The Lord’s Flock - Steps to Life

February 18 – 24, 2024

Key Text

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” John 10:16

Study Help: Testimonies, Vol. 6, 91–99

Introduction

“While the great adversary will try his utmost to make of none effect the word of God, truth must go forth as a lamp that burneth.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 595

Sunday

1 THE SHEEPFOLD

1.a. To what are Christ’s followers often compared, and why? John 10:24–28

Note: “The sheep that has strayed from the fold is the most helpless of all creatures. It must be sought for by the shepherd, for it cannot find its way back. So with the soul that has wandered away from God; he is as helpless as the lost sheep, and unless divine love had come to his rescue he could never find his way to God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 187

“There is a large, a very large number of straying and lost sheep that have perished in the wild deserts of sin, simply because no one went after them, to search for them and to bring them back to the fold. Jesus uses the illustration of a lost sheep to show the need of seeking after those who have wandered from Him; for a sheep once lost will never find its way back to the fold without help. It must be sought for, it must be carried back to the fold.” The Review and Herald, June 30, 1896

1.b. What do we need to realize about the size and character of Christ’s true fold? Luke 12:32; John 10:14, 15

Note: “The church on earth is greatly beloved by God. It is the fold provided for the sheep of His pasture.” The Signs of the Times, October 31, 1900

Monday

2 ONE FINAL FOLD

2.a. In what can Christ’s torn, scattered flock rejoice? John 10:16

Note: “It is the unity of Christ’s followers that convinces the world that God has indeed sent His Son to die for sinners, to make them partakers of His perfection, changing the sinful heart, and forming the character after the divine likeness.” The Review and Herald, July 21, 1903

“All who believe are to be gathered into one church.” The Acts of the Apostles, 28

2.b. When will many of the sheep come out of their churches and join God’s true church, the one fold? Revelation 18:4

Note: “The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 979

“God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and ‘receive not of her plagues.’ Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: ‘Come out of her, My people.’ These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.” The Great Controversy, 604

“God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” Early Writings, 261

Tuesday

3 A HOLY NATION

3.a. What other terms are used by Christ to describe His faithful church? Exodus 19:5, 6; Matthew 21:42, 43; 1 Peter 2:9

Note: “The Lord made a special covenant with ancient Israel: ‘Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.’ He addresses His commandment-keeping people in these last days: ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.’ ” Testimonies, Vol. 2, 450

3.b. How can sinners become a part of God’s holy nation? Matthew 21:44; 7:24, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Note: “In both the Old and the New Testament the Lord has positively enjoined upon His people to be distinct from the world, in spirit, in pursuits, in practice, to be a holy nation, a peculiar people. The east is not farther from the west than are the children of light, in customs, practices, and spirit, from the children of darkness. And this distinction will be more marked, more decided, as we near the close of time. It is not a profession of faith, or a name registered in the church book, that constitutes us children of God. It is a vital connection with Christ. We must be one with Him, imbued with His Spirit, partakers of the divine nature, crucified to the world with its affections and lusts, renewed in knowledge and true holiness.” The Review and Herald, November 12, 1914

3.c. When and how did God open the door for the Gentiles to become “children of the living God”? 1 Peter 2:10; Romans 9:25, 26; Hosea 1:10; 2:23; Ephesians 2:13

Note: “The Saviour Himself, during His earthly ministry, foretold the spread of the gospel among the Gentiles. In the parable of the vineyard He declared to the impenitent Jews, ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ Matthew 21:43. And after His resurrection He commissioned His disciples to go ‘into all the world’ and ‘teach all nations.’ They were to leave none unwarned, but were to ‘preach the gospel to every creature.’ Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15.” The Acts of the Apostles, 174

“In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the apostles labored, bringing out stones to lay upon the foundation.” Ibid., 596

Wednesday

4 PART OF GOD’S FINAL, TRUE FOLD

4.a. How does one become part of God’s final fold? Acts 2:37–41, 47

Note: “Present truth leads onward and upward, gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute. All that will come are to be brought into the fold. In their lives there is to take place a reformation that will constitute them members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. By hearing the message of truth, men and women are led to accept the Sabbath and to unite with the church by baptism. They are to bear God’s sign by observing the Sabbath of creation. They are to know for themselves that obedience to God’s commandments means eternal life.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 195, 196

“Every believer should be wholehearted in his attachment to the church. Its prosperity should be his first interest, and unless he feels under sacred obligations to make his connection with the church a benefit to it in preference to himself, it can do far better without him.” Ibid., Vol. 4, 18

4.b. Before new converts can be fellowshipped into God’s true church, what must be done in their behalf and be manifested in their lives? Matthew 28:19, 20; 3:7, 8

Note: “There is need of a more thorough preparation on the part of candidates for baptism. They are in need of more faithful instruction than has usually been given them. The principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth. None can depend upon their profession of faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. We are not only to say, ‘I believe,’ but to practice the truth. It is by conformity to the will of God in our words, our deportment, our character, that we prove our connection with Him. Whenever one renounces sin, which is the transgression of the law, his life will be brought into conformity to the law, into perfect obedience. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The light of the word carefully studied, the voice of conscience, the strivings of the Spirit, produce in the heart genuine love for Christ, who gave Himself a whole sacrifice to redeem the whole person, body, soul, and spirit. And love is manifested in obedience. The line of demarcation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep His commandments, and those who love Him not and disregard His precepts.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 91, 92

Thursday

5 OBSTACLES TO MEET

5.a. What hinders the progress of God’s truth? Matthew 13:24–30

Note: “Joining the church is one thing, and connecting with Christ is quite another. Not all the names registered in the church books are registered in the Lamb’s book of life. Many, though apparently sincere believers, do not keep up a living connection with Christ. They have enlisted, they have entered their names on the register; but the inner work of grace is not wrought in the heart.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 278

“Reformatory action is always attended with loss, sacrifice, and peril. It always rebukes love of ease, selfish interests, and lustful ambition. Hence, whoever initiates or prosecutes such action must encounter opposition, calumny, and hatred from those who are unwilling to submit to the conditions of reform. It is no easy matter to overcome sinful habits and practices. The work can be accomplished only with the help of divine grace; but many neglect to seek such help and endeavor to bring down the standard to meet their deficiencies, instead of bringing themselves up to meet the standard of God.” Sketches From the Life of Paul, 305, 306

“There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the twelve apostles was a traitor.” The Great Controversy, 43

5.b. When sin without repentance invades a faithful church, one of two things should happen. What are they? 1 Corinthians 5:11–13

Note: “[In Corinth] one former convert had so far backslidden that his licentious course was a violation of even the low standard of morality held by the Gentile world. The apostle pleaded with the church to put away from among them ‘that wicked person.’ ” The Acts of Apostles, 303, 304

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why have God’s people always been few and rejected by most?

2 How did Jesus prophesy of unity in one church body?

3 How do we become a part of God’s church, His holy, spiritual nation?

4 If one desires to become a member of Christ’s visible church, what must he or she do?

5 In teaching true reformation, what can we expect from most people?