Friday, February 24, 2017

Lesson 9 The Holy Spirit and the Church Feb 25-March 25

Lesson 9February 25-March 3

The Holy Spirit and the Church


Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week's Study: Eph. 1:22231 Cor. 12:13Rom. 6:3-7Acts 17:11Eph. 4:56Acts 2:4-11.
Memory Text: "Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:3-5, NASB).
Sometimes we think of the Holy Spirit at work only on the individual level and in the lives of individual believers. But this work in individuals is the foundation of a spiritual community. The Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for the existence of the church of Christ.
We are often tempted to think that the church exists and grows because of our various evangelistic and missionary activities. Yes, God wants to achieve His glorious plans for the church, and do so with our help. But the real reason for the church lies not in what we do; nor is it the result of our efficient organization and effective administration, however important these are. The church exists because of what God has already done and continues to do for us through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who creates a spiritual community and fellowship that has the Written Word of God, inspired by the same Spirit, as its authority for faith and practice. The Spirit-inspired Bible is the foundation for the theological unity of the church. Without the work of the Spirit, the church would not exist and could not continue to fulfill its united mission.
Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 4.
SundayFebruary 26

The Holy Spirit Unites Us With Christ

The Holy Spirit unites us in manifold ways. We would not exist as a church if the Holy Spirit would not first unite us with Christ. Christ is the head of the church (see Eph. 1:22235:23). Through the Holy Spirit, we are effectually united to Christ Himself. Being united with Christ is the foundation of all the blessings of salvation, because all we have in the Lord comes from Him. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God, our justification as well as our sanctification, our living a victorious life over sin, and our final glorification are all received through our union with Christ. Thus, He must be the foundation to our entire Christian experience.
Read Ephesians 2:1820-22 and 1 Peter 2:67. What do they tell us about the role of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the creation of the church?

Through the Spirit, we have access to God the Father. Jesus is the rock, the foundation of our salvation, and the one on whom all other parts of the whole building are erected.
The work of the Spirit on the individual level then leads to a specific community of faith: the church. When we have experienced salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone, and have been touched by the love of God, there is a sweet "fellowship of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14, NASB) in the church. Individual believers are being built into a new spiritual house of God "in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:22, NASB). As followers of Christ we should be eager "to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3, NASB). In every way possible, without compromising what cannot be compromised, we need to seek for unity in the fellowship of believers.
Read Colossians 3:12-14. How can you exemplify those attributes and contribute to unity in the church? Why are these attributes so crucial to the unity of the church?

MondayFebruary 27

The Holy Spirit Unites Us Through Baptism

Read 1 Corinthians 12:13. How does baptism unite us with Christ and with the Spirit?

It is the Holy Spirit who unites us into one body of believers. The public entrance into Christ's spiritual kingdom is through baptism. We are baptized into a specific church body. Thus, baptism has a distinct communal dimension and important communal implications. As followers of Christ, we cannot live just by ourselves. We all need the support, encouragement, and help of others. And we certainly cannot fulfill the divine mission alone. That is why God has created the church. To follow Christ means following Him in the fellowship of other believers. Thus baptism and the church have a visible component to them.
Read Romans 6:3-7. What is symbolized through biblical baptism?

The act of being buried with Jesus Christ through baptism into death in the watery grave and being raised to new life in fellowship with Jesus our Lord and Savior symbolizes the crucifixion of the old life and the public confession of accepting Christ as our Savior.
"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God." - Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1074.
Baptism is a positive step with which all who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit must comply. In other words, baptism marks true repentance, the crucifixion of the old life, and it signals the new birth or conversion. It also encompasses mutual covenant obligations. The believer promises to be faithful to God and His commandments, and God guarantees that we can depend on His help whenever we need it.
Have you made a decision for believers' baptism? If not, what hinders you from following Christ in baptism? If you have been baptized by immersion, how has your baptismal covenant impacted your spiritual walk with Jesus?
TuesdayFebruary 28
The Holy Spirit Unites the Church Through the Word of God
Read Acts 17:11; and John 5:3946478:3132. What is a distinguishing mark of a true disciple of Christ? Why is the Bible so indispensable in pointing us to Christ and in helping us to follow Him faithfully?

The primary means by which the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ is through the Written Word of God. The Bible is a trustworthy source for knowing Jesus and the will of God. That is why reading Scripture and memorizing its content is so important. The Bible is the authoritative source for discerning spiritual truth and error. Paul commended the Bereans as noble-minded (Acts 17:11) because they diligently studied and searched the Scriptures in order to find out if what they heard was true.
Any reformation and spiritual revival-no matter whether it affects us individually or as a church corporately-must be based on Scripture. The Bible is the foundation on which our faith is built; meanwhile, the love of Jesus and for His Written Word is the bond that keeps us together.
Read John 17:17-21. Here Jesus speaks about unity as a distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship. According to John 17:17, what is the basis for this unity?

