Lesson 14 September 23 - 29
The Results of
Witnessing
Memory
Text: (Acts 11:21 NKJV) And
the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned
to the Lord.
Sabbath
Afternoon
The redeemed will meet and recognize those whose attention they have
directed to the uplifted Saviour. What blessed converse they will have with
these souls! "I was a sinner," it will be said, "without God and without
hope in the world; and you came to me, and drew my attention to the precious
Saviour as my only hope. And I believed in Him. I repented of my sins, and
was made to sit together with His saints in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Others will say: "I was a heathen in heathen lands. You left your friends
and comfortable home, and came to teach me how to find Jesus, and believe
in Him as the only true God. I demolished my idols, and worshiped God, and
now I see Him face to face. I am saved, eternally saved, ever to behold Him
whom I love. I then saw Him only with the eye of faith, but now I see Him
as He is. I can now express my gratitude for His redeeming mercy to Him who
loved me, and washed me from my sins in His own
blood." {GW
518.2}
Others will express their gratitude to those who fed the hungry and
clothed the naked. "When despair (p. 519)
bound my soul in unbelief, the Lord
sent you to me," they say, "to speak words of hope and comfort. You brought
me food for my physical necessities, and you opened to me the word of God,
awakening me to my spiritual needs. You treated me as a brother. You sympathized
with me in my sorrows, and restored my bruised and wounded soul, so that
I could grasp the hand of Christ that was reached out to save me. In my ignorance
you taught me patiently that I had a Father in heaven who cared for me. You
read to me the precious promises of God's word. You inspired in me faith
that He would save me. My heart was softened, subdued, broken, as I contemplated
the sacrifice which Christ had made for me. I became hungry for the bread
of life, and the truth was precious to my soul. I am here, saved, eternally
saved, ever to live in His presence, and to praise Him who gave His life
for me." {GW
518.3}
What rejoicing there will be as these redeemed ones meet and greet
those who have had a burden in their behalf! And those who have lived, not
to please themselves, but to be a blessing to the unfortunate who have so
few blessings,__how their hearts will thrill with satisfaction! They will
realize the promise, "Thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee:
for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." [LUKE
14:14.] {GW
519.1}
"Thou shalt delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to
ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of
Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." [ISA.
58:14.]__"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. VI, pages
305_312. {GW
519.2}
Sunday
Failure?
(Acts 17:32_34
NKJV) And when they heard of
the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear
you again on this matter." {33} So Paul departed from among them. {34} However,
some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a
woman named Damaris, and others with them.
(Luke 15:3_24
NKJV) So He spoke this parable
to them, saying: {4} "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses
one of them, does not leave the ninety_nine in the wilderness, and go after
the one which is lost until he finds it? {5} "And when he has found it, he
lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. {6} "And when he comes home, he calls
together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for
I have found my sheep which was lost!' {7} "I say to you that likewise there
will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety_nine
just persons who need no repentance. {8} "Or what woman, having ten silver
coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and
search carefully until she finds it? {9} "And when she has found it, she
calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I
have found the piece which I lost!' {10} "Likewise, I say to you, there is
joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." {11}
Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. {12} "And the younger of them
said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.'
So he divided to them his livelihood. {13} "And not many days after, the
younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there
wasted his possessions with prodigal living. {14} "But when he had spent
all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
{15} "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he
sent him into his fields to feed swine. {16} "And he would gladly have filled
his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
{17} "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired
servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! {18} 'I
will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned
against heaven and before you, {19} "and I am no longer worthy to be called
your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' {20} "And he arose and
came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw
him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. {21}
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your
sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' {22} "But the father
said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put
a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. {23} 'And bring the fatted calf
here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; {24} 'for this my son was
dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be
merry.
