Lesson 1 The whole world was becoming a sink of corruption, so there was but one hope for the human race.

Biblical evidence

1 Peter 4:4-6   4 … flood of dissipation… 6 For this reason the gospel was preached… 

Editor note:

Dissipation (GRK asotia, Strongs concordance 810) means an abandoned man, one who cannot be saved by his own effort. Therefore, the gospel must be preached in order to save “the abandoned man”. A leaven from “outside” must be cast into the mass of discording and corrupt elements.  

Hebrews 12:3   3 … consider Him… 

Practical application

Picture: Filty water. The whole world (air, water and soil and the human body and soul) is becoming polluted both physical and morally. 

 PIcture: Populations with access to clean water

Picture: Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. 

There was but one hope for the human race–

• That into this mass of discordant and corrupting elements might be cast a new leaven
• That there might be brought to mankind the power of a new life
• That the knowledge of God might be restored to the world 

Picture: Yeast (leaven) activity

So why did Christ come. Christ came for three reasons:

1) Christ came to restore this knowledge of God.

• He came to set aside the false teaching by which those who claimed to know God had misrepresented Him.
• He came to manifest the nature of His law,
• He came to reveal in His own character the beauty of holiness.   

2)  Christ came to the world with the accumulated love of eternity.

• Sweeping away the exactions which had encumbered the law of God, He showed that the law is a law of love, an expression of the Divine Goodness.
• He showed that in obedience to its principles is involved the happiness of mankind, and with it the stability, the very foundation and framework, of human society. 

Therefore, far from making arbitrary requirements, God’s law is given to men…

• as a hedge
• as a shield

Picture: Hedge

Whoever accepts its principles is preserved from evil. Fidelity to God involves fidelity to man.

Thus the law of God…

• guards the rights, the individuality, of every human being. 
• restrains the superior from oppression, and the subordinate from disobedience. 
• ensures man’s well-being, both for this world and for the world to come.

Therefore to the obedient the law of God is the pledge of eternal life, for it expresses the principles that endure forever.

3)  Christ came to demonstrate the value of the divine principles by revealing their power for the regeneration of humanity. He came to teach how these principles are to be developed and applied.So we need to ask two questions. First, how do we determine the value of things? Second, how are the divine principles to be developed and applied?

How do we determine the value of things?

As we already know, Christ came to demonstrate the value of divine principles by revealing their power for the regeneration of humanity. In contrast, with the people of that age the value of all things was determined by outward show.

• As religion had declined in power, it had increased in pomp.
• The educators of the time sought to command respect by display and ostentation.

To all this, however, the life of Jesus presented a marked contrast.

His life demonstrated the worthlessness of those things that men regarded as life’s great essentials. Let’s consider the conditions and surroundings in Christ’s life:

• Born amidst surroundings the rudest
• Sharing a peasant’s home
• Sharing a peasant’s fare
• Sharing a craftsman’s occupation
• Living a life of obscurity, identifying Himself with the world’s unknown toilers

Such were the conditions and surroundings in Christ’s life. Surely, Jesus demonstrated that the value of things is not determined by outward show.

 Picture: Despite its small size, Nazareth was a magnificent place to grow up, especially for a child with imagination and a sense of duty, history and nature. The hills above the village command one of the grandest views in all Palestine. You can see thirty miles in three directions (South, West, North); it is the map of Old Testament history.

South:

From the heights of the southern rim the young Jesus could look out toward the Jezreel Valley (Hebrew Yizrael, meaning “God will sow;” also called the Plain of Esdraelon, the Greek translation of Jezreel), scene of several significant Biblical battles — of Barak’s victory over the Canaanites below the slopes of Mount Tabor ( dome shaped dome shaped summit in the distance and Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites, of young King Josiah’s defeat (609 BC), and the struggles for freedom in the days of the Hasmoneans.

Further south is Mount Gilboa, where the Philistines defeated King Saul, and Jezreel, site of Naboth’s vineyard and the place of Jehu’s revenge upon Jezebel.

West:

Twenty miles to the west is the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Carmel, the scene of Elijah’s contest with the “four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah” (1 Kings 18:19).

North:

About 3 miles to the northeast was Gath Hepher, birthplace of the prophet Jonah (9th century BC).

How are the divine principles to be developed and applied?

