Apr25-31: Revelation

God Reveals Himself Through Nature

1. Observation on Rom. 1:20.

• Rom. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse

OBSERVATION:

• Invisible things of God are revealed in the invisible creation of God.

• Invisible things are God’s eternal power and His Godhead.

• God has given us inexcusable evidences in His creation the existence of God.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• In what way does the creation reveal God?

• What are some of the inexcusable evidences of the existence of God in the creation?

God Speaks Through Our Conscience

1. God speaks through our conscience. Observe the following texts.

• John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

• Rom. 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

OBSERVATION:

• John 8:9 God convicts people’s conscience

• Rom. 2:15 God convicts even the unbelievers through their conscience

2. What kind of conscience should we have? What could we learn from Paul’s example?

• Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

• Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

ANSWER:

• Good conscience, which is a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.

God Reveals Himself in His Word

1. Observation on Matt. 12:34

• Matt. 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

OBSERVATION:

• We reveal what is in our heart through our words.

2. What is “heart” in Greek language?

• 2588. kardia, kar-dee´-ah; prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: — (+ broken-)heart(-ed).

ANSWER:

• Thoughts and feelings

OBSERVATION:

• Our character is based upon the combination between our thoughts and feelings.

CONCLUSION:

• God’s word also reveals His heart

• God’s word reveals His character

• Therefore when we read the Bible we can see the thoughts and feelings of God.

3. Observation on 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

• 2Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

• 2Tim. 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

OBSERVATION:

• 2Tim. 3:16 – Inspiration of God means the breath of God

• 2Tim. 3:16 – All scripture can

  • Doctrine-teach us

  • Reproof-convict us

  • Correction-reform us

  • Instruction-nurture us

• 2Tim. 3:17 – That we may be perfect with all good works

• We need the breath of God to be recreated in Him.

Christ-God Comes to Us in Person

1. What is the role of Jesus according to Heb. 1:3?

• Heb. 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

ANSWER:

• Jesus is the brightness of Father’s glory

• Jesus is the express image of God

2. When Jesus became a man what was He trying to express according to John 1:14?

• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

ANSWER:

• To express God’s grace and truth.

• John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

• Grace and truth are what we need to see and to experience in this world. God speaks to our conscience through nature, the word of God, and Jesus that we may understand that God is really full of truth and grace.

Apr18-24: Life

The Gift of Physical Life (The Breath of Life)

1. What does divine revelation tell us about the origin of life? Gen. 2:7, John 1:1–3.

• Gen. 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

• John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

• John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

ANSWER:

• God is the Originator of life.

• Human body came from the dust of the ground

• Human became a living soul when receiving the breath of life

2. What is the breath of life?

• Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils

ANSWER:

• The spirit of God

• Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

• Job 34:14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; Job 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

• Is. 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein

• Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal. 5:23 Meekness, temperance

SOP: Breath of life

• It is God who gives man the breath of life. We cannot originate; we can only collect that which God has originated. He is our guardian, our counsellor; and more than this, from His liberal supply we derive all the skill, tact, and ability that we possess. . . . All you possess is His gift, for you had nothing with which to create or purchase it. It is given you, not to become a wedge to separate you from Him, but to help you in doing His service. {HP 302.3}

• There are many issues in our world today in regard to the Creator not being a personal God. God is a being, and man was made in His image. After God created man in His image, the form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it had no vitality. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human machinery were put in motion. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the perceptions of the mind, the senses, were placed under physical law. It was then that man became a living soul. {TDG 273.3}

• The man who finds in his heart no resemblance to the great moral standard of righteousness, the word of God, has no Christ to confess. His language, his thoughts, are not in harmony with the Spirit of Christ. His profession of faith is a counterfeit. The soul must have the vivifying influence of the breath of life from Christ, in order to reveal that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. {YI, August 25, 1898 par. 5}

• Having brought into the world the great treasures of heaven, owned and created by the eternal God, Christ can give to all eternal life. With His humanity He touches humanity, and with His divinity He firmly grasps divinity. Into man, prostrated, diseased, enfeebled, He can breathe the breath of life, making him a partaker of the divine nature. {ST, October 10, 1900 par. 14}

OBSERVATION:

• The breath of life seems to be connected to the spirit of God.

• The breath of life seems to be connected to the abilities that God gave us.

• The breath of life seems to be connected to vitality and intelligence for man.

• The breath of life seems to be connected to the glory, the character of Jesus.

• The breath of life seems to be connected to the divine nature.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Why God gave us the breath of life based upon above observation?