(John 4:7_26
NKJV) A woman of Samaria came
to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." {8} For His disciples
had gone away into the city to buy food. {9} Then the woman of Samaria said
to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan
woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. {10} Jesus answered and
said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you,
'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you
living water." {11} The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw
with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? {12}
"Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from
it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" {13} Jesus answered and
said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, {14} "but whoever
drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water
that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up
into everlasting life." {15} The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water,
that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." {16} Jesus said to her, "Go,
call your husband, and come here." {17} The woman answered and said, "I have
no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,'
{18} "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not
your husband; in that you spoke truly." {19} The woman said to Him, "Sir,
I perceive that You are a prophet. {20} "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,
and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
{John 4:21-26} Jesus said to her,
"Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain,
nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. {22} "You worship what you do not know;
we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. {23} "But the hour
is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. {24} "God
is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." {25}
The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ).
"When He comes, He will tell us all things." {26} Jesus said to her, "I who
speak to you am He."
(John 4:28_30
NKJV) The woman then left her
waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, {29} "Come, see
a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"
{30} Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
(John 4:39_41
NKJV) And many of the Samaritans
of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified,
"He told me all that I ever did." {40} So when the Samaritans had come to
Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. {41}
And many more believed because of His own word.
Christian
Service, pp. 261 - 262
All who engage in ministry are God's helping hand. They are coworkers
with the angels; rather, they are the human agencies through whom the angels
accomplish their mission. Angels speak through their voices, and work by
their hands. And the human workers, co_operating with heavenly agencies,
have the benefit of their education and experience.__Education, p.
271. {ChS
261.1}
Christ calls every man and woman to put on the armor of His righteousness
and begin to work. "I am at your right hand to help you," He declares. Tell
all your trials and perplexities to your God. He will never betray your
confidence. There is nothing so precious to Christ as His purchased possession,
His church, the workers who go forth to scatter the seeds of truth. . . .
Think of Jesus. He is in His holy place, not in a state of solitude, but
surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand of heavenly angels who wait
to do His bidding. And He bids them go and work for the weakest saint who
puts his trust in God. High and low, rich and poor, have the same help
provided.__Southern Watchman, Nov. 7,
1905. {ChS
261.2}
There Should Be
No Thought of Failure
Workers for Christ are never to think, much less
to speak, of failure in their work. The Lord Jesus is our efficiency in all
things; His Spirit is to be our inspiration; and as we place ourselves in
His hands, to be channels of light, our means of doing good will never be
exhausted. We may draw upon His fulness, and receive of that grace which
has no limit.__Gospel Workers, p. 19.
{ChS 261.3}
When we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His
directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would
not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once
should we (p. 262) even think of failure. We are to co_operate with One who
knows no failure.__Christ's Object Lessons, p.
363. {ChS
261.4}
The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon
themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according
to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not
have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use
for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands
upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if
they have faith in His promises.__The Desire of Ages, p.
668. {ChS
262.1}
Proportionate Success
When God opens the way for
the accomplishment of a certain work, and gives assurance of success, the
chosen instrumentality must do all in his power to bring about the promised
result. In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work
is carried forward, will be the success given.__Prophets and Kings, p.
263. {ChS
262.2}
Christian Service, pp. 261 - 262
(continued)
The Underlying Motive in Successful Service
Whatsoever
is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight
of men, is wholly fruitful; for God regards more with how much love one worketh,
than the amount he doeth.__Testimonies, vol. 2, p.
135. {ChS
262.3}
Ten truly converted, willing_minded, unselfish workers can do more
in the missionary field than one hundred who confine their efforts to set
forms, and preserve mechanical rules, working without deep love for
souls.__Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 602.