The Word of God is truth (John 17:17Ps. 119:160). The unity of the church is the work of the Spirit with and through the Written Word of God. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to doubt, criticize, go beyond, or fall short of Bible teaching. Instead, He makes us appreciate the divine authority of Scripture. The Holy Spirit never draws us away from the Written Word, any more than from the Living Word. Instead, He keeps us in constant, conscious, and willing submission to both. The Bible is the foundational source for any theological unity worldwide. Were we to lessen or weaken our implicit belief in the Bible as God's Word of truth to us, the unity of the church would be destroyed.
How much time do you spend in the Word? More important, how can you learn to submit to its teachings?
WednesdayMarch 1

The Holy Spirit Unites the Church in Faith and Doctrine

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:56). What is Paul telling us here about unity and where it comes from?

Unity in faith and doctrine is accomplished only in faithfulness to the Word of God. The Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, forms a spiritual bond with every believer. The same new birth, generated by the Holy Spirit, the same obedience to the Word of God, enabled by the Holy Spirit, leads to a unity of faith and practice that transcends all human and cultural differences.
While we are called to submit to the Word of God and to do everything we can to maintain peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18), we ultimately cannot bring about theological unity or unity of purpose as a church body. For unity is not so much a work to be achieved but a gift of the Holy Spirit, who works on each believer individually and on the church corporately.
The theological foundation of this unity is the Word of God. Any appeal to the Spirit without the Written Word can lead to suspect doctrines and practices. At the same time, any appeal to the Written Word of God without the Holy Spirit dries up the Word and makes it barren. Because there is only one Lord, there is only one faith that leads to one baptism. Only in joyful faithfulness to the Word of God will we be able to see unity within our church. And if there is no unity in faith and doctrine, there will be no unity in mission.
"We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The gospel of Christ is to reach all classes, all nations, all tongues and people. The influence of the gospel is to unite in one great brotherhood. We have only one Model that we are to imitate in character building, and then we all shall have Christ's mold; we shall be in perfect harmony; nationalities will blend in Jesus Christ, having the same mind, and the same judgment, speaking the same things, and with one mouth glorifying God." - Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 171.
Look at the Ellen G. White statement above. Not worrying about others and what others do, but only yourself, ask: What can I do to help reach this wonderful goal of unity?
ThursdayMarch 2

The Holy Spirit Unites the Church in Mission and Service

Read Acts 2:4-1116-21. What was the result of the Holy Spirit's being poured out on the New Testament believers?

The Holy Spirit was responsible for the most powerful missionary outreach that history had witnessed to that point. God can do more through a small group that is united in their devotion to Him than He can through a large group divided in their loyalties. But God can do even greater things when we all have devoted our lives and our energies, our talents and our resources, to Him.
Out of the unity in life and mission of the believers grew the New Testament church. A small and timid group of believers was changed into a powerful troop that became an effective tool that reached people from many different cultures and languages. They were united in proclaiming "the mighty deeds of God" (Acts 2:11, NASB). The same God who was active in New Testament times will be active at the end of time, when the work needs to be finished before He comes again.
Read Acts 2:42-47. In what other things were the New Testament believers united?

The Pentecost mission enterprise was accompanied by a number of other factors where the early church stood united. They were united in Bible study and continually devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42). They were united in fellowship and the breaking of bread, possibly a reference to united worship (Acts 2:42). They were united in prayer (Acts 2:42) and in praising God (Acts 2:47). They were united in serving those in need when they freely shared what they possessed and had all things in common (Acts 2:4445). United Bible study and fellowship will result in the desire to share the good news with others and to help others in very practical ways. The Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the needs of those around us.
What activities in your local church help reveal the unity of your church? What more could be done?
FridayMarch 3
Further Thought: "This is the work in which we also are to be engaged. Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth." - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 186.
"Every individual is striving to become a center of influence, and until God works for His people, they will not see that subordination to God is the only safety for any soul. His transforming grace upon human hearts will lead to unity that has not yet been realized, for all who are assimilated to Christ will be in harmony with one another. The Holy Spirit will create unity." - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 20, 21.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does Ellen G. White mean when she says that "every individual is striving to become a center of influence"? Why is that such a natural tendency of all of us, and what can we do to fight this tendency in our own lives? (See alsox.)
  2. Some argue that what will really unite us is service, not doctrine. In fact, they argue that doctrine tends to divide people; thus, it should not be made prominent. But why can't there be unity in mission and service if there is division in doctrine? Why is a commonly shared faith a powerful factor for united and effective mission?
  3. At the same time, how much room is there for theological differences? Few people are going to understand truth in the exact same way. How can we be united as a church while, at the same time, allowing for minor differences that will arise? How do people in your local church deal with differences in understanding and yet still maintain unity?
  4. How can the Bible be an instrument that will bring unity? What attitude is needed in our study of the Word of God so that we can be united as a church in mission and in faith?
Inside Story~  Trans-European Division

