Ken Hart's Bible Study Guides for 3rd Qtr 2013

Revival and Reformation

Contents

Lesson #1 for July 6, 2013: Revival: Our Great Need

Lesson #2 for July 13, 2013: Prayer: The Heartbeat of Revival

Lesson #3 for July 20, 2013: The Word: the Foundation of Revival

Lesson # 4 for July 27, 2013 Witness and Service: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson # 5 for August 3, 2013 Obedience: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson # 6 for August 10, 2013 Confession and Repentance: The Conditions of Revival

Lesson # 7 for August 17, 2013 Unity: The Bond of Revival

Lesson # 8 for August 24, 2013 Revival and Reformation Discernment: The Safeguard of Revival

Lesson # 9 for August 31, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Outgrowth of Revival

Lesson # 10 for September 7, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Willingness to Grow and Change

Lesson # 11 for September 14, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: Thinking New Thoughts

Lesson # 12 for September 21, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: Healing Broken Relationships

Lesson # 13 for September 28, 2013 Revival and Reformation The Promised Revival: God’s Mission Completed

Appendix

Great Controversy in Scriptures

SOME QUOTATIONS FROM ELLEN WHITE REGARDING --THE PLAN OF SALVATION IN THE SETTING OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

Lesson #1 for July 6, 2013 Revival: Our Great Need

Scriptures: [Revelation 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:7-11; Matthew 25:1-13; Zechariah 3:1-5; Song of Solomon 5:2-5][1].

1.    This series of lessons will be a discussion of what needs to happen among God’s final chosen people, the church of Laodicea, before Jesus can come again.

2.    Read Revelation 3:14-21[2]. If you were God, what would you do with a group of people described by these words? For those of us who believe in the historical chronological interpretation of the book of Revelation and who believe that God has the power to predict the future, the Laodicean church fits the group of people who claim to be God’s true people after the year 1844. Does that include all Christians? Or, just Seventh-day Adventists?

3.    Laodicea was a city founded by Antiochus II between 261-246 B.C. He named it after his wife. When crowned by well-built fortifications, the hill on which Laodicea stood must have appeared formidable when viewed from the lower valley; and it constituted an admirably strong line of defense. However, it did have one serious weakness: It was entirely dependent for its water supply on an aqueduct bringing water from springs about six miles to the south. The aqueduct was mostly underground but could hardly have remained unknown to a besieging army or be guarded along its full length against an attack. If the aqueduct was cut, the city was helpless; this weakness ruined the character of the city as a strong fortress and must have prevented people from ever feeling secure when threatened with attack.

4.    Laodicea was located on the main east-west highway established by the Roman Empire. The city was famous for its school of medicine, its banking, exchange, and manufacturing. It produced a valuable wool which was soft in texture and glossy black in color. The black wool from Laodicea was especially prized because of its glossy appearance.

5.    Between Laodicea and the "Gate of Phrygia” through the mountain pass, lay a famous temple, the home of the Phrygian god, Men Karou. In connection with that temple, there grew up a famous school of medicine. But, the center of the school was located in Laodicea not at the temple. Laodicea minted its own coins bearing the serpent-encircled staff of Asclepius or the figure of Zeus. The school of medicine there was famous for two medicines: 1) An ointment for strengthening the ears made from the spice, nard; and 2) A medicine for the eyes made from Phrygian stone. It was sometimes sold in powder form to be applied to the eye. The Phrygian school of medicine at Laodicea became so famous that the names Phrygia and Laodicea were often interchanged.

6.    A large Jewish population lived in and around Laodicea. The temple tax of 2 drachmas annually was to be paid by Jewish males. Even in 62 B.C., that amounted to 15,000 drachmas, suggesting there were some 7500 adult Jewish freeman in that district, not counting women and children. In John’s day, the number must have been considerably more.

7.    The hot water springing out of the ground some five or six miles up the river from Laodicea was carried through aqueducts, mostly underground until it reached Laodicea at which time it was lukewarm. That lukewarm condition was used by God through the angel to the prophet John to describe the self-complacent, apathetic, and spiritually-indifferent church in the final days of this earth’s history. (For more details see http://philologos.org/eb-lttsc/chap29.htm)

8.    While the accusations against the Laodicean church are very blunt, nevertheless, God promises great things to His final end-time church. Read Revelation 3:14,15. Why do you think Jesus called Himself "the Amen,” "the faithful and true Witness,” and "the Beginning of the creation of God”? Was Jesus trying to tell us that just as He created all things in the beginning, He can revive us and create us as new creatures in the image of God?

9.    Read Revelation 3:15,16[3]. What is God trying to tell us about our spiritual condition?

The message to the Laodicean church applies most decidedly to those whose religious experience is insipid, who do not bear decided witness in favor of the truth.—Ellen White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 962.2 (Ltr. 98, 1901)

The Laodicean message must be given with earnestness and power, as a message from heaven. If it be ignored, the Lord will certainly cast away from Him those whose spiritual condition is so objectionable. Christ declares that pretentious piety is nauseating to Him. To the ones so full of self-sufficiency He says, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.” Their works are opposed to the holy principles of God’s word. (Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 20.1)

10.    As you look around in the church to which you belong, do you think God would describe it as lukewarm, insipid, even “pretentiously pious” and nauseating to Him? Could that be us?

11.    Read [Hebrews 12:7-11; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 29:15,17][4]. Does the church of Laodicea need discipline? How do you think God should go about disciplining His children? Do we need a boot camp? Hebrews suggests that if we are not disciplined properly, we are illegitimate children. How can we follow the advice of Hosea 6:1, NKJV: “Come, and let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, but he will heal us; he has stricken, but he will bind us up”?

12.    Read Revelation 3:17. How do you think it is possible for human beings claiming to be Christians to be so wrong in their evaluation of their spiritual condition? Do you think there is any possibility that you or your church or your Sabbath School class could be described as poor, blind, and naked? How could Jesus describe the religious leaders of the Jews in His day as Bible-reading, Sabbath-keeping, tithe-paying adventists (they were looking for the coming of the Messiah) and still say that they were descendants of their father the Devil? (John 8:44)

13.    Read Matthew 25:1-13. Once again, we see Jesus describing a group of people who pretended to be prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom-although they were all sleeping. Worse than that, half of them had no extra oil for their lamps. What do we need to do to make sure these words do not describe us? What steps can and should we take to make sure that we are not asleep and ill-prepared? All we all asleep? Do we have extra oil?

14.    Read Revelation 3:18,19[5]. How can we take advantage of these remedies that Jesus was suggesting for us? What kind of people are sealed by the Holy Spirit?

Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads-it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved-just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming (MS 173, 1902). S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 4, p. 1161.6; LDE 219.4; Maranatha 200.2; FLB 287.7; OFC 83.6; 328.2; 1MR 249.2-250.0; 10MR 252.1

15.    Are there reasons why we do not want Jesus to enter our lives? Are there sins which we would prefer to keep hidden? What stands between us and a true faith relationship with God?

16.    Read Revelation 3:20[6]. Compare Song of Solomon 5:2-5[7]. Does God really want to have an intimate, personal relationship with us-something similar to what is described in Song of Solomon? What would it be like to have an intimate relationship with the infinite God?

17.    Jesus pictured Himself as standing at the door and knocking; He wants to eat with us, but He will never force His way in. In the setting of the Middle Eastern culture, the evening meal is very important. It is a family gathering where often there are several generations who sit down together and talk and counsel and plan. It is a time of great fellowship.

18.    Read Revelation 3:21[8]. Do you think it is possible that we will actually sit down beside God on His throne? What is implied by that idea? God has hundreds of millions of angels waiting to do His every bidding. They have never rebelled against Him. Why would He ask us former-sinners to sit down beside Him while He is on His throne? Will we displace the angels?

19.    Why do you think He wants to spend the rest of eternity in close association with us? With such a prospect before us, what could possibly hold us back from responding positively? In order for us to participate with God in that grand and glorious reunion in heaven, we must experience a true revival and reformation. What more could God offer us?

God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.

A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend. (RH, February 25, 1902 par. 7,8)

20.    One of the surprising things about the Laodicean message is that God suggested He would rather have us be cold than be lukewarm. How could that possibly be? What group of people are more comfortable in their present situation: 1) Those who are lukewarm? Or, 2) Those who are cold? Which group is more likely to seek a change? One of the problems that is well known among Seventh-day Adventists in the more developed countries of the world is the fact that even when we convince people to join the church, we find that before long they often leave. Many do. Careful studies have been done to try to determine why some people stay and why others leave. This research has demonstrated that there are three things that tend to keep people in the church long-term: 1) A firm belief and conviction about the truths taught by the church; 2) Getting involved in church activities and responsibilities; and 3) Developing a close personal relationship/friendship with some group of their new fellow Christians. New believers must come to experience at least two of these three things if they are going to remain in the church for more than a short period of time.

21.    Are we doing our best to reach out and put our spiritual arms around new believers, showing them that we want to be their friends and encouraging them to become a part of the church and become active in the church?

22.    One of the special challenges to revival in our church is the question of how to approach our young people. Is it really possible for a young person to become more interested in Bible study than in the latest movie? Or, perhaps Internet games? Or, even more intimately, one’s favorite sin? How can we make the religious experience of those in our church more than just a few-hours-a-week-on-Sabbath-morning kind of experience?

23.    Ultimately, there is only one criteria that God will look at to determine who will be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven. And that one criteria is: Would we be a safe neighbor to live next door to for the rest of eternity? Someone who puts God first. Would you feel comfortable living next door to a Pharisee? What about the Samaritan woman who had five husbands and was now living with a sixth man? (John 4[9]) Would you dare to live next door to the two former demoniacs? (Matthew 8:28-34[10])

24.    What would happen if Jesus Himself appeared as a human being and delivered the

Laodicean message to your church one Sabbath morning? How would you respond? Is our spiritual condition and the condition of our fellow church members such that we need disciplining-even a rebuke-at times? Some even think they are called to do that!

25.    Many Seventh-day Adventists are waiting for the latter rain to prepare them for the second coming. Do we have any information about how the church has responded to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the past within the Seventh-day Adventist Church? (Read Acts 2[11].)

"The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). In this scripture, the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law. The law reveals sin to us, and causes us to feel our need of Christ and to flee unto Him for pardon and peace by exercising repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren [E. J.] Waggoner and [A. T.] Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded [235] in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. [The Latter Rain?] The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world. (ISelected Messages 234,235)

26.    Is it really possible that our General Conference Committee in session at Minneapolis in 1888 stopped the outpouring of the latter rain? Could that happen again? We are still here?

27.    Read Galatians 5:6[12]. What is a faith that works by love? God pleads with us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white linen, and eye salve. Revelation 19:8 NKJV tells us that the "fine linen, clean and bright . . . is the righteous acts of the saints.” Laodicea was a banking center. They believed that they were rich and did not need any help. Spiritually, don’t we believe that we have the truth? Shouldn’t that make us spiritually rich? What are we still lacking?

28.    Read Matthew 22:1-14[13]. (Compare Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 88,89) When ancient Middle Eastern kings put on a wedding feasts for their sons, they would provide wedding garments for all the attendees. Why was this guest not wearing the provided garment? How do we as Christians "accept” and "put on” Christ’s righteousness?

29.    There is only one way that we can come to be like Jesus. Through Bible study, prayer, and sharing, we can come to be better acquainted with Him as our best Friend. And by beholding-getting to know Him better-we will become changed. (Great Controversy 555)

30.    Don’t we believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s final last-day church? Will the Seventh-day Adventist Church be able to survive as an organization when there is a national and later an international Sunday law forbidding worship on the Sabbath? What will become of our church organization at that time?

31.    How would you describe your personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you long for a deeper, closer relationship every day? Or, are you hoping for just enough of a relationship to squeak into heaven? Is that a safe attitude to have?

Lesson #2 for July 13, 2013 Prayer: The Heartbeat of Revival

Scriptures: [Acts 1:4,8,14; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Matthew 18:19,20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Psalm 50:23][14].

1.    God wants to be our Friend. He has designated three ways in which we can get to know Him better: Bible study, prayer, and witnessing/sharing. Each of these methodologies has its specific purpose. This week’s lesson will focus on prayer. Alfred Lord Tennyson famously said, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” God’s faithful people are not yet in His kingdom. Why? Could a better understanding of the role and purpose of prayer bring us closer?

2.    In the New Testament and particularly in the book of Acts, we read of marvelous results from personal and group prayer. In His own prayer life, Jesus revealed a constant dependence on His heavenly Father. Have you ever wondered exactly how Jesus practiced His prayer life? Read [Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 9:18][15]. Clearly, Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer. Notice these comments:

Christ was continually receiving from the Father, that he might communicate to us. ‘The word which ye hear,’ he said, ‘is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.’ [John 14:24[16]] . . . Not for himself, but for others, he lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with God he came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily he received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened him from his slumbers, and his soul and his lips were anointed with grace, that he might impart to others.—Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, Aug. 11, 1910.

When the cities were hushed in midnight slumber, when every man had gone to his own house, Christ, our example, would repair to the Mount of Olives, and there, amid the overshadowing trees, would spend the entire night in prayer. He who was himself without the taint of sin,-a treasure-house of blessing; whose voice was heard in the fourth watch of the night by the terrified disciples upon the stormy sea, in heavenly benediction; and whose word could summon the dead from their graves,-he it was who made supplication with strong crying and tears. He prayed not for himself, but for those whom he came to save. As he became a suppliant, seeking at the hand of his Father fresh supplies of strength, and coming forth refreshed and invigorated as man’s substitute, he identified himself with suffering humanity, and gave them an example of the necessity of prayer. (4T 528.1 (1881); GW92 28.3; LHU 188.6; Pr 18.4; compare John 4:31-33[17])

Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. (1SM 206.4; TDG 317.3; YRP 233.2; RH, May 25, 1905 par. 24; SpTB02 56.4)

Christ, the Majesty of heaven, laid aside His robes of royalty and came to this world, all seared and marred by the curse, to teach men how to live a life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and how to carry out practical religion in their daily lives. He came to give a correct example of a gospel minister. He labored constantly for one object; all His powers were employed for the salvation of men, and every act of His life tended to that end. . . After teaching throughout the entire day, He frequently devoted the night to prayer. He made His supplications to His Father with strong crying and tears. He prayed, not for Himself, but for those whom He came to redeem. (4T 373.1)

3.    A careful reading of the Gospels suggests that Jesus and His Father with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit planned every day of His life. What would happen if Seventh-day Adventists-even a relatively small group of us-did the same? Could we have that kind of relationship with the Father? Should we pray for that?