Amidst these conditions and surroundings in Christ’s life that we now recognize as opposite to outward show,–Jesus followed the divine plan of education:

a) The schools of His time, with their magnifying of things small and their belittling of things great, He did not seek.

b) His education was gained directly from the Heaven-appointed sources:

• From useful work,
• From the study of the Scriptures 
• From the study of nature
• From the experiences of life

Useful work, study of the Scriptures, study of nature and the experiences of life are God’s lesson books These lesson books are full of instruction to all who bring to them…

• The willing hand
• The seeing eye
• The understanding heart

Lesson 1 From time to time, teachers arose who pointed men to the Source of truth. Right principles were enunciated, and human lives witnessed to their power. But these efforts made no lasting impression.

Biblical evidence

John 3:19   19 “…men loved darkness rather than light..

Practical application

 Picture: Roman Empire. Although not visible on this map, Judaea and Jerusalem was a Roman Imperial province

From time to time, teachers arose who pointed men to the Source of truth. Right principles were enunciated, and human lives witnessed to their power. But these efforts made no lasting impression.

• There was a brief check in the current of evil, but its downward course was not stayed.
• The reformers were as lights that shone in the darkness; but they could not dispel it.

The world “loved darkness rather than light.” John 3:19. 

Lesson 2  When Christ came to the earth, humanity seemed to be fast reaching its lowest point. 

Biblical evidence

Galatians 4:4-5   4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 

Ezekiel 12:19-23   19 “And say to the people of the land, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the land of Israel: “They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may be emptied of all who are in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.  20 “Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” ‘ “  21 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’?  23 “Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision. 

Genesis 15:13-14   13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.  14 “And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 

Exodus 12:41   41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years — on that very same day — it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 

Matthew 2:18   18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” 

Isaiah 61:1-2  NKJ Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;  2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 

Practical application 

 Picture: Major religions in the world when Jesus came.

When Christ came to the earth, humanity seemed to be fast reaching its lowest point.The very foundations of society were undermined. Life had become false and artificial. Neither the Jews nor the multiple systems of religions in the world was able to illuminate the darkness and hinder humanity in reaching its lowest point and for different reasons:

• The Jews, destitute of the power of God’s word, gave to the world mind-benumbing, soul-deadening traditions and speculations. The worship of God “in Spirit and in truth” had been supplanted by the glorification of men in an endless round of man-made ceremonies.
• Throughout the world all systems of religion were losing their hold on mind and soul. disgusted with fable and falsehood, seeking to drown thought, men turned to infidelity and materialism. .

So Leaving eternity out of their reckoning, they lived for the present

As they ceased to recognize the Divine, they ceased to regard the human.

• Truth, honor, integrity, confidence, compassion, were departing from the earth.
• Relentless greed and absorbing ambition gave birth to universal distrust.
• The idea of duty, of the obligation of strength to weakness, of human dignity and human rights, was cast aside as a dream or a fable.
• The common people were regarded as beasts of burden or as the tools and the steppingstones for ambition.
• Wealth and power, ease and self-indulgence, were sought as the highest good.

So physical degeneracy, mental stupor, spiritual death, characterized the age. 

Lesson 3 As the evil passions and purposes of men banished God from their thoughts, so forgetfulness of Him inclined them more strongly to evil.

Biblical evidence

Romans 1:20-25  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,  23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Romans 1:28 – 2:1   28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;  32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  

Practical application

As the evil passions and purposes of men banished God from their thoughts, so forgetfulness of Him inclined them more strongly to evil.

The higher classes regarded the Supreme Being as:

The heart in love with sin clothed Him with its own attributes, and this conception strengthened the power of sin. Bent on self-pleasing, men came to regard God as such a one as themselves–

• a Being whose aim was self-glory, whose requirements were suited to His own pleasure
• a Being by whom men were lifted up or cast down according as they helped or hindered His selfish purpose.

The lower classes regarded the Supreme being as:

The lower classes regarded the Supreme Being as one scarcely differing from their oppressors, save by exceeding them in power.

So by these ideas (ideas that were found among the higher and lower classes in society) every form of religion was molded…

• Each religion in the world was a system of exaction.
• By gifts and ceremonies, the worshipers sought to propitiate the Deity in order to secure His favor for their own ends.

Such religion, having no power upon the heart or the conscience, could be but a round of forms, of which men wearied, and from which, except for such gain as it might offer, they longed to be free.