The Newspaper Ad, Part 2

Kim met some Christians who introduced him to a church. He attended the worship services and enjoyed the music, but in time Kim realized that the worship services were more about experience and feelings than about reason and logic. He yearned for something more, something to satisfy his mind as well as his spirit. He wondered whether he would always be searching and never really finding.
Then Kim found the newspaper ad. He decided to attend the Bible study meeting. Perhaps there he would find the answers he was looking for.
Kim was amazed at what he learned during the Bible study. He never realized the depth of God's love and the plan of salvation. He continued to attend and built his life on the truths he was learning. He discarded the twisted philosophies that had clouded his understanding of God. Kim realized that God was not only logical, but that He was the author of perfect logic and meaning. His spiritual life grew as he studied for himself God's great truths.
Kim shared small bits of what he was learning with his family. They listened politely, but he could tell that they weren't really interested. Kim has kept sharing, hoping that his family will eventually accept his faith in God, just as they accepted his principles of healthful living.
Eight months after Kim found the newspaper ad, he was baptized into Christ and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Kim is learning how to share his faith with others and how to find answers to his personal questions in his Bible. He enjoys sharing with others the truths he has come to love and wants to help others find God as he has. He hosts a weekly dinner and Bible study that 10 to 12 people attend.
The church in Denmark is small, and few are interested in religion. But Kim wants to help the church grow. He continues to share bits of truth and testimony with his family, hoping that one day they will come to know Jesus as he has.
Denmark is a small country made up of a peninsula and almost 500 islands. It lies south of Norway, and Sweden. It's a wealthy and modern nation, and, like in most European countries, its people have lost their sense of need for God.
This quarter a portion of your Thirteenth Sabbath Mission Offering will help to build an international evangelistic youth center in Oslo, Norway. To learn more visit www.adventistmission.org/mission-quarterlies.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email: info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org

Friday, February 17, 2017

Lesson 8 The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit .Feb 18-24

Lesson 8February 18-24

The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit


Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week's Study: 1 Cor. 12:4-711Eph. 4:71 Cor. 12:14-31Rom. 12:3-81 John 4:1-3.
Memory Text: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NKJV).
Going away on a long business trip, a man left his son in charge of the household, with a specific task to do. But the son soon realized that his father had not provided him with the necessary means and tools to accomplish that task. Frustrated, the son had to leave it undone.
Likewise, when Jesus left His disciples and went to be with His Father in heaven, He gave them a specific task: preach the good news of the gospel to the world. But Jesus did not leave His disciples unequipped. What He commanded them to do He enabled them to do, but in His name and through the power and help of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 1:4-7, Paul gives thanks "for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him . . . so that you are not lacking in any gift" (NASB). Spiritual gifts are given through the Holy Spirit in Christ to build His church.
This week we will study the Holy Spirit as the Sovereign Giver of God's remarkable gifts and look at the difference between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.
Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 25.
SundayFebruary 19

The Fruit of Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit have the same Author. Yet, they are not the same. No one is required to manifest a gift of the Spirit, but everyone should manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily testify to spirituality, but the fruit of the Spirit does. While there is only one fruit, there are many gifts, and some are greater than others.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-711. What is the essence of what Paul is teaching here?

While all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are designed by God to be visible in the lives of His followers, not every believer has the same gift or gifts. There is no command that all should have one particular gift, such as speaking in tongues. Instead, God sovereignly equips His believers with different gifts as He sees fit. The gifts of the Spirit are given so that we can serve others and build up the body of Christ, His church. These gifts are not given for our own pleasure and glory. They are bestowed to further the cause of God.
Therefore, spiritual gifts are worthless without the fruit of the Spirit. It is interesting that within the context of the spiritual gifts, love is often alluded to. Immediately after 1 Corinthians 12 comes the supreme description of love, in chapter 13. Ephesians 4:11-13 is followed in verses 15 and 16 with reference to love. The next verses after Romans 12:3-8, where the gifts of the Spirit are mentioned, speak about love (see Rom. 12:910).
The gifts are, after all, gifts of grace; that is, they are gifts of love. They are given out of love and serve the love of God in reaching other people. By loving others, we are revealing the love of God to them. A loving and omniscient God provides the means to accomplish what He has commissioned His people to do. Perhaps that is why love is the greatest gift of all (1 Cor. 13:13).
Why is love so central to all that we do as Christians? How does love, in a sense, "empower" our witness?
MondayFebruary 20

