Mar27-Apr2: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Teaching Points

1. How did God create all things?  

ANSWER:

• Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, etc.—God spoke things into existence.
• Psa. 33:6-9—God spoke everything into existence. 

2. In what areas can we see God’s love for man at creation?  

ANSWER:

• Gen. 2:7—God formed man—touch and breathed into his nose—close intimate relation.
• God took more time and care in creating man which showed His love.   

3. How did/does God show His love in response to the sin problem?

ANSWER:

• John 3:16—God gave Jesus.
• 1 Pet. 18-20—the plan of salvation was in place before the foundation of the world.
• Rev. 13:8—Jesus is considered as if He died in the beginning for our salvation—His death was that sure.

4. What did God risk for our salvation?

ANSWER:

• Heb. 1:1-3—Jesus created all things and upholds all things by His word. In other words Jesus keeps everything existing by His word.
• If Jesus had failed and fallen than “all things” would have been lost.
• God risked all creation to save man.

OBSERVATION:

• God reveals His great love for us in both creation and redemption.
• Before sin there was a plan set in place for our salvation.
• This was a risky plan but our loving God was willing to risk all for you and me.
• He loves us!

5. Who is man? And how much interest does God take in us?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 144:3, 4—Man’s life is short and quickly passes away but yet God knows us and keeps record of us.
• Mat. 10:33—God knows the number of hair on our head.
• Psa. 56:8—God knows our life and puts our tears in His book.
• Psa. 139:2, 3—God knows when we sit down and get up—everything!
• Think of the vastness of the universe in comparison to our world and yet God still cares so much about us!   

6. What attitude will fill our hearts as we think about God’s loving care and the amazing way He made us?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 139:6—Amazement at God’s understanding and care.
• Psa. 139:17—God’s thoughts are precious toward us.
• Psa. 139: 14—I will praise you because of the wonderful way you created me!

7. How does this attitude of praise and thankful joy affect our health?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 42:11—Praise aids in victory over depression.
• Pro. 17:22—A glad or cheerful heart makes the bones healthy.
• Neh. 8:10—The joy of the Lord is our strength.

OBSERVATION:

• Our creator knows every detail of our lives.
• Even though our lives are for a very short time God still centers His attention on us.
• When we begin to dwell on Christ’s amazing love and care seen both in our creation and the plan of salvation it should fill our hearts with praise and we can join the Psalmist in exclaiming, “I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”
• Praise, cheerfulness, thankfulness, and joy actually aid in keeping our bodies healthy! They give us strength and energy and healthy bones and blood.                                                                                               

THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

• If your bones are weak and dry can you be healthy?
• How does feeling loved and cared for aid in health?
• If we do not realized God’s love and care for us and feel rejected by others is it likely that we will stay healthy long?
• What evidences of God’s love and care can you dwell on today? 

8.  Who is the source of health?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 43:5—God gives health to our countenance.
•  Pro. 3:5-8—Trust in the Lord and acknowledging Him in all our ways, not trusting in our own ways brings health.
• Pro. 4:22—Listening to and obeying God’s word gives life and health. 

OBSERVATION:

• God is the source of true, vibrant health.  
• It is by trusting in the Lord—not ourselves—and listening to and obey His Word that we can experience the very best health.

SOP

• The view held by some that spirituality is a detriment to health, is the sophistry of Satan. The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of either body or mind. The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid. The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of inestimable happiness. Religion is a continual wellspring, from which the Christian can drink at will and never exhaust the fountain.  {CH 28.1}
•   Promote Health and Long Life.--Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. "A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22).--MH 241 (1905).  {2MCP 647.3} 
• A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health.--RH, Mar 11, 1880. (ML 150.)  {2MCP 648.1} 
• Result of Obedience to Physical Laws.--Health, life, and happiness are the result of obedience to physical laws governing our bodies. If our will and way are in accordance with God's will and way; if we do the pleasure of our Creator, He will keep the human organism in good condition and restore the moral, mental, and physical powers in order that He may work through us to His glory. Constantly His restoring power is manifested in our bodies. If we cooperate with Him in this work, health and happiness, peace and usefulness, are the sure results. --MS 151, 1901. (1BC 1118.)  {2MCP 648.2} 
• In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God must know themselves. They must understand in regard to their own physical frames, that they may be able with the psalmist to exclaim, "I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." They should ever have the appetite in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.  {CD 33.1} 

 CONCLUSION:

• God created us with love and tender care. Before sin can God had a plan set in place for our salvation because of his great love.
• It is by beholding Christ’s love for us in our creation and redemption our hearts may be filled with praise.            
• As we learn to trust in Him with all our hearts and listen and obey His word God will give us abundant health.
• God our creator is the only source of complete health and true joy.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Are you beholding Christ’s love in creating you and His plan to save you?
• Are you looking everywhere but to God and His word for health?
• Do you trust Jesus to have full control of your life by faith?
• Are you seeking to align your life with the principles of health in God’s word through Christ?
• Are you pleading for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of God’s word?
• Are you experiencing joy and salvation in Christ which leads to vibrant health?
• Are you meditating day and night on God’s word?

