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Bible Study Guides – A Test of Loyalty and Devotion—Holding the Ropes

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March 5, 2006 – March 11, 2006

Key Text

“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 3, 408–413.

Introduction

“All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory. It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that His disciples should be glorified with Him. They are the fruit of His self-sacrifice. The outworking in them of His own character and spirit is His reward, and will be His joy throughout eternity. This joy they share with Him as the fruit of their labor and sacrifice is seen in other hearts and lives. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son.” The Desire of Ages, 624.

1 What test did the Lord provide to prove the loyalty of our first parents? Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:3.

note: “At the very beginning of man’s existence a check was placed upon the desire for self-indulgence, the fatal passion that lay at the foundation of Satan’s fall. The tree of knowledge, which stood near the tree of life in the midst of the garden, was to be a test of the obedience, faith, and love of our first parents. While permitted to eat freely of every other tree, they were forbidden to taste of this, on pain of death. They were also to be exposed to the temptations of Satan; but if they endured the trial, they would finally be placed beyond his power, to enjoy perpetual favor with God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 48, 49.

2 How was Joseph tested, that he might be fitted for heavy responsibilities? Genesis 37:28; 39:20; 41:41–45.

note: “Joseph regarded his being sold into Egypt as the greatest calamity that could have befallen him; but he saw the necessity of trusting in God as he had never done when protected by his father’s love.” Sons and Daughters of God, 320.

“Joseph [was] subject to the temptations that attend great changes of fortune. In his father’s home a tenderly cherished child; in the house of Potiphar a slave, then a confidant and companion; a man of affairs, educated by study, observation, contact with men; in Pharaoh’s dungeon a prisoner of state, condemned unjustly, without hope of vindication or prospect of release; called at a great crisis to the leadership of the nation.” Education, 51.

“The love and fear of God kept Joseph pure and untarnished in the king’s court. He was exalted to great wealth, to the high honor of being next to the king; and this elevation was as sudden as it was great.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 544.

3 What test came into the life of Moses? What great decision was made? Hebrews 11:23–26.

note: “At the court of Pharaoh, Moses received the highest civil and military training. The monarch had determined to make his adopted grandson his successor on the throne, and the youth was educated for his high station. . . . His ability as a military leader made him a favorite with the armies of Egypt, and he was generally regarded as a remarkable character. . . .

“By the laws of Egypt all who occupied the throne of the Pharaohs must become members of the priestly caste; and Moses, as the heir apparent, was to be initiated into the mysteries of the national religion. This duty was committed to the priests. But while he was an ardent and untiring student, he could not be induced to participate in the worship of the gods. He was threatened with the loss of the crown, and warned that he would be disowned by the princess should he persist in his adherence to the Hebrew faith. But he was unshaken in his determination to render homage to none save the one God, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 245.

4 What task has been assigned to the church of Christ in these last days? Mark 16:15. For the accomplishment of this work, what did the Saviour teach would be necessary? Luke 5:8–11; 18:22, 23.

note: “How many have come to Christ, ready to cast their interests in with his, and, like the rich young ruler, earnestly desiring to inherit eternal life! But when the cost is presented to them,—when they are told that they must forsake all, houses and lands, wife and children, and count not their lives dear unto themselves,—they go away sorrowful. They want the treasures of heaven, and the life that measures with the life of God, but they are not willing to give up their earthly treasures. They are not willing to surrender all to obtain the crown of life.” Review and Herald, April 19, 1898.

5 How did the apostolic church carry out the principle of liberality in the spreading of the gospel message? Acts 4:31–37.

note: “This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit. The converts to the gospel were ‘of one heart and of one soul.’ [Acts 4:32.] One common interest controlled them—the success of the mission entrusted to them; and covetousness had no place in their lives. Their love for their brethren and the cause they had espoused, was greater than their love of money and possessions. Their works testified that they accounted the souls of men of higher value than earthly wealth.” The Acts of the Apostles, 70, 71.

6 What is one of the outstanding dangers to the followers of Christ? What admonition has He given? Luke 12:15, 33. What, rather, ought His people to seek? Where will their hearts be centered? Verses 31, 34. What will God do for those whose hearts are fully surrendered to Him? Verse 32.

note: “One marked feature in the teachings of Christ is the frequency and earnestness with which He rebuked the sin of covetousness and pointed out the danger of worldly acquisitions and inordinate love of gain. In the mansions of the rich, in the temple and in the streets, He warned those who inquired after salvation: ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness.’ ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’ [Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:24.]