God, the Sovereign Giver of the Spiritual Gifts

It is not we who decide what gifts to have. The Greek word for the gifts of the Spirit is charismata-they are gifts of grace, distributed and given by God Himself. We do not earn them by our status, our position, our honor, our education, or our spiritual performance. They are gifts, freely given out of love so that we can fulfill the task God has assigned us to do.
Read Ephesians 4:7. We often think that the Holy Spirit is the One who bestows spiritual gifts. The apostle Paul also connects Jesus Christ with the giving of the gifts. How is Jesus involved in the giving of the gifts?

Paul says that the grace of Christ secured the right to give us gifts. But it is the Holy Spirit who distributes them to the members of the church. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and believe in Him will be equipped by the Holy Spirit with spiritual gifts "as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:11, NASB). The bestowal of the gifts is God's sovereign decision.
Innate ability as such is not a spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents that a person might have developed through intense education. Many non-Christians are blessed with such providential talents. While every good thing and perfect gift is ultimately from God (James 1:17), God has decided to equip His believers with special gifts in order to bless the lives of other Christians and to build up His church. God can also use a natural talent for that purpose when the person acknowledges that even such a talent ultimately comes from God and then prayerfully and submissively dedicates that talent to the Lord's work.
What does Paul tell his readers in 1 Corinthians 12:14-31 about the distribution of the gifts? Why is this perspective so important for understanding how spiritual gifts function in the church?

The Holy Spirit is the one who distributes the gifts according to His wisdom and will. Since He loves us and knows best how we can serve Him most efficiently, we do not need to be envious of others and their gifts. To envy other gifts is a sign of ingratitude toward God and of doubting His wisdom in distributing His gifts.
What gifts has God granted to members of your church? What message can you take away from the fact that different people have different gifts?
TuesdayFebruary 21

The Purpose of the Spiritual Gifts

Read Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:8-12. What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts that God gives us?

The spiritual gifts were clearly given for service, not for our sanctification. They are not miraculous tricks that satisfy our curiosity, nor are they given as an antidote to boredom. Often we think about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in terms of filling our spiritual needs, or as empowering us in our walk with God. The result is a view of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that is more Christian-centered than Christ-centered. It is more focused on us than on God. When we try to recover a God-centered perspective of the spiritual gifts, we realize that the gifts God gives fulfill multiple divine purposes: they are given to further the unity of the church and for building up the church (Eph. 4:12-16). They are given to carry on the divinely commissioned ministry of the church (Eph. 4:1112). And ultimately they are given to glorify God (1 Pet. 4:1011).
This is the reason why the gifts are never given to please us. They are to edify others (1 Pet. 4:101 Cor. 14:1226). They are given to bring spiritual profit and edification to the whole church. It is a tragedy when God's gifts, which are supposed to foster unity in the church, are misused so that only certain individuals are elevated. When this happens, individuals receive undue prominence. This in turn fosters disunity and gives room to divisiveness.
Too often we think about spiritual gifts only in terms of ability and talents that we receive. While talents are involved in spiritual gifts, we should keep in mind that in bestowing a spiritual gift the Holy Spirit also always gives a specific task or ministry that goes along with it (1 Pet. 4:10). Thus, we might say that spiritual gifts are certain capacities given supernaturally by God through the Holy Spirit. These gifts fit the person for a special type of service that will build up the church. To reach that goal, diverse gifts are needed.
Why do you think a primary purpose of the gifts is church unity? How can believers with different gifts aim at unity in the church? What needs to take place so that different gifts in the church become a blessing rather than a source of division?
WednesdayFebruary 22

The Gift, Then and Now

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1 and compare the different lists in 1 Corinthians 12:7-1127-31Romans 12:3-8; and Ephesians 4:1112. Were those gifts given only to the New Testament believers? Why are the gifts available today?