4.    Unfortunately, looked at superficially, the life of Jesus yielded a relatively small result. How many people were committed to His cause on crucifixion Friday? But fortunately, that was not the end of the story. [Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7; 9:31; 15:5[18]] suggest that the church grew exponentially through the first century. Reliable estimates suggest that by the end of the first century, there were more than 1 million Christians in the Roman Empire. Obviously, God had a lot to do with that! But, God depended upon human beings willing to do whatever was necessary to carry the gospel forward. Read [Acts 1:4,8,14; 2:42; 4:31,33; 6:3,4][19]. These verses make it very clear that genuine prayer was an essential part of that growth.

5.    It has been suggested frequently that God speaks to us through Bible study and through our study of the spirit of prophecy. In turn, we speak back to God through prayer. That is not exactly what we think of as a two-way conversation; but, how well does it work for you?

6.    The ultimate revival in the form of the latter rain is what we are looking for. "A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 121.

7.    Why don’t we pray more? Have we lost the science of prayer? Are we too busy? Are we claiming that our lives are busier than Jesus’ life was? How was it that Jesus managed to pray all night and arise refreshed? Did Enoch do that? Was that a miraculous happening? Could it happen to us? What are we losing by not spending more time in prayer? Do our prayers need to be longer? Or, better? Could we have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? A better Christian experience? More temptations? Or, the blessing of the Holy Spirit?

8.    Jesus prayed for us. (John 17:20-24[20]) What was He praying for? Jesus also prayed for His closest followers. (Luke 22:31-32[21]) He even prayed fervently for Himself. (Matthew 26:36-44[22])

9.    Read Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-13; and Luke 9:28-36. These passages talk about the famous experience on the mount of transfiguration. What is a transfiguration? At that time, Jesus’ entire being was transformed into brilliant light. Do you think that ever happened to Him during His times of personal prayer? Or, was that display at the transfiguration just for the benefit of His three closest disciples?

10.    Obviously, there were miraculous responses to many of Jesus’ prayers. Did that help to make His prayers more meaningful? Have you seen miracles as a result of your prayers?

11.    Read Matthew 18:19,20[23]. Is group prayer better than private prayer?

The promise is made on condition that the united prayers of God’s people are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another.—Ellen G. White, The Central Advance, Feb. 25, 1903.

12.    Are there some people who cannot pray for themselves? Is there some reason why group prayer is more "powerful” than individual prayer? Is there an essential difference between group prayer and private prayer? Do you believe that private prayer allows you to speak more openly to God than when you are speaking in a group? Does that make a difference?

13.    We all recognize that God knows everything about us even before we begin to pray. Do we always recognize that when we pray? John Bunyan said, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” Do you agree?

14.    Read Acts 12:1-16[24]. Try to imagine yourself in the upper room praying for Peter’s release from prison. What words would you use in your prayer? Try to imagine yourself in Peter’s position in prison. Would you have been sleeping? Or, praying?

15.    Sometimes, Christians feel that their prayers never go higher than the ceiling. Sometimes, they might feel like they are just talking to themselves. Have you ever had that experience? If God already knows exactly what we need and why, why do we have to ask for anything?

16.    What does it mean to pray "in the name of Jesus”? Is that essential to get an answer?

17.    God always recognizes our freedom. In the setting of the great controversy, God limits His actions based on our freedom and the constant opposition of the Devil. Certainly, we would all recognize that God has the power to do anything He decides to do. He could eliminate the Devil. He could heal every sick or hurting Christian. He could perform miracles in response to every Christian’s prayer. But, that would distort the issues in the great controversy. In the setting of the great controversy, we need to learn what would happen if Satan were allowed to rule. We need to learn the consequences of sin. But, how often do we limit what God can do for us because of our own sinful desires and selfishness? And if we pray for something as an individual or even as a group, does that give God permission to do things—in the setting of the great controversy-which He "could not” do otherwise?

18.    Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5[25]. What are the powerful weapons that God gives us to use in this fight? What happens to our faith and our relationship with God when we stand through a difficult situation or perhaps even receive an answer to prayer? Can we think God’s thoughts?

19.    Surely, prayer is a weapon that none of us can afford to do without.

We, too, must have times set apart for meditation and prayer and for receiving spiritual refreshing. We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish.—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 509.

20.    The battleground of the great controversy is in the minds of God’s children. Do you sometimes feel like you are in a battleground? Or, that you are a battleground?

21.    What is the best way to pray? Do we need to kneel down? Do we need to have our Bibles open in front of us? Jesus offered prayer while standing up, (John 11:38-44[26]) while sitting down, (John 6:10,11[27]) and apparently, even while lying flat on the ground in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:39)

22.    Is there a standard pattern that God suggests and recommends for praying? On two different occasions, Jesus gave what we call the Lord’s Prayer as a sample prayer. What can we learn from those examples? [(Matthew 6:7-13; Luke 11:2-4)][28]

23.    It is often very meaningful to pray to God as one is studying the Scriptures. You may want to praise His name after reading a particularly meaningful passage.

24.    Prayers of supplication are also very appropriate. Read Daniel 9:8-19[29]. Notice several important things about Daniel’s prayer. He almost certainly was not a part of the problem, but he sought to be a part of the solution. As far as we know, he was not a great sinner; but, he recognized that the most important thing was to correctly represent God and His name before the nations of the world. How often do we pray for God’s reputation? Do we tend to be a part of the problem? Or, a part of the solution? Is it more important what people think of us, or our church? Or, is it more important what people think of God?

25.    Another very important part of prayer is giving thanks. [(Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6)][30] A general outline for prayer might be something like this: 1) Begin with praise and adoration of God for His many blessings and kindnesses to us. 2) Confess your faults and shortcomings. 3) Thank God for His wonderful forgiveness. 4) Tell God what you believe your/our needs are. 5) Recognize that God knows best and that we submit all requests in an attitude of humility and trust.

26.    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. . . . The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watch care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100.

27.    Have we recognized the importance of prayer in our lives? Do we act as if we really believe that God has an intimate, personal relationship with each one of us if we are willing to let Him? Why is prayer such an essential part of spiritual revival? Do you feel like you have lost something if you fail to spend time in prayer with God each day?

28.    Do you think the time will come when there will be experiences again like what happened on the day of Pentecost? The disciples had come together after spending about 10 days apparently fervently praying together, confessing their sins, acknowledging their dependence upon each other, and then turning to Jesus their Friend to ask for His help. What would happen if we did something like that in our day? Have we allowed our lives to become so busy, so full of things which are "urgent,” that we do not have time for the "important”?

29.    What limitations are there to the power of prayer? If enough people are praying for something, does God have to do it? Why do not believers feel a deeper, more earnest concern for those who are out of Christ? Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then for still another?— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 21

30.    What are the advantages of group prayer? Does it help us to focus on the most important issues? Does it help to bring us closer together as a Sabbath School class? Or, a church? Or, even a small group? Why do you think God especially recommends two or three coming together? Christ has promised to be present where two or three are gathered together. But, isn’t the Holy Spirit present at all times? Everywhere?

31.    What do you think? Do we need more prayer? Or perhaps, new kinds of prayer? Or perhaps, new attitudes in prayer?

32.    What does the Devil do when he sees Christians praying? Does he regarded that as a loss for him? Or, a challenge? What could you do to improve your prayer life?

Lesson #3 for July 20, 2013 The Word: the Foundation of Revival

Scriptures: [Psalm 119:50,74,116; Hebrews 4:1,2,12; 11:3; John 5:39; Acts 20:27-32][31].

1.    In this lesson we will study the Bible and its intended role in the Christian’s life. What role will the Bible play in the final events of this earth’s history? What is the relationship between faith and the Bible? What is God’s relationship to the Bible?

The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed.—Review and Herald, December 15, 1885; Selected Messages, bk. 1, 416; See also 5MR 49; 3SM 21.

Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men.—Patriarchs and Prophets 504 (1890); 4T449; Gospel Workers (1892) 140; AG 350.

Make the Bible its own expositor, bringing together all that is said concerning a given subject at different times and under varied circumstances.—Review and Herald, October 9, 1883; The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1887; Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 42,43.

The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture.

The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. . . . He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. Education 190.2 (1903); Counsels to Teachers 462; Lift Him Up 115; 1MCP 346; 7aBC 458.1.

2.    Read Psalms 119:50,74,116,154[32]. We do not know exactly what form of the Bible was available to David. Did he have large portions memorized? But, it seems clear that he depended upon God’s Word to guide him, to comfort him, to encourage him, to help him in times of depression and disappointment, and to give him wisdom. There were times when David’s life seemed to be directly guided by words or visions from the Holy Spirit. (2 Samuel 2:1-4[33].)

3.    Is there life to be found in the Bible? What does it mean to be "revived”? Why is the Bible different from any other type of literature? How would you classify Ellen White’s writings?

4.    We believe that God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-created our universe. Shouldn’t They be able to re-create us? What is the Holy Spirit’s main contribution to Christian life? Wasn’t it the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament to write our Bible?

The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature, and re-creates the soul in the image of God.—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 126.4.

5.    It is very easy to read the Bible casually and receive almost no benefit. We can enjoy the interesting and inspiring stories and marvelous miracles and praise God for the way He led His people down through the generations. But, God challenges us to read the Bible as a letter from Himself to us with the purpose of revealing His character to us. Do we really want to be His Friend? Instead of trying to conform the Bible to what we think, are we prepared to let our lives be transformed by what God thinks as presented in Scripture?

6.    Romans 8[34] makes it very clear that all three Members of the Godhead are on our side. How can we lose unless we refuse to join the Team? When we read the Bible, do we honestly take it as a revelation of God to us? Do we just focus on the parts that we like?

7.    Have you ever had an "Emmaus road” experience? (Luke 24:13-35[35]) Jesus gave those two disciples an amazing Bible study. But, how He did it is perhaps even more amazing!

Jesus did not first reveal himself in his true character to them, and then open the Scriptures to their minds; for he knew that they would be so overjoyed to see him again, risen from the dead, that their souls would be satisfied. They would not hunger for the sacred truths which he wished to indelibly impress upon their minds, that they might impart them to others, who should in their turn spread the precious knowledge, until thousands of people should receive the light given that day to the despairing disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus.

He [Jesus] maintained his disguise till he had interpreted the Scriptures, and had led them to an intelligent faith in his life, his character, his mission to earth, and his death and resurrection. He wished the truth to take firm root in their minds, not because it was supported by his personal testimony, but because the typical law, and the prophets of the Old Testament, agreeing with the facts of his life and death, presented unquestionable evidence of that truth. When the object of his labors with the two disciples was gained, he revealed himself to them that their joy might be full, and then vanished from their sight.—The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, p. 214.1,2; The Signs of the Times October 6, 1909 par. 8; SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1125.12; 6Red 32. Bracketed content supplied.

8.    Faith is based on evidence. On the day of His resurrection and with all of heaven waiting to rejoice over His victory in the great controversy, Jesus took that much time to teach those two disciples-and the rest of us listening in-how to read and understand the Bible. Imagine God Himself disguising Himself so that we would not believe His words just because of who He is! God wants us to believe Him because we have proven that His words are true, not just because of the His authority as God. We need to search the evidence.

9.    The time is coming very soon in our history when someone claiming to be God will make all kinds of false statements and claims? How can we prepare ourselves for that time when the Devil will appear in person?

10.    Great feelings are often thought to be an evidence of revival. But, unfortunately, feelings are largely a result of external forces. And the Devil knows how to manipulate every kind of external force you can imagine. In fact, right now the Devil is preparing an entire generation to think that at all cost they must avoid any unpleasant feelings! Look at the music and film industries in the United States. Look at the pharmaceutical industry. It is all about feeling good! With so many people depending upon external influences to control their feelings and their lives, when the Devil is able to control those external influences, would it be correct to say that those people will be "demon-possessed”?

11.    No wonder Jesus asked, "‘When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” (Luke 18:8, NKJV) We need to find the truth about God in every part of the Bible.

12.    What is the relationship between faith and feelings? How would you define faith?

Faith is just a word we use to describe a relationship with God as with a Person well-known. The better we know Him, the better the relationship may be.

Faith implies an attitude toward God of love, trust, and deepest admiration.

It means having enough confidence in God-based on the more-than-adequate evidence revealed-to be willing to believe what He says as soon as we are sure He is the One saying it, to accept what He offers as soon as we are sure He is the One offering it, and to do what He wishes as soon as we are sure He is the One wishing it, without reservation-for the rest of eternity. Anyone who has such faith would be perfectly safe to save. That is why faith is the only requirement for heaven.

Faith also means that, like Abraham and Moses, we know God well enough to reverently ask Him, "Why?”—Stated many times by Dr. A. Graham Maxwell

13.    But, like the ancient Israelites, so many of us today want to do things our way! How can we make the Word of God a living, life-giving force in our lives? Compare [Exodus 23:20-33 and Deuteronomy 20:16-18][36]. Why did they want to fight their way into Canaan?

14.    Look at some examples of faith-and the lack thereof-in the Gospels: [Matthew 8:5-13; John 5:1-13; Matthew 14:29-33][37]. Each of these people responded by acting. But, Peter doubted. Which one of these three stories would you say comes closest to your life of faith?