Mar20-26: The Fruit of the Spirit: The Essence of Christian Character

Teaching Points

1. What were we created for? 

ANSWER:

• Isaiah 43:7—we were created for God’s glory.

2. What is God’s glory?  

ANSWER:

• Exodus 33:18-19—God showed Moses His glory: goodness, mercy, name, and graciousness—His character. 

3. How did we fail to reveal God’s glorious character in our lives?

ANSWER:

• Romans 3:23—All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. 

4. What does God call us to today?

ANSWER:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, etc. —His glory.
• 1 Peter 5:10—His eternal glory.  

OBSERVATION:

• We were created to reflect God’s glory, which is His character.
• Because of sin we fall short, or miss the mark, of revealing God’s glory.
• God wants to restore us to that glory.   

5. How does God plan to do this marvelous change in us?

ANSWER:

• John 1:14—Christ became flesh so we could behold God’s character.
• John 17:24—Christ revealed God’s glory
• 2 Corinthians 3:18—Beholding this glory by faith through the mirror of God’s word (James 1:23-25) we are changed from character to character.  

6. What do we see in Jesus’ face?

ANSWER:

• 2 Corinthians 4:6—The light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

7. What does Satan use to blind us so we can’t see this light?

ANSWER:

• 2 Corinthians 4:4—Through unbelief.

8. Which God is this that reveals this light? What are two things about God that Satan is trying to hide from us?  

ANSWER:

• 2 Corinthians 4:6—The God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness.
• When did God command light to shine out of darkness? Genesis 1:1-3.
• #1) Satan does not want us to believe in God’s creative power because God wants to recreate our hearts and Satan does not want this!   
• #2) Satan is trying to hide the light of the knowledge of God—who God is.

OBSERVATION:

• God wants to transform us by revealing His character in Christ Jesus.
• When we behold Jesus by faith in His word, He can change us into His character.
• What we see in Jesus face is the light of the knowledge of God—this involves the action of the mind to understand—its not just a good feeling but it is an deepening understanding of the character of God which leads to a deep love/respect relationship with God.
• Satan wants to blind our minds to the truth about God’s character and creative power to transform us. 

THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

• Outside of Jesus is there any other way to know God’s character?
• What do we behold in Jesus that causes us to change?
• If we are not being changed are we truly beholding Jesus?
• If we are not being changed is it possible that we are blinded by Satan to God’s true character and His creative power?
• How can we cooperate in this process?

8.  What things are key ingredients that we need in order to experience God’s character?

ANSWER:

• Bible Study: Behold Jesus through the word—John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17—Scripture is our guide and teacher and is able to make a man perfect. Meditate on God’s word (day and night): Psalm 1:2, Psalm 63:6.
•  Earnest seeking God through prayer and Bible study: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 5:6.
• The Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us: John 16:13, 15:26.
• Right thoughts: Philippians 4:8; especially meditating on Christ.

9.  The fruits of the spirit are the essence of Christian character. What have we learned is the key to experiencing these fruits? 

ANSWER:

• John 15:4-6—We must abide in Christ or have a living experience, moment by moment, relationship with Christ.

10.  What can stand in the way of our transformation and relationship with Christ? 

ANSWER:

• Romans 12:2—We must not be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our mind.
• 1 John 2:15—The love of the world will prevent us from experiencing the love of God.
• James 4:4—Spiritual adultery of friendship with the world. 

OBSERVATION:

• Earnest Bible study and prayer, the Holy Spirit, and guarding our thoughts is key to developing a deep loving relationship with Christ. 
• The fruits of the Spirit make up the essence of Christian character. These fruits are all found in Christ. A living abiding relationship with Christ will enable us to have the fruits of the Spirit.
• If we are not manifesting the fruits of the Spirit in our lives than we are not abiding in Christ.
• Loving the world prevents us from experiencing the transformation of character we need and prevents us from having a deep love/ respect relationship with Christ so vital to bearing fruit.