Therefore evil, unrestrained, grew stronger, while the appreciation and desire for good diminished. Men lost the image of God and received the impress of the demoniacal power by which they were controlled. In other words, the whole world was becoming a sink of corruption.

There was but one hope for the human race-.the true knowledge of God must be restored.

(Source: Education by Ellen G. White)

Introduction

“His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

In the Teacher sent from God, heaven gave to men its best and greatest. He…

• who had stood in the councils of the Most High
• who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal

He was the One chosen to reveal in person to humanity the knowledge of God. 

 Picture: Ray of light

Through Christ had been communicated every ray of divine light that had ever reached our fallen world.

• It was He who had spoken through everyone that throughout the ages had declared God’s word to man.

Of Him all the excellences manifest in the earth’s greatest and noblest souls were reflections:

• The purity and beneficence of Joseph
• The faith and meekness and long-suffering of Moses
• The steadfastness of Elisha
• The noble integrity and firmness of Daniel
• The ardor and self-sacrifice of Paul

So the mental and spiritual power manifest in all these Joseph, Moses, Elisha, Daniel, Paul, and in all others who had ever dwelt on the earth, were but gleams from the shining of His glory. In other words, in Christ was found the perfect ideal.

Why did Christ come to the world? He came for six reasons:

• To reveal this ideal (in Christ was found the perfect ideal) as the only true standard for attainment
• To show what every human being might become
• To show what, through the indwelling of humanity by divinity, all who received Him would become
• To show how men are to be trained as befits the sons of God;
• To show how on earth men are to practice the principles of heaven
• To show how on earth men are to live the life of heaven. 

Lesson 1  God’s greatest gift was bestowed to meet man’s greatest need.

Biblical evidence

Matthew 2:18   18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” 

Matthew 4:15-16   15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:  16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” 

Luke 1:79   79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

John 1:4-5  4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  5 And the light shines in the darkness…

Practical application

Picture: Darkness

 Picture: Light appears when the darkness is deepest

God’s greatest gift was bestowed to meet man’s greatest need. The Light appeared when the world’s darkness was deepest. Through false teaching the minds of men had long been turned away from God. In the prevailing systems of education…

• Human philosophy had taken the place of divine revelation.
• Instead of the heaven-given standard of truth, men had accepted a standard of their own devising.

 Picture. Sparks of fire in the darkness

So from the Light of life they had turned aside to walk in the sparks of the fire which they had kindled.

Their strength was but weakness for one reason…

• Having separated from God, their only dependence being the power of humanity

Even the standard set up by themselves they were incapable of reaching.

• The want of true (genuine) excellence was supplied by appearance and profession.

Therefore semblance took the place of reality. 

Lesson 1 The first disciples went forth preaching the word.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:20  0 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Practical application

Picture: Pouring rain

The first disciples went forth preaching the word. They revealed Christ in their lives. And the Lord worked with them:

• “confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20.

These disciples prepared themselves for their work. Before the day of Pentecost they…

• They met together
• They put away all differences
• They were of one accord
• They believed Christ’s promise that the blessing would be given
• they prayed in faith

Why and how did they pray?

1) They prayed for a blessing for themselves

2) They prayed for a blessing for a the salvation of souls

The disciples were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls.

• The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth
• They claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised.

Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day.  

                             SO IT MAY BE NOW TODAY. Read more….

Lesson 2 What the disciples experienced before and after the day of Pentecost, so it may be now

Biblical evidence

Joel 2:23   23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you — The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. 

Practical application for today

Picture: Pouring rain

In ancient Palestine, the yearly seasons included these early-or “former”-and the later- or “latter”-rains as part of the rainy season from about October to March-April. The grain crops were therefore planted to grow in the rainy season.

The former, or early rains came during Fall or Autumn, in October-November, and from these rains came the first harvests of early spring when the farmers were able to enjoy the “firstfruits” of their crops. These early rains were important because they helped to germinate the seed which had already been sown.

The latter rains came during spring, between February and March-April, and from these normally heavier rains the main crop harvests were gathered. These later rains therefore ensured that the crops-both the grain crops each year as well as the usual annual summer crops and fruits-would fully mature for harvest.

Picture: Rainfall in Jerusalem in spring and fall.

 Picture: Average rain in Jerusalem (source BBC)

What the disciples experienced before and after the day of Pentecost, so it may be now.

