetter tot Perm \ i rir 1n ;01 r-,4 Ebit..„... aMeed Thirteenth Sabbath Offering THE NEW AFRO-MIDEAST DIVISION A Realignment of Nations The Afro-Mideast Division, recipient of the offering overflow of the second quarter, 1971, was formed at the time of the General Conference Session held in Atlantic City in June, 1970. It includes the territory of the former Middle East Division, the Ethiopian Union, the East Africa Union, and the Tanzania Union. One hun- dred thirteen thousand church members live in this territory. The offering overflow will be divided between two educational institutions which serve as training centers for the future workers and leaders of this vast territory. The Bugema Missionary College in Uganda, East Africa, is in desperate need of building and equip- ment if it is to continue to serve the increasing demands of this region. Middle East College in Beirut, Lebanon, while offering a strong educational program, must increase its facilities as it seeks to serve the greatly increased constituency of the new division. These projects are worthy of the sacrifice of each Sabbath School member. As you give, remember that you will be helping to prepare those who will finish the work of God in this vast territory. Ray Jacobs, Secretary, Afro-Mideast Division. Lessons for the Third Quarter of 1971 Sabbath School members who have not received a senior Lesson Quarterly for the third quarter of 1971 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first lesson. The title of the series is "The Church and Its World Mission." The title of the first lesson is "A World in Revolt." The memory verse is 2 Corinthians 5:19. The outline is as follows: (1) Sin Enters Heaven. Isa. 14:12- 15. (2) God's Purpose in Creating This Earth. Isa. 45:18. (3) Controversy Transferred to This Earth. Rev. 12:7, 8, 12, 13. (4) Sin Enters This Earth. Rom. 5:12. (5) Man in Re- bellion. Eph. 6:12; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 8:10. (6) Reconciling the World Unto God. Col. 1:20, 21. Litho in U.S.A. Black Sea nbul Ankar A C:- JI Mediterranean Sea k.,, ®Tehran SYRIA Nicom A AL LEBANON FP CYPRUS ... Baghda .MIDDLEIB6KELCOLLEGE Beirut` • Desna us 4.. Je rurs ein IRAQ Af.,e, IRAN Twoli • Allan nghazi ° Q (Persia) Alexandria ® JORDAN KUWAIT Giro / SINAI Gulf of Suez EGYPT Riyadh® QATAR TRUCIAL OMAN Jidda SAUDI • Mee. ARABIA Ka la YEMEN Khartou fi AFARS and ISSAS SUDAN Cl 0 fi I ETHIOPIA lAt.115'EQUIPMEMM UGANDA Lake Rudolf fi BUGEMA MISSIONAlc.041;EGE Mogadishu KENYA SEYCHELLES Lake ISLANDS Vict ria PEMBA ISLAND ZANZIBAR TANZANIA Dm es Salaam AFRO-MIDEAST DIVISIOR1 Union \ . ( P _potation / Churchrs Church Memb. Sab. Sch. Members East African U. 17,494,570 396 74,207 167,001 Ethiopia U.M. 24,000,000 35 12,027 21,560 Middle East U. 134,550,000 42 3,404 4,457 Tanzania U. 12,231,342 142 23,596 43,353 Division Totals 189,275,912' 615 113,234 236,371