15.    The apostle Paul spent years ministering in Corinth (one and one-half years) and later in Ephesus (three years). Looked at superficially, those two cities were large and very sinful. When Paul first looked at Corinth, he was inclined to say, "I had better move on; there is not much I can do here!” But, God told him to work in Corinth, and a great work was accomplished. After ministering for a long period of time in Ephesus, Paul traveled away from there. When he returned, he told them that they should depend upon God’s Word for everything. (Acts 20:27-32[38]) More than that, he warned them that fierce wolves would come from within the church itself to try to tear things apart. Where do you think the Devil has worked-and will work-most successfully? Will our church leaders mislead us?

16.    Ellen White has given us some very stern and important words regarding our future as a church.

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested. [Compare Matthew 24:24]

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 593, 594.

17.    Do we know the Bible so well that not even the Devil himself, in person, will be able to confuse us about its teachings? Our only safety is in making the Bible our daily study.

18.    When discussing faith and works, one scholar simply said, "Faith works.” What does that imply? Faith is an action word.

19.    Have you ever read the stories, the prophecies, or even the history in the Bible with the specific intent of asking what you can learn about God from every passage or story?

Men and women of prayer, their minds saturated with the Word of God, have changed the world as the Holy Spirit changed them through the Word. One such earthshaker was Martin Luther. Luther, however, had difficulty believing that God actually loved him. His picture of God was one of a vindictive judge and a wrathful tyrant. One day while examining some books in the library at the University of Erfurt where he was a monk, Luther discovered a Latin Bible. This was the first time he had ever held a copy of the entire Bible in his hands. Ellen G. White describes his reaction this way: "With mingled awe and wonder he [Luther] turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he read for himself the words of life, pausing now and then to exclaim: ‘O that God would give me such a book for myself!’. . . Angels of heaven were by his side, and rays of light from the throne of God revealed the treasures of truth to his understanding.”—The Great Controversy, p. 122; Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, p. 36

20.    How do we respond when we hold a Bible in our hands? The Devil is doing everything possible to keep us so busy that we do not have time to open our Bibles, let alone really study them. How will we ever overcome that problem?

21.    Just as the Bible is the written Word of God, Jesus is the living Example of the Word in human flesh. By looking to and studying the life of Christ, we can be transformed.

The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.—Education, p. 126.

Revival and Reformation Witness and Service: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson #4 for July 27, 2013 Scriptures: [Matthew 28:19,20; John 6:1-11; 20:21; Acts 2; 8:26-38; 22:1-14.][39]

1.    What is the role of witnessing in revival? If we have a deep spiritual experience with Jesus Christ through Bible study and prayer, shouldn't that be enough? When one begins to share his faith, he discovers that it is often the case that the truth is not as well cemented in his mind as he once thought. In order to share your faith, you must have it clearly in mind. Often, those who focus on Bible study and prayer end up with a lonely spiritual experience. Sometimes, they become critical of others who do not have an experience just like theirs. Of course, such an attitude is anything but Christian. The goal is not to just change external behavior; the goal is to change hearts.

2.    Changed Christian hearts lead us to be more and more like Jesus whose constant focus in His communion with His Father and in His prayers and in His actions was what He could do for others. Is that our focus? Are we really motivated by Christian love? Or, by something else?

3.    Since the days of Abraham, it has been God's intention that His true people would witness for Him to all around them. (Genesis 12:1-3[40]) Unfortunately, the experience described in the Old Testament was that the children of Israel were converted to the fertility cult religions instead of the other way around! Then, in the Gospels, Jesus repeated His call to action. Read Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-49; and John 20:21. Each of the Gospels says that God's goal for the Christian church is to go forth, preach, make disciples, witness, baptize, and teach people to obey. If we do that, God will send the power of His Holy Spirit to aid in that work.

4.    Notice these very significant words from Ellen White:

The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9. See also FLB 150.2.[41]

5.    Paul had this same idea clearly in mind. Read [Ephesians 1:7-10; 3:7-10 and Colossians 1:19,20.] [42]These verses are especially good in the Good News Bible.

6.    Hopefully, no one doubts the fact that God wishes that every one of His children could be saved. [(1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)][43] So, if God wishes that all His children might be saved, why doesn't He send the angels who would be excellent witnesses to each one of us instead of asking human beings to witness? So often, the goal seems impossible from a human standpoint. Consider the disciples just before the day of Pentecost. There were about 120 of them gathered in the upper room. The best estimates are that in the Roman Empire alone in those days, there were about 60-70 million people. That would suggest that there was a ratio of one Christian to every 500,000 people in just the Roman Empire. It seemed like an impossible task considering there was no means of rapid communication.

7.    What special things did God do for His followers that made the task at least a little easier?

Under the influence of this heavenly illumination the scriptures that Christ had explained to the disciples stood out before them with the luster of perfect truth. [cf. Luke 18:31-34][44] The veil that had prevented them from seeing to the end of that which had been abolished, was now removed, and they comprehended with perfect clearness the object of Christ's mission and the nature of His kingdom. They could speak with power of the Saviour; and as they unfolded to their hearers the plan of salvation, many were convicted and convinced. The traditions and superstitions inculcated by the priests were swept away from their minds, and the teachings of the Saviour were accepted.—Acts of the Apostles 44.1

"There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” During the dispersion the Jews had been scattered to almost every part of the inhabited world, and in their exile they had learned to speak various languages. Many of these Jews were on this occasion in Jerusalem, attending the religious festivals then in progress. Every known tongue was represented by those assembled. This diversity of languages would have been a great hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel; God therefore in a miraculous manner supplied the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy Spirit did for them that which [40] they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime. They could now proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad, speaking with accuracy the languages of those for whom they were laboring.

This miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that their commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language.—Acts of the Apostles 39.2. [Content in brackets supplied]

Was that the tower of Babel reversed?

8.    And how successful were the Christians at spreading the good news around the Roman Empire of those days?

Pliny the Younger, governor of the Roman province of Bithynia on the northern coast of modern Turkey, wrote to Emperor Trajan around a.d. 110.

Pliny described the official trials he was conducting to find and execute Christians. "Many of every age, of every social class, even of both sexes, are being called to trial and will be called. Not cities alone but villages in even rural areas have been invaded by the infection of this superstition” (Christianity).

. . . Ninety years later, around a.d. 200, Tertullian, a Roman lawyer turned Christian, wrote a defiant letter to the Roman magistrates defending Christianity. He boasted that "nearly all the citizens of all the cities are Christians.” (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Monday, July 22)

9.    Remember that that happened in the days when there was no official postal service, no inexpensive writing materials, no telephones, no radios, no televisions, no Internet, and no easy transportation. One walked or at best rode horseback. How did they do it?

10.    The real power in New Testament witnessing came from the fact that the disciples and their followers were witnesses to a genuine transformation in their own lives. This was not play-acting; they were not just going through the motions. The truth of the gospel burned in their hearts so brightly that they could not keep quiet about it. Paul called himself a slave. [(Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 3:7; Philippians 1:1][45]; etc.) After rethinking his theology following the "Damascus road experience,” Paul felt like he had to tell anyone who would listen. [(Acts 22:1-14; Philippians 3:1-7)][46]

11.    So, what changed at Pentecost? The disciples were beginning to understand the truth of their mission. Their best Friend had died; and instead of that being the end of all their hopes, He rose to life and went back to heaven. And they knew that if they followed in His footsteps, the same thing could happen to them. What was there to be afraid of? As far as we know, all but one of them died martyrs’ deaths. But, they did so after living dynamic, life-transforming, faith-filled lives.

12.    So, what was it that made their witness so effective?

Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 347; 3SM 186.3.

13.    So, what is the most powerful witness? If we are truly the friends of Jesus and can speak faithfully and truly about Him, His character, and His government, it becomes a witness that even the Devil cannot effectively deny.

Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling. Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not what the minister preaches, but what the church lives. Too often the influence of the sermon preached from the pulpit is counteracted by the sermon preached in the lives of those who claim to be advocates of truth. (9T 21.1)

The most powerful evidence a man can give that he has been born again and is a new man in Christ Jesus, is the manifestation of love for his brethren, the doing of Christlike deeds. This is the most wonderful witness that can be borne in favor of Christianity, and will win souls to the truth. (General Conference Bulletin, July 1, 1900 par. 13)

14.    So, what kind of testimony can you give? What kind of testimony are you sharing? (Matthew 5:16)

15.    Activity is a law of life. Every organ, every muscle, every tissue needs activity to remain healthy. If one takes a completely healthy person and puts him at bedrest for a significant period of time, he will become weak and hardly able to do anything! The same thing happens to people who do not exercise their spiritual muscles. Why do you suppose Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35) What happens if we share our faith?

16.    Read John 6:1-13. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be there on that day and to share in the meal miraculously prepared by Jesus? Apparently, both the loaves and fishes multiplied in His hands and in the hands of the disciples. And starting with five loaves and two fishes, they collected 12 basketfuls after He had fed 5000 men plus the women and children.

17.    The same thing will happen to those who share their faith.

Witnessing is the gentle breeze that fans the sparks of revival into Pentecostal flames. When witness and service do not accompany a revival of prayer and Bible study, the flames of revival are extinguished, and the embers soon grow cold. (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Wednesday, July 24, 2013)

18.    Incredible as it may seem, the Christians went to the temple and private homes every day and did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42[47]) When Stephen was stoned and a terrible persecution broke out against Christians scattering them to the four winds, they went forth preaching and sharing the Word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4[48])

19.    And what do we know about those experiences? Look at the example of Philip, one of the seven deacons. He was instructed to go down to the road leading along the coast from

Jerusalem to Egypt. Read the story in Acts 8:26-38[49]. And what did Philip do?

An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God’s way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 109.

20.    God wants to bless us by giving us the opportunity to work with Him. Who would not want to be a partner with God? And in this partnership, there are three essential elements: Bible study, prayer, and witnessing.

21.    Let us take a brief, honest inventory. When you have an opportunity to witness for the truth, what do you do? Are you embarrassed to speak up? Do you grasp at any excuse for not speaking up? What does your answer tell you about your personal relationship with your best Friend, Jesus Christ? Moses said he could not speak, and he ended up writing six books of the Bible!

22.    Have you had the experience of being led to a place where you met someone who needed the gospel shared with him?

In His wisdom the Lord brings those who are seeking for truth into touch with fellow beings who know the truth. It is the plan of Heaven that those who have received light shall impart it to those in darkness.—Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles, 134.

God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work.

In order to enter into His joy,-the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice-we must participate in His labors for their redemption.-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 142.

23.    There seem to be so many urgent things that we need to take care of in this life. We need to support our families. We need to provide homes, transportation, food, clothing, etc. But, if we witnessed as we should and the second coming could be hastened, (2 Peter 3:10-12[50]) just think how much better the food, clothing, shelter, and environment would be-in heaven!

24.    Are we embarrassed to witness? Why? Are we afraid of rejection? How often was Jesus rejected? Are we not sure what to say? Do we need a deeper understanding and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

25.    Having the privilege of witnessing to someone and having him become a Christian and join the church, is positively exhilarating. Why don't more Christians try it?

26.    What is the relationship between knowing Christ personally and sharing Christ passionately? A Christianity that does not include active Bible study, prayer, and witnessing easily deteriorates into dead formalism.

27.    Try to imagine yourself as one of the group gathered in the upper room just before Pentecost. A resurrected Jesus left you about 10 days ago and ascended back to heaven. Maybe the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19,20 are still ringing in your ears. What would you have done?

28.    From Acts and his letters, we have a pretty good idea what Paul did. We have a pretty good idea what Peter and Philip did. We do not know very much about the other apostles. What would Paul do in the 21st century? Is it impossible for us to have a Paul-like experience because we are just too busy?

If you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness.

You will plead with God, and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul will drink deeper drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering opposition and trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich experience.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 80.

29.    As we seek to share the truth, it will lead us to a deeper study of the Bible and prayer. In turn, those brighten the flame; and we go back to witnessing again. It is a self-perpetuating process. If we were asked to give a testimonial on the spot regarding some important Christian doctrine, how many of us could do so including with support from the Bible? What will we do when we have to stand singly and alone before authorities on this earth?

When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God and a turning to men, putting human in place of divine wisdom. (5 Testimonies 707.2)

30.    God's command to go, teach, and baptize is given to each one of us. God does not wait for us to be qualified. He calls us, and then He qualifies us. We are to make disciples of all nations. Christianity was the first truly international religion; it knows no boundaries. While it is true that Christ was no longer with the disciples personally, He was, in fact, closer to them than if He were present physically. The Holy Spirit was with them wherever they went. And He promised to return.

31.    In Matthew 28:19,20, Jesus promised to give us authority; and in Acts 1:8, He promised the power to go with it. With that kind of promise from our Lord, how can we fail? Have you ever felt like you were privileged to share some work with the Holy Spirit? Scan Acts 8-10. Philip witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch. Paul was converted and began his preparation for his work in the Mediterranean world. God gave dreams to Peter, and he converted a Roman centurion. Marvelous things happened. Could we have experiences like any of these? There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the last-day events including the latter rain will be even more generous and more remarkable than was the former rain at Pentecost. Are you looking forward to being a part of that? What could you do to witness to a neighbor, a friend, or a colleague at work? Could your Sabbath School class become a witnessing unit? What would happen if every Seventh-day Adventist church had one active witnessing unit in it? Surely, the gospel could be finished quickly!

Revival and Reformation Obedience: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson #5 for August 3, 2013

Scriptures: [Matthew 26:69-74; Acts 5:28-32; 6:3-10; 9:1-9; Philippians 2:5-8.][51]

1.    In this lesson we will discuss the impact of revival and reformation in the lives of those who truly receive the Holy Spirit.

2.    Looking back to the former rain and the experience at Pentecost, we recognize that thousands of people were converted in a day. Within a relatively short period of time, even Pharisees and priests had become Christians. (Acts 6:7; 15:5)[52] And we have been promised that greater manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit will be seen in the latter rain than were seen in the former rain.