• Instead of man’s speculations, let the word of God be preached.
• Let Christians put away their dissensions,
• Let Christians give themselves to God for the saving of the lost.
• Let Christians in faith ask for the blessing

Then…

And the blessing will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in apostolic days was the “former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the “latter rain” will be more abundant. Joel 2:23. 

What does the latter rain means?

All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command.

• Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life.
• The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.
• The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls.

Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence. 

                                         Summary

The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world.

1) The whole world is His purchased possession.

2) The Saviour desires to make men (His purpose)…

• Free
• Pure
• Holy

Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb. Christ will not be satisfied till the victory is complete (His purpose achieved), and…

• “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11.

All the nations of the earth shall hear the gospel of His grace. Not all will receive His grace; but…

• “a seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” Psalm 22:30.

• “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High,” Daniel 7:27

• “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9

• “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.” Isaiah 59:19.

                                   SO GO TEACH ALL NATIONS

• “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! . . . Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places: . . . for the Lord hath comforted His people. . . . The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:7-10.

  Picture: The extent of the mountains in Israel                                                                       
 
                                                                         

Lesson 1 In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message.

Biblical evidence

Matthew 28:20   20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;.. . 

Practical application for today

 Picture: Teaching

In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message…

• Teach the people, He said, “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught.

What teaching is here included

• That which He had spoken in person,
• That which Christ had spoken through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament.

What teaching are NOT included in the commission:

• Human teaching is shut out
• There is no place for tradition
• There is no place for man’s theories
• There is no place for man’s conclusions
• There is no place for church legislation.
• There is no place for laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority 

So none of these six exceptions are Christ’s servants to teach. Contrary the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world is “The law and the prophets,” with the record of His own words and deeds. Christ’s name is their…

• Their watchword
• Their badge of distinction
• Their bond of union
• The authority for their course of action
• The source of their success

Nothing that does not bear His superscription is to be recognized in His kingdom. 

Lesson 2    The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life.

Biblical application

Mark 16:15-16   15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 

Luke 24:46-47   46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name…

Romans 1:15-17   15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 

Practical application for today

 Picture: A lifeless tree

The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life.

• God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power.

Those whose course has been most offensive to Him He freely accepts; when they repent…

• God imparts to them His divine Spirit
• God places them in the highest positions of trust
• God sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy.

God would have His servants bear testimony to the fact…

• that through His grace men may possess Christlikeness of character
• that through His grace men may rejoice in the assurance of His great love

God would have us bear testimony to the fact…

• that He cannot be satisfied until the human race are reclaimed
• that He cannot be satisfied until the human race are reinstated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters.  

Lesson 3 In every one Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world in words, character and life.

Biblical evidence

Isaiah 40:1  NKJ Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. 

Isaiah 40:9-11   9 O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”  10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.  11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. 

Romans 8:29   29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Practical application for today

 Picture: Sitting for his portrait.

In every one Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world in words, character and life

IN WORDS:

How are we to present the riches of the glory of the unspeakable Gift in words?

In Christ is the tenderness of the shepherd, the affection of the parent, and the matchless grace of the compassionate Saviour. His blessings He presents in the most alluring terms. He is not content merely to announce these blessings;

• He presents His blessings in the most attractive way, to excite a desire to possess them.

So His servants are to present the riches of the glory of the unspeakable Gift.

The wonderful love of Christ will melt and subdue hearts, when the mere reiteration of doctrines would accomplish nothing:

• “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! . . . He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isaiah 40:1, 9-11.
• Tell the people of Him who is “the Chiefest among ten thousand,” and the One “altogether lovely.” The Song of Solomon 5:10, 16.

IN CHARACTER AND LIFE

How are we to present the riches of the glory of the unspeakable Gift in character and life?

Words alone cannot tell it. Let it be reflected in the character and manifested in the life.

• Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple.

Every one God has predestinated to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” Romans 8:29.

Therefore in every one Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world in words, character and life.
                                                                          

Lesson 1   The power of love was in all Christ’s healing, and only by partaking of that love, through faith, can we be instruments for His work.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:14   14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart…. 

Matthew 13:58   58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 

Practical application for today

 Picture: Sun energy

The power of love was in all Christ’s healing, and only by partaking of that love, through faith, can we be instruments for His work.