“It is this increasing devotion to money getting, the selfishness which the desire for gain begets, that removes the favor of God from the church and deadens its spirituality.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 82.

“Christ points out the way in which those who have wealth, and yet are not rich toward God, may secure the true riches. He says: ‘Sell that ye have and give alms’ [Luke 12:33]; and lay up treasure in heaven. The remedy He proposes is a transfer of their affections to the eternal inheritance. By investing their means in the cause of God to aid in the salvation of souls, and by relieving the needy, they become rich in good works, and are ‘laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ [1 Timothy 6:19.] This will prove a safe investment.” Counsels on Stewardship, 151.

7 In making our choice for Christ and His service, what should be considered? Luke 14:26, 27. What two illustrations does the Saviour use to enforce the lesson? Verses 28–32. What conclusion is drawn? Verse 33.

note: “To us as well as to the disciples, Christ has given the work of carrying the truth to the world. But before engaging in this great and aggressive warfare, upon which eternal results depend, Christ invites all to count the cost. He assures them that if they take hold of the work with undivided hearts, giving themselves as light-bearers to the world, if they will take hold of His strength, they will make peace with him, and obtain supernatural assistance that will enable them in their weakness to do the deeds of Omnipotence. If they go forward with faith in God, they will not fail nor become discouraged, but will have the assurance of infallible success.” Review and Herald, March 15, 1898.

8 What is the basic principle on which God expects us to give for the extension of His cause? Luke 12:48; Matthew 10:8, last clause.

note: “As our blessings and privileges are increased—above all, as we have before us the unparalleled sacrifice of the glorious Son of God—should not our gratitude find expression in more abundant gifts to extend to others the message of salvation? The work of the gospel, as it widens, requires greater provision to sustain it than was called for anciently; and this makes the law of tithes and offerings of even more urgent necessity now than under the Hebrew economy. If His people were liberally to sustain His cause by their voluntary gifts, instead of resorting to unchristian and unhallowed methods to fill the treasury, God would be honored, and many more souls would be won to Christ.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 528, 529.

9 What is the divine standard for individual giving? 1 Corinthians 16:2.

note: “Not only does the Lord claim the tithe as His own, but He tells us how it should be reserved for Him. He says, ‘Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.’ [Proverbs 3:9.] This does not teach that we are to spend our means on ourselves and bring to the Lord the remnant, even though it should be otherwise an honest tithe. Let God’s portion be first set apart. The directions given by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in regard to gifts present a principle that applies also to tithing.” The Adventist Home, 389.

10 Lest we should at any time forget the world’s need, what are we urged to do? John 4:35; Luke 10:2.

note: “We see the great need of missionary work to carry the truth not only to foreign countries, but to those who are near us. Close around us are cities and towns in which no efforts are made to save souls. Why should not families who know the present truth settle in these cities and villages, to set up there the standard of Christ, working in humility, not in their own way, but in God’s way, to bring the light before those who have no knowledge of it?” Christian Service, 180.

“Wake up, wake up, my brethren and sisters, and enter the fields in America that have never been worked. After you have given something for foreign fields, do not think your duty done. There is a work to be done in foreign fields, but there is a work to be done in America that is just as important. In the cities of America there are people of almost every language. These need the light that God has given to His church.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 36.

11 What will our vision of the harvest field and our prayers for workers lead us to do? Acts 16:9, 10.

note: “The Macedonian cry is coming from every quarter. Shall men go to the ‘regular lines’ to see whether they will be permitted to labor, or shall they go out and work as best they can, depending on their own abilities and on the help of the Lord, beginning in a humble way and creating an interest in the truth in places in which nothing has been done to give the warning message?

“The Lord has encouraged those who have started out on their own responsibility to work for Him, their hearts filled with love for souls ready to perish. A true missionary spirit will be imparted to those who seek earnestly to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. The Lord lives and reigns. Young men, go forth into the places to which you are directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Work with your hands, that you may be self-supporting, and as you have opportunity proclaim the message of warning.—Letter 60, 1901.” Medical Ministry, 321, 322.