An illustration of the impact of revival on daily life can be seen in the Welsh Revival of 1904. Evan Roberts and some of his friends began earnestly praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They interceded, studied Scripture, and shared their faith.

The Spirit was poured out in response. Lives were changed. In six months there were one hundred thousand conversions in the small country of Wales. The results of this revival were seen throughout the country. Throughout the day, people flocked to churches by the thousands for prayer. The rough, cursing coal miners were transformed into kind, courteous gentlemen. Even the pit ponies in the coal mines had to learn new commands because the miners were not cursing at them anymore! Transformed, obedient lives sprang from converted hearts. This is irrefutable evidence of a true revival. (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Sabbath, July 27)

3.    What is the result of a true revival? A changed life. Obedience to what? Revival is not just about warm, fuzzy feelings. A careful examination of the Gospels will reveal the fact that the disciples had the entire range of emotions while working with Jesus-sometimes very positive and sometimes quite negative. How did they feel in the upper room immediately after the crucifixion? The Greek word for obedience indicates a humble willingness to listen.

4.    So, what are the clear evidences of revival in a Christians life? Obedience-living a Christ-like life. (See TMK 293) One good example of the changes that take place in the life of someone who was truly experiencing revival and reformation is the example of Peter. Read [Matthew 26:69-74; John 21:15-19; and Acts 5:28-32.][53] In the upper room before the crucifixion, Peter was boldly asserting his commitment to his Lord and Master. A few weeks after experiencing that terrible denial three times and recognizing what a fool he had made of himself, he was demonstrating submission, a recognition of the fact that Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. But, a few weeks later after the Pentecostal experience, Peter was bold in favor of the gospel; in Acts 4 and 5, he pointed his finger directly at the Pharisees and Sadducees and accused them of being directly responsible for the murder of the Messiah. What a change!

5.    Another excellent example of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life is the story of Stephen. Read [Acts 6:3-10; 7:55][54]. Could you choose seven people you know who are full of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you wish we had a record of Stephen’s discussions and presentations in the synagogue of the Freedmen? His arguments were compelling and unanswerable. But, to his opponents that was so upsetting that they were determined to get rid of him. He was called before the Sanhedrin where he proclaimed that marvelous, marvelous sermon recorded in Acts 7[55]. Of course, the result was his death. And his death was followed by a period of severe persecution against Christians in and around Jerusalem; that led to Christians being scattered in many directions, carrying the gospel with them.

6.    Could that story be repeated in our day? Will there be people who will become martyrs for the Christian cause prior to the second coming of Jesus? Could we be among them? When the day comes when we have to face the Devil in person, will we be able to stand straight and tall and speak boldly on God’s behalf as did Peter and Stephen? It will be God’s Word versus false miracles!

7.    Read Acts 9:1-9[56]. On that long walk, he had time to think! The very familiar story of Saul’s conversion on the Damascus road raises a number of questions. If God can produce a Paul through the use of one blinding flash of light, why doesn’t He do it more often? What was it about Saul/Paul before the Damascus road experience that led God to know that he would turn into the Paul we know about? And what was Paul’s experience immediately after that blinding flash of light? After he had been led into the city of Damascus, he basically was handed over to the care of the Christian church where he was given further instructions from God.

Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of His recognized followers on earth. Jesus is the friend of sinners, and His heart is touched with their woe. He has all power, both in heaven and on earth; but He respects the means that He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men; He directs sinners to the church, which He has made a channel of light to the world.

When, in the midst of his blind error and prejudice, Saul was given a revelation of the Christ whom he was persecuting, he was placed in direct communication with the church, which is the light of the world. [Ephesians 3:10[57]]—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 122.

8.    What happened next to Paul? What do you suppose was going through his mind during those three days of blindness? How different was it than while on that long walk to Damascus?

9.    Paul had an incredible education in Scripture. But, recognizing that Jesus was the Messiah caused a "fruit basket upset” in his thinking, a paradigm shift. Over the next three years, he had to rethink his understanding of the Old Testament. It is quite possible that he had memorized much of the Old Testament. After those three years, he was unstoppable. He had passion!

10.    Read Acts 9:10-16[58]. Paul was shocked by a blinding flash of light. Ananias was shocked by a vision from God. What do you think was the greatest shock to Ananias and to the Christian Jews in Damascus: 1) The fact that the foremost persecutor of Christians had now become a Christian, or 2) The fact that God said Paul was to go forth to evangelize Gentiles?

11.    We have already suggested that Jesus’s life was guided each day by the Holy Spirit. How would you describe Paul’s life? Do you think he might have been guided, convicted, instructed, and empowered by the Spirit? Did Paul ever regret living the life which he lived? Read Acts 26:18-32[59]. There are many things about the life of Paul of which we do not know anything. (2 Corinthians 11,12[60]) We do know that a number of people-surprising people-were converted in short periods of time by the testimony of Paul. By contrast, we see the example of people like Agrippa. Paul had dedicated his life to Christ. Agrippa listened to him and turned away. How often do we do that? Have you felt the guiding power of the Holy Spirit in your own life? How did you respond? If the Holy Spirit came to you on a daily basis directing your life, would you be willing to crucify self and follow His guidance? Or, like Agrippa, would you turn away?

12.    How often do we find excuses when we feel convicted by God to do something?

13.    Of course, the ultimate example of the Spirit-guided life was Jesus Himself. From the time He was a child, His life was a rebuke to the sinners around Him. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, anointed by power at the time of His baptism, and throughout His life apparently planned on a day-by-day basis with His Father and the Holy Spirit what He was going to do that day.

14.    Read Philippians 2:5-8. Why would God-the three Members of the Trinity-plan for such a life as the life that Jesus’s turned out to be? He was Someone who while He was fully God was willing to set aside His divinity and become a Human Being; and not only that but He was also willing to become a servant to others and finally to die the death of a common criminal. Why would God do that? The Trinity planned it all! Clearly, God was trying to teach us something. Do we know for sure what it was? Could one of us or a group of us live truly Spirit-directed and Spirit-filled lives that are Christ-like in the 21st century? What would such a life look like?

15.    Paul described himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. [(Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1)][61] In Romans 6:15-23[62], he contrasted what it is like to be a slave of sin and what it is like to be a slave of righteousness. In Romans 8:12-17[63], it is bondage and adoption that he contrasted.

16.    Do we clearly understand the difference between bondage and adoption? Does doing what is right because it is right make you feel free? Or, put you in bondage?

At the entrance gate of the path that leads to everlasting life God places faith, and He lines the whole way with the light and peace and joy of willing obedience.

The traveler in this way keeps ever before him the mark of his high calling in Christ. The prize is ever in sight. To him God’s commands are righteousness and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.—Ellen G. White, RH, May 9, 1907 par. 2; In Heavenly Places 183.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer’s love and of His saving grace. The men and women, who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. Before angels and men they have revealed the transforming power of redeeming love.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 49.

17.    Read Acts 5:1-11[64]. Not everyone whose life was touched by the experience at Pentecost responded as did Stephen and Paul. Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to God and to Peter. They thought they could partake of God’s blessings and enjoy the fellowship of the early Christian group and still selfishly keep back a part of what they had promised to God and to the church. As a result they both died on the church floor!

18.    Why is it so difficult for us to truly learn and exhibit self-denial and self-sacrifice? Philippians 2 tells us that Christ emptied Himself. Of what are we supposed to empty ourselves? The kingdom of Satan is ruled by selfishness; God’s kingdom is ruled by love. How difficult is it for us as naturally-born, selfish human beings to completely change the motives in our lives? How do we reach the place where our highest desire is to do God’s will? And what is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is now in control of our lives? Could you tell if you were, in fact, living in accordance with God’s will?

19.    Read Galatians 5:22,23[65]. It is very interesting to note that the fruit of the Spirit includes a lot of things, but the final step in the fruit of the Spirit is to live a self-controlled life! The Holy Spirit does not want to control us; He wants us to do what is right because it is right and because we choose to do so. Why is it so easy to live the worldly lifestyle? Why does it often seem so difficult to live Godlike lives? Is this a result of our inherently selfish natures?

20.    Is your spiritual life closest to the example of Peter before the crucifixion, after the crucifixion, or after Pentecost? Or, do none of those experiences represent you?

21.    It is our privilege to live lives in harmony with the Holy Spirit’s power. We can have lives that demonstrate revival, reformation, and obedience to God’s will. Are we doing it?

One of the attendees at an evangelistic meeting visited the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the very first time. A few days later she commented to the evangelist that, although she believed the new truths she was learning at the evangelistic meetings, she would not be returning to church. When he asked why, she said something like this: "Well, you see, pastor, in our church the Holy Spirit is poured out each week. People speak in tongues. They have visions, and they prophesy. I want to see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit in action, and I did not see it here.”

This lady was certainly right to expect to attend a Spirit-filled service, but her perception of the ways in which the Holy Spirit manifests Himself was certainly mistaken. In this week’s lesson, we will focus especially on how the Holy Spirit is revealed in a changed life. The power of the Holy Spirit is not necessarily revealed in signs and spectacular wonders. It is always revealed in hearts that seek to do God’s will. (Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide p. 61)

22.    Most Christians will verbally express a willingness to be guided by the Holy Spirit. As you look around you in the church, do you see that happening in the lives of many of your fellow Christians?

23.    If Jesus was willing to set aside His divinity and come down to live the very challenging kind of life which He lived here on this earth-a life of service to all around Him and finally die the death of a common criminal-what should be our response? If we want to live Christ-like lives, do we need to be humbly willing to do God’s will? Jesus descended from the very heights of heaven to become a human being, to become a servant of others, and finally, to die that awful death. He did this so that we could ascend from the depths of despair to the heights of heaven.

24.    So, what have we learned about living the Spirit-filled life from the examples of Peter, Stephen, Paul, and Jesus? Do you feel more or less capable of living that kind of life?

Dave and Jane claimed to be committed Christians. They attended church weekly, offered a short prayer at meals, and occasionally prayed together, but something was missing in their lives. Their marriage was in deep trouble. Arguments often punctuated their discussions. The latest TV programs captivated their interest, and it seemed boring to read the Bible and pray. Through a series of unusual circumstances, they became part of a small Bible-study group. Gradually, they developed a hunger for God’s Word. Over time, significant changes took place in their lives. The things about which they once so fiercely argued seemed to make little difference. Prayer and Bible study became precious times of fellowship with God. There was a dramatic change in their thinking. The motto of their lives became, "Jesus, the desire of my heart is to please You.”

This is the result of true spiritual revival. When our hearts are renewed by His grace and our minds are saturated with His Word, we long to please Jesus by living godly, obedient lives. (Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide p. 63,64)

25.    Have we experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Is the Holy Spirit active in our lives on a daily basis? Are there some areas of our lives which we are not willing to surrender to Jesus? What could possibly be holding us back?

Revival and Reformation Confession and Repentance: The Conditions of Revival

Lesson #6 for August 10, 2013

Scriptures: [Acts 5:30-32; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Leviticus 5:5; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 12:17; Psalm 32:1-8].[66]

1.    There are some outstanding examples of the importance of repentance and confession in Scripture. Psalm 32[67] and Psalm 51[68] tell of David’s confession of his sin with Bathsheba and its results. But, no doubt, the greatest and most impressive example of confession and repentance would be the story of the time the disciples and others spent in the upper room between the ascension of Jesus and the day of Pentecost. And what an incredible result!

2.    Read [Matthew 18:1; Luke 9:46; and 22:24][69]. The most incredible thing about Luke 22:24 is that the verse places it in the context of the upper room the night before Jesus was arrested! Was it really true that the disciples were arguing among themselves about who would be greatest even at that point in history? What changed over the next 50 days that made the blessings and results at Pentecost possible? How were the disciples impacted by the crucifixion and the resurrection? Read Acts 4:13; 5:30-32[70].

3.    What is the role of repentance and confession in the lives of Christians? Is there a false kind of repentance? What is the difference between repentance and confession?

4.    Read Acts of the Apostles 35.1-37.3. Notice what had happened to the disciples as a result of the previous seven weeks experience. Before Jesus died, they were ready to follow Him something like sheep and to let Him do all the work. But, when they recognized that their best Friend was in heaven at the right hand of God, they were fearless and moved forward with bold assertions, even before the Sanhedrin. (Acts 5:30-32) Is it any surprise that repentance and confession are spoken about frequently in the book of Acts when the disciples had had such a remarkable response at Pentecost? And surely, Paul understood the importance of repentance and confession.

5.    What is implied by Romans 2:4[71]? Why is it that "the goodness of God” is to lead us to repentance? Can that goodness be seen even in the Old Testament? And since God’s goodness is unlimited, what keeps us from repenting? How many of us allow our selfish natures to get the best of us so that we are reluctant to admit that we might have done something wrong? Surely, we do not think that we can fool God!

6.    In his correspondence with the church at Corinth, Paul apparently wrote four letters. First Corinthians 5:9 mentions a previous letter written before 1 Corinthians. Then, 1 Corinthians as we know it was written. Then, Paul made a brief and very discouraging visit to Corinth during which they apparently were very rude to him. (When he returned to Corinth later, he said it was his third visit. See 2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1[72]) He went back to Ephesus; and with a lot of prayer, he decided to write a very strong letter to them. It is possible that that letter is preserved in 2 Corinthians 10-13. The good news is that that letter worked, and they repented of their evil ways. But, Paul became very anxious to get their response. After sending Titus to Corinth with that letter to straighten things out, he waited for a long time with no answer back. Finally, he traveled on foot all the way to Troas and then to Philippi where, finally, he met Titus who gave him the good news that that strong letter had done its work. Paul commented about that strong letter in 2 Corinthians 7:9-16[73]. Sometimes, we need a very strong urging to correct our ways!