What if…

• If we neglect to link ourselves in divine connection with Christ,

Then…

• Then the current of life-giving energy cannot flow in rich streams from us to the people.

There were places where the Saviour Himself could not do many mighty works because of their unbelief. So now unbelief separates the church from her divine Helper.

• Her hold upon eternal realities is weak.

By her lack of faith, God is disappointed, and robbed of His glory. 

Lesson 2   It is in doing Christ’s work that the church has the promise of His presence.

Biblical evidence (Compare God speaking the words I AM to both Moses and the disciples)

Exodus 3:10-15   10 “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”  11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”  13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”  14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “  15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ 

Matthew 28:19-20   19 “Go and make disciples “… “teaching “… “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 11:28-30   28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

Practical application for today

Picture: Yoke.

It is in doing Christ’s work that the church has the promise of His presence. Christ said:

• Go teach all nations, “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

To take His yoke is one of the first conditions of receiving His power. The very life of the church depends upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the Lord’s commission. To neglect this work is surely to invite spiritual feebleness and decay. Where there is no active labor for others, love wanes, and faith grows dim. 

Lesson 3  Christ intends that His ministers shall be educators of the church in gospel work.

Biblical evidence

Matthew 28:19-20   19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…,  teaching them…” 

Practical application for today

Picture: Sick lamb

Christ intends that His ministers shall be educators of the church in gospel work.

• They are to teach the people how to seek and save the lost.

But is this the work they are doing?

• Alas, how many are toiling to fan the spark of life in a church that is ready to die!

• How many churches are tended like sick lambs by those who ought to be seeking for the lost sheep!

And all the time millions upon millions without Christ are perishing.

Lesson 4 To those who claim fellowship with Christ, yet have been indifferent to the needs of their fellow men, Christ will declare in the great Judgment day, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.”

Biblical evidence

Luke 13:23-27   23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them,  24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.  25 “When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’  26 “then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’  27 “But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 

Revelation 6:15-17   15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,  16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  17 “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Revelation 14:10  10 “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 

Exodus 3:7   7 And the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

Exodus 4:12-20   12 “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  13 But he (Moses) said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”  14 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  15 “Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do…  Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.”

Practical application for today

Picture: Angry sheep

Divine love has been stirred to its unfathomable depths for the sake of men, and would we know how the angels regards human indifference to the needs of their fellow men?

• Angels marvel to behold in the recipients of so great love a mere surface gratitude.
• Angels marvel at man’s shallow appreciation of the love of God.

So Heaven stands indignant at the neglect shown to the souls of men.

Would we know how Christ regards human indifference to the needs of their fellow men?

How would a father and mother feel, did they know that their child, lost in the cold and the snow, had been passed by, and left to perish, by those who might have saved it?

• Would the father and mother not be terribly grieved, wildly indignant?
• Would the father and mother not denounce those murderers with wrath hot as their tears, intense as their love?

In the same way, the sufferings of every man are the sufferings of God’s child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their perishing fellow beings provoke His righteous anger.

• This is the wrath of the Lamb.

To those who claim fellowship with Christ, yet have been indifferent to the needs of their fellow men, He will declare in the great Judgment day:

• “I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:27. 

Lesson 1   In the Saviour’s manner of healing there were lessons for His disciples.

Biblical evidence

John 9:6   6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 

John 9:7   7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 

Practical application

 Picture: Drugs

In the Saviour’s manner of healing there were lessons for His disciples. On one occasion He anointed the eyes of a blind man with clay, and bade him:

• “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. . . . He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” John 9:7.

The cure could be wrought only by the power of the Great Healer, yet Christ made use of the simple agencies of nature. While He did not give countenance to drug medication, He sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies.

Picture: CLAY is the most ancient healing remedies and hygienic substance used by Humans and animals since the creation of life on Earth. Moses said in Genesis 2:7 that God formed man of the dust (or clay: The Hebrew word for dust or clay is aphar ) of the ground.

Picture: The therapeutic properties in mud and clay are popular from ancient times. The Chinese used them for centuries as cataplasms. Many other cultures from the Indian subcontinent and South America found relief in sands and clays for rheumatic problems.

Hippocrates (460-337 b.C), one of the inventors of western medicine, recommended them in his treatments and many other scholars of the time such as Empedocles (490-430 b.C.), Galeno in the 2nd century of our time, or Paracelsus in the 16th century, collected in their natural medical treaties many home remedies based on the use of clay and mud, which provided the body with the basic mineral ions, such as calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron or potassium.

