AY Program Idea: Be the One

Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” Genesis 18:32

The story of the ten lepers found in Luke 17:11-19, tells us of how only one came back to give thanks.

Of the ten lepers who were cleansed, only one appreciated the gift, and he was a stranger and a Samaritan. For the sake of that one, Christ healed the ten. Ministry of Healing, 134.5

Oh, how important it is that every one shall consider where he is leading souls. We are in view of the eternal world, and how diligently we should count the cost of our influence. Messages to Young People, 31.2

Your influence may be such as to contaminate others, and you may be the cause of ruining those whom you might have brought to Christ. You may lead from Christ, from right, from holiness, and from heaven. In the judgment, the lost may point to you and say,  “If it had not been for his influence, I would not have stumbled and made a mock of religion. He had light, he knew the way to heaven. I was ignorant, and went blindfolded on my way to destruction.” 

O, what answer can we give to such a charge? We should not drop eternity out of our reckoning, but accustom ourselves to ask continually, Will this course be pleasing to God? What will be the influence of my action upon the minds of those who have had much less light and evidence as to what is right? (MYP 31.2) MC 

Activity: Our program idea for this Sabbath will be about how our influence can affect others and ourselves. And how this influence can shape our destiny.

Group the congregation according to class or seating arrangement. Assign a leader and a secretary. Allot some time for the group to answer the following questions.

Group 1: Achan (Joshua 7)

Questions:

1. How did Achan’s sin affect the Israelites?
2. What can we learn from Achan’s story?
3. How can we make sure we become good influencers?

Group 2: Jonah

Questions:

1. How did Jonah’s decision affect the people around him?
2. What can we learn from Jonah’s life?
3. How can we make sure we become good influencers?

Group 3: Little Lad (John 6:9)

1. How did the little lad’s lunch affect the people around him?
2. What can we learn from the parable?
3. How can we make sure we become good influencers?

Group 4: Rahab

1. How did the bravery of Rahab affect the life of the people around her?
2. What can we learn from Rahab’s story?
3. How can we make sure we become good influencers?

Group 5: Esther

1. How did Esther’s bravery affect the people around her?
2. What can we learn from Esther’s story?
3. How can we make sure we become good influencers?

Optional characters: Jesus, Ruth, Daniel, Lot, Jacob.

Highlights:

The tragic life of Achan teaches us that we cannot hide our sins from the Lord. During the destruction and occupation of Jericho, however, one Israelite man named Achan disobeyed and took of the spoils for himself, and “the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel” (Josh. 7:1). Joshua was not aware of what Achan had done or that his presence in the camp had caused the Lord to withdraw His support from the people.

Achan’s sin had caused Israel to suffer. So also can the sins of even a few individuals in a family, a congregation, or a nation have a negative, even calamitous, effect on others.

For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!  For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:15, 17, 19

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

The life of Christ was an ever-widening, shoreless influence, an influence that bound Him to God and to the whole human family. Through Christ, God has invested man with an influence that makes it impossible for him to live to himself. Individually we are connected with our fellow men, a part of God’s great whole, and we stand under mutual obligations.

No man can be independent of his fellow men; for the well-being of each affects others. It is God’s purpose that each shall feel himself necessary to others’ welfare, and seek to promote their happiness. 

Every uttered word exerts an influence, every action involves a train of responsibility. No one can live to himself in this world, even if he would.

Each one forms a part of the great web of humanity, and through our individual threads of influence we are linked to the universe. Christ used his influence to draw men to God, and he left us an example of the way in which we should speak and act.

A person who is molded by the Spirit of God will know how to speak a “word in season to him that is weary,” and will realize the highest human blessedness,—the joy of imparting to others the precious treasures of the wisdom and grace of Christ. But those who permit themselves to be controlled by the enemy of all good will speak words which should never be uttered.—The Review and Herald, February 16, 1897 . 

The influence of a thoughtless word may affect a soul’s eternal destiny. Every person is exerting an influence upon the lives of others. We must either be as a light to brighten and cheer their path, or as a desolating tempest to destroy.

We are either leading our associates upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal ruin. No man will perish alone in his iniquity. However contracted may be one’s sphere of influence, it is exerted either for good or for evil.—Testimonies for the Church 4:654.

Romans 14:7: For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 

Every act of our lives affects others for good or evil. Our influence is tending upward or downward; it is felt, acted upon, and to a greater or less degree reproduced by others.

If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence upon others, and thus hundreds and thousands are affected by our unconscious influence.

If we by acts strengthen or force into activity the evil powers possessed by those around us, we share their sin, and will have to render an account for the good we might have done them and did not do, because we made not God our strength, our guide, our counselor.—Testimonies for the Church 2:133. 

You may never know the result of your influence from day to day, but be sure that it is exerted for good or evil.