7.    When we were young, many of us learned that it was necessary every night to kneel down beside the bed and make sure we confessed all our sins. If you somehow forgot one and did not ask for forgiveness, your case was lost! It was a very scary idea.

8.    Fortunately, a more careful look at Scripture gives us a different picture about God’s love and His care for sinners. In Jeremiah 31:31-34[74], God talked about how He will repair our sinful lives in what is described as a new covenant. He said, "I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs.” (Jeremiah 31:34, GNB) Everyone needs forgiveness.

9.    But, I believe the whole approach of trying to remember all our sins and ruminate over them in order to ask forgiveness for them is a wrong approach.

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably be downward. (Great Controversy 555.1; compare FLB 150.2)

While we cannot do anything to change our hearts or to bring ourselves into harmony with God; while we must not trust at all to ourselves or our good works, our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not [58] by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts. (SC 57.2)

10.    Confession and repentance are essential; but, God is not looking over the records trying by all means possible to find any mistake that is still left in our lives. He asks us to look at the life and experience of Jesus and, as far as possible, follow His example. We need to be sorry for and repent of any wrongdoing, but to focus on our previous wrongdoings will often lead us deeper and deeper into wrongdoing! God tells us to look away from our sins and focus our attention on Jesus as more and more we practice living like Him. You cannot stamp out sin; you can only crowd it out.

11.    Read 1 Timothy 1:14-17[75]. Do you agree that Paul was the worst of sinners? Why did he make such a statement? We usually mention the fact that he had previously persecuted and even killed Christians. But even in those days, he believed he was doing what was right! And he certainly confessed his sins when he realized the truth. Paul was not trying to set himself up as some kind of personal model; he was saying, "Look what Jesus did for me!”

12.    How does God deal with sinners? Look at the story of Mary Magdalene. (See Luke 8:1-3[76]) And what about her uncle Simon, the former leper and Pharisee? (Luke 7:36-50) Even the story of Judas is an incredible example of God’s patience and love toward His sinful children.

13.    Is there any question in your mind about God’s forgiveness? [(1 John 1:9; Isaiah 1:16-18)][77]

14.    So, how do we correctly confess our sins before God?

True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ 38.1

15.    And what will be the result of our receiving forgiveness from God? We should be prepared to forgive those who have wronged us.

16.    There are some examples in the Bible of false repentance. Look at the cases of Pharaoh, Balaam, Esau, and Judas. [(Exodus 12:29-32; Numbers 22:32-35; Hebrews 12:17; and Matthew 27:4)][78] What was wrong with their repentance? Those gentlemen were not sorry for their sins; they were just sorry for the results! And the repentance came too late.

17.    What has been your personal experience? Are you consistently repenting of your sins? Or, just of the consequences of your sins?

18.    To repent consists of at least three things: 1) Genuine sorrow that we have hurt God. 2) Admission of our guilt, and confession of the specific sin which we have committed. 3) A determination to turn away from that sin. The ultimate result of true confession and repentance is a reformed life.

19.    Read Psalm 32:1-8[79]. What do you learn there about David’s experience? How does it compare with your own?

20.    Is there a proper role for guilt? If we recognize our mistakes and our sins and feel guilty and if that feeling of guilt leads us to correct the problem as far as possible, the result is wonderful. But, if the guilt is just a bad feeling, it can be dangerous.

This feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense of sinfulness has poisoned the springs of life and of true happiness.

Now Jesus says, "Lay it all on Me. I will take your sins. I will give you peace.

Banish no longer your self-respect, for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are mine. Your weakened will I will strengthen; your remorse for sin I will remove.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 305.

21.    Have you ever had the experience of repenting and confessing of a sin and still having it bother you even for a considerable period of time? Why is that? For one thing, clearly, the Devil does not want us to confess and repent of our sins and then reform our lives, leaving those sins behind! But also, there are times when our sins hurt other people. And it may be necessary for us to confess those sins and repent to those people.

Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. The work that we have to do on our part is plainly set before us: "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16, 17. "If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Ezekiel 33:15.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 39.

22.    Have you ever wondered how forgiving God really is? Read Luke 23:34[80]. Can you imagine forgiving people who are crucifying You unjustly?

23.    Can you remember a time when you confessed a sin and felt a great burden roll off your mind?

24.    How much do you think Paul looked back to the time when he was persecuting Christians? Was that a constant problem for him? Did he continually feel guilty? Or, did he accept God’s forgiveness?

25.    We suggested earlier that the best example in Scripture of true confession and repentance is the story of the upper room just before Pentecost. Do you think such an experience could happen again? Could it happen in your church or your Sabbath School? What is it that is preventing such an experience from happening all over the world? When the latter rain finally falls on God’s true people at the end, will that kind of experience be repeated?

26.    Counselors have discovered that people who come to them but are not willing to tell the full truth often do not get relief from their problems. When the full truth comes out and they face the problem and deal with the problem with the help of a true Christian counselor, the result is often remarkable.

27.    Are we honest in our prayers? Surely, we recognize that God already knows the truth!

28.    Read James 5:16. What kind of sins was James talking about? The book of James is clearly focusing on relationships within the church family. Then, would those sins be sins against other Christians?

29.    We recognize that we are all naturally born sinners. As a result of our heredity, our natural tendencies are evil. But, it is possible for us to be reborn as Christians. When that happens through baptism, what happens to our old nature? Does the Christian life suddenly become much easier to live? Not at all! When we truly seek to draw near to Jesus and to leave our sinful practices behind, in many cases the Devil works even harder! But, the forgiveness of God can overrule all of that. And if we come to honor Him and rest in His forgiveness as we gradually become more and more like Him, it will be wonderful. The Bible uses three different words for sin: transgression, sin, and iniquity.

Each one has a different shade of meaning in the original language.

T ransgression implies willful rebellion against the will of God. In this passage, the word for "sin” means "missing the mark” or "failing to obey God’s commands.” Iniquity has to do with moral distortion or crookedness. True joy, perfect peace, and inner contentment come when we confess our sins and acknowledge our guilt before God. The grace of God is fully capable of covering our transgressions, sins, and iniquities. There is nothing for which His righteousness cannot atone. Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, p. 75.

30.    Apparently, unconfessed sins keep the Holy Spirit from blessing us in many ways that He would like to. Why is that? Are there unconfessed sins in our lives that are robbing us of the Holy Spirit’s blessings? Is that because the Holy Spirit refuses to work with anyone who is a sinner? Obviously, that cannot be the truth! It must be that when we hold onto our sins, there is no room for the Holy Spirit in our lives.

31.    As you have studied this lesson, can you think of anything who stands between you and a better relationship with Jesus Christ? Or, is there something between you and another human being you may have wronged? Even on a Sabbath, wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to clear those obstacles away and open up a new and joyous Christian life?

Revival and Reformation Unity: The Bond of Revival

Lesson #7 for August 17, 2013

Scriptures: [John 17:9-11,20-24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-18; Acts 1:8; 4:32,33; 15:1-31; Matthew 18:16-20][81].

1.    This lesson is about unity. What is the basis for Christian unity? The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide church. Social and cultural differences abound. Will it ever be possible to have unity in such a large group? What is the difference between unity and uniformity?

2.    At some time, almost every one of us has experienced sibling rivalry, either personally or observed in others. Brothers and sisters may fight incessantly-usually to the frustration of their parents. But, if a common enemy comes in to attack the family in any way, suddenly, brothers and sisters tend to stand shoulder to shoulder in opposition to the external force. Could that happen in the church?

3.    The disciples had spent years fighting over who was going to have the top positions in the earthly kingdom they expected Jesus to set up. That fighting continued even into the upper room on Thursday evening just before Jesus was arrested. (Luke 22:24[82]) But, when they realized the common mission that needed to be accomplished, they were able to join together with one accord. (Acts 5:12[83])

4.    Read John 17:9-11,20-24[84]. In His great prayer just before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for unity among His first disciples; but, He also prayed for unity among all those who would believe because of their words. That certainly includes all of us. In fact, the first group of disciples got together in Jerusalem and shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32,33[85])

To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation.

At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word. (8T 20.3)

Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out.

They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” Acts 4:32. The Spirit of Him who died [21] that sinners might live animated the entire congregation of believers. (8T 20.4)

5.    Could a group of Seventh-day Adventist Christians in the 21st century have a similar experience? What would be the characteristics of such a group?

6.    As we have noted in previous lessons, the gospel was soon carried to every corner of the Roman Empire. There were obvious differences in caste, social status, and gender. Accepting the Christian faith placed many of them at risk of death. Then, there was no Bill of Rights in the Roman Empire to protect religious liberty and there was no mass communication.

7.    But, the entrance of Christianity transformed much of society in those days. How could Christians fight with each other when they realized that Jesus would have been willing to die for each one of them.

The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share his watch care, not another soul for whom he gave his beloved Son. (Steps to Christ 100.1)

One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance... (2SP 394.1)

One soul saved in the kingdom of God is worth more than 10,000 worlds like this. (RH, April 1, 1880, par 1)

Christ would have died for one soul in order that that one might live through the eternal ages. (8T 72.3)

8.    With the task of carrying the message of the gospel to the entire world, how can we stop to fight with each other? Every soul that we can reach out to is of immense value in God’s sight. Their theology may be wrong, but we should still love them while we seek to live a life that will be an example to all around us. Self must die.

9.    Peter and Paul both suggested that every Christian is to be a part of the great whole even though they may have differences. First Corinthians 12:12-18[86] suggests that just as the different parts of the body serve different functions but are all parts of the same body, so every Christian should have his important role in the work of the church. [First Peter 2:4,5 and Ephesians 2:19-22][87] suggest that we are all to be built together as a temple to God. Each person is to serve his function in that temple.

10.    Read John 13:34,35[88]. What do these words imply? Could it really be true that "If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (GNB) Does that imply that there is so much chaos, disunity, and animosity in the rest of the world that when a group of people come together in Christian love, they stand out like a mighty light? Could that be said about your church or even your Sabbath School group?

11.    Read [Acts 1:8; 4:33; 5:42; 9:31; and 28:28-31][89]. The early disciples came together in almost a communal type of living. They lived, ate, and most importantly prayed, taught, and preached as one. (See Luke 8:1 -3[90]) They were consumed with the mission of spreading the gospel to the world.

12.    Peter referred to their mission as a "present truth” in 2 Peter 1:12, (KJV): "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” It certainly was! In one generation, they carried the gospel message about their Friend Jesus Christ to every corner of the Roman Empire. Do Adventists have an end-time "present truth”?

13.    Seventh-day Adventists have come to regard the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12[91] as our message to carry to the entire world in the time of the end. How well are we doing that? What percentage of the world’s population even knows that the three angels’ messages exist? Have we designed a simple, easy-to-understand explanation of the three angels’ messages and the great controversy theme that our members can use to speak to others outside our church?

14.    Let us be honest to recognize that differences will arise among the members in any human organization. How should those differences be resolved? Read Matthew 18:15-20[92]. If a personal difference arises between two church members, Christ has given us the steps that we need to take to resolve it.

15.    But, there are times when issues arise affecting larger groups of the church. Read Acts 15:1-31[93]. The Jewish Christians were very concerned that if Paul and his friends continued to spread the gospel among the Gentiles, soon, the Christian church would be mainly a Gentile organization! They wanted to keep its Jewish nature. They believed that Christianity should be a subunit of Judaism. They thought every Christian should follow the Jewish rules and regulations. Of course, Paul was adamantly opposed to those restrictions. One of the requirements agreed upon at the Jerusalem council described in Acts 15 was that Christians should not eat food offered to idols. Paul was there and apparently acceded to the common idea that that should be one of the requirements. But, later as he dealt with that problem in Corinth, he took a very different approach. Read [Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, especially 10:25-31[94]], to see his advice. Did he dare to disagree with the larger group?

16.    Of course, there are some things on which we cannot compromise in any way. When it comes to the core teachings of the gospel-understanding why Jesus came and died and the essence of the issues in the great controversy-there is no room for compromise. (Galatians 1:6-9) Would you dare to speak like that? What was the issue there?

17.    So, how could all these things be implemented in our day? Careful research has been done among people who choose to join a church in the 21st century. As we unfortunately know, many who choose to join one of our churches soon leave. There are three reasons why people stay in their new church. 1) They believe in the core teachings of the church. 2) They become involved in church activities. 3) They develop a close friendship and fellowship with members of the church body. To remain in the church, new members need to have at least two of these three reasons, and ideally, all three. When new members join one of our churches through an evangelistic campaign or even through personal evangelism, do we make extra efforts to reach out and place our arms around them? What does this tell us about unity?

What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost?

The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, "He that is feeble . . . shall be as David; and the house of David . . . as the angel of the Lord.” Zechariah 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. (Acts of the Apostles 48.1; compare FLB 150)

18.    Read [Acts 1:14; 12:5,12; 6:7; and Matthew 28:16-20][95]. The early Christians prayed together, talked together, studied God’s Word together, and went out to share their faith with anyone who would listen. Even priests (Were they Sadducees?) and Pharisees (Acts 15:5) became members of the new Christian church.

In these first disciples was presented marked diversity. They were to be the world’s teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ’s object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself. The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to His Father,

"That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us;” "that the world may know that Thou has sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” John 17:21,23. His constant prayer for them was that they might be sanctified through the truth; and He prayed with assurance, knowing that an Almighty decree had been given before the world was [21] made. He knew that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached to all nations for a witness; He knew that truth armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the battle with evil, and that the bloodstained banner would one day wave triumphantly over His followers. {Acts of the Apostles 20.2)

19.    When dealing with a worldwide church where social and cultural beliefs vary so greatly, how do we maintain unity? How much freedom should subunits of the church such as divisions, unions, conferences, and even local congregations have to differ from the body without causing a complete split? When such issues as the role of women in ministry are discussed, how do they impact our unity?