Christ used clay (and water, see John 9:7) when He healed the blind man

Lesson 2  Christ taught that disease is the result of violating God’s laws, both natural and spiritual.

Biblical evidence

John 5:14   14 “… Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 

Practical application

To many of the afflicted ones who received healing, Christ said;

• “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14.

Thus He taught that disease is the result of violating God’s laws, both natural and spiritual. The great misery in the world would not exist did men but live in harmony with the Creator’s plan.

Christ had been the guide and teacher of ancient Israel, and He taught them that…

• Health is the reward of obedience to the laws of God.

The Great Physician who healed the sick in Palestine had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud, telling them…

• What they must do
• What God would do for them

The Greak Physician said:

• “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, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

 Christ gave to Israel definite instruction in regard to their habits of life, and He assured them:

• “The Lord will take away from thee all sickness.” Deuteronomy 7:15.

When they fulfilled the conditions, the promise was verified to them:

• “There was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Psalm 105:37.

Lesson 3 The Saviour’s lessons for His disciples and ancient Israel are lessons for us today.

Biblical evidence

1 Corinthians 10:11  11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

Practical application for us today

 Picture: Natural laws. Natural laws  has been related to homeostatic balance in the body. When we obey natural laws, we promote homeostatic balance and therefore health. Contrary, when we ignore the laws of God either natural or spiritual we become ill (homeostatic imbalance). In the book “Human anatomy and Physiology”, Elaine N. Marieb describes homeostatic imbalances.

1) Health is the reward of obedience to the laws of God

There are conditions to be observed by all who would preserve health. All should learn what these conditions are.

• The Lord is not pleased with ignorance in regard to His laws, either natural or spiritual.

We are to be workers together with God for the restoration of health to the body as well as to the soul. 

For more information on natural law, read this

2) Although Christ did not give countenance (favor, support, good will) to drug medication, He sanctioned the use of simple, and natural remedies.

For others:

We should teach others how to preserve and to recover health.

For the sick:

For the sick we should…

I) We should use the (natural) remedies which God has provided in nature

II) (Then) We should point them to HIM who ALONE can restore.

• It is our work to present the sick and suffering to Christ in the arms of our faith.
• We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer.
• We should lay hold on His promise
• We should pray for the manifestation of His power.

The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength. 

Lesson 1    When the Saviour said, “Go, . . . teach all nations,” He said also, “These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The promise is as far-reaching as the commission.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:17-18   17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

Practical application for 2009

When the Saviour said, “Go, . . . teach all nations,” He said also, “These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The promise is as far-reaching as the commission. Not that all the gifts are imparted to each believer.

• The Spirit divides (gifts) “to every man severally as He will.” 1 Corinthians 12:11.

But the gifts of the Spirit are promised to every believer according to his need for the Lord’s work. The promise is just as strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles:

• “These signs shall follow them that believe.”

This (signs that follow them that believe) is the privilege of God’s children, and faith should lay hold on ALL that it is possible to have as an indorsement of faith (see 1 Cor. 14:1). 

Lesson 2 When virtue from Christ entered into poor souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of their spiritual disease, as well as of their physical maladies. The gospel still possesses the same power, and why should we not today witness the same results?

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:18   18 “… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

Practical application for 2009

Picture: Lazar house (hospital) for infectious diseases

This world is a vast lazar house, but Christ came to heal both body and soul…

• to heal the sick (the body)
• to proclaim deliverance to the captives of Satan (the soul)

Christ was in Himself health and strength. He imparted His life to…

• To the sick
• To the afflicted
• To those possessed of demons

Christ turned away none who came to receive His healing power.

(Discussion)

Con: Why Christ might reason not to heal people

Christ knew that those who petitioned Him for help had brought disease upon themselves. Today people keep on trangressing natural laws (unhealthful diet, lack of exercise, use of stimulants, live stressful lives) although they know or should know that such a course brings on disease.

Pro: But Christ did not refuse to heal the transgressor

Yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Christ entered into these poor souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of…

• Healed of their spiritual disease
• Healed of their physical maladies

The gospel still possesses the same power, and why should we not today witness the same results? 