{ChS 262.4}
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 have you expect great things from Him. He longs
to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He
can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into
the work, (p. 263) ask God for wisdom, and it will be given to you.__Christ's
Object Lessons, p. 146. {ChS 262.5}
Brethren, whatever business you engage in, whatever department of
the work is allotted to you, carry your religion with you. God and heaven
should not be left out of the experience and the lifework. The workers in
this cause should guard against becoming one_sided men and letting only the
worldly element in their characters appear. In the past there have been decided
failures on the part of men connected with the office. They have not been
spiritually minded; and their influence has not tended to lead toward the
heavenly Canaan, but backward toward
Egypt. {5T
411.1}
Brother P has been blessed with abilities which, if consecrated to
God, would enable him to do great good. He has a quick mind. He understands
the theory of the truth and the claims of God's law; but he has not learned
in the school of Christ the meekness and lowliness that would make him a
safe man to stand in a position of trust. He has been weighed in the balances
of the sanctuary and found wanting. He has had great light in warnings and
reproofs; but he has not given heed to them; he has not even seen the necessity
of changing his course of action. His example before those laboring in the
office has not been consistent with his profession. He has not manifested
a steadfast purpose; he has been a boyish man, and his influence has had
a tendency to lead away from Christ toward conformity to the
world. {5T
411.2}
The cross of Christ has been presented to Brother P; but he has turned
away from it, for it involves shame and reproach rather than the honor and
praise of the world. Again and again Jesus has called: Take up the cross
and follow Me, so (p. 412) shall ye be My disciple. But other voices have
been calling in the direction of worldly pride and ambition; and he has listened
to these voices because their spirit is more pleasing to the natural heart.
He has turned from Jesus, divorced himself from God, and embraced the world.
He was called to represent Christ, and to be a bright light in the world;
but he has betrayed his sacred trust. The world interposes between his soul
and Jesus, and he has had a worldly experience when he should have been gaining
one of an entirely opposite character. He has been decidedly worldly in his
tastes and opinions, and consequently has been unable to comprehend spiritual
things. {5T
411.3}
Monday
Objections And
Excuses
(Acts 22:16
NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.'
I was shown opposing armies who had endured a painful struggle in
battle. The victory was gained by neither, and at length the loyal realize
that their strength and force is wearing away, and that they will be unable
to silence their enemies unless they make a charge upon them and obtain their
instruments of warfare. It is then, at the risk of their lives, that they
summon all their powers and rush upon the foe. It is a fearful struggle;
but victory is gained, the strongholds are taken. If at the critical period
the army is so weak through exhaustion that it is impossible to make the
last charge and batter down the enemy's fortifications, the whole struggle
of days, weeks, and even months is lost; and many lives are sacrificed and
nothing gained. {1T
646.1}
A similar work is before us. Many are convinced that we have the truth,
and yet they are held as with iron bands; they dare not risk the consequences
of taking their position on the side of truth. Many are in the valley of
decision, where special, close, and pointed appeals are necessary to move
them to lay down the weapons of their warfare and take their position on
the Lord's side. Just at this critical period Satan throws the strongest
bands around these souls. If the servants of God (p. 647) are all exhausted,
having expended their fund of physical and mental strength, they think they
can do no more, and frequently leave the field entirely, to commence operations
elsewhere. And all, or nearly all, the time, means, and labor have been spent
for nought. Yes, it is worse than if they had never commenced the work in
that place, for after the people have been deeply convicted by the Spirit
of God, and brought to the point of decision, and are left to lose their
interest, and decide against these evidences, they cannot as easily be brought
where their minds will again be agitated upon the subject. They have in many
cases made their final decision. {1T 646.2}
(Acts
26:27_29 NKJV) "King Agrippa,
do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." {28} Then Agrippa
said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." {29} And Paul
said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today,
might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these
chains."
(Acts 24:25
NIV) As Paul discoursed on
righteousness, self_control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and
said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I
will send for you."
(Acts 24:25
NKJV) Now as he reasoned about
righteousness, self_control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and
answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for
you."
(Acts 22:16
NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.'
Tuesday
Acceptance Or
Rejection
When
persons who are under conviction are not brought to make a decision at the
earliest period possible, there is danger that the conviction will gradually
wear away. . . . {Ev 229.1}
Frequently when a congregation is at the very point where the heart
is prepared for the Sabbath question, it is delayed through fear of the
consequences. This has been done, and the result has not been good.__ Letter
31, 1892. {Ev
229.2}
In a Brief Campaign.__When you have a congregation before you for
only two weeks, do not defer the presentation of the Sabbath question until
everything else is presented, supposing that you thus pave the way for it.