Physical Education

1. What did God provide for the physical need of first man and woman in the Garden of Eden?

• Gen. 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food

• Gen. 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden

• Gen. 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

• Gen. 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

ANSWER:

• Gen. 2:9 – good food (vegan diet)

• Gen. 2:10 – water (pure water)

• Gen. 2:15 – occupation (physical labor)

• Gen. 2:2 – rest (physically and spiritually rest in God)

DISCUSSION:

• What is the worldly definition for physical education?

Spiritual Life

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

1. What is your understanding of what that above text means? How are we a “new creature” in Jesus?

ANSWER:

• We are God’s new creation. Old man is passed away and we become a new man in Christ.

2. What is an “old man”?

• Eph. 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts

• Col. 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Col. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds

ANSWER:

• Life of deceitful lusts, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and all sinful acts.

3. How do you put off the “old man”?

• Rom. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

ANSWER:

• Must be crucified with Christ.

4. What needs to be crucified with Christ?

• Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

• Gal. 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

ANSWER:

• Selfishness

• Fleshly lusts

5. What did he say regarding how often he needs to be “crucified” or “die” with Christ?

• 1Cor. 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

ANSWER:

• Daily

6. What is a “new man”?

• Eph. 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Eph. 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

• Col. 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

ANSWER:

• Having a new mind

• Created in righteousness and holiness

• Renewed in knowledge after the image of God

Social Life

1. What is the key to successfully managing of our social relationships according to Phil. 2:1–5.?

• Phil. 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

• Phil. 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

• Phil. 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

• Phil. 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

• Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus

ANSWER:

• Humility

2. Read Phil. 2:6-8. What other experiences are connected to humility?

• Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

• Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

• Phil. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

ANSWER:

• Taking no reputation

• Having the attitude of a servant

• Obedient

• Self-sacrificing

Fullness of Life

1. Observe the following text.

• John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

ANSWER:

• Jesus came to give life and to give more abundant life.

2. How can we live more abundant life?

SOP:

• What fullness is expressed in the words, "I am the light of the world." John 8:12. "I am the bread of life." John 6:35. "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6. "I am the good shepherd." John 10:14. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. This life is what we must have, and we must have it more abundantly. God will breathe this life into every soul that dies to self and lives to Christ. But entire self-renunciation is required. Unless this takes place, we carry with us the evil that destroys our happiness. But when self is crucified, Christ lives in us, and the power of the Spirit attends our efforts. {OHC 21.2}

• Genuine faith is life, and where there is life there is growth. The life which Jesus imparts cannot but grow more and more abundantly. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power. He who drinks of the water of life which Jesus gives, possesses within himself a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Though it shall be cut off from all created springs, it is fed from the hidden fountain. It is a perpetual spring, in immediate communication with the inexhaustible fountain of life. {TMK 227.4}

• He [the believer] may die, as Christ died, but the life of the Saviour is in him. His life is hid with Christ in God. "I am come that they might have life," Jesus said, "and that they might have it more abundantly." He carries on the great process by which believers are made one with Him in this present life, to be one with Him throughout all eternity. . . . {Mar 301.3}

• Christ was invested with the right to give immortality. The life which He had laid down in humanity, He again took up and gave to humanity. "I am come," He says, "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). {1SM 302.2}

OBSERVATION:

• In order to live more abundant life, self must be crucified.

• A living faith is required in order to live more abundantly.

• Abundant life also means to receive immortality at the first resurrection.

Apr11-17: Hope

Hope Amid Our World

1. What did Jesus single out as one of the characteristics of the time of the end? Luke 21:25, 26.

• Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

ANSWER:

• Men’s hearts failing them for fear

SOP: What fear?

• My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men's hearts failed them for fear, "and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." {Mar 259.3}

• There will be calamities by land and by sea, "men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. --Manuscript 40, 1897. {3SM 417.4}

• Calamities by land and sea, by fire and flood, by pestilence and famine, by horrible accidents, by earthquakes in divers places, all testify in unmistakable language that the end of all things is at hand, and that great Babylon is coming into remembrance before God. The Lord is even at the door, and men's hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which shall come upon the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. {ST, October 1, 1894 par. 10}

2. Read Luke 21:28.What hope is Jesus offering us amid all the turmoil and fear of the world?

• Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

ANSWER:

• The redemption at the Second Coming of Christ.

3. What type of redemption will Jesus bring at His Second Coming?

• Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

• Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph. 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

• 2Cor. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2Cor. 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 2Cor. 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 2Cor. 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 2Cor. 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

• Rom. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom. 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom. 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

OBSERVATION:

• Eph. 1:13-14 – Sealed with the Holy Spirit is our down payment for our inheritance until redemption.

• 2 Cor. 5:1-5 – The down payment is for immortal life (new body).

• Rom. 8:22-24 – The hope is to receive immortality with a new body. And we can have this hope in us because the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

ANSWER:

• Redemption of our new body that we may live with God forever. This is the greatest hope of all.