Many who have a kind heart and good impulses, permit their attention to be absorbed in worldly business or pleasure, while the souls that look to them for guidance drift on to hopeless wreck. Such persons may make a high profession, and may stand well in the opinion of men, even as Christians, but in the day of God, when our works shall be compared with the divine law, then it will be found that they have not come up to the standard. Others who saw their course fell a little below them; and still others fell below the latter class, and thus the work of degeneracy went on.

We may be the only Bible some people may read.

Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, and another, and another; and as they increase, the circle widens until they reach the very shore. Thus our influence, though apparently insignificant, may continue to extend far beyond our knowledge or control.—The Review and Herald, January 24, 1882 .

Let your influence be persuasive, binding people to your hearts because you love Jesus. These precious souls are his purchased possession. This is a great work! If, by your Christlike words and actions, you make impressions that will kindle in their hearts a hungering and thirsting after righteousness and truth, you are co-laborers with Christ. Purity of thought must be cherished as indispensable to the work of influencing others.

It is the privilege of every true Christian to exert an influence for good over every one with whom he associates.—Testimonies for the Church 2:231. 

Psalm 51:10, 13: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me…. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 

The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not realize that they are doing any special good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessing that will widen and deepen, and the blessed results they may never know until the day of final reward.

They do not feel or know they are doing anything great. They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success. They have only to go forward quietly, doing faithfully the work that God’s providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain. Their own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ; they are workers together with God in this life, and are thus fitting for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come.—Steps to Christ, 95.

This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has an influence. 

Upon the impression thus made there hang results for good or evil which no man can measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know not whither.

If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed. 

As followers of Christ we should make our words such as to be a help and an encouragement to one another in the Christian life. . . . We should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour’s love. Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving. . . .

We should speak of Christ to those who know Him not. We should do as Christ did. . . . He spoke of the things pertaining to the higher life. The things of nature, the events of daily life, were bound up by Him with the words of truth.

So it should be with us. Wherever we are, we should watch for opportunities of speaking to others of the Saviour. If we follow Christ’s example in doing good, hearts will open to us as they did to Him.

Will you be the one?

AY Program Idea: Spiritual Stagnation

Many who have an intelligent knowledge of the truth, and are able to defend it by arguments, are doing nothing for the up building of Christ’s kingdom.

We meet them from time to time, but they bear no fresh testimonies of personal experience in the Christian life; they relate no new victories gained in the holy warfare.

Instead of this, you notice the same old routine, the same expressions in prayer and exhortation. Their prayers have no new note; they express no greater intelligence in the things of God, no more earnest, living faith.

Such persons are not living plants in the garden of the Lord, sending forth fresh shoots and new foliage, and the grateful fragrance of a holy life.

They are not growing Christians. They have limited views and plans, and there is no expansion of mind, no valuable additions to the treasures of Christian knowledge.

Their powers have not been taxed in this direction. They have not learned to view men and things as God views them, and in many cases unsanctified sympathy has injured souls and greatly crippled the cause of God.

The spiritual stagnation that prevails is terrible. Many lead a formal Christian life and claim that their sins have been forgiven, when they are as destitute of any real knowledge of Christ as is the sinner. {5T 264.3}

A stagnant pool soon becomes offensive, but a flowing brook spreads health and gladness over the land. The one is a symbol of the idle, the other of the industrious. {CT 275.2}

Mark that pool which receives the showers of heaven but has no outlet. It is a blessing to no one, but in stagnant selfishness poisons the air around.

Now look at the stream flowing from the mountainside, refreshing the thirsty land through which it passes.

What blessing it brings! One would think that in giving so liberally, it would exhaust its resources. But not so.

It is a part of God’s great plan that the stream that gives shall never lack; and day by day and year by year it flows on its way, ever receiving and ever giving. {ML 223.4}

There should be an earnest desire in the heart of every youth who has purposed to be a disciple of Jesus Christ to reach the highest Christian standard, to be a worker with Christ.

If he makes it his aim to be of that number who shall be presented faultless before the throne of God, he will be continually advancing.

The only way to remain steadfast is to progress daily in divine life. Faith will increase if, when brought in contact with doubts and obstacles, it overcomes them.

True sanctification is progressive. If you are growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will improve every privilege and opportunity to gain more knowledge of the life and character of Christ.

Activity:

Create groups from the congregation, they can group according to class or according to age. Allot a given time for groups to discuss the following questions below. After the allotted time, allow them to share their discussion answers to the rest of the audience.

Questions:

1. What are the signs that we are spiritually stagnant?
2. What are the cause of the stagnation?
3. How can we remedy this status?
4. What does a healthy spiritual life look like?
5. Why is it important to grow spiritually in Christ?

Highlights and Conclusion:

If the Christian minister receives the golden oil, he has life; and where there is life, there is no stagnation, no dwarfed experience.

There is constant growth to the full stature of Christ Jesus. If we have a deep, growing experience in heavenly things, we walk with the Lord, as did Enoch.

Instead of consenting to the propositions of Satan, there is the most earnest prayer for the heavenly anointing, that we may distinguish the right, the heaven born, from the common. {TM 338.2}

There is cheap religion in abundance, but there is no such thing as cheap Christianity.