There are some Christians who think that the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament were restricted to the times of Jesus and the apostles. They argue that, with the death of the first apostles, the special spiritual gifts also have ceased to be present in the church. In support of such a view, they quote 1 Corinthians 13:10, where the apostle Paul states that "when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away" (NASB). Yes, there will be a time when the gifts will cease. But they will cease only when the perfect has come, that is, when we no longer see as through a dark glass, but face to face, when Jesus comes again. The Bible tells us that the spiritual gifts are given to build up the church (1 Cor. 12:28). Paul admonishes the believers to "desire earnestly spiritual gifts" (1 Cor. 14:1, NASB). They are necessary to the well-being of the body. In the absence of any scriptural proof that God has abolished them, we have to assume that He intends them to remain until the church has completed its mission, and Christ has come again.
The work of God will be completed at the end of time with power and strength far exceeding the first beginnings. As long as the church is called to prepare the world for Christ's second coming, God will not leave the members of the church without help in fulfilling their mission. But these gifts will never supersede the Bible, nor fill the same place as the Bible. Rather they are a fulfillment of the biblical promise to equip the believers so that they can build up the body of Christ and prepare the world for the soon coming of Jesus.
Read Ephesians 4:11-13, especially verse 13, which says: "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (NKJV). What does this tell us about the present need for the gifts in the church?
ThursdayFebruary 23

The Holy Spirit and the Gift of Discernment

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1014:29 and 1 John 4:1-3. Why is the gift of discernment important?

While there are genuine spiritual gifts present in the church, the Bible also warns us not to believe every spirit but rather to test the spirits by their conformity to Scripture, their consistency, and whether they exalt Jesus as the Lord. It is necessary to "distinguish between spirits" (1 Cor. 12:10, ESV) because not everything that pretends to come from God is really from God. We are warned that there are demonic powers seeking to mislead the church, and that there are devilish reproductions of the genuine gifts of the Spirit, such as false teachings, false prophecy, lying visions, counterfeit tongue-speaking, occult healing powers, misleading signs and wonders, et cetera.
Some who accept the validity of the spiritual gifts even today, however, have placed a special emphasis on some spiritual gifts and have given unwarranted prominence to the presence of special signs and wonders. It is interesting that Paul lists the gift of discernment immediately after he mentioned the gift of "effecting of miracles" and the gift of "prophecy" and before he mentions the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, NASB).
In order to preserve the church in truth and unity and to safeguard the members from following false prophets and being deluded by false signs and miracles, God gives the church the gift of discernment. Biblical maturity, knowledge, and faithfulness to God's Word in faith and practice are needed to make proper evaluations. The basis for all discernment, however, has to be the Word of God. Only through testing everything by the Word can we know for sure whether what we are hearing or seeing is truly from the Lord or, instead, from somewhere else.
"The man who makes the working of miracles the test of his faith will find that Satan can, through a species of deceptions, perform wonders that will appear to be genuine miracles. . . . Let not the days pass by and precious opportunities be lost of seeking the Lord with all the heart and mind and soul. If we accept not the truth in the love of it, we may be among the number who will see the miracles wrought by Satan in these last days, and believe them. Many strange things will appear as wonderful miracles, which should be regarded as deceptions manufactured by the father of lies. . . . Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles." - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 2, pp. 52, 53.
FridayFebruary 24
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 511-517, 593-602.
Some have asked, "Why don't we see the same kind of miracles, such as the miraculous healings, today that were seen in Bible times?" First, we do hear stories about miracles. And surely some people have seen them firsthand, too. Second, when reading the Bible, we can get the impression that miracles were always happening. But we get that impression only because the Holy Spirit inspired the authors to write about events that were crucial in establishing the early church, and these events often included miracles. We could imagine that in most cases, and most of the time, things back then were the way they are today: people being taught the Word of God and then responding to the Holy Spirit. And, finally, Ellen G. White wrote: "The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God's servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought. For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the Word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment." - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 2, p. 54.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the difference between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit?
  2. How can the understanding that the gifts are given by a loving and wise God help us to appreciate the various gifts in our church?
  3. Why are miraculous healings and wonders in themselves not a safe guide for determining truth? What do we need along with them?
  4. "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3, NKJV). What crucial admonition is given to us here? How "highly" should we think of ourselves?
Inside Story~  Trans-European Division