Lesson 3 Christ’s servants are His representatives, the channels for His working. He desires through them to exercise His healing power.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:18  18 “they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

Practical application for 2009

 Picture: A channel (river)

Christ feels the woes of every sufferer who suffers in either body and soul or who suffers in both body and soul.

• When evil spirits rend a human frame, Christ feels the curse.
• When fever is burning up the life current, He feels the agony.

And Christ is just as willing to heal the sick now as when He was personally on earth. Christ’s servants are His epresentatives, the channels for His working. He desires through them to exercise His healing power. For more information about medicine and Divine healing read this .
                                                                          

Lesson 1   The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers.

Biblical evidence

Matthew 28:18-20   18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. 

Revelation 22:17   17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 

Practical application for 2009

The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister.

• All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel.
• All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men.

For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ. 

Lesson 2 Everyone who hears the invitation is to repeat the invitation

Biblical evidence

Revelation 22:17   17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 

Practical application for 2009

 ”The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” Revelation 22:17. Everyone who hears is to repeat the invitation. Whatever one’s calling in life (Mechanics, farmers, salesmen, soldiers, legislators, nurses, teachers etc.), his first interest should be to win souls for Christ. He may not be able to speak to congregations, but he can work for individuals:

• To them he can communicate the instruction received from his Lord
• Ministry does not consist alone in preaching
• Those minister who relieve the sick and suffering, helping the needy, speaking words of comfort to the desponding and those of little faith

Nigh and afar off are souls weighed down by a sense of guilt. It is not hardship, toil, or poverty that degrades humanity.It is guilt, wrongdoing.

• Guilt, wrongdoing, brings unrest and dissatisfaction.

Christ would have His servants minister to sin-sick souls.

Lesson 3  The disciples were to begin their work where they were.

Biblical evidence

Luke 24:47  47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Practical application for 2009

 Picture: Wheel within wheel

The disciples were to begin their work where they were. The hardest and most unpromising field was not to be passed by. So every one of Christ’s workers is to begin where he is.

• In our own families may be souls hungry for sympathy, starving for the bread of life.
• There may be children to be trained for Christ.
• There are heathen at our very doors.

Let us do faithfully the work that is nearest. Then let our efforts be extended as far as God’s hand may lead the way. The work of many may appear to be restricted by circumstances; but, wherever it is, if performed with faith and diligence it will be felt to the uttermost parts of the earth for four reasons:

• Christ’s work when upon earth appeared to be confined to a narrow field, but multitudes from all lands heard His message.
• God often uses the simplest means to accomplish the greatest results.
• It is His plan that every part of His work shall depend on every other part, as a wheel within a wheel, all acting in harmony.
• The humblest worker, moved by the Holy Spirit, will touch invisible chords, whose vibrations will ring to the ends of the earth, and make melody through eternal ages.

Lesson 4   But the command, “Go ye into all the world,” is not to be lost sight of.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:15   15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Practical application for 2009

But the command, “Go ye into all the world,” is not to be lost sight of. We are called upon to lift our eyes to the “regions beyond”for five reasons:

• Christ tears away the wall of partition, the dividing prejudice of nationality.
• Christ teaches a love for all the human family.
• Christ lifts men from the narrow circle which their selfishness prescribes.
• Christ abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society.
• Christ makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies.

So Christ teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our brother, and the world as our field. 

Visual imagination   Christ commissioned His disciples to do the work He had left in their hands, beginning at Jerusalem.

Biblical evidence

Luke 24:46-48  46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  48 “And you are witnesses of these things. 

In imagination behold the scene

Picture: Uncultivated field

Why must the work of the disciples begin at Jerusalem?

Christ commissioned His disciples to do the work He had left in their hands, beginning at Jerusalem for several reasons:

• Jerusalem had been the scene of His amazing condescension for the human race.
• There He had suffered, been rejected and condemned.
• The land of Judea was His birthplace (Jerusalem is located in Judea).
• There, clad in the garb of humanity, He had walked with men, and few had discerned how near heaven came to the earth when Jesus was among them.

Therefore at Jerusalem the work of the disciples must begin. 