Self may figure largely in a false religion, but it cannot appear in Christian experience. You are workers together with God.

“Without Me,” said Christ, “ye can do nothing.”

We cannot be shepherds of the flock unless we are divested of our own peculiar habits, manners, and customs, and come into Christ’s likeness. When we eat His flesh and drink His blood, then the element of eternal life will be found in the ministry. There will not be a fund of stale, oft-repeated ideas. There will be a new perception of truth. {TM 339.2}

Had some men of limited ideas been on the ground, they would have opened their eyes in horror. Like Judas, they would have asked: “To what purpose is this waste?” “Why not make everything in the cheapest manner?”

But the sanctuary was not designed to honor man, but the God of heaven. He had given specific directions how everything was to be done. The people were to be taught that He was a being of greatness and majesty, and that He was to be worshiped with reverence and awe. {5T 268.2}

Hebrews 3:14, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.

THE KEYWORD IS CONTINUE and GROW.

It is important to continue.

The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. Again, it is compared to the germination of the good seed sown by the husbandman. In like manner those who are just converted to Christ are, “as new-born babes,” to “grow up” to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:15. Or like the good seed sown in the field, they are to grow up and bring forth fruit. Isaiah says that they shall “be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.

Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live.

So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is “born from above,” he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give. John 3:3

CONTINUE IN FAITH

We need to be vigilant against the devices of Satan. When trials and temptations beset us, trust more to Christ. Before we can hope, we must first believe.

The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature.

No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life —air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him. He is their “everlasting light,” “a sun and shield.” Isaiah 60:19; Psalm 84:11. He shall be as “the dew unto Israel.” “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.” Hosea 14:5; Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, “the Bread of God . . . which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” John 6:33.

As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.

Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?”

In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.”

“The just shall live by faith.” Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour.

You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given [p. 70] yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking.

You are to give all,—your heart, your will, your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all,—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper,—to give you power to obey.

Other references to use: 1 Corinthians 16:13, Colossians 1:23, Philippians 4:6, Matthew 16:24, James 1:3

CONTINUE IN LOVE

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust.

Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ.

Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in [p. 71] His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love —this is the subject for the soul’s contemplation.

It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.

Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites,”Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

The words of the psalmist express the same thought: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” And Isaiah gives the assurance, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15.

This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: “Take My yoke upon you: . . . and ye shall find rest.” Matthew 11:29. The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

Other references to use: 1 Corinthians 16:14, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:14, Ecclesiastes 12:13

CONTINUE IN UNITY

The prayer of Christ is unity, unity in the platform of truth.

When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ.

The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to [p. 72] gain the victory.

We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength.

Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears.

Say with the apostle Paul, “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.” Galatians 2:20.

Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.

CONTINUE IN SERVICE

Love cannot long exist without expression, Jesus was an example of service. In service there is humility, in service there is labor.

Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.”

This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.

When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself. Satan will constantly present allurements to induce us to break this tie—to choose to separate ourselves from Christ.

Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may entice us to choose another master; for we are always free to do this. But let us keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, and He will preserve us. Looking unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. In constantly beholding Him, we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

 CONTINUE IN OBEDIENCE and DISCIPLESHIP

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

It was thus that the early disciples gained their likeness to the dear Saviour. When those disciples heard the words of Jesus, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They [p. 73] were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field.

They were with Him as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from His lips lessons of holy truth. They looked to Him, as servants to their master, to learn their duty. Those disciples were men “subject to like passions as we are.” James 5:17. They had the same battle with sin to fight. They needed the same grace, in order to live a holy life.

Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Saviour, did not naturally possess that loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries.

But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love.

Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart.

The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.

When Christ ascended to heaven, the sense of His presence was still with His followers. It was a [p. 74] personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was still upon His lips, been taken up from them into heaven, and the tones of His voice had come back to them, as the cloud of angels received Him—”Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20.

He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that He was before the throne of God, their Friend and Saviour still; that His sympathies were unchanged; that He was still identified with suffering humanity. He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood, showing His wounded hands and feet, in remembrance of the price He had paid for His redeemed. They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them, and that He would come again and take them to Himself.

What shall we do to inherit eternal life?  

He said unto him, what is written in the law? How readest thou?  

Luke 10:27, And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.  

 Luke10:28        And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

As the disciples met together after the ascension of Jesus, they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23, 24.

They extended the hand of faith higher and higher with the mighty argument, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34. And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter, of whom [p. 75] Christ had said, He “shall be in you.”

And He had further said, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” John 14:17; 16:7. Henceforth through the Spirit,

Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them. The light, and love, and power of the indwelling Christ shone out through them, so that men, beholding, “marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13.

All that Christ was to the disciples, He desires to be to His children today; for in that last prayer, with the little band of disciples gathered about Him, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” John 17:20.

Jesus prayed for us, and He asked that we might be one with Him, even as He is one with the Father. What a union is this! The Saviour has said of Himself, “The Son can do nothing of Himself;” “the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” John 5:19; 14:10.