The Newspaper Ad, Part 1

Kim leafed through the newspaper, scanning the headlines and reading the stories that caught his interest. His eyes fell on a small advertisement in the lower corner of the page. He read it absently, then stopped and read it again. He turned the page and continued reading, but his mind returned to that small advertisement. The few sentences in the advertisement invited readers to join a Bible study that was meeting on Tuesday evenings.
Kim flipped back through the newspaper, drawn to the ad as a moth is drawn to a flame. He read the ad again, sensing that it offered something that he needed, that he had been searching for.
Kim had always been interested in spiritual things. Although his family, like most in Denmark, wasn't religious, Kim always believed in good, if not in God. Kim sensed that life was filled with struggles between good and evil. He had seen evil in the alcohol and drugs and violence that he'd encountered, and he reasoned that if evil existed, then somewhere good must exist as well.
He tried to live a good life, but his failures frustrated him. He searched for ways to embrace goodness without realizing that the good he was looking for was God.
In his search for goodness, Kim adopted a healthy lifestyle and became a vegetarian. He shared what he was learning with his family, but he was careful not to overwhelm them with too much information. Over the course of time his parents saw the wisdom in his healthy lifestyle.
As he read books on health, he was introduced to the New Age movement. New Age teachings don't deny God; instead they teach that God exists within every person as a force for good. But salvation through Jesus Christ isn't a part of New Age.
When Kim faced some personal problems he realized that the New Age Movement didn't hold all the answers. There had to be something more to life that he hadn't yet discovered. He began to question God. Was He real? Did He care about humanity? Could He love a person and help him in times of trouble? If God cared about him, Kim wanted to meet Him.
To be continued.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email: info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org

Friday, February 10, 2017

Lesson 7 The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit Feb 11-17

Lesson 7February 11-17

The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit


Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week's Study: John 15:1-11Gal. 5:22, 1 Corinthians 13, Rom. 14:17Eph. 5:9Matt. 5:5.
Memory Text: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:2223, NASB).
The fruit of the Spirit is the true essence of the Christian life. While the apostle Paul lists nine different aspects of this fruit, it is nevertheless one fruit and has to be seen in its entirety. The fruit of the Spirit does not tell us what a person might be able to do for God through spiritual gifts and talents. Rather, it shows how the person lives for God. It tells who the person is. All the virtues that are listed in Galatians 5:22, 23 , NKJV are present in Jesus Christ. Hence the fruit of the Spirit is the life of Jesus Christ in us, made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is not something we achieve by purely human effort. It is possible to produce and display some of the same virtues through the exercise of our willpower. But that is not the same as what the Holy Spirit does in us. What we produce ourselves is like a wax fruit compared to the real. Wax fruits are artificial. From a distance they look just as beautiful, but the taste is immeasurably inferior to the real. Real fruit is not manufactured. It grows out of a relationship. When the Holy Spirit connects us with Jesus, through His Written Word, His characteristics begin to be revealed in our own lives.
Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 18.
SundayFebruary 12

The Condition of Fruitfulness

Read John 15:1-11, NKJV. Why can fruit come forth only out of a living relationship with Jesus, the vine? Why is abiding in Jesus so important? How do we abide in Him?

The first secret to genuine Christian fruit bearing is to abide in Christ. Apart from Christ, we cannot produce genuine spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is not imposed upon us from outside, but is the result of the life of Christ within us. In John 15:1-11, NKJV, Jesus tells us that fruit bearing is the result of the life of Christ, the vine, flowing through the branches of the believers. The growth of the fruit is God's work through Jesus Christ.
The responsibility of the believer is to abide in Christ. When Christ dwells in our thoughts, He will become visible in our actions. Jesus lives His life in us. The life Christ lived will be reproduced in us, in the sense that we will reflect His character.
The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus, produced by the Holy Spirit in the followers of Christ. When Christ dwells in us, we will "walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16, NASB).
In the words of Jesus: " 'Every good tree bears good fruit; but the rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit' " (Matt. 7:1718, NASB). The good fruit is the natural product of our abiding relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we cooperate with the Spirit's inner promptings on our hearts, the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives. Our characters will be transformed to reflect the character of Jesus Christ in what we say and do and even think. The Holy Spirit will give us power to live victoriously and to develop the virtues that are characteristic of those who are God's children.
In 2 Timothy 3:5, the apostle Paul describes people who "will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly" (NLT). What is the difference between a religious life and a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit? How can we know which kind of life we ourselves are living?
MondayFebruary 13

The Fruit of Love

Read Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13. Why is love the first and foremost aspect of the fruit of the Spirit? How does love affect all the following aspects of this fruit?

Love appropriately leads and crowns the various characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit and permeates the whole fruit. In a sense all other qualities listed can be seen as aspects of love. Because God is love (1 John 4:8), the greatest Christian virtue is love (1 Cor. 13:13). God's love is the foundation and source of every other goodness. God's love is poured out to us within our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). Love is the evidence that we are God's children.
This love is far more than mere human affection. It cannot be produced by human effort. It comes as a result of abiding in Christ. Such love is generous and unmerited. It alone has the power to transform. In its tender yet strong nature, divine love leads the sinner to repentance and awakens the desire for something better. Love has the power to unite-even those who formerly were enemies (Luke 6:2728Rom. 5:8). Thus, by our love for one another the world will know that Christians are indeed followers of Jesus Christ (John 13:35). This fruit of love will also lead Christians to manifest understanding and sensitivity toward others.
It is interesting that the master description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 comes right between chapters 12 and 14. Those two chapters deal with the gifts of the Spirit. Chapter 13, however, deals with love: the fruit of the Spirit. Even the superior gifts are nothing without love. The gifts of the Spirit without the fruit of the Spirit are powerless and do not produce the blessing that God intends. Love, however, is the glue that binds all other virtues of the fruit of the Spirit into a united whole and gives authenticity to everything we do.
Where does your life lack the quality of love? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with love toward those people with whom you are dealing on a daily basis. Remember that God also loves us through other people. How can you show others love? How does love affect those other virtues mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit?
TuesdayFebruary 14