Hope – Here and Now

1. What kind of life could we live today if we live in hope?

• Psa. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

• Psa. 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

• Psa. 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy

• Psa. 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psa. 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

• Psa. 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

• Psa. 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments

• Psa. 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

• Psa. 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

• Jer. 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

ANSWER:

• Life of gladness

• Life of courage and strength

• Life of fearing God

• Life of deliverance from transgressions

• Life of healthy countenance

• Life of keeping His commandments

• Life of no shame

• Life of happiness

• Life of being blessed.

Hope Beyond the Grave

1. What is the glorious truth about the reality of death? 1Cor. 15:20–26, 50–55, 1Pet. 1:3.?

• 1Cor. 15:20-26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

• 1Cor. 15:50-55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

• 1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

ANSWER:

• Death will die. We can receive a lively hope of immortality because Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

• Rev. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

2. What kind of life do you have if your hope in Christ is only for present life?

• 1Cor. 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

ANSWER:

• Life of misery

3. Who live a miserable life according to the book of Revelation?

• Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

ANSWER:

• Laodiceans

• NOTE: This word “miserable”, in Greek, it is eleeinos, used only twice in the New Testament; 1 Cor. 15:19 and Rev. 3:17

OBSERVATION:

• It is very possible that the Laodiceans are lukewarm because they live only for the “goods” in this world even though they understand the hope of eternal life.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• How do we live only for this world?

• How can we really live for the hope beyond the grave today?
  
  

Eternal Hope

1. When did God make the promise of the hope of eternal life?

• Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began

ANSWER:

• Before the world began

OBSERVATION:

• Even before the existence of all human race, the hope of eternal life was alive in the heart of God.

2. Who can be made “heirs according to the hope of eternal life”?

• Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

ANSWER:

• Those who are justified by His grace

• EXTRA NOTE: Justification is given to those who by faith fully surrender to God.

• Gal. 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

SOP:

• Genuine faith will be manifested in good works; for good works are the fruits of faith. As God works in the heart, and man surrenders his will to God, and cooperates with God, he works out in the life what God works in by the Holy Spirit, and there is harmony between the purpose of the heart and the practice of the life. Every sin must be renounced as the hateful thing that crucified the Lord of life and glory, and the believer must have a progressive experience by continually doing the works of Christ. It is by continual surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of justification is retained. {1SM 397.1}

• The light given me of God places this important subject above any question in my mind. Justification is wholly of grace and not procured by any works that fallen man can do. The matter has been presented before me in clear lines that if the rich man has money and possessions, and he makes an offering of the same to the Lord, false ideas come in to spoil the offering by the thought he has merited the favor of God, that the Lord is under obligation to him to regard him with special favor because of this gift. {FW 20.1}

OBSERVATION:

• In order to have the hope of eternal life you must be justified by His grace.

• You cannot buy justification by works.

• However the true justification by faith experience has good works. Why? Because in order to be justified, you must surrender fully to God’s will. What would be the natural fruit of a life of total surrender to God’s will?

• Therefore, the eternal hope can be obtainable when the heart is fully surrendered to God.

• Many times we do not surrender to God because we still put our hopes in the things of the world.

Christ Our Hope

1. What is the blessed hope according to Titus 2:13?

• Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

ANSWER:

• The appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

2. Who can truly look for the second coming of Christ as a blessed hope? Observe the previous text.

• Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

OBSERVATION:

• Those who are learning how to live a godly life in this present world.

• If you are living a ungodly life and not care about godly life then the event of the Second Coming of Christ is not be a blessed hope to you.

3. What can teach us to learn how to live a godly life today so that we can look for the blessed hope? Observe the previous text.

• Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

OBSERVATION:

• Grace of God can teach us to live a godly life in this present time.

NOTE:

• We will study much more about God’s grace on Lesson #7.

CONCLUSION:

• Only by God’s grace we can look beyond the grave and hope for the resurrection and to receive new body at the coming of Christ. This hope can be alive in us day to day as we learn to live a life close to the character of God by His grace!!

Apr4-Apr10: Faith

Faith – a Gift From God

1. Faith is a gift from God

SUPPORTING TEXTS:

• Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

• Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

• Rom. 12:3 …recognising that God has given to each one his measure of faith. (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

SOP: Faith is a gift from God

• Faith earns nothing for us; it is the gift of God, which we may receive and cherish by making Christ our personal Saviour. We may refuse the gift, and talk doubts, and become unhappy by cherishing unbelief. {ST, May 19, 1898 par. 14}

• We cannot even manufacture faith ourselves. "It is the gift of God: (Eph. 2:8). The whole of our salvation comes through the gift of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. How glad I am. It comes from such a source that we cannot doubt it. And He is "the author"--does it stop there? Does it stop there? "The author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2). --Manuscript 18, March 4, 1894

• It is impossible to please God without the exercise of genuine, sanctifying faith. We are individually responsible for our faith. True faith is not a faith that will fail under test and trial; it is the gift of God to His people. --The Review and Herald, Sept, 30, 1909. {2SM 375.2}

The Basis of Our Faith

1. What is the basis of our faith according to Rom. 10:17?

• Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

ANSWER:

• Hearing by the word of God

EXTRA NOTE:

• Notice how the centurion’s faith was based upon the word of Jesus.