Then if Christ is dwelling in our hearts, He will work in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. We shall work as He worked; we shall manifest the same spirit. And thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall “grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15.

So grow! In faith, in love, in unity, in obedience in service.

As with life, so it is with growth. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit.

As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.

It is the privilege of the young, as they grow in Jesus, to grow in spiritual grace and knowledge. We may know more and more of Jesus through an interested searching of the Scriptures, and then following the ways of truth and righteousness therein revealed. Those who are ever growing in grace will be steadfast in the faith, and moving forward.

Faith in Jesus will grow as you become better acquainted with your Redeemer by dwelling upon His spotless life and His infinite love. You cannot dishonor God more than to profess to be His disciple while you keep at a distance from Him, and are not fed and nourished by His Holy Spirit. When you are growing in grace, you will love to attend religious meetings, and you will gladly bear testimony of the love of Christ before the congregation. God, by His grace, can make the young man prudent, and He can give to the children knowledge and experience. They can grow in grace daily.

As long as we continue to keep our eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith, we shall be safe. But our affections must be placed upon things above, not on things of the earth. By faith we must rise higher and still higher in the attainment of the graces of Christ. By daily contemplating His matchless charms, we must grow more and more into His glorious image. While we thus live in communion with Heaven, Satan will lay his nets for us in vain.

AY Program Idea: A Jar of Oil

Elisha could see that the young widow was desperate. She threw herself at the old prophet’s feet and sobbed, “The creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves!” The woman’s husband had died unexpectedly and left her with a huge debt.

In Bible times, a lender had a right to repossess property and even take children as payment if a family could not pay the bills (Job 24:9).

“What do you have in the house?” Elisha asked the distraught mother. “I have nothing in the house but a jar of oil,” she replied. Little by little she had handed over all the furniture and valuables in her home to the cruel creditor until nothing remained but her two boys and this little jar of oil. Olive oil was considered a most basic essential. It was used for lighting, heating, cooking, and healing.

Elisha told the widow and her boys to go and borrow as many empty vessels as possible from their neighbors. They should bring them home, shut the door, and then pour the oil from her little jar into the empty containers. They did as Elisha instructed, and a wonderful miracle occurred. The oil in the little
jar continued to flow out until all the vessels in the house were filled!

“What shall we do now?” the young mother asked the prophet. “Sell the oil, pay your debt, and then you and your sons can live on the surplus,” he said. This woman and her boys left Elisha’s presence rejoicing and free because of the miracle of the oil.

The Lord wants to free you from a ruthless creditor named Satan. This miracle will happen when He fills your cup to overflowing with His special oil!

Activity

Group the congregation into classes according to the seating arrangement or age. Assign a leader and a secretary to facilitate the discussion and write down the answers. Allot time for the group to discuss and answer the following questions.

Questions:

1. In the Bible, what is symbolized by a vessel and oil?
2. What is the primary work of the Holy Spirit? Give a verse in the Bible to support.
3. What are sins against the Holy Spirit?
4. What are example of some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit a person might receive? Are you already using the received spiritual gifts for the progress of the gospel, in order to make them develop? Fruits of the Spirit at Galatians 5:22-23
5. Is it possible to tell whether or not a person has been filled with the Holy Spirit? How can we tell?
6. What happened when the disciples received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? (Early Rain)
7. What is the main reason why God fills people with His Spirit?
8. How can we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What do you think may be done in order to prepare the church for the latter rain?

Highlights/Conclusion:

The Bible teaches that God is the potter and we are the clay vessels (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 9:20, 21). Everyone is created with a purpose. Oil is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of God’s Spirit. Pure olive oil was used to keep the lamp burning bright in the Hebrew temple as an illustration of how His Holy Spirit illuminates our minds. It is God’s desire to fill all of His people with His Spirit (Joel 2:28).

“As you receive the Spirit of Christ–the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others–you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.” – Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 68.

The apostle Peter declared that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. Furthermore, Jesus told us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19, 20), thus indicating that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, placed in full equality with the Father and the Son.

The Bible also states that we can grieve the Spirit, which means that He has emotions. He is not simply an impersonal force. In Scripture the Holy Spirit is referred to as Comforter, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of truth, Spirit of the Lord, the seven Spirits of God, and simply the Spirit. All of these titles denote personality.

Jesus promised to be with us always, and it is through the person of the Holy Spirit that He is with us and in us (John 14:17).

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is not a single offense, but a progressive resistance to truth that results in a final rejection of God’s will (Hebrews 10:26, 27). The conscience is seared when a person repeatedly opposes and neglects the impressions of the Holy Spirit until he no longer hears His voice. Therefore, a person who has a haunting fear that he has committed the “unpardonable sin” very likely has not.

THE DEW OF THE SPIRIT AND ITS EFFECTS

Gifts of the Holy Spirit can be found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, He brings different gifts. Not everyone receives the same gifts (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).

Scripture often emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Spirit. Jesus taught in John 3:5 that “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Sadly, the Holy Spirit and His work is often misunderstood.