 Picture: At Jerusalem

In view of all that Christ had suffered there, and the unappreciated labor He had put forth, the disciples might have pleaded for a more promising field; but they made no such plea for three reasons:

• The very ground where Christ had scattered the seed of truth was to be cultivated by the disciples, and the seed would spring up and yield an abundant harvest.
• In their work the disciples would have to meet persecution through the jealousy and hatred of the Jews; but this had been endured by their Master, and they were not to flee from it.
• The first offers of mercy must be made to the murderers of the Saviour.  

And there were in Jerusalem many…

• Many who had secretly believed on Jesus
• Many who had been deceived by the priests and rulers

To these also the gospel was to be presented. They were to be called to repentance. The wonderful truth was to be made plain that…

• that through Christ alone could remission of sins be obtained.

While all Jerusalem was stirred by the thrilling events of the past few weeks, the preaching of the gospel would make the deepest impression.

Visual imagination 2  But the work was not to stop at Jerusalem

Biblical evidence

Luke 24:47   47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations… 

Mark 16:15   15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Matthew 28:19   19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… 

In imagination behold the scene

But the work was not to stop here. It was to be extended to the earth’s remotest bounds. To His disciples Christ said:

• You have been witnesses of My life of self-sacrifice in behalf of the world. You have witnessed My labors for Israel. Although they would not come unto Me that they might have life, although priests and rulers have done to Me as they listed, although they have rejected Me as the Scriptures foretold, they shall have still another opportunity of accepting the Son of God. You have seen that all who come to Me, confessing their sins, I freely receive. Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out. All who will, may be reconciled to God, and receive everlasting life. To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to Israel first, and then to all nations, tongues, and peoples. It is to be given to Jews and Gentiles. All who believe are to be gathered into one church.  

Visual imagination 3   Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the disciples were to receive a marvelous power.

Biblical evidence

Mark 16:17-18   17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

In imagination behold the scene

Picture: The Hellenistic world. Koine greek was the “international” language in Christ time

 Picture: World languages today.

• English 350 M native speakers; 1800 M total speakers
• Mandarin Chinese 600 M native speakers; 1345 total speakers
• HIndustani (Hindu +Urdu): 460 M native speakers (Indian subcontinent); 650 M total speakers
• French: 130 M native speakers; 500M total speakers
• Spanish: 330 M native speakers; 350 total speakers
• Arabic: 200 M native speakers; 300 M total speakers
• Russian: 165 M native speakers; 275 M total speakers
• Portugese: 215 M native speakers; 235 M total speakers
• German: 100 M native speakers; 235 M total speakers

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the disciples were to receive a marvelous power. Their testimony was to be confirmed by signs and wonders. Miracles would be wrought, not only by the apostles, but by those who received their message. Jesus said:

• “In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18. 

Why did Christ promise the disciples protection from poisoning?

At that time poisoning was often practiced. Unscrupulous men did not hesitate to remove by this means those who stood in the way of their ambition.

• Jesus knew that the life of His disciples would thus be imperiled
• Many would think it doing God service to put His witnesses to death

Christ therefore promised them protection from this danger.

The disciples were to have the same power which Jesus had to heal…

• “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matthew 4:23

By healing in His name the diseases of the body, they would testify to His power for the healing of the soul:

Matthew 9:6   6 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins (healing the soul) …” 

And a new endowment was now promised.

• The disciples were to preach among other nations, and they would receive power to speak other tongues (see Matt.28:20; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4).

The apostles and their associates were unlettered men, yet through the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, their speech, whether in their own or a foreign language, became…

• Their speech (own or foreign language) became pure
• Their speech (own or foreign language) became simple
• Their speech (own or foreign language) became accurate, both in word and in accent

Summary

Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission:

• Christ made full provision for the prosecution of the work (see Mark 16:17-18; Acts 2:4)
• Christ took upon Himself the responsibility for its success (see Matt. 28:20)

So long as they obeyed His word, and so long as they worked in connection with Him, His disciples could not fail. Christ bade His disciples:

• Go to all nations.Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe, but know that My presence will be there. Labor in faith and confidence, for the time will never come when I will forsake you.

Picture (below): The main local languages in the Roman empire. You may remember that latin and koine greek were the “international” languages in Christ’s time and widely spoken throughout the Roman empirea and in the countries close to Israel. The Hellenistic periode made greek the main language. This fact that one language was spoken by so many people, made the gospel message more easy to communicate to new areas. The New Testament is written in koine greek (and not latin as one may think). Even Paul’s letter to the Roman Christian church in Rome is written in koine greek.