Bible Study Guides - A Solemn Call

January 1, 2012 – January 7, 2012

Key Text

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.

Study Help: Our High Calling, 35, 287.

Introduction

“Christ is knocking at the door of the heart, seeking for entrance. Will you let Him in?” This Day With God, 308.

1 TIME TO LISTEN!

What is the first appeal our Creator makes to every one of us? Proverbs 7:24.

Note: “We have unmistakable evidence of the voice of the True Shepherd, and He is calling upon us to follow Him. He says, ‘I have kept my Father’s commandments’ [John 15:10]. He leads His sheep in the path of humble obedience to the law of God.” The Faith I Live By, 314.

“He who would be a faithful servant of Christ, must listen to the instruction of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. His ideas and principles must be kept pure by the power of God. Every day he must learn to become more worthy of the trust committed to him. His mind must be quickened by divine power; his character uncontaminated by worldliness.” The Signs of the Times, December 24, 1896.

Why should we be eager to listen to God’s voice? Jeremiah 29:11–13; Hosea 11:4, first part.

Note: “God gives us blessings; if we could look into His plan, we would clearly see that He knows what is best for us and that our prayers are answered. Nothing hurtful is given, but the blessing we need, in the place of something we asked for that would not be good for us, but to our hurt.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 121.

2 A GREAT PRIVILEGE

Why should we stand in awe at the thought of speaking with the Master of the universe? Job 38:1–7; Isaiah 40:28.
When Moses asked to see God’s glory, what was he given to understand? Exodus 33:18, 19; 34:5–8. Why can we be encouraged by beholding this glory?

Note: “Pray with Moses, ‘Show me thy glory’ [Exodus 33:18]. What is this glory?—The character of God. This is what He proclaimed to Moses.” Gospel Workers, 417.

“In order to be a Christian, it is not necessary for a man to have great talents. The human agent may have no voice in legislative councils; he may not be permitted to deliberate in senates or vote in parliaments; yet he has access to God. The King of kings bends low to listen to the prayer coming from one who desires to do the Master’s will. An earnest prayer offered from a sincere, contrite heart is of more value in God’s sight than is eloquence of speech. God hears every prayer offered with the incense of faith. His weakest child may exert an influence in harmony with the councils of heaven. It is in answer to prayer that God revives His work.” The Review and Herald, June 23, 1903.

How does Jesus summarize the result of answering His call? Matthew 10:39.

Note: “There can be no self-seeking in the life of him who follows the Saviour. The true Christian banishes all selfishness from his heart. How can he live for self as he thinks of Christ hanging on the cross, giving His life for the life of the world? In your behalf Jesus died a death of shame. Are you willing to consecrate yourself to His service? to hold yourself ready to be or to do anything He may require? Are you willing to put self aside, and speak a word of warning to the companion you see yielding to Satan’s temptations? Are you willing to sacrifice some of your plans for the sake of trying to lead him in safe paths?” Our High Calling, 287.

3 LESSONS FROM THE PAST

What is promised to all who heed the voice of God? Proverbs 8:32.
How did Jesus show the value of taking heed of His word? Matthew 7:24–27.
What warning should we take from the way the educational system in Christ’s day actually blocked the voice of God? Hosea 4:6; Jeremiah 2:13.

Note: “In the days of Christ the town or city that did not provide for the religious instruction of the young was regarded as under the curse of God. Yet the teaching had become formal. Tradition had in a great degree supplanted the Scriptures. True education would lead the youth to ‘seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him.’ Acts 17:27. But the Jewish teachers gave their attention to matters of ceremony. The mind was crowded with material that was worthless to the learner, and that would not be recognized in the higher school of the courts above. The experience which is obtained through a personal acceptance of God’s word had no place in the educational system. Absorbed in the round of externals, the students found no quiet hours to spend with God. They did not hear His voice speaking to the heart. In their search after knowledge, they turned away from the Source of wisdom. The great essentials of the service of God were neglected. The principles of the law were obscured.” The Desire of Ages, 69.

How can we be inspired by that superior knowledge which was cultivated by the psalmist? Psalms 12:6; 119:98–100.

Note: “For those who … lay hold of the divine assurances of God’s word, there are wonderful possibilities. Before them lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power. Glorious things are to be revealed. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be made manifest.” The Ministry of Healing, 465.

4 AWESOME INTERACTION

What warm invitation does our Creator extend to each of us, and how do we too often hinder ourselves from accepting it fully? Revelation 3:20.

Note: “Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God, or through His delegated messengers, is a knock at the door of the heart; it is the voice of Jesus, asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, your determination to open becomes weaker and weaker. If the voice of Jesus is not heeded at once, it becomes confused in the mind with a multitude of other voices, the world’s care and business engross the attention, and conviction dies away. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of time, and of the great eternity beyond.

“Many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of the heart that they cannot admit Jesus. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove; others have evil tempers, pride, covetousness; with others, love of the world bars the entrance. All this must be taken away, before they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in.” Our High Calling, 352.

How does the psalmist describe the beautiful communion we can be privileged to enjoy with God? Psalms 91:14–16; 119:103, 104; 143:8.
How only can we hear the Lord’s voice properly? Psalm 46:10.

Note: “Everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Psalm 46:10. Here alone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.” The Desire of Ages, 363.

5 A POINTED INQUIRY

What should we learn from the surprising way God spoke to Elijah? I Kings 19:9–12.
What startling question uttered by God to Elijah echoes down to us today? I Kings 19:13; Luke 9:23.

Note: “The joy set before Christ, the joy that sustained Him through sacrifice and suffering, was the joy of seeing sinners saved. This should be the joy of every follower of His, the spur to his ambition. Those who realize, even in a limited degree, what redemption means to them and to their fellow men, will comprehend in some measure the vast needs of humanity. Their hearts will be moved to compassion as they see the moral and spiritual destitution of thousands who are under the shadow of a terrible doom, in comparison with which physical suffering fades into nothingness.

“Of families, as of individuals, the question is asked, ‘What doest thou here?’ In many churches there are families well instructed in the truths of God’s word, who might widen the sphere of their influence by moving to places in need of the ministry they are capable of giving. God calls for Christian families to go into the dark places of the earth and work wisely and perseveringly for those who are enshrouded in spiritual gloom. To answer this call requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying, without hope and without God. For the sake of worldly advantage, for the sake of acquiring scientific knowledge, men are willing to venture into pestilential regions and to endure hardship and privation. Where are those who are willing to do as much for the sake of telling others of the Saviour?” Prophets and Kings, 172, 173.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why is the “call” in this lesson more powerful even than a judge’s subpoena?

2 What does it cost to answer the call of Christ?

3 How does the way we are educated affect our understanding of duty?

4 Why is silence a key aspect of genuine reverence and communion with God?

5 As the Lord spoke to Elijah, what may He be saying specifically to me?