The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life.… No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success unless the seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven.» –The Desire of Ages, pp. 671, 672.

THE EARLY RAIN

In Bible times, sowing and plowing took place from the middle of October, shortly after the falling of the early rains. These early rains brought the seed to germination and nurtured its early growth. The latter rain came in the late spring to bring the ripening fruit to harvest. The barley harvest and other grain harvests were spring events, followed by the fruit harvest in the summer and fall.

Pentecost was a Jewish holy day that was celebrated 50 days after Passover. Devoted Jews from all over the world came to Jerusalem to worship. Through His Spirit, God gave the gift of tongues at this time to empower the disciples to share the gospel with these people in their native languages. Those who believed then carried the good news back to their respective countries.

In the Bible, the word “tongue” simply means “language.” Jesus’ disciples were bright men, but most were uneducated. In order to help them take the gospel to the world, Jesus promised to give them a supernatural gift to speak foreign languages they had not formerly studied or known.

The tremendous power of the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in those who refuse to obey God’s commandments. John 14:15-17, Acts 5:32.

“It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.” – Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 507.

God fills us with His Spirit to give us power for witnessing!

“The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church.” – The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 54, 55.

The early rain of the Spirit fell upon the disciples at Pentecost in order to launch the Christian mission. The latter rain will be poured out on God’s church at the end of time in order to complete His mission on earth. The term the “early rain” also refers to the daily work of God’s Spirit convicting, instructing, guiding, and empowering each believer. The “latter rain” is a term used to describe a special endowment of God’s Holy Spirit on Christ’s church just before the coming of Jesus.

THE LATTER RAIN

We determine that a person has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit not by the gifts of the Spirit, but by the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22, 23).

“Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result.

Just as Jesus had the Spirit without measure, we may ask God to fill our vessels to overflowing, but we must first be willing to empty ourselves by surrendering our hearts.

“But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest ‘in the time of the latter rain.’”

‘Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.’ Hosea 6:3.… ‘In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.’ ‘And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 2:17, 21.

“The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.” – The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612.

“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.
“There is to be ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’…

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake.” – Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 506, 507.

Jesus is waiting and yearning to pour the precious oil of the Holy Spirit into our life. Would you like to
ask Him now to take possession of your mind and heart?

How to Obtain Heaven’s Healing

Why do we get sick?

Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health.

What does this mean?

1. The symptoms of disease (e.g. pain, fever, and inflammation) are nature’s effort to get better.
2. Disease comes because we are violating God’s physical laws.

How can symptoms of disease be our body’s effort to recover?

Disease is not a negative condition which should be combated and suppressed (‘cured’), but a self-defensive, protective effort of the body to restore health. Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. Inflammation is a re-constructive process and should not be suppressed. Every acute disease is an effort of nature to cleanse and heal. When suppressed, it becomes sub-acute, and then, with time, chronic and degenerative.

How is disease the result of violating God’s physical laws?

Medicine suggests that we are victims of sickness, attacked by a bad organism, having a bad organ, cursed by bad genes, etc. In reality, illness is most often a result of our own choices not dependent on uncontrollable factors. Disease-causing organisms are scavengers; they cannot find a home in a healthy body with a strong immune system. Bacteria, virus, or parasitic infection is not the primary cause of disease but rather its result. Even the father of the germ theory, Pasteur, began to understand the true relationship of germs to disease late in his life, when he stated: “The germ is nothing, the soil [the condition of the body] is everything,” meaning that a germ can only thrive in a suitable environment.

God’s law is written by His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, and every faculty which has been entrusted to man. God in His wisdom has established natural laws for the proper control of dress, appetites, and passions, and He requires of us obedience in every particular; this determines the condition of our health. All our enjoyment or suffering may be traced to obedience or to transgression of natural law.

God loves His creatures with a love that is both tender and strong. He has established the laws of nature; but His laws are not arbitrary exactions. Every “Thou shalt not,” whether in physical or moral law, contains or implies a promise. If it is obeyed, blessings will attend our steps; if it is disobeyed, the result is danger and unhappiness. The transgression of the physical law is transgression of God’s law. As sin is the transgression of the moral law, disease is the transgression of the physical law.

Florence Nightingale once said, “There are no specific diseases only specific disease conditions.” Disease is merely a departure from normal health. A careful conformity to the laws which God has implanted in our being will insure health, and there will not be a breaking down of the constitution. God has pledged Himself to keep this machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws, and co-operate with him. “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee… for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

When we realize that disease is the result of transgression of God’s physical laws, the cure for it is found in identifying the cause. Remove the cause and we have found the cure.

So what should I do when I get sick?

The greatest cause of human suffering is ignorance on the subject of how to treat our own bodies. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, and wrong habits corrected. Then, nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system.