12 What is required of all stewards, whether entrusted with worldly goods or with positions of responsibility in service? 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2.

note: “The Lord designs that the means entrusted to us shall be used in building up His kingdom. His goods are committed to His stewards that they may be carefully traded upon and bring back a revenue to Him in the saving of souls unto eternal life. And these souls in their turn will become stewards of the truth, to co-operate with the great firm in the interests of the kingdom of God.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 448.

“If there was ever a time when sacrifices should be made, it is now. Those who have money should understand that now is the time to use it for God.” Ibid., 450.

The Life Sketches Series – Strength in Weakness

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Sometimes people find themselves facing seemingly hopeless situations for which there is apparently no help. Often it even seems that their prayers are not to be answered, but take heart, for the apostle Paul faced similar situations several times and gives some interesting counsel.

All of the apostles taught that how a person received the gospel was a serious matter, for one of two things can happen. If the gospel is accepted, it is the beginning of life eternal. But if the gospel is rejected, it guarantees eternal separation from God unless the mind is changed before death.

Paul said, “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Corinthians 2:14–16, first part).

In Acts 4:12, Peter said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Clearly taught here is that the only person who can save you is Jesus Christ. If you reject Him and choose not to follow Him and allow Him to be the sovereign of your life, then there is no other way that you can be saved. No one else can give you life.

Speaking to the Jews, Jesus said, “You are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:40). “If you do not believe that I am the One, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24, literal translation). To die in sin means eternal death. Jesus came to deliver His people from their sins and eternal death (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15, 16). To accept the gospel is to be saved. To reject it is to be lost. The choice you make determines your eternal destiny, for it is either a fragrance of life unto life, or of death unto death.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul deals at length with the subject of generosity, which is a character trait of the Christian religion. Notice what he says about the generosity of God Himself: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)! In verses 6 and 7 he says, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

How is it in your life? Have you learned to be a giver or is your focus simply about what you can get? The early church at Philippi was a poor church. However, this church understood the principle of giving. Paul said, “In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:2–5).

In spite of their own poverty they learned the lesson of giving of what they had to help others. Generosity is fundamental to the Christian religion and God Himself has given us the example. He loved the world so much that He gave all of heaven in one gift when He gave His son to die for the sins of a rebellious race. It is fatal to live for self. Living for self indicates that we are part of the devil’s kingdom. Notice how clearly Jesus taught this when He said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

“He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). We are living in a selfish age. The Bible predicts that in the last days men will be lovers of their own selves, they will love money and pleasure more than they love God, yet they will still have a form of godliness. (See 2 Timothy 3:1–5.)

Benevolence is the very foundation of the universe and God is benefactor of the human family. God is a being of inexhaustible goodness and love. That love of the Father for man was expressed in the gift of His beloved Son to save our race from eternal ruin. Christ gave His life for man. Though He was the Monarch in the courts of heaven, He voluntarily left His riches and His honor and came to this world, becoming meek and lowly so that we might be made rich. Paul said, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Those who live for self are demonstrating to the whole universe that they are not part of the kingdom of Christ, but part of the kingdom of Satan. The sin of covetousness is especially denounced in the Scriptures. Worldliness is at war with the true principles of Christianity. A life of benevolent labor is the fruit that will be borne on the Christian tree.

The second letter to the Corinthians contains many passages that cause some people to be troubled. In 2 Corinthians 3:6, we read, “Who [that is, God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

The “letter” that kills refers to the ten-commandment law that was written in stone. It kills because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). So, sin is simply breaking God’s law and the consequence is death. Now the problem is that everybody has sinned, so everyone is doomed to die unless that sin can be forgiven. The penalty for breaking God’s law cannot be remitted; the penalty has to be paid. God’s law cannot be done away with, nor can the penalty for breaking it be remitted.

Dear friends, that is why Jesus had to go to the cross of Calvary. He paid the price of sin for a race of sinners who were doomed to eternal death. By that, He opened up the possibility for every member of the human race to have eternal life if they would believe in Him and accept Him as their personal Saviour and sovereign or Lord of their life.

Jesus said to the Jews, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? To those who accept Jesus He has promised something very wonderful.

He said, “I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [that is, the Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:5–7).

Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, there is no chance that he can go to the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3, 5). The reason is because the unconverted person is actually against God and cannot in his own strength be subject to Him. (See Romans 8:7.)

Paul tells us one of the results of receiving the Holy Spirit. He says, “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Not only will his past sins be forgiven, but the Holy Spirit will give that person power to keep God’s law.