Lift up the standard, the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Make
this the important theme. Then, by your strong arguments, make it of still
greater force. Dwell more on the Revelation. Read, explain, and enforce its
teaching. {Ev
229.3}
Our warfare is aggressive. Tremendous issues are before us, yea, and
right upon us. Let our prayers ascend to God that the four angels may still
hold the four winds, that they may not blow to injure or destroy until the
last warning has been given to the world. Then let us work in harmony with
our prayers. Let nothing lessen the force of the truth for this time. The
present truth is to be our burden. The third angel's message must do its
work of separating from the churches a people who will take their stand on
the platform of eternal truth.__Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 61 (1900) (p. 230)
{Ev 229.4}
The Acts of the
Apostles, p. 45
The arguments of the apostles alone, though clear and convincing,
would not have removed the prejudice that had withstood so much evidence.
But the Holy Spirit sent the arguments home to hearts with divine power.
The words of the apostles were as sharp arrows of the Almighty, convicting
men of their terrible guilt in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of
glory. {AA
45.1}
Under the training of Christ the disciples had been led to feel their
need of the Spirit. Under the Spirit's teaching they received the final
qualification, and went forth to their lifework. No longer were they ignorant
and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units or
discordant, conflicting elements. No longer were their hopes set on worldly
greatness. They were of "one accord," "of one heart and of one soul." Acts.
2:46; 4:32. Christ filled their thoughts; the advancement of His kingdom
was their aim. In mind and character they had become like their Master, and
men "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts
4:13. {AA
45.2}
Pentecost brought them the heavenly illumination. The truths they
could not understand while Christ was with them were now unfolded. With a
faith and assurance that (p. 46) they had never before known, they accepted
the teachings of the Sacred Word. No longer was it a matter of faith with
them that Christ was the Son of God. They knew that, although clothed with
humanity, He was indeed the Messiah, and they told their experience to the
world with a confidence which carried with it the conviction that God was
with them. {AA
45.3}
(Acts 13:48_52
NKJV) Now when the Gentiles
heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many
as had been appointed to eternal life believed. {49} And the word of the
Lord was being spread throughout all the region. {50} But the Jews stirred
up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
{51} But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to
Iconium.
{Acts 13:52} And the disciples were
filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 14:4_7
NKJV) But the multitude of the
city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. {5}
And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their
rulers, to abuse and stone them, {6} they became aware of it and fled to
Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. {7}
And they were preaching the gospel there.
(Deu 30:15
NKJV) "See, I have set before
you today life and good, death and evil,
(Deu 30:19
NKJV) "I call heaven and earth
as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants
may live;
(Mat 7:13_14
NKJV) "Enter by the narrow gate;
for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and
there are many who go in by it. {14} "Because narrow is the gate and difficult
is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find
it.
(Mat 7:24_27
NKJV) "Therefore whoever hears
these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who
built his house on the rock: {25} "and the rain descended, the floods came,
and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was
founded on the rock. {26} "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine,
and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the
sand: {27} "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and
beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
(Mat 25:2
NKJV) "Now five of them were
wise, and five were foolish.
(Mat 25:33
NKJV) "And He will set the sheep
on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
(Mat 25:46
NKJV) "And these will go away
into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal
life."
(Rev 20:15
NKJV) And anyone not found written
in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
(Rev 21:1
NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven
and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
Also there was no more sea.
(2 Cor 5:20
NKJV) Now then, we are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's
behalf, be reconciled to God.
(Acts 2:38
NKJV) Then Peter said to them,
"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
(Acts 3:19
NKJV) "Repent therefore and
be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord,
(Acts 22:16
NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.'
(Acts 14:22
NKJV) strengthening the souls
of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We
must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
Wednesday
Witnessing And Finishing
The
Work
(Acts 17:5_7
NKJV) But the Jews who were
not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace,
and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house
of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. {6} But when they did
not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the
city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come
here too. {7} "Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary
to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king;
Jesus."