Joy, Peace, and Patience

Romans 14:17 reads: "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (NASB). That is, joy is love's reaction to the blessings of God and His great mercy and forgiveness.
Now, human joy often is focused upon earthly things and is affected by the conditions that surround us. The joy that is rooted in the fruit of the Spirit, however, focuses on God and what He has done for us. It is not motivated by surrounding conditions. As God's people, we are to be joyful. This does not mean that we have to smile all the time, even though a friendly smile expresses much. But our trust in God will give us abundant reasons to rejoice with unspeakable joy over what He has done for us and in us. Spiritual joy is the result of active faith.
Read John 14:27 along with Romans 14:17. How is peace related to the work of the Holy Spirit?

Peace is more lasting than joy. Peace comes as a result of being justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). When we are at peace with God, the Holy Spirit will lead us to be peaceful and patient toward others. Because the God of peace will be with us (Phil. 4:9) through the Holy Spirit, we will not be quarrelsome and vengeful toward others. Instead we will seek to live as peaceably as possible with everyone (Rom. 12:18).
Read 2 Peter 3:9. How does patience reflect the character of God?

Patience is not a prevalent characteristic of human beings. It means putting up with others or with circumstances, even when things do not run smoothly. Yet even in trials, we are not alone. God sustains us through His Holy Spirit and builds patience, which is a characteristic mark of the believers in the end time (Rev. 14:12). Only those who aim at a worthy goal can be patient.
Joy, peace, and patience. How much of this fruit do you experience in your life? In which of these areas do you need more work done in you?
WednesdayFebruary 15

Kindness, Goodness, and Faithfulness

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4. Why does genuine kindness have such positive appeal to other people? Where do you see God's kindness in His dealings with humanity?

"Kindness" is the word frequently used in describing God's dealings with His people. Kindness also describes our dealings with others in their failures. God could be quite harsh in dealing with our faults. Yet, He treats us as a loving father would treat a learning child (Hos. 11:1-4). Perhaps nothing discredits our Christian testimony and ministry more frequently than unkindness. It does not cost money to be kind, but it can open the door to the heart of a person. No matter how firm we must be in reproof, we need not become unkind in our dealings with others, whatever their faults and issues. To reprove in kindness is perhaps the greatest sign of nobility of character.
Read Ephesians 5:9. What accompanies goodness in this passage?

Goodness is love in action. The goodness that grows as the fruit of the Spirit also includes works and acts of goodness. It is goodness shown to others in practical works of love. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, there will be a positive outflow of goodness to the people with whom we come in contact.
Read Galatians 5:22. Why is it important to be trustworthy and faithful in our Christian walk with God?

What is in view here is the faithfulness of character and conduct brought forth through the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness means trustworthiness or being reliable. Those who are faithful do what they promise to do. Faithfulness is also a characteristic of Jesus Christ, who is called "the faithful witness" (Rev. 1:5, NASB), and of God the Father, who keeps His promises and is faithful in what He does (1 Cor. 1:910:131 Thess. 5:242 Thess. 3:3). In our faithfulness, we reflect the image of God in our lives. "It is not the great results we attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He prizes goodness and faithfulness more than the greatness of the work accomplished." - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 510, 511.
ThursdayFebruary 16

Gentleness and Self-control

Read Galatians 5:23 and Matthew 5:5. Why is meekness or gentleness so important for Christlike leadership?

Gentleness or meekness does not mean weakness. It is not cowardice or lack of leadership. On the contrary, Moses was called the meekest man on earth (Num. 12:3); yet, he was a powerful leader of God's people. Meek people are not boisterous, quarrelsome, or selfishly aggressive. Instead they serve in a gentle spirit. Meekness can be the outward expression of an inward faith and confidence, not in oneself of course but in the power of God, which works within us. Oftentimes, those who are loud, boisterous, and assertive are covering up insecurities and fears.
Read Galatians 5:23 and Proverbs 16:32. What misery comes when we do not exercise self-control? What blessings do we gain if we are self-controlled and temperate in our lives?