The ministration of the Spirit changes the heart and gives life in preparation for the final judgment. Paul said, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). This causes perplexity to many people who just read that we are saved by grace through faith. There is no text in the Bible that tells us that the judgment is on the basis of our faith, but “according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” As James wrote, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him” (James 2:14)?

The way a person lives day to day demonstrates to the whole universe whether or not he or she has faith and has received the Holy Spirit. All who have been born again and directed by the Holy Spirit will begin to live lives in harmony with God’s government and His law.

However, a person’s works do not gain any merit. The only merit by which you can receive the gift of eternal life is that which Jesus has provided for you. His death on the cross of Calvary made it possible for you to receive forgiveness of sins. However, in addition to having your sins forgiven, you must be born again of the Holy Spirit and this new birth will be demonstrated by your works.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

There was a situation of personal suffering and affliction that Paul had to deal with himself. It was so awful that three times he prayed to the Lord to be delivered from it and it seemed as if his prayers were not answered. God did not say yes to his prayer. In fact, it is recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

This is one of the most profound declarations of faith that you will find in all the Bible. Paul was in a situation where he desperately wanted to be delivered from the bodily affliction that he suffered. Three times he prayed that the Lord would deliver him from his affliction, but the answer was “no.” We are not told why, and we don’t need to know why in this world. All we need to learn is to trust when we don’t know why. The Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, because My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then concluded that he was going to rejoice in all the troubles and trials that he couldn’t understand because he was going to trust in the Lord.  He knew that when he was weak, then he would be strong because the power of Christ would rest upon him.

O, friend, this story is in the Bible for you to claim when going through trying experiences. If you have surrendered your life to Christ and chosen to follow Him and find yourself in an impossible situation, His words to you are the same as He gave to the apostle Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

 

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

 

Pen of Inspiration – The Gift of Giving

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In the balances of the sanctuary, the gifts of the poor, made from love to Christ, are not estimated according to the amount given, but according to the love which prompts the sacrifice. The promises of Jesus will as surely be realized by the liberal poor man, who has but little to offer, but who gives that little freely, as by the wealthy man who gives of his abundance. The poor man makes a sacrifice of his little, which he really feels. He really denies himself of some things that he needs for his own comfort, while the wealthy man gives of his abundance, and feels no want, denies himself nothing that he really needs. Therefore there is a sacredness in the poor man’s offering that is not found in the rich man’s gift; for the rich give of their abundance. God’s providence has arranged the entire plan of systematic benevolence for the benefit of man. His providence never stands still. If God’s servants follow His opening providence, all will be active workers.

Just as long as we are in this world, and the Spirit of God is striving with the world, we are to receive as well as to impart favors. We are to give to the world the light of truth as presented in the Sacred Scriptures, and we are to receive from the world that which God moves upon them to do in behalf of His cause. The Lord still moves upon the hearts of kings and rulers in behalf of His people, and it becomes those who are so deeply interested in the religious liberty question not to cut off any favors, or withdraw themselves from the help that God has moved men to give, for the advancement of His cause.

We find examples in the word of God concerning this very matter. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it into writing, saying: “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel.” [Ezra 1:2, 3.] A second commandment was issued by Darius for the building of the house of the Lord, and is recorded in the sixth chapter of Ezra.

The Lord God of Israel has placed His goods in the hands of unbelievers, but they are to be used in favor of doing the works that must be done for a fallen world. The agents through whom these gifts come, may open up avenues through which the truth may go. They may have no sympathy with the work, and no faith in Christ, and no practice in His words; but their gifts are not to be refused on that account. …

I have repeatedly been shown that we might receive far more favors than we do in many ways if we would approach men in wisdom, acquaint them with our work, and give them an opportunity of doing those things which it is our privilege to induce them to do for the advancement of the work of God.

Example of Nehemiah

Nehemiah did not depend upon uncertainty. The means that he lacked he solicited from those who were able to bestow. And the Lord is still willing to move upon the hearts of those in possession of His goods, in behalf of the cause of truth. Those who labor for Him are to avail themselves of the help that He prompts men to give. These gifts may open ways by which the light of truth shall go to many benighted lands. The donors may have no faith in Christ, no acquaintance with His word; but their gifts are not on this account to be refused.