• Matt. 8:8 … but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

• Matt. 8:10 …Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

2. What does it mean “hearing by the word”?

• 189. akoe, ak-o-ay´; from 191; hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard): — audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor.

• 191. akouo, ak-oo´-o; a primary verb; to hear (in various senses): — give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.

• John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

ANSWER:

• To understand the word of God

3. What is Greek definition for faith?

ANSWER:

• 4102. pistis, pis´-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: — assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

OBSERVATION:

• Faith has two major elements; trust and believe

• Trust is connected to our emotional being. In order to trust something or someone, you need to be connected emotionally first. This is dealing with our feelings.

• Believe is connected to our intellectual being. In order to believe something or someone, you need to be convinced first. This is dealing with our thoughts.

• Therefore our thoughts and feelings connected to the way we exercise our faith.

• Since our faith comes from understanding of the word of God, that understanding should affect the way we should feel and think.

• Faith is not based upon your own feelings but it is based upon the word of God. Therefore your faith should be based upon the feelings and thoughts of the word of God.

Exercising Faith

1. According to Galatians 5:6, how does faith work?

• Gal. 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

ANSWER:

• Love

2. What is love according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8?

• 1Cor. 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1Cor. 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1Cor. 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1Cor. 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

ANSWER: Love is…

• Suffering long

• Kind

• Envying not

• Vaunting (boast) not

• Not puffed up

• Does not behave unseemly

• Seeking not your own

• Not easily provoked

• Thinking no evil

• Rejoicing not in iniquity

• Rejoicing in the truth

• Bearing all things

• Believing all things

• Hoping all things

• Enduring all things

OBSREVATION:

• Therefore when you exercise your faith based upon the understanding of the word of God then by faith you will be able to…

• Suffer long

• Be kind

• Envy not

• Vaunt (boast) not

• Not puffed up

• Behave seemly

• Seek not your own

• Not easily provoked

• Think no evil

• Rejoice not in iniquity

• Rejoice in the truth

• Bear all things

• Believe all things

• Hope all things

• Endure all things

Growing in Faith

1. What other experiences are connected when you grow in faith according to 2Thess. 1:3-4?

2Th. 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 2Th. 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure

ANSWER:

• Abound in charity

• Patience

• Endurance

OBSERVATION:

• Notice the characteristics of the last day people in Rev. 14:12

• Patience of the saints

• Keep the …faith of Jesus

2. How could our faith be increased according to Luke 17:5-6?

• Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

ANSWER:

• Our faith will grow if we have faith as a “grain of mustard seed”

3. What kind of faith is as a grain of mustard seed?

• Matt. 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

SOP:

• In order to succeed in such a conflict they must come to the work in a different spirit. Their faith must be strengthened by fervent prayer and fasting, and humiliation of heart. They must be emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power of God. Earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith--faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work--can alone avail to bring men the Holy Spirit's aid in the battle against principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in high places. {DA 431.2}

• "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," said Jesus, "ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove." Though the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God's word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. "Nothing shall be impossible unto you." {DA 431.3}

Faith in a Person

1. It is dangerous to believe in false doctrines. Observe the following texts.

• Matt. 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

• Matt. 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

• Rom. 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

• Eph. 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

• Col. 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

• 1Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils

• Heb. 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

• 2John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed

• Rev. 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

2. Jesus spent much time giving the correct doctrine. Observe the following texts.

• Matt. 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.

• Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces

• John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

OBSERVATION:

• It is important to understand the doctrines of the Bible.

• Correct understanding of the doctrines of the Bible helps us to understand God in the right way.

• Let’s us not separate between Jesus and the doctrines of the Bible.

• Jesus did not belittle the importance of the intellectual and the spiritual understanding of the doctrines of the Bible.

• See how main doctrines are closely connected to Jesus.

• Sabbath doctrine helps us to understand that Jesus is the Creator

• Sanctuary doctrine helps us to understand that Jesus is the atonement and the High Priest

• State of the dead helps us to understand that Jesus really did die on the cross

• The Spirit of Prophecy helps us to understand the testimony of Jesus

• Second Coming helps us to understand that how Jesus will come back