SOP:

• Merely to hear or to read the word is not enough. He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures must meditate upon the truth that has been presented to him. By earnest attention and prayerful thought he must learn the meaning of the words of truth, and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles.  {COL 59.5} 
• God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of Scriptures.  {COL 60.1} 
• "And bring forth fruit." Those who, having heard the word, keep it, will bring forth fruit in obedience. The word of God, received into the soul, will be manifest in good works. Its results will be seen in a Christlike character and life. Christ said of Himself, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8. "I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." John 5:30. And the Scripture says, "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.  {COL 60.2} I beg of you to institute the inquiry, How many of you have the Holy Spirit of God, represented as oil in the vessel with the lamp. Here is the light; you have the truth, the precious gems of truth offered to you--the glorious unfolding of the truth from the Word of God. The coming of the Lord is presented before you, "Prepare to meet thy God." This subject is not dwelt upon half as much as it should be; preparation is essential. God has not given us any time to stop.  {1SAT 181.1}
• There are few who rightly appreciate or improve the precious privilege of prayer. We should go to Jesus and tell Him all our needs. We may bring Him our little cares and perplexities as well as our greater troubles. Whatever arises to disturb or distress us, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. When we feel that we need the presence of Christ at every step, Satan will have little opportunity to intrude his temptations. It is his studied effort to keep us away from our best and most sympathizing friend. We should make no one our confidant but Jesus. We can safely commune with Him of all that is in our hearts. Brethren and sisters, when you assemble for social worship, believe that Jesus meets with you; believe that He is willing to bless you. Turn the eye away from self; look unto Jesus, talk of His matchless love. By beholding Him you will become changed into His likeness. When you pray, be brief, come right to the point. Do not preach the Lord a sermon in your long prayers. Ask for the bread of life as a hungry child asks bread of his earthly father. God will bestow upon us every needed blessing if we ask Him in simplicity and faith. {CCh 294.1} 

 CONCLUSION:

• God created us to reflect the beauty of His character to the world. Because of sin we fail to do this. But God has a plan to restore us through Christ.
• It is by beholding Christ or dwelling intently on Christ, that we can become changed in character like Him.            
• Unbelief can prevent us from seeing the beauty of the knowledge of God’s character and His creative power to recreate us in His image.
• God wants us to develop an understanding, deep, love/ respect relationship with Him.
• Earnestly we should seek God through prayer and diligent Bible study, meditating constantly (day and night) on Him.
• The Holy Spirit is the agent God uses to teach us truth and guide in our relationship with Christ.
• A living relationship with Christ is the key to developing the fruits of the Sprit.
• The love of the world and conforming to it will prevent us from having this love relationship with Christ and developing the fruits of the Spirit.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Are you beholding Christ earnestly longing to become like Him in character?
• Where are your thoughts? Are you constantly thinking about things of the world or are you constantly thinking about heavenly things?
• Do you trust Jesus to have full control of your life by faith?
• Are you seeking to align your life with the principles of God’s word through Christ?
• Are you pleading for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of God’s word?
• Do others see that you have been with Jesus or do they see a person just like the world?
• Are you meditating day and night on God’s word?

Mar13-19: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Truth

Teaching Points

1. Read John 14:6 and consider the following questions.

QUESTIONS:

• Who is the truth?
• Is there any other way to truth
• In order to have truth what must we have?
• Can you have truth without Jesus?

2. Read John 17:17 and consider the following questions.  

QUESTIONS:

• By what are we sanctified?
• What is truth?
• How does this correlate with John 14:6?
• Who is the Word?
• Is all of God’s word truth or only part? 

3. What is the definition of Truth?

ANSWER:

• Strong’s Hebrew: H571—Stability, certainty, trustworthiness, right, faithfulness; H530—firmness, stability, security, fidelity, truly, verily. 
• Strong’s Greek: G225—true, truly, verity, not concealing.
• The Quarterly gives a very good working definition.

OBSERVATION:

• Truth is found in Jesus. It is by a close relationship to Christ that we can know truth.
• Bible truths have their foundation and true definition in Christ. He is the center and sole source of all truth.
• Christ lived the truth and the only way to come to our Father is by Christ. There is no other door to heaven.   

4. Where does God want truth?

ANSWER:

• Psalm 15:2; 51:6—in the inside or in the heart (mind).   

5. What role can truth play for us?

ANSWER:

• Psalm 91:4—it is a shield of protection.

6. What is God’s law?

ANSWER:

• Psalm 119: 142, 151—God’s law is truth.