God’s work is now to advance rapidly, and if His people will respond to His call, He will make the possessors of property willing to donate of their means, and thus make it possible for His work to be accomplished in the earth. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith in the word of God will place His people in the possession of property which will enable them to work the large cities that are waiting for the message of truth.

Receiving Gifts From Outside

You inquire with respect to the propriety of receiving gifts from Gentiles or the heathen. The question is not strange; but I would ask you, Who is it that owns our world? Who are the real owners of houses and lands? Is it not God? He has an abundance in our world which He has placed in the hands of men, by which the hungry might be supplied with food, the naked with clothing, the homeless with homes. The Lord would move upon worldly men, even idolaters, to give of their abundance for the support of the work, if we would approach them wisely, and give them an opportunity of doing those things which it is their privilege to do. What they would give we should be privileged to receive.

We should become acquainted with men in high places, and by exercising the wisdom of the serpent, and the harmlessness of the dove, we might obtain advantage from them, for God would move upon their minds to do many things in behalf of His people. If proper persons would set before those who have means and influence, the needs of the work of God in a proper light, these men might do much to advance the cause of God in our world. We have put away from us privileges and advantages that we might have had the benefit of, because we chose to stand independent of the world. But we need not sacrifice one principle of truth while taking advantage of every opportunity to advance the cause of God.

God Preparing The Way

If the needs of the Lord’s work were set forth in a proper light before those who have means and influence, these men might do much to advance the cause of present truth. God’s people have lost many privileges of which they could have taken advantage, had they not chosen to stand independent of the world.

In the providence of God, we are daily brought into connection with the unconverted. By His own right hand God is preparing the way before us, in order that His work may progress rapidly. As colaborers with Him, we have a sacred work to do. We are to have travail of soul for those who are in high places; we are to extend to them the gracious invitation to come to the marriage feast.

Although now almost wholly in the possession of wicked men, all the world, with its riches and treasures, belongs to God. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” [Psalm 24:1.] … O that Christians might realize more and still more fully that it is their privilege and their duty, while cherishing right principles, to take advantage of every heaven-sent opportunity for advancing God’s kingdom in this world! (An Appeal to Ministers and Church Officers Regarding the Soliciting of Gifts for Our Foreign Mission Work.)

Impressed by the Spirit to Give

Medical missionaries who labor in evangelistic lines are doing a work of as high an order as are their ministerial fellow workers. The efforts put forth by these workers are not to be limited to the poorer classes.

The higher classes have been strangely neglected. In the higher walks of life will be found many who will respond to the truth, because it is consistent, because it bears the stamp of the high character of the gospel. Not a few of the men of ability thus won to the cause will enter energetically into the Lord’s work.

The Lord calls upon those who are in positions of trust, those to whom He has entrusted His precious gifts, to use their talents of intellect and means in His service. Our workers should present before these men a plain statement of our plan of labor, telling them what we need in order to help the poor and needy and to establish this work on a firm basis. Some of these will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to invest the Lord’s means in a way that will advance His cause. They will fulfill His purpose by helping to create centers of influence in the large cities. Counsels on Stewardship, 180, 183–187.

Asking to Give

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Have you ever wondered why Jesus had so much influence over men? Why did men flock just to listen to what He had to say? How was it that Jesus’ words accomplished so much good? What were the mighty secrets of His life? We want to learn them, because Jesus said that as He was in this world, so we are to be also. 1 John 4:17. One of His most powerful secrets is found in this verse, “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to Him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4 As Jesus dwelt among men, His Father woke Him from His slumbers morning by morning and He spoke to Jesus, and would give Him words to speak—”A word in season to him that is weary.”

Each one of us have sinned and sin has made us weary. Even the affects and results of sin make us weary and stay with us all throughout our lives. Paul said, “What I would like to get rid of, I can’t, and the things that I don’t want working in me, keep working in me anyway.” (Romans 7:13-18) The law of sin is the law of death. Jesus took our place to give us eternal life, but, nevertheless, as long as we are on this earth we have the curses of sin to live with. We have the curses of sin to live with. We have disease; we have others who talk to us that are upset with us; we have financial burdens; we have trials that make us weary. But the thing that makes us the most weary is the burden of guilt that is caused by sin.