When the abuse of health is carried so far that sickness results, we can often do what no one else can do for ourselves:

1. First find out what is causing the disease, because disease never comes without a cause. Reason with yourself, “What could I have done to become sick?” In the beginning reasoning from cause to effect may be challenging to ascertain but with practice and conscious awareness it will become easy. And then you will be able to say like David, “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.” Psalm 119:100.
2. Remove the cause; stop doing the things that made you sick.
3. Assist the body’s efforts to expel impurities by using natural remedies and trusting in God.
4. Lastly, do not endeavor to adjust the difficulties by adding a burden of poisonous medicines.

How can I obtain Heaven’s healing?

There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties.

Pure air and water, cleanliness, proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, these are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises, are within the reach of all, with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means, and the effect produced upon the system.

God is greatly dishonored by the way in which man treats his organism, and He will not work a miracle to counteract a perverse violation of the laws of life and health. The Lord has made it a part of His plan that man’s reaping shall be according to his sowing.

However, it is a safe proposition that after a person has done all in his power to search out and put away the cause of his disease, and it is found to be after all, that the cause is beyond all human effort to remove. Then, if the one sole aim of his healing is the glory of God and the keeping of the commandments of God, he may with perfect confidence and full assurance of faith ask the Lord to heal him.

Still, while presenting our petitions with earnestness, we should say, “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42. We do not know whether the blessing we desire will be best for us or not. Therefore, our prayers should include this thought: “Lord if it is for Thy glory that my health be restored, I ask, in the name of Jesus. If it be not Thy will give me Thy grace to comfort and Thy presence to sustain me.”

8 HABITS TO PERFECT HEALTH

So what is the only method of obtaining healing that heaven approves of?

If your doctor were to inform you that to get better you would only have to take eight different pills a day, and he gave them to you for free, would you try them? The likelihood is you would.

Today, the Greatest Physician in the universe is offering us eight remedies that one can take everyday and get better and stay well. Moreover they are so simple. Will we accept His offer?

God often uses the simplest means to accomplish the greatest results. Goliath the giant was killed by a small pebble. The power did not come from the pebble, but from David’s faith and obedience to God. Naaman the leper was healed by washing in the river of Jordan, because by obeying he expressed trust and obedience to God. Today, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), the only true Physician, would like to share with us eight remedies to prevent illness and obtain His healing.

These remedies are better than the orthodox medicines that the world gives because, firstly, they are free; secondly, they work for all; and lastly, they have no bad side-effects (only good ones like more energy, greater endurance, sharper memory, younger-looking skin, loss of extra weight, etc).

How is it possible that the same eight remedies work for all?

Although externally we may look different, internally our bodies are governed by the same physical laws of nature. That is why the same plan works for everyone.

Okay, so what are these eight remedies that Jesus wants to share with us?

Permit me to introduce these remedies one at a time:

OUR FREEST VITAMIN SUPPLY – SUNLIGHT

“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.” Ecclesiastes 11:7

THE INVISIBLE DISEASE REMOVER – FRESH AIR

In order to have good blood, we must breathe well. Full, deep inspirations of pure air fill the lungs with oxygen; purify the blood, sending it – a life-giving current – to every part of the body.

THE BEST THING TO DO TO STAY YOUNG ALWAYS THE BEST THING TO DO TO STAY YOUNG ALWAYS – EXERCISE

“Many of the things we call biomarkers of aging might actually be biomarkers of inactivity.” Williams Evans Ph.D., The Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

OUR NEGLECTED BATH – WATER

“Cleanse first that which is within…that the outside…may be clean also.” Matthew 23:26. Toxic waste builds up in the body when we do not drink enough water.

MOST IMPORTANT SECRET FOR LIVING TO BE 100 – Temperance

The Bible speaks of true temperance in everything concerning life, not just food. Bible temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything harmful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful. That means we should avoid all things that do not promote health and enjoy moderately those that do. True temperance does not refer only to eating and drinking. It includes all things in life: moderation in sleep, work, and play, also avoidance of stress, bad thoughts, anger, etc. Prolong your life by careful supervision of yourself.

THE PERFECT DIET

Awareness is increasing that surrounded, as we are, with increasing toxicity in our food and environment, eating a pure and healthful diet is more important than ever.

• Importance of chewing
• Eat a good breakfast
• Two meals better than three
• Five to six hours between meals
• Avoid eating before sleeping
• Eat at regular times
• No snacking between meals
• More variety in diet but less variety in each meal
• Proper food combining.
o Do not mix fruits with vegetables
o Do not have fruits after the meal
o Balance between raw and cooked food, alkaline and acid food
• Drink between meals
• Not too hot; not too cold
• Enjoy your food
• Ask for the Lord’s blessings, then eat with a grateful heart

THE SECRETS OF REST

Rest is one of the most basic healers known to mankind. When we become sick, what is the thing we want most to do? To lie down. Nature will restore vigor and strength during sleep hours, if her laws are not violated.

“The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Ecclesiastes 5:12. Rather than taking a harmful sleeping pill, make sure to do strenuous outdoor physical labor everyday.