7. What does God want to write in our minds?

ANSWER:

• Hebrews 8:10—God’s law is truth.
• Psalm 37:30-31—The righteous man has God’s law in his heart which keeps him from slipping.  

OBSERVATION:

• Christ wants the truth to be written in our hearts so that we love it and will not turn from it.
• The truth in our hearts is like a hedge of protection or a shield in battle.
• God’s law is truth and protection to us.
• God wants to write His laws in our hearts and minds so that we will love His laws and they will be a guide to our feet.                                                                                           

THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

• Outside of Jesus is there any other way to know truth?
• With this Biblical definition of truth can truth be subjective or is Bible truth absolute?
• Why is it necessary for us to have God’s laws written in our hearts?
• How does a loving relationship with Jesus aid in understanding and applying truth?
• Can we safely separate the truth from Christ?
• Why is it vital to present all our Bible doctrines centered around Christ?
• In the last days why is it important that we have absolute truth to base our faith on?
• How can we cooperate in this process? 

8.  Can we know truth and what is the condition of knowing truth?

ANSWER:

• John 8:31-32—We can know the truth if we continue in Christ’s words. This has the idea of both doing the word and continuing to “stay in” or to study the word constantly. 

9.  What special aid does Christ offer to teach us truth? 

ANSWER:

• John 16:13, 15:26—The Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit) guides us into all truth and testifies about Jesus, the truth. 

OBSERVATION:

• The Bible tells us we can know truth. The condition is to immerse ourselves in God’s word and bring our lives into conformity to God’s will with Christ’s strength.
• We need the Holy Spirit to teach us truth. This is why Christ told us about Him.
• The Holy Spirit (if we ask with open heart) will guide us into all truth.
• He “testifies” or gives us a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jesus the truth.  

SOP:

• The gems of truth become dimmed in our possession unless we are increasing in love for the truth, and practicing that faith which works by love and purifieth the soul. The gems of truth grow lusterless to the receiver unless put to a practical use. Hearts must be softened and subdued by the Spirit of God, receiving the truth in the soil of an humble, contrite heart. Isaiah 57:15-19. They will be active, and willing to be refined, longing to be purified and ennobled by the truth. And thus they show its power upon human minds by what it accomplishes for the receiver. If the teachers of the truth think their own ways are perfect and, begin to criticize the messenger the Lord sends, be sure you will reap that which you have sown. You will reap the fruit born of your criticism.  {1SAT 157.2}
• I beg of you to institute the inquiry, How many of you have the Holy Spirit of God, represented as oil in the vessel with the lamp. Here is the light; you have the truth, the precious gems of truth offered to you--the glorious unfolding of the truth from the Word of God. The coming of the Lord is presented before you, "Prepare to meet thy God." This subject is not dwelt upon half as much as it should be; preparation is essential. God has not given us any time to stop.  {1SAT 181.1}
• It is only at the altar of God that we kindle the taper with holy fire. It is only the divine light that will reveal the littleness, the incompetence, of human ability, and give clear, distinct views of the perfection and purity of Jesus Christ. It is only as we view His righteousness that we hunger and thirst to possess it, and ask in earnest prayer, in humility and simplicity, as a little child asks an earthly parent for some good thing, that God will grant unto us our heart's desire. Such prayer is heard and answered. The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that earnestly desire it than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. Christ has promised the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and righteousness and holiness. The Holy Spirit is not given by measure to those who earnestly seek for it, who by faith stand upon the promises of God. They plead the pledged word of God, saying, "Thou hast said it. I take Thee at Thy word."  {1SAT 273.1} 

 CONCLUSION:

• Truth is more than just knowing a set of Bible doctrines. It is knowing the man behind the message: Jesus Christ. This knowledge gives Biblical teachings their proper place and sheds a clearer light and deeper meaning on them.  
• Jesus is the only source of truth. .
• A close, loving relationship with Christ is the only way we can fully understand truth and have eternal life.
• God has given us His word and His law to be like a shield of protection for us and a guide to our feet.
• We can know truth if we will “continue” in Christ’s word.
• The Holy Spirit is the agent God uses to teach us truth and guide in our relationship with Christ.
• In order for God’s law to benefit us, God needs to write it in our hearts.
• We must seek this asking God to write His law in our hearts and give us an appreciation and love for His standard of truth.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Do you really know Jesus?
• Do you love Jesus so much that you would die before sining?
• Are you centering your understanding and presentation of the Biblical doctrine in Christ?
• Are you seeking to align your life with the principles of God’s word through Christ?
• Are you pleading for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of God’s word?
• Are you diligently, daily “continuing” in the word to know Christ and His will?