Jesus came to this earth to save us from our weariness. Jesus took the words that His Father gave Him and gave them to men. Jesus, who was pushed on every side, who was followed by enemies all of His life, who the devil personally conducted warfare against, could say at the end of His life: “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but that Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works…The word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.” John 14:10, 24. Rather than speaking his own words, he spoke words that ministered to the needs of others.

Can we ever live a powerful life like that? The servant of the Lord has told us that, “Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.” Desire of Ages, 664. We need to find out what the secret of the power in His life was; the power that caused Him to live for others only, amid scorn, mockery and abuse.

The Secret

To learn the secret of His life we will look at quotations from the chapter “Asking to Give,” Christ’s Object Lessons, 135-149. “Not for Himself, but for others, He lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others.” Is that how you are living your life? Is the Lord waking you up every morning with the first thought of your day being “Father, thank you for giving me life through another night. Thank you for Your blessing, for the morning light. Now Father, what do You want to tell me? I am listening.” God will tell us how to speak a word to the weary ones of this earth.

“Christ’s disciples were so impressed…with His habit of communion with God.” One day they found Him praying. Jesus went right on praying seemingly unconscious of their presence and they said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus again gave the Lord’s payer. Read through the section on the Lord’s Prayer from the book Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings. Phrase by phrase, on your knees, pray that it may be incorporated into your life.

The Present Neighbor

Jesus, in answer to their request, then told this most interesting story. “And He said unto them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he from within shall answer and say, “Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give him as many as he needeth.” Luke 11:5-8

This man had out-of-town company. When his company came, even though it was late, he knew that his company was hungry. In the Eastern countries the people are perhaps more courteous than people in the United States; at least that is what I hear from some who have been there. This man wanted to be hospitable to his company, but he had no food to give his guest—nothing. But he thought that his neighbor might have food. He went and knocked on his neighbor’s door in the middle of the night. His neighbor was in bed and was asleep with his children. How is it with you if you are sound asleep about midnight, and the phone or door bell rings? Most of you have experienced it. You struggle to wake up, but you are in such a deep sleep, you wish you did not have to wake up. So you can just imagine this neighbor. He did not want to get up. He wanted to stay in bed. But what did the man keep doing? He kept knocking and asking until the neighbor woke up and got up and gave him some bread.

Asking To Help Others

There are people all around us who are on their one time journey through life. They get faint and weary. If they do not receive the Bread of Life, they will die—eternally die of starvation. Jesus told us how to help them. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For [notice this next word is all-inclusive,] everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” So many times we do not ask, and then we wonder why our words have no influence to help others. No one who asks to give to others will ever be turned away. The Lord is so anxious for us to ask even though we feel unworthy, that He even tells us what to say: “do not abhor us, for Thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory: remember, break not They covenant with us.” Jeremiah 14:21

When on earth, Jesus prayed a most beautiful prayer. He said, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” And then He said this, “As Though hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17:17, 18. How are we sent? We are sent into the world the same way He was sent into the world. So, we need the same strength that He received form His Father. We need the same power that He revealed in His life. The power of love. The power of perfect self-control. We need the words from on high, the Bread of heaven, that we can speak to weary souls and give them strength so that God’s grace may be imparted through us to others.

Our Work

There are so many that never get beyond the ABC’s of the Christian life. Here is the reason why. “It is because this work is neglected, the work of caring for others, that so many young disciples never advance beyond the mere alphabet of the Christian experience.” Desire of Ages, 640. Now when you learn to read, what is the first thing you learn? You learn the alphabet. But after you know the alphabet, do you know how to read? You can know the alphabet forwards, you can know it backwards, you can know it perfectly, you can say it fast, you can say it slow, you can write it, but do you know how to read? No, you do not know how to read if all you know is the alphabet. The alphabet is just the tool that you need to help you learn how to read, but if you do not know how to put it all together, you cannot read. Why do so many young disciples never advance? Because “the light which was glowing in their own hearts when Jesus spoke to them, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ they might have kept alive by helping those in need. The restless energy that is often a source of danger to the young might be directed into channels which it would flow out in streams of blessings. Self would be forgotten in earnest work to do others good. Those who minister to others will be ministered unto by the Chief Shepherd. They themselves will drink of the living water and they will be satisfied. They will not be longing for exciting amusements or for some change in their lives. The great topic of interest will be how to save souls that are ready to perish. The conversation is the thermometer of your Christian experience. Has the topic of your conversation been how to save souls? Or has it been on some other topic?