(Rev 14:6_10
NKJV) Then I saw another angel
flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to
those who dwell on the earth; to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people;
{7} saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour
of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the
sea and springs of water." {8} And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon
is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink
of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." {9} Then a third angel followed
them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image,
and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, {10} "he himself shall
also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength
into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the
Lamb.
(Rom 15:20
NKJV) And so I have made it
my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build
on another man's foundation,
(Rev 13:13
NKJV) He performs great signs,
so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight
of men.
Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy
consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from
heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given.
Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders
will follow the believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing
down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants
of the earth will be brought to take their
stand. {GC
612.1}
The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep
conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed
has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications
distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many
whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the
truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere,
the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever
the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are
powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides.
Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take
their stand upon the Lord's side.
{GC 612.2}
Evangelism, p. 17
(continued)
Evangelism Our Real Work.__Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures
to others, warning men and women of what is coming upon the world, is to
occupy more and still more of the time of God's servants.__ Review and Herald,
Aug. 2, 1906. {Ev
17.2}
Speeding the Message.__As a people we greatly need to humble our hearts
before God, pleading His forgiveness for our neglect to fulfill the gospel
commission. We have made large centers in a few places, leaving unworked
many important cities. Let us now take up the work appointed us, and proclaim
the message that is to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger. If
every Seventh_day Adventist had done the work laid upon him, the number of
believers would now be much larger than it is.__Testimonies, vol. 9, p.
25.
(1909) {Ev
17.3}
The Call for Earnest Work.__If our ministers realized how soon the
inhabitants of the world are to be arraigned before the judgment seat of
God, to answer for the deeds done in the body, how earnestly they would work
together with God to present the truth! How earnestly they would strive to
lead men to accept the truth. How untiringly they would labor to advance
God's cause in the world, proclaiming in word (p. 18) and deed, "The end
of all things is at hand."__Letter 43,
1902. {Ev
17.4}
Thursday
Eternal
Results
(Acts 28:11_16
NKJV) After three months we
sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which
had wintered at the island. {12} And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three
days. {13} From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one
day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, {14} where
we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so
we went toward Rome. {15} And from there, when the brethren heard about us,
they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw
them, he thanked God and took courage. {16} Now when we came to Rome, the
centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was
permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded
him.
(Acts 28:30_31
NKJV) Then Paul dwelt two whole
years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, {31} preaching
the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ
with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
(Rom 1:11_13
NKJV) For I long to see you,
that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established;
{12} that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith
both of you and me. {13} Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that
I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might
have some fruit among you also, just as among the other
Gentiles.
(Acts 28:31
NKJV) preaching the kingdom
of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all
confidence, no one forbidding him.
Friday
(1 Th 4:13_18
NKJV) But I do not want you
to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you
sorrow as others who have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died
and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
{15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who
are asleep.
{1 Th 4:16-18} For the Lord Himself
will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then
we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the
Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these
words.
Christian Service, pp. 267 - 275(not included
with lesson help)
Gospel Workers, pp. 512 - 519(not included
with lesson help)
Evangelism, pp. 692 - 707(not included
with lesson help)
(Phil 4:19
NKJV) And my God shall supply
all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
(Phil 4:23
NKJV) The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Acts of
the Apostles, p. 484
The
great purpose that constrained Paul to press forward in the face of hardship
and difficulty should lead every Christian worker to consecrate himself wholly
to God's service. Worldly attractions will be presented to draw his attentions
from the Saviour, but he is to press on toward the goal, showing to the world,
to angels, and to men that the hope of seeing the face of God is worth all
the effort and sacrifice that the attainment of this hope
demands. {AA
484.1}
Though he was a prisoner, Paul was not discouraged. Instead, a note
of triumph rings through the letters that he wrote from Rome to the churches.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway," he wrote to the Philippians, "and again I say,
Rejoice. . . . Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things." {AA
484.2}
"My
God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus. . . . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all." {AA
484.3}