God also designated a day for us to rest and to consecrate it to Him. After God completed creation of the earth in six days, He rested to give us an example: “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. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:2, 3

TRUST IN GOD

Stress is caused by fear and worry. This is because we do not trust in our Creator. All that God requires is simple trust – to drop into His arms with all our weaknesses, and brokenness, and imperfection. Jesus will help the helpless, and strengthen and build up those who feel that they are very weakness itself. Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father’s heart. The hour of man’s necessity is God’s opportunity.

Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father’s heart. The hour of man’s necessity is God’s opportunity.

What is the summary of the eight habits to perfect health?

1. Sunlight
2. Air
3. Water
4. Exercise
5. Temperance
6. Nutrition
7. Rest
8. Trust in God

At this point, it would be futile to stop here without addressing the mental power of your mind for the restoration and maintenance of health. The power of your mind is the most effective agency for combating disease.

The mind needs to be controlled, for it has a most powerful influence upon the health. The electric power of the brain, promoted by mental activity, vitalizes the whole system, and thus is an invaluable aid in resisting disease.

To array a man’s mind against his sickness, is the supreme art of medicine. Inspire in man courage and purpose, and the mind-power will cast out disease. Willpower is another name for life-force. Men with great will-power resist disease and combat disease when attacked. The imagination often misleads, and when indulged, brings severe forms of disease upon the afflicted.

Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here. Ninety percent of illnesses are mentally caused – mostly due to stress and guilt.

6 MENTAL STEPS TO PERFECT HEALTH

CLEAR CONSCIENCE

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee… It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:1, 2, 8. The immune system cells form in the bone marrow, so this means that a clear conscience will strengthen your immune system.

HAPPY HEART

There is a physiological truth – truth that we need to consider – in the scripture: “A merry rejoicing heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. Your thoughts is the food that your brain feeds on. You can eat foods that steal from your body, like sugar; and you can think thoughts that steal from your body, like anger. We can choose what we think, and in doing so, we choose between health and disease.

GRATITUDE & PRAISE

“Be careful for nothing [i.e. be anxious about nothing]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings – as much as it is a duty to pray.

POWER OF PRAYER & CLAIMING GOD’S PROMISES

Do not be stressed; instead take your problems to God in prayer. Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11.

TO LOVE & HELP OTHERS

Giving love is a powerful healer. In Love, Medicine and Miracles Dr. Bernies Siegel says: “If I told patients to raise their blood levels of immune globins or killer T-cells, no one would know how. But if I teach them to love themselves and others fully, the same change happens automatically.”

When you love, your immune system is energized to fight against the disease. Love changes the chemical pathways of the brain, and this will affect your body’s resistance. The love of God is all the more powerful.

SWEET WORDS & WORDS OF FAITH

“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:20, 21

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

HOW TO CHANGE?

Address Your Health or It Will Address You

Delay is the worst enemy for reform. Examine where you fail, and then commence the work of reform earnestly without delay. Efforts should be made to preserve carefully the remaining strength of the vital forces, by lifting off every transgression of God’s physical and moral laws. The timing of your reform will tell in favor of your success; delay and neglect is more likely to result in failure.

Ask For the Grace of God

If you are sick and want to recover, the change must be complete. Ask in faith for the strength of character needed to make the reform and the Lord will give you the power to will and the power of self-control.

Good Health is a Habit, Not an Event

Most of what we do, we do because we learnt it somewhere. Through various learning processes we acquire habits. Habits are convenient, since once we establish them, we don’t have to deliberate about everything we do. The good news is, once we follow a healthy lifestyle for long enough, it will become a habit whereby the very habit will keep us in track, with much less effort and planning on our side.

Reference and Source:

how-to-obtain-healingDownload

Disclaimer:

The information presented is for the educational purposes and free exchange of ideas in relation to mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being. It is not intended to diagnose any physical or mental condition, or to prescribe or promote any particular product. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice and treatment of licensed professional.

We are not doctors nor make claims in this regard. Before beginning any practice relating to your health, it is highly recommended that you first obtain the consent and advice of a licensed health care professional. Also, please consult with your doctor before using herbs since some herbs may conflict with prescription drugs that you may be taking.

In the event that you use the information offered on yourself, you are prescribing for yourself, which is your constitutional right. However, the author assumes no responsibility for the choices you make after reviewing the information provided. Thank you for your understanding.

AY Program Idea: Living the Life of Enoch

“Pray in your closet; and as you go about your daily
labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was
thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers
rise like precious incense before the throne of grace.
Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed
upon God.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 98:3-99:0.

“We are to obey the laws of His kingdom, making
ourselves all that it is possible for us to be. Earnestly
we are to cultivate the highest powers of our being,
remembering that we are God’s property, God’s building.
We are required to improve every day. Even in this
world of sin and sorrow, we may, by earnest, persevering
effort, rise to the highest spiritual efficiency . . We
are to please God. This we may do; for Enoch pleased
God, though living in a degenerate age. And there are
Enochs in this our day.”—Sons and Daughters, p. 314:1.