The last aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is temperance or self-control. Here is where we all need to be careful, for who doesn't struggle, in one area or another, with self-mastery? Before one can rule a city, a community, or a church, one has to be able to control his or her own spirit. True temperance is control not only over food and drink, but over every phase of life.
All the above-mentioned aspects are part of the one fruit of the Spirit. When the Bible describes God's work in our lives, the ethical aspects of holiness have priority over the charismatic gifts. Christlikeness in all its facets is what really matters in the life of the believer. Because the fruit of the Spirit is the common distinguishing mark of all believers everywhere, it produces a visible unity in His church.
Think about areas of your life in which you should be more self-controlled. Perhaps you are in one area but not so much in another? Why is it important to have, through the power of God, control over all areas? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.
FridayFebruary 17
Further Thought: "In modern language the passage in Galatians 5:2223 could read something like this: 'The Fruit of the Spirit is an affectionate, lovable disposition, a radiant spirit and a cheerful temper, a tranquil mind and a quiet manner, a forbearing patience in provoking circumstances and with trying people, a sympathetic insight and tactful helpfulness, generous judgment and a big-souled charity, loyalty and reliableness under all circumstances, humility that forgets self in the joy of others, in all things self-mastered and self-controlled, which is the final mark of perfecting. This is the kind of character that is the Fruit of the Spirit. Everything is in the word Fruit. It is not by striving, but by abiding; not by worrying, but by trusting; not of works, but of faith.' "-S. Chadwick, in Arthur Walkington Pink, The Holy Spirit (Bellingham, Wash.: Logos Bible Software, n.d.), chapter 30.
"If the love of the truth is in your heart, you will talk of the truth. You will talk of the blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If you have love in your heart, you will seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of your friend or brother, do not encourage this evil-speaking. It is the work of the enemy. Kindly remind the speaker that the Word of God forbids that kind of conversation." - Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 76.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In class, talk about the final question at the end of Thursday's study regarding the need for self-control. Why, if we are saved by grace, is victory over sin so important? After all, isn't the gospel about forgiveness of sin? At the same time, think of the character of Judas and what the sin of covetousness did to him. What can we learn from his example about the answer to the question about the need for victory? Also, how does what Ellen G. White says here help shed light on the question of the need for victory? "One wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 53.
  2. Why is the fruit of the Spirit more important than any gifts of the Spirit?
  3. Read aloud 1 Corinthians 13 in class and talk about what it means. Why does Paul put such a big emphasis on the need for love? How can we learn to love the way that Paul talks about showing love here? Why is death to self and abiding in Christ so crucial, especially in loving those whom we truly dislike?
Inside Story~  Trans-European Division

"God, Help Me Find You!" Part 2

Greg invited Hannele to visit an Adventist church. She hesitated because she had been disappointed so often, but eventually agreed to go. She didn't expect much, but when she arrived at the church she was overwhelmed with the warmth and friendliness of the people. She was amazed to hear the deep Bible discussion. "These people knew so much about the Bible! I loved the sermon too," Hannele later recalled. "I returned the following week."
At first, Hannele struggled with attending church on Saturday until she understood the preciousness of the Sabbath. Several other aspects of the Adventist faith puzzled her as well, but Greg helped her find answers to her questions, and she continued attending the church.
"I fell in love with Jesus, just as my cousin had done so many years earlier," said Hannele. "That summer I visited the church's Bible camp, where I studied the Bible deeply with fellow seekers and came away spiritually refreshed. During breaks I sat by the lake and prayed for my husband."
Hannele returned home from camp rejoicing. As usual, she shared her love for God with her husband, but this time she felt compelled to urge him to make a decision for Jesus. She didn't know it then, but that was their last conversation about religion. Two days later he died in an automobile accident.
"I couldn't understand why God would take away my husband so soon after I had given my life to the Lord," she said. "Now I understand that God gave me a church family to support me and pray with me during those difficult days. The Bible texts I had memorized gave me peace, and the Holy Spirit comforted me."
Hannele went to work for the church's Bible correspondence school, where she helps others who are struggling with some of the same issues she had. Eventually, Hannele met a good man at church, and the two married. "God has given us a ministry together," she says.
As for Greg in Australia, he returned to the Lord as well. God surely works in mysterious ways!
In 2010 a portion of your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering provided funds to help build a bigger place of worship for an Adventist group who were meeting in a school in Nummela, Finland. Thank you for your generosity in helping your brothers and sisters around the world through the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering!
For more mission stories from the Trans-European Division, visit www.adventistmission.org/mission-quarterlies or download the Adventist Mission app.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email: info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org