Jesus assigned to His followers the job of giving the Bread of Life to the perishing world. “He who had appointed their work, saw how often their faith would be tried. Often they would be thrown into unexpected positions, and would realize their human insufficiency. Souls that were hungering for the Bread of Life would come to them, and they would feel themselves to be destitute and helpless. They must receive spiritual food, or they would have nothing to impart. But they were not to turn one soul away unfed.” Now that is a real fix. They had nothing to give. They realized they were destitute and helpless, but they were commanded not to turn away one soul unfed. “Christ directs them to turn to the source of supply. The man whose friend came to him for entertainment, even at the unseasonable hour of midnight, did not turn him away…And would not God, who had sent His servants to feed the hungry, supply their need for his own work?

What Does Christ Long To Give You?

“But God delights to give. He is full of compassion, and He longs to grant the requests of those who come unto Him in faith. He gives to us that we may minister to others and thus become like Himself.” Do you get the picture that is being described here? God gives us bread that we can give it to others and in that way we become like Him. There is no other way to become like Jesus except by imparting the Bread of Life and the Water of Life to others. You cannot just get it and horde it. It will spoil. Spoiled grape juice turns into wine and it can cause all kinds of terrible things. But if we get, that we may impart, what a blessing the weakest souls on this earth could be! “There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit.” Ministry of Healing, 169. The secret is all in putting self aside.

Jesus says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I give to you.” John 15:16. But there are some conditions that He has laid down for us. One is found in this text. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34. That was one of Christ’s last commands to His disciples. “If we have in any way grieved or wounded others, it is our duty to confess our fault and to seek for reconciliation. This is an essential preparation that we may come before God in faith, to ask His blessing.”

There is another qualification that is essential to answered prayer. It is found in this text. “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Werein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed me. In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:7, 8. Jesus wants us to be faithful in our tithes and offerings. He is gracious, even though we make mistakes, if we will just return to Him, He will hear our cry. And then He encourages us with this promise, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10

Obedience Is A Condition

Sometimes when we come to the Lord, He waits a little while so that we may search our hearts and cast out all of self. Prayer does not bring God down to us. That is not the purpose of prayer. Prayer brings us up to God. “All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience. God has a heaven full of blessings for those who will cooperate with Him. All who obey Him may with confidence claim the fulfillment of His promises.” There is no limit to God’s power, if we are asking to give. But so often, James says, “we pray and receive not” because why? We “ask amiss that we may consume it on our own lusts.” James 4:3. So God tests and proves us that we may be cleansed.

“The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being.” Desire of Ages, 667

Often when we are giving out the Bread of Life, we find ourselves in perplexing situations. We realize that we do not have the wisdom to advance. “When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all [another all-inclusive word] with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.

“You need not go to the ends of the earth for wisdom, for God is near. It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you.”

Friends, did you hear those words? Did you catch the reality of what this promise means to the worker for God? It says He will give us wisdom, not only in our spiritual affairs, but in our temporal affairs. That is everything in life. There is nothing left that God has not made provision for. God wants you to totally surrender your life to Him. He wants you to be willing to wake up when he wakes you up in the morning, that your ear can hear as the learned. He wants you to expect great things from Him and He will give you success in your work. It is an unfailing promise.

Standing Through The Shaking

Do not talk of your faults, your trials, others’ faults, others’ trials; in short, do not talk about erring men. Talk about soul-winning. Talk about the blessings of God. If your mind is filled with these things, you will withstand temptation. But if your mind is filled with the things of earth, you will fall. You will not be able to stand. So fill your mind with the promises of God. Ask that you may give to others. If your life becomes a channel of God’s blessings, the waves of the ocean can be surging around you, the greatest tempest can be blowing, and thunder can be crashing, the lightening can be flashing through the sky, but your life is hid with Christ and you can stand in the middle of anything. That is what I want for each of you. I want us to stand together as a mighty army so that we can give the Loud Cry to this perishing world.

We are going through a mighty shaking, but if we remain steadfast in faith and prayer, we will come forth as gold. The disciples went through the terrible ordeal of the cross. But, they came through it and the Lord poured out his Holy Spirit on them. Three thousand were converted in a day. And, if we are faithful, we will yet see the mighty things that God will do for His people. The latter rain will be poured out on His humble waiting ones and the truth will be proclaimed in power to a perishing world.

The End