20.    We have spoken about various aspects of unity. Read John 17:9-11, 20-24[96]. Is it really possible for human beings from different backgrounds to come together and have the kind of unity that exists between the Father and Son? Or, is that just an ideal goal? If we are focused on our mission of finishing the gospel, can we tolerate some differences in opinion? {Romans 14:1-5[97])

21.    Paul’s illustration about the human body clearly suggested that different parts have different functions. How much variation does that suggest might exist between different church subunits as we seek to finish the gospel? How many of the differences that arise in the church arise because some individual or small group of individuals is just being stubborn? If we were truly focused 100% on the mission of finishing the gospel, how many of these small differences would disappear?

Revival and Reformation Discernment: The Safeguard of Revival

Lesson #8 for August 24, 2013

Scriptures: [John 17:3; 1 John 2:3-6; Matthew 23:27-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7][98].

1.    In this series about Revival and Reformation, we need to learn how to determine what is true revival versus false revival? There are those who suggest that the ultimate example or proof of revival is the presence of miracles. What is a miracle? Are there such a thing as a “false miracle”? Are there clear ways to determine which is a true miracle and which is a false miracle? And how do we determine the source of a miracle? We need to remember that Jesus and others in the Bible clearly said that miracles can be performed by Satan. (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:24[99]; Revelation 13:13-14; 16:14; 19:20[100]) Are “signs and wonders” always a clear proof of a true revival? No!

2.    Let us lay down some basic principles. The purpose of all true religion including revival and reformation is to get to know God better. (John 17:3; Hebrews 10:7[101]) Any time our eyes are turned away from Jesus to focus on our own experience in one way or another, we are walking on dangerous ground. The Holy Spirit who was responsible for giving us the Scriptures will never lead us away from the Scriptures. Jesus Himself said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63[102])

3.    So, what is the way in which the Holy Spirit interacts with our human minds and experience? The Holy Spirit interacts with us at four levels:

1.    He gives us life. ([Isaiah 42:5; Acts 17:25,28][103]; RH, December 2, 1890 par. 15)

2.    He draws us and woos us into living better lives. (Genesis 6:3; Psalm 51:11)[104]

3.    He convicts and converts those who are willing to listen to Him. (Joel 2:28-29; John 16:8; Acts 2:17-21)[105]

4.    In order to build up the church, He gives spiritual gifts (are these talents?) to those who have properly prepared themselves. (1 Corinthians 12:4,8-11,28; Ephesians 4:11)[106]

4.    There are those who believe that the essence of religion and spirituality is to let God’s Spirit take control of us. It is interesting to notice that when talking about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23[107], the last-and perhaps the most important-item in the list of the fruit of the Spirit is “self-control.”

5.    Why do you do what you do?

If you are a believer and are seeking to do God’s will, what makes you willing to obey?

Could you say, “I do what I do because God has told me to, and He has the power to reward and destroy”? Is this why you don’t murder or commit adultery, because God has said you mustn’t? You would otherwise, but you can’t afford to incur His displeasure.

This might be all right for a beginner or a little child, but it suggests that God’s laws are arbitrary and do not make good sense in themselves. That does not speak very favorably of God.

Would you rather say, “I do what I do as a believer because God has told me to, and I love Him and want to please Him”? Is this why you don’t steal or tell lies? You would see nothing wrong or harmful about doing these things. It is just that you want so much to please God. For some reason He does not like it when you steal or lie, and since He has been so good to us, you feel under some obligation to please Him. It would only be grateful and fair.

Again, this might be all right for a beginner or child. It might even be progress beyond the obedience prompted only by fear of punishment and desire of reward. But it still implies an arbitrariness in God’s commandments and does not speak so well of His character and government.

There is another possible approach to obedience. Could you say this? “I do what I do because I have found it to be right and sensible to do so, and I have increasing admiration and reverence for the One who so advised and commanded me in the days of my ignorance and immaturity.” Then hastening to add, “Being still somewhat ignorant and immature, I am willing to trust and obey the One whose counsel has always proved to be so sensible, when He commands me to do something beyond my present understanding.”—A. Graham Maxwell, I Want to Be Free, pp. 34,35

6.    Unfortunately, we tend to go back and forth between doing God’s will and rebelling or sinning. So, the lowest level of obedience-which actually is disobedience-is to say, “I do what I do because I want to and not because God wants me to!” At that point in time we are, in fact, saying to God, “Leave me alone for a little bit, I want to do what I want to do right now.”

7.    Repeatedly, the Bible and the spirit of prophecy remind us that spiritual life is all about following the example of Jesus. It is not just slavish obedience to a set of rules.

The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely-because he is required to do so-will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right-because right doing is pleasing to God.—Christ’s Object Lessons 97,98 (1900)

A sullen submission to the will of the Father will develop the character of a rebel. By such a one service is looked upon as drudgery. It is not rendered cheerfully, and in the love of God. It is a mere mechanical performance. [If he dared, such a one would disobey. His rebellion is smothered, ready to break out at any time in bitter murmurings and complaints.] Such service brings no peace or quietude to the soul. MS 20, 1897 (MR # 970); Signs of the Times, July 22, 1897 (3ST 400:2:1) - section in [. . .] omitted in That I May Know Him p. 120; 12MR 236

These two statements are incredibly significant. All true obedience means to do what is right because we want to. The steps above are the normal steps in maturity.

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us. (DA 668.3)

8.    What impact does it have on us when we truly get to know God? What is implied by the idea that to know Him is to love Him? Does God ever ask us to do anything which is not ultimately for our best good? We may not want to obey at the time; but, it is right to do so!

9.    We need to learn to do right because it is right—not because it might give us some temporary warm feeling of satisfaction or joy. That is, we need to act from principle. What about the two brothers in Matthew 21:28-32[108]? Did either of them act from principle?

10.    Has God asked us to do anything that is not ultimately for our best good? Among those who have claimed to be followers of God down through the centuries, there has been a tendency to lean in one direction or the other: into cold formalism or fanaticism. The Pharisees had worked out so many rules for living and so many ways to circumvent those rules that it was virtually impossible to follow all of the rules.

11.    On the other hand, Christ said that when He comes again there will be those who will claim to have been mighty miracle workers but who never “knew” Him. (Matthew 7:21-23[109])

What kind of faith is it that overcomes the world? It is that faith which makes Christ your own personal Saviour-that faith which, recognizing your helplessness, your utter inability to save yourself, takes hold of the Helper who is mighty to save, as your only hope. It is faith that will not be discouraged, that hears the voice of Christ saying, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, and My divine strength is yours.” It is the faith that hears Him say, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (RH, August 26, 1890 par. 9; Reflecting Christ 21.2; TMK 166.5; OFC 126.4)

12.    False revivals often involve giant waves of feeling which are related to “signs and wonders.” Genuine revivals involve changed lives.

13.    We have already noted that in addition to God performing miracles, Satan also has that ability. What do we know about Satan working miracles in our day? (2 Thessalonians 2:912; Matthew 24:11-13,24; Revelation 13:13-14; 16:13-14; 19:20)[110] God was suggesting that Satan will work miracles that are so impressive that it is not even safe for saints to expose themselves to those miracles! Human beings are often overwhelmed by what appears to be a miracle. Seeking for the spectacular is a dangerous thing to do because Satan will do everything possible to produce what he thinks might mislead us.

14.    Remember that true revival produces changed and obedient lives. So, what are the results of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? Some results seem to be evidenced by qualities in the lives of true Christians. They are described in Romans 12:6-8[111]. These people are helpful, hospitable, able to exhort others, and able to teach. Ephesians 4:11-12[112] suggest that some of the gifts lead to true callings such as those of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers. But, whatever gifts the Holy Spirit might give, it should ultimately produce the fruit of the Spirit as suggested in Galatians 5:22-23[113]: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

15.    Have you ever spoken to someone who believes that s/he has received a special gift from the Holy Spirit-perhaps even talking in tongues? How does s/he feel about her/his gift? What would you say to her/him? If you question the source of one’s gift, how does that person react? It is important to remember the parable of Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus. What was the conclusion Jesus drew? “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone were to rise from death.” (Luke 16:31[114], GNB) How could you have a more impressive miracle than that?

16.    How does God communicate with human beings? God does not have a way of bypassing our minds. He must work through the nervous system-that He created in us-to communicate His ideas to us.

The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind. (2T 347,1869)

17.    Often, people have used various substances from alcohol to hallucinogenic drugs to try to produce what they believe is a spiritual experience. That is the reason why alcohol is sometimes called “spirits”! But, God tells us that any method we might use to bypass the clear thinking processes in evaluating the truth of Scripture is a mistake. Remember that the ultimate evidence of revival is a changed, obedient life. In our world today, so many people are depending for their experiences on various kinds of external influences. Many are depending on drugs-either illicit or prescribed drugs. People do not want to be good; they just want to feel good! Others depend upon music or movies or perhaps the Internet. While some of these things may be necessary under certain circumstances, we must remember that if we allow ourselves to be controlled by external influences, the Devil will find ways to control those influences and thus control us. That could turn into a modern form of “demon possession.”

18.    The challenge for each one of us is to spend enough time learning of Jesus so that our lives are transformed to become like Him. This will be our eternal goal. The apostle John tells us in 1 John 3:1-3[115] that we can become like Jesus if we see Him as He is. That is what it means to really know Christ.

19.    What does it mean to live a life of loving obedience? What kind of people will make up God’s final, remnant people? (Revelation 14:12[116]) Let us remember that:

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? (Great Controversy 593.2)

20.    God promises to impart to us the characteristics of the Holy Spirit if we spend time with Jesus in prayer, Bible study, and witnessing. And He knows which gifts and which fruit are most appropriate and most needed in our lives. If we work on producing the fruit of the Spirit, God can be trusted to give us the correct gifts when He sees it is appropriate.

Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Outgrowth of Revival

Lesson #9 for August 31, 2013

Scriptures: [2 Chronicles 20:17-20; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Revelation 2:1-6; Romans 1:1617; Revelation 14:6-7,12[117]].

1.    What is supposed to be the result of revival? What signs are supposed to appear in the life of a revived Christian? A true revival will lead to a reformation. And a reformation implies a change in our thought patterns, habits, even lifestyle. Read 2 Peter 3:17-18[118]. What does it mean to “grow in grace”? How do we give the Holy Spirit permission to change our lives so we are transformed? Is that genuine self-control?

2.    Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-25[119]. Compare Deuteronomy 20:1-4[120]. Jehoshaphat was one of the few good kings from the southern kingdom of Judah. He ruled from approximately 872-848 B.C. He was a coregent with his father Asa during his early years and coregent with his son Jehoram in his final years. What did the Jewish nation learn from this encounter with their attackers?

3.    After making an unwise alliance with King Ahab in the northern kingdom of Israel-whose reign occurred at almost the same time as Jehoshaphat’s-he returned home and, once again, began religious reforms. By trusting in the Lord, he was able to lead his people out to face a much larger army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites in which Jehoshaphat and his people did not even have to fight; they simply watched while their enemies destroyed each other. Jehoshaphat is an excellent example of someone who turned immediately to God for help when faced with a serious problem. Why wouldn't every king want to win battles as Jehoshaphat did?

4.    Notice these words about that experience from Ellen White.

God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, and He is the strength of His people today. We are not to trust in princes, or to set men in the place of God.

We are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and that He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater.

"Save us, O God of our salvation,

And gather us together,

And deliver us from the heathen,

That we may give thanks to Thy holy name,

And glory in Thy praise." 1 Chronicles 16:35[121].—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 202.4; Conflict and Courage 217.5.

5.    In this time of crisis, Jehoshaphat led the people of Israel in fasting, prayer, and trusting obedience to God. How might the principles and lessons of that experience be applied to us in our day? How could we do this in our day? Could we stop a hurricane?

6.    After receiving the call of God to come over to Macedonia, (Acts 16:9[122]) Paul traveled through Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, and finally arrived at Corinth. Paul spent one and one-half years in the wicked city of Corinth, raising up a fairly large church. Then, he left to return to his home church of Antioch. Some time later, he returned to his work in Asia Minor and spent three years in Ephesus. While there, he received word that things were not going well in Corinth. Apparently, he wrote a short letter to them; that letter is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9[123]. When that did not seem to have the desired effect, he wrote a longer letter which we call 1 Corinthians. Then, Paul received word that things were still not going well in Corinth, and he decided to visit there. He probably traveled by boat a few days from Ephesus across to Corinth. (2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1[124]) Many in Corinth treated Paul with contempt and ignored his advice. The results were certainly not what Paul had hoped for. Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4[125]. So, Paul returned to Ephesus; after a lot of thought and prayer, he wrote a very strong letter to them which is probably the material found in 2 Corinthians 10-13. That very strong “Sinai” letter apparently had its desired effect, and he was able to rejoice with them because of the reformation that had resulted. (2 Corinthians 7:8-16[126])

7.    Since the Corinthians had written letters and actually sent messengers to Paul, he felt authorized under the Holy Spirit’s guidance to recommend a number of things to them. Read [1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 9:24-27; and 15:1-2,27-28][127]. When Paul again finally reached Corinth after writing his fourth letter to them-2 Corinthians 1-9, probably written from Philippi-he spent about three months there, writing Galatians and Romans.

8.    Do we need a “Sinai” type of letter from a prophet in order to reform our ways? Why do you think that “Sinai” letter worked when 1 Corinthians did not? Which do we need today?

9.    Read Revelation 2:1-6[128]. The church at Ephesus began under the strong leadership of Priscilla and Aquila, and later, Apollos. Paul himself spent three years there. Later still, John the disciple and apostle apparently spent a number of years there. But unfortunately, the book of Revelation tells us that the early enthusiasm that had proved such a blessing to the people in Ephesus gradually died out; John wrote that they lost their first love. (Revelation 2:4[129]) What do you think actually happened? By comparison, what happened between the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the leadership was on fire for God and some years later when their preaching was described as being “as dry as the hills of Gilboa”? (RH, March 11, 1890 par. 13; ST, February 8, 1892 par. 4) Is this a common occurrence among religious revivals and reformations?