“Enoch walked with God. So may every laborer for
Christ. You may say with the psalmist, ‘I have set the
Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand,
I shall not be moved.’ [Ps 16:8]. While you feel that you
have no sufficiency of yourself, your sufficiency will be
in Jesus. If you expect all your counsel and wisdom to
come from men, mortal and finite like yourselves, you
will receive only human help. If you go to God for help
and wisdom, He will never disappoint your faith.”—
Gospel Workers (1915 ed.), pp. 417:4-418:0.

We must strive and urge and plead and warn until the very day that probation ends for mankind. We are to live the Enoch life!

This is our commission. And this is a twofold work—to develop a character of righteousness by living a life of personal purity and pleading with God; to teach a lesson of godliness by kindly acts and warning and pleading with men.

Enoch’s example and counsels were not appreciated by many. The majority scorned and hated him. If most men merely tolerate you, then you are not living deep enough. We are not to seek their animosity, but we are not to quail before them. We are not to pick and choose and moderate our words merely that we may be accepted of all men.

Come up to higher ground. The end is almost upon us. Souls are dying outside of Christ (though many think they are within). There is no time for ease for self. We must live a life of crying to Christ and pleading with men. Between the mountain and the plain. Our
work must not end until Jesus steps out of the Sanctuary above and human probation is finished.

This AY Program we will view again the life of him who is our example today,—the one who lived and walked and worked with God in an evil and corrupt time, the one who lived at the end of his time and warned the world on the verge of destruction, the one who was translated to heaven without seeing death and without having been overwhelmed by that destruction.

His life is to be our life.

Let us come, and view the life of Enoch—and we will return from this study much prepared to gather warmth from the coldness of others and courage from their cowardice. We will be prepared to suffer hardship and strife and personal vilification as he did. You will be prepared to walk with God day by day, regardless of what others may say or think or do.

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not
see death, and was not found, because God had translated
him, for before his translation he had this testimony,
that he pleased God.”—Hebrews 11:5.

“How little is said of Enoch; how brief is his biography! Many volumes are written of Napoleon; much is said of Caesar and other great men of the world. Their exploits are recorded and sent through the length and breadth of the land; yet we have no evidence that these men honored God, or that God honored them. Of Enoch it is recorded, ‘Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.’ ”—Review and Herald, April 15, 1909, para. 3.

“Of Enoch it is written that he lived sixty-five years, and begat a son. After that he walked with God three hundred years.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 84:3.

Activity:

Group the congregation into classes according to age or according to seating arrangement. Assign a number for each group, a leader and a secretary. Give some time for the groups to discuss the following questions below. After the allotted time, allow a group representative to share their group discussion answers to the rest of the congregation. Groups may offer a special song before presenting their answers.

Group 1 – The Family and Home of Enoch

Group 2 – The Prayers and Communion of Enoch

Group 3 – The Faith and Trust of Enoch

Group 4 – The Obedience and Purity of Enoch

Group 5 – The Growth, Humility and Love of Enoch

Questions:

1. What is the significance of the groups’ selected part of Enoch’s life?
2. What trials did Enoch had to endure about the selected aspect of his life?
3. How did Enoch overcome the trials he endured at that selected part of his life?
4. What warnings and messages can we get from that part of his life?
5. How does it apply to our life now? How do we walk with God like Enoch?

Highlights:

“He that is to come says, ‘Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Every good deed done by the people of God as the fruit of their faith, will have its corresponding reward.

“It is our privilege to carry with us the credentials of our faith,—love, joy, and peace. When we do this, we shall be able to present the mighty arguments of the cross of Christ. When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived.

“Many regard Enoch as a man to whom God gave special power to live a life more holy than we can live. But the character of the man who was so holy that he was translated to heaven without seeing death is a representation of the character to be attained by those who will be translated when Christ comes in the clouds of heaven.

Enoch’s life was no more exemplary than may be the life of everyone who maintains a close connection with God.”—Signs, October
12, 1904, para. 1.

“Enoch walked with God 300 years, and we can walk with God from day to day. He had in his heart the living principles of the law of God, and the Holy Spirit rested upon him. He looked forward to the coming of Christ, and prophesied of the appearing of our Lord that is now so near at hand.

“God permits men to pass under the fire of temptation that they may see if there is alloy in their characters; for they cannot inherit their heirship to the eternal crown unless they are tested and proved by the Lord. Take time to watch and pray, to assure yourselves that you have the presence of Jesus, and can counsel with Him in regard to the work He has given into your hands, as did Enoch of old.

God bless us. We know we want to be an overcomer. God will help us day by day. His promises will never fail. Open the Word of God and, with crying and strong tears, claim them. I know we all want to witness for Him. He will speak through our voice, and lead us to the very ones who need our help just then. He calls us to look at the life of Enoch.

“Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. The Lord would have us walk with him. If he directs the work, it will move in his way, and will bear his impress.”—The Ellen G. White Materials, p. 1321:2.

Sources and References: Living Life the of Enoch, by Ellen G. White