10.    Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer, was educated first as a lawyer and then decided to become a monk. While receiving further education from the Roman Catholic Church, he discovered a Bible in the library at the university. He began to study that Latin Bible and realized that the Catholic Church had gone far away from God’s original Christian principles. Luther spent a lot of time reading the book of Romans. Read [Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 5:6-11; and 8:1-4][130]. These verses tell us a great deal about the plan of salvation. Do we understand what God is trying to tell us? Do we respond as Martin Luther did?

11.    Revelation 1:16-17[131] talk about God's righteousness being revealed. Since the days of Martin Luther, theologians have spent a great deal of time discussing justification by faith, sanctification by faith, salvation by faith, righteousness by faith, and a great number of other theological ideas described by long English/Latin words. Maybe the most important thing we need to recognize in all of this is that our part is the faith/trust in God; God's part is the justification, sanctification, righteousness, salvation, etc. We do not need to work out the minute details and differences between these processes. Our part is to learn to really trust God.

12.    Ellen White said it in these words:

Sinners can be justified by God only when He pardons their sins, remits the punishment they deserve, and treats them as though they were really just and had not sinned, receiving them into divine favor and treating them as if they were righteous. [Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:16-18][132] They are justified alone through the imputed righteousness of Christ. The Father accepts the Son, and through the atoning sacrifice of His Son accepts the sinner.—Ellen G. White, Ms 46, 1891, "Justified by Faith," January 6, 1891; 8MR 355.3; Selected Messages, book 3, page 194; OHC 52.3 [content in brackets supplied]

13.    What is the relationship between grace and faith? Grace is not some kind of commodity that can be bottled or poured out! Grace is a description of our gracious God. Romans 2:4[133] tells us that “the goodness/kindness of God” should lead us to repentance. So, getting a clearer picture of God’s grace and understanding is a life-transforming experience. Jesus Himself said life eternal comes from knowing God. (John 17:3) So, what is the relationship between “revival and reformation” and getting to know God better?

14.    In light of what we have learned from these four stories, are we growing in grace? Are we getting to know God better every day? Satan is doing everything he possibly can to prevent the knowledge of God from spreading throughout the earth. He knows that when people learn the truth about God, his days are numbered. Consider these words from Ellen White about the life of Jesus:

The law of Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and God was represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very attributes that belonged to the character of Satan, the evil one represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character of God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and keep men [and women] right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. . . .

Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,-to set men right through the revelation of God. In Christ was arrayed before men the paternal grace and the matchless perfections of the Father. In his prayer just before his crucifixion, he declared, “I have manifested thy name.” “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” [John 17:4,6[134]] When the object of his mission was attained,-the revelation of God to the world,-the Son of God announced that his work was accomplished, and that the character of the Father was made manifest to men.” The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1890, par. 6,9; compare ST December 4, 1893 [Bold and content in brackets supplied]

If that was the whole purpose of Jesus’ mission, what should be our purpose?

15.    Seventh-day Adventists have always stated that our end-time message for the world is found in Revelation 14:6-12[135]. We believe that the pre-advent judgment is taking place as we speak. We also believe that God has commissioned us to call faithful people out of the other communions to join our church. But, despite their Bible studies, the early Adventists were not quite sure what to do with the third angel’s message. The time is coming when, as Revelation 13:16-17[136] tell us, Satan and his side will mastermind things so that we will not be able to buy or sell unless we have the mark of the beast. The third angel’s message is God's response to that threat from Satan. Whose side will you be on?

16.    But, we will never reach that spot-at least during our lifetimes-unless we can learn to experience how to have true revival and reformation. After quoting the Laodicea message as found in Revelation 3:15-18[137], Ellen White said:

God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.

A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.—Ellen G. White, The Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald, February 25, 1902 par. 7,8; LDE 189.3; 1SM 128.1

17.    When we come to know God as it is our privilege to know Him, we will learn to do right because it is right.

We should choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God. To men of principle, faith, and daring, the world is indebted for its great reforms. By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried forward.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, page 460.2

18.    God is making an individual and personal appeal to each one of us to make a commitment to His side. We need to come to know the truth more thoroughly through Bible study, prayer, and witnessing to prepare us for the time when we will be expected to stand singly and alone before the great men of the earth to give our testimony. (5T 707.2)

19.    Times are fairly easy for us these days. Things will become much more difficult in the future. What does God need to do to inspire us to get ready now when it is easier to do so than sometime in the future when it will be more difficult? It is only by beholding God, by liking what we see, and then asking the Holy Spirit to come into our lives to transform us so that we can become more like Jesus that we have a chance of being saved. (GC 555)

20.    Our own attempts at righteousness are useless. Consider the following words:

What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When they begin to praise and exalt God all the day long, then by beholding they are becoming changed into the same image. What is regeneration?-It is revealing to man what is his own real nature, that in himself he is worthless. (Letter 73, written October 12, 1896, from Adelaide, South Australia, to "Dear Brother and Sister Maxson"; 20MR 117.2,3; Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers (Series A, No. 9, 1897), pages 62.2; TM 456.3; FLB 111.2)

21.    Are we prepared to let the Holy Spirit transform our lives? Are we ready to set aside our selfish aims and goals so we can take on God's plan for our lives?

Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Willingness to Grow and Change

Lesson #10 for September 7, 2013

Scriptures: [1 John 2:1-9; Philippians 2:12-14; Matthew 26:31-35; John 20:24-29; Luke 15:1132; John 5:1-14][138].

1.    This lesson is about a miraculous transformation-a reformation-that needs to take place in the life of every Christian. We will study the case of the disciples before and after the crucifixion, as well as at Pentecost; Peter’s denial and repentance; the prodigal son and his father; and the man at the pool of Bethesda (or Bethzatha).

2.    Each of these cases shows a remarkable change in the people involved. What brought about those remarkable changes?

3.    Read [Matthew 26:31-35 and Acts 4:5-13][139]. Peter’s experience certainly illustrated an incredible change. Before the crucifixion, each of the disciples believed that he was capable of remaining faithful to Jesus even unto death. Each of them thought he could be a prime minister in the new earthly government which they all thought Jesus would set up. After the crucifixion and the upper room experience and then Pentecost, they were prepared to be what Jesus had always hoped they would be-ready to give their lives to spread the good news.

4.    As we have discussed, revival means an awakening to new life. It does not mean that we had no spiritual life before the revival. It means that experience must be deeper and richer. But, we need to move on to reformation. This lesson will focus on what that reformation means and how it can be accomplished.

5.    Read [Luke 9:51-56 (see 2 Kings 1:9-16) and Matthew 20:20-28][140]. James and John, the “sons of thunder,” were prejudiced and ready to condemn anyone who did not agree with them. They hoped to gain an advantage over their fellows by asking for the highest places in Christ’s kingdom.

6.    Many years later, John wrote 1 John 2:1-9[141]. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he assured us that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and transform us. What does it mean to say that Christ is “the means by which our sins are forgiven”? (1 John 2:2)

7.    It is very easy to become discouraged as one looks over his own personal Christian experience. It is so easy to make the same mistakes again and again. What can we do to change that pattern? Jesus lived a totally selfless life! Could we ever be like that? (Roman 7:14-25[142])

8.    None of us doubts God’s power to transform us. So, why doesn’t it happen? Change must happen on a day-by-day basis. God will never force or manipulate our wills. He respects our freedom. The work of the Holy Spirit is to impress our minds, convict our hearts, and prompt us to do right. But, the Holy Spirit will never take away our freedom or make choices for us. Each day, we must choose to accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. We must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us while we cooperate to the fullest extent possible.

9.    Read Philippians 2:12-14[143]. It is not possible for us to work out what God has not already worked in! We cannot stamp out sin; we can only crowd it out. But, we must be willing to be changed. We must be willing to give up our old ways. That is not easy.

As finite, sinful man works out his own salvation with fear and trembling, it is God who works in him, to will and to do of His own good pleasure. But God will not work without the co-operation of man. He must exercise his powers to the very utmost; he must place himself as an apt, willing student in the school of Christ; and as he accepts the grace that is freely offered to him, the presence of Christ in the thought and in the heart will give him decision of purpose to lay aside every weight of sin, that the heart may be filled with all the fullness of God, and of his love.—Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 134.

10.    Transformation can occur in our lives. But, it will only occur as we choose to surrender to God every day and are willing to put aside anything that stands in the way of being in harmony with His will. Sometimes, the decisions to give up our favorite sins are very painful. But, God will not forcibly change us or take away our evil desires. He convicts us. He convinces us. But, we must do the choosing and the deciding. Once we do make those choices, He empowers us. But, each time the decision comes back again, we must make the same choice.

11.    So, what does it mean to cooperate with God in the working out of our salvation?

12.    Like the other disciples, Peter really believed that he was faithfully following his Lord. He did not see the defects in his own character. But, transformation occurred through the very painful process of denying His Friend, and then racing out to the Garden of Gethsemane and falling on the ground in the very place where Jesus had prayed, and then recognizing that Jesus still loved Him. (Desire of Ages 713.2,3) Peter gained an important insight into his own abilities!

13.    Read John 20:24-29[144]. Thomas thought that he himself must see Jesus before he could really believe it was true. As so many do, he thought that “seeing is believing.” Unfortunately, the time is coming when Satan will present before our vision even dead relatives claiming to have accepted the doctrines of the Devil. Conviction must be based on solid evidence from Scripture and not on visual evidence that can be counterfeited by the Devil and his angels.

14.    Peter was confident that he could stand firm. Thomas placed his confidence in what he could see. Both of them depended upon their own human abilities and senses. But, things were very different after Pentecost. What can we learn from the experience of these two? Have you ever made a mistake like Peter’s or perhaps like Thomas’? How can we learn to place our complete confidence in God’s Word and not on our own human judgment?

15.    Read Luke 15:11-32[145]. Initially, the prodigal son believed that life would be better without the restrictions of his father’s home. After having spent his portion of the wealth, he realized that the pleasures of this world are only a mirage. He found himself feeding to the pigs something that he wished he could eat! Then, he remembered his father. As he was feeding the pigs, he realized how much better off his father’s servants were than he was. He made a decision to go home and to apologize.

16.    Revival means to come home. Reformation will take place when we seriously accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance in transforming our lives. We cannot have the world and God at the same time. The prodigal could not have both the pigpen and his father’s banquet table! Why do you think the prodigal made the decision to go home? Did he remember his father’s love? Or, did he just think that living conditions would be better? Unfortunately, there are many people in our world who have never experienced true love. How should we-with God’s help-reach out to such people?

17.    Why do you think Jesus told that story? Was He trying to convince us that His Father was like the father in that story? The prodigal’s father had been watching for him for a long time. He saw the son coming while the son was still a long way off, and the father ran to welcome him. Why did he throw that costly robe over him? Was he embarrassed to have the neighbors see his son in that condition? What made the father believe that his son would one day come home? Did he ever talk about the prodigal to the older son? Did the older son have any idea how his father really felt?

18.    Do we truly recognize how much God loves us? Are we ready to stop breaking His heart? His love will never let us go. Are we ready to give up those attitudes, habits, thoughts, and feelings that separate us from Him? What brings us closer to Him?

19.    Read John 5:1-14[146]. As we know, Jesus performed many amazing miracles while on this earth. Besides raising people from the dead, He healed the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. The man had been depending on a false hope that somehow by getting into the pool first, he would be healed. Did Jesus intentionally go to the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath because He knew the man was there? Was that part of God’s plan to try to clarify what it means to keep the Sabbath?

20.    Why did Jesus ask the man if he really wanted to be well? Shouldn’t the answer to that have been obvious? Christ simply told the man to get up, take up his mat, and walk. The man had not been able to do any of those for 38 years! But, the words of Christ carried with them the almighty power of the Holy Spirit to make it possible. Could a similar transformation take place in our lives? Did the Sanhedrin have any question in their minds about who healed the man?

If you believe the promise,-believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,-God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it.

Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 51.

21.    Are we able to put aside our feelings of discouragement, embarrassment, condemnation, and guilt for our sins and instead believe God’s promises? Which has more authority behind it? Your feelings? Or, God’s words?

22.    So, what must we do to bring about such a transformation in our lives?

Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). From first to last man is to be a laborer together with God. Unless the Holy Spirit works upon the human heart, at every step we shall stumble and fall. Man’s efforts alone are nothing but worthlessness; but cooperation with Christ means a victory. Of ourselves we have no power to repent of sin. Unless we accept divine aid we cannot take the first step toward the Saviour. He says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 21:6) in the salvation of every soul.

But though Christ is everything, we are to inspire every man to unwearied diligence. We are to strive, wrestle, agonize, watch, pray, lest we shall be overcome by the wily foe. For the power and grace with which we can do this comes from God, and all the while we are to trust in Him, who is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. Never leave the impression on the mind that there is little or nothing to do on the part of man; but rather teach man to cooperate with God, that he may be successful in overcoming.—Ellen G. White, Notebook Leaflets 39.1 (April 9, 1893); Selected Messages, book 1, p. 381.2,3

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 668 (1898)

23.    The New Testament reveals to us many promises from God. Read [1 John 1:7-9; Philippians 4:13; James 1:5-8; and Romans 8:31-39][147]. Do you find it difficult to accept God’s promises? In these verses God has promised us that if we live in the light, He will purify us of sin. If we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins. Like Paul, we can do all things through Christ. If we pray for wisdom, God will give it. And if we trust God’s promises, nothing can separate us from God’s love. With that kind of assurance, how can we lose?

24.    What does it mean to work out our own salvation with “fear and trembling”? Are we afraid that we might fail once again? Are we afraid that God’s promises might fail? Even if we have failed many times to make good on our promises to God, what can we learn from those failures?

25.    As we look back over what happened to the disciples during those final days with Christ and in preparation for Pentecost, could such a thing happen to a group of Christians in our day? Could we have that same kind of experience with Christ?

26.    What factors led to the healing of the paralytic at the pool? He trusted Jesus’ words, and he acted. Could we do the same? It is often very helpful to try to place oneself in the position of the Bible characters as they went through those different experiences. How would you have felt if you were Peter racing from Caiaphas’ home to the Garden of Gethsemane, realizing you had just denied your Lord three times? How would you feel if you had been Thomas-the only disciple not present for that first appearance of Christ? Would you have gone home from the pigpen? How would you feel about facing your father? If you had been the paralytic after lying there for 38 years, would you have just laughed when Jesus told you to get up?

27.    Again read Philippians 2:12-16. What is implied by our cooperating with God? He will not work without us, and we certainly cannot do anything without Him. But, if we are willing to be changed and willing to put forth the effort to change, the Holy Spirit will supply the power. This is not a matter of willpower. Reformation comes when we place our lives in contact with the Word of God and open our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit.

28.    Have you ever sworn to yourself that you would never do it again? What happens when you do it again? Has God’s power failed? Of course not! But, when we want victory over some besetting sin-as much as God wants to give it to us-we will have it! So, what does it mean to cooperate with the Holy Spirit? As the SDA Bible Commentary so aptly puts it:

The Scriptures teach that each individual must cooperate with the will and power of God. One must “strive to enter in” (Luke 13:24[148]), “put off the old man” (Col.

3:9), “lay aside every weight,” “run with patience” (Heb. 12:1[149]), “resist the devil” (James 4:7[150]), and “endure unto the end” (Matt. 24:13[151]). Salvation is not of works, but it must be worked out. It springs from the mediation of Christ alone, but it is lived out by personal cooperation. — SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 158.

29.    Reformation happens not because we try harder but because we place our confidence in God and allow Him to work in our lives. As a group of Christians, could we have an upper room/Pentecostal experience today? What would we need to do to have that happen?

30.    Read [Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; and Philippians 1:6][152]. We have a binding promise from God that if we will allow Him to work in our lives, He will accomplish the work.

In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. T rue, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan’s control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.—The Desire of Ages, p. 466.

31.    Read that paragraph again, and notice the steps you must go through to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Are we ready?

Revival and Reformation Reformation: Thinking New Thoughts

Lesson #11 for September 14, 2013

Scriptures: [Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 10:3-5; Romans 12:2-3; John 10:10; Matthew 5:13-16][153].

1.    This lesson is about the key to overcoming sin. We must learn to think right thoughts. Reformation is all about our thinking. While it is true that actions follow thoughts, it is also true that repeated actions influence our thoughts. Christians who hope to be a part of the new kingdom of God must learn to think in new ways. And the way to learn to think new thoughts is by practice.

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably be downward.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 555.1

2.    If we want to be like Jesus, we must focus on His life, fill our minds with His thoughts and ideas, guide our actions by imitating Him, and thus, behold our only safe Guide. What does it mean to behold Jesus? We should spend time studying His life, thinking about Him, and we will learn to love Him. The more we study Him, the more interesting He will become.

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 83.4.

And do not leave out the Jesus (God) of the Old Testament. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4[154])

3.    We do not have time at this point in the world’s history to be spending major amounts of our lives filling our minds full of this world’s trash. To a greater or lesser extent, everything we take into our minds impacts our characters. Our only safety is in focusing on what is good. [(Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 5:10; 12:2)][155]

4.    The world around us is full of violence, immorality, greed, and materialism. Each of those things has a certain appeal. Hollywood has mastered the science of manipulating people’s minds. Surely, they have taught us that we cannot believe what we see! Billions of dollars are spent by media producers to discover the latest sensation, including new ways to manipulate our emotions, condition our thinking, and shape our values. Can people who are preparing to spend eternity in heaven be filling their minds with that kind of material?

5.    How do we control the avenues of the soul? What is the secret to letting in only the good? Surely, we all recognize that we are surrounded by a cesspool which the world calls entertainment. Almost everyone around us seems to be motivated by pleasure-seeking, greed, anger, hate, or resentment. One of the most noteworthy sayings from Billy Graham goes like this: “You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair.” Is that what Paul meant when he wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”? (Philippians 2:5, NKJV)

6.    We need to become more and more efficient in studying Christ, practicing thinking like Christ, and acting like Christ.

7.    Plato and other ancient Greeks believed in a dualistic world and universe. They thought that everything material was evil while everything ethereal was good. But, the Scripture does not agree with that. The Scripture teaches that we are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. Whatever affects one part of us affects our whole being. (1 Thessalonians 5:23[156])

8.    Read [1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31; Romans 12:2-3; John 10:10][157]. God has purchased us with an incredible price. He cares about every aspect of our beings. Living a healthy lifestyle means much more than having a few extra years of life on this earth. The most important reason for living a healthy lifestyle is so that our thinking will be more clear and our resolutions more firm in practicing our Christianity. In fact, caring for our bodies can be an act of worship.

9.    Jesus repeatedly referred to Himself as light. (John 1:9; 8:12; 12:35-36[158]) But, Jesus intended for us to be lights also. [(Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:14-16)][159] If we were to live lives like the life of Jesus in our world today, do you think people would notice? Would people notice if we practiced loving, compassionate, caring lives instead of acting like the selfish, greedy, and egotistical people of the world? We live in a world intoxicated with pleasure. (Colossians 3:1-2[160])

He calls us to healthful living at a time when millions are dying too young from self-inflicted degenerative diseases (John 10:10). In the midst of an immodest, sex-centered, jaded generation, Jesus calls us to something different. He calls us to modesty, propriety, and moral purity (1 Pet. 3:3, 4[161]). (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, for Thursday, September 12.)

Is that possible for us today?

10.    Read Isaiah 55:8-9[162]. God is calling for us to consider the very clear separation between our earthly ideas and His heavenly ideas.

God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48] This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning. (The Desire of Ages 311.2)

Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children. Godliness-godlikeness-is the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to objects as much higher than [19] mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth. (Education 18.3)

11.    Do your coworkers and those you associate with in your day-by-day routines recognize that you are different from a typical worldling?

12.    Think about the record that you are producing in the books of heaven. If you could be allowed to enter heaven and hear your case presented in all its details before the court of heaven, could you vote for yourself?

Many profess to be on the Lord’s side, but they are not; the weight of all their actions is on Satan’s side. By what means shall we determine whose side we are on? Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Upon whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are on the Lord’s side, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. We have no friendship with the world; we have consecrated all that we have and are to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 262.

13.    God is in desperate need of friends. He is doing His best to make us His friends, and He wants us to help make other friends for Him as well. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 6:17-18[163])

14.    Be honest with yourself! Does the life which you live match the claims that you make? The only way we will ultimately overcome temptation is through the Holy Spirit’s help in making conscious choices at the moment of temptation to set our minds on the things we should. Many Christians down through the generations have discovered that one cannot stamp out sin; one can only crowd it out by filling his/her mind with better things.

15.    How would you respond to a fellow Christian who says, “I cannot seem to control my thoughts, and they are not always perfect; but, my actions and lifestyle are above reproach”?

16.    What about our health message? In addition to our wonderful understanding of Scripture and the great controversy theme, we have been given precious truth regarding living a healthy lifestyle. Millions of dollars have been spent on research demonstrating that those who carefully follow the advice given us by Ellen White will live 10 to 12 years longer. And those 10 to 12 extra years are not the feeble years added on at the end, living in a nursing home! The 10 to 12 extra years that are added are at the best times in our lives. The period of infirmity and deterioration at the end will be shortened. Shouldn’t we all want that? And if we practice our health message, our minds will be clearer to comprehend and live out the truths we claim to believe.

17.    The 11 disciples and some friends lived through that terrible crucifixion weekend. But, when they realized that Jesus was indeed fully God and that He rose from the dead, they went forth with one goal in mind and that was to tell the whole world. What percentage of our time is spent in telling the world? If someone were to carefully chronicle the details of your life, would spreading the gospel be shown to rate high on your list of priorities?

18.    Read Philippians 2:5[164]. What steps can we take to fill our minds with the thoughts, ideas, and actions of Jesus Christ?

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us. (DA 668.3)

19.    None of us can deny the fact that there are strong temptations to practice the customs, amusements, pleasures, and lifestyles of the world. How do we abandon those in favor of living like Jesus Christ? If we lived Christ-like lives in our world today, would people notice?

Transformed thoughts lead to transformed actions. Our feelings are not safe guides. Our choices to yield to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, in spite of our emotions, and receive Heaven’s power for change, are the pathway to transformed characters. (Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, p. 132)

20.    One of Satan’s most successful devices is to keep us so occupied and so busy with “urgent and important matters” like earning money and “keeping up with the Joneses” that there is no time for Jesus Christ.

William Dunn Longstaff was a Christian businessman living in England in the Revival and latter part of the nineteenth century. He was extremely successful in his businesses, and he heavily supported his local church. He also made donations to William Booth of the Salvation Army, as well as to the evangelistic efforts of Dwight Moody. One day as he sat in church listening to a missionary from China preach on 1 Peter 1:16[165], “ ‘Be holy, for I am holy’ ” (NKJV), something stirred deep within his soul. He sensed that God was leading him to a richer, fuller spiritual experience. He recognized that change-growth in grace-comes to those who spend time with Jesus and choose to allow Him to transform their thinking. So that evening in 1882 he went home and wrote the old familiar hymn that we sing so often: “Take Time to Be Holy.” It is found in our Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 500. The hymn is the heart-cry of a busy Christian businessman who longed to allow God to shape his thinking as he spent time in His presence. (Ibid, p. 133)

21.    Every day and every hour, each one of us is being molded and fashioned after the world’s model or after the image of Christ. Are we sure that we are following the right model? (Romans 12:2[166]) J. B. Phillips translated that verse: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.”

22.    Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. The word transformed in that passage is metamorphoo from which we get the word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the word we use to describe the changes that take place as a caterpillar becomes a cocoon and then breaks out as a beautiful butterfly. Those are not subtle evolutionary changes! When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:1-21, He called the change a new birth. (Compare [Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 4:16[167]])

23.    We may wish desperately to have Christ-like characters; but, if we are day by day filling our minds with this world’s trash, the result will not be a Christ-like character. We cannot completely avoid exposure to this world, but we can minimize it. And we can maximize our exposure to the thoughts, ideas, and actions of Jesus Christ. And this must be a day-by-day experience.

24.    Read [Philippians 2:5; Romans 8:5; and Colossians 3:1-2][168].

The Pulpit Commentary makes an interesting observation regarding this passage. It translates it as, “Mind . . . the things which the Lord Jesus minded” then adds that Paul encourages us to “love what he [Jesus] loved . . . hate what he hated; the thoughts, desires, motives, of the Christian should be the thoughts, desires, motives, which filled the sacred heart of Jesus Christ our Lord. We must strive to imitate him, to reproduce his image, not only in the outward, but even in the inner life.”—The Epistle to the Philippians (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1962), p. 59. (Ibid, p. 135)

25.    These verses make it very clear that what matters is where we set our minds, the day-by-day tendency of our thoughts, and what ideas we love to dwell upon. What is the attraction of this world’s sins? Why do we seem to enjoy sinning? (Hebrews 11:25[169])

26.    Could we actually reach the place where we enjoy living lives like Jesus Christ? Read Philippians 2:14-17[170]. How many people do you know who are living lives like Jesus Christ? Or, even Paul? Does that help to explain why we are still here 169 years after 1844?

Revival and Reformation Reformation: Healing Broken Relationships

Lesson #12 for September 21, 2013

Scriptures: [2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1-25; 2 Corinthians 10:12-15; Romans 5:8-11; Matthew 18:15-17][171].

1.    This lesson is about resolving conflicts, differences, and issues that arise among members in the church. The early Christian church saw differences arise among members that needed to be resolved. Jesus Himself also gave us some examples of how to deal with such issues. What can we learn from those early Christian examples?

2.    When it comes to relating to the community, how the church lives is much more important than what the pastor says.

Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling. Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not what the minister preaches, but what the church lives. Too often the influence of the sermon preached from the pulpit is counteracted by the sermon preached in the lives of those who claim to be advocates of truth. (9T 21.1)

The most powerful evidence a man can give that he has been born again and is a new man in Christ Jesus, is the manifestation of love for his brethren, the doing of Christlike deeds. This is the most wonderful witness that can be borne in favor of Christianity, and will win souls to the truth. (General Conference Bulletin, July 1, 1900 par. 13)

The life of a true, lovable Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of the Gospel. (ST, August 16, 1905 par. 9j

“If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34,35, GNB) What does that imply about the lives of all others? If the church in our day really learned to show love for its members, would others be attracted? How much love is needed? Look at the way Desire of Ages describes the early years of Jesus while in Nazareth!

3.    Look at some examples of differences that arose between Paul and his fellow workers. Read Acts 13:13; 15:36-39. John Mark’s parents owned the upper room where believers gathered.

This desertion caused Paul to judge Mark unfavorably, and even severely, for a time. Barnabas, on the other hand, was inclined to excuse him because of his inexperience. He felt anxious that Mark should not abandon the ministry, for he saw in him qualifications that would fit him to be a useful worker for Christ.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 170.1.

4.    Despite these problems, we are happy to report that Paul later spoke very well of Mark who was also known as John Mark. Read [Colossians 4:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:11[172]]. On more than one occasion, Paul actually asked for and was thankful for the services of Mark.

5.    While the differences between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark may have actually furthered the gospel by resulting in two teams traveling around instead of just one, we can rejoice that the differences between Paul and John Mark were resolved.

6.    We need to recognize that holding grudges or being unwilling to forgive damages us. We need to learn to forgive and to set aside old problems so we can move on.

7.    Read Philemon 1-25[173]. This letter from Paul was probably written on a single page of papyrus. What does it teach us about Paul and his relationship with God and with his fellow church members? We need to remember that Paul grew up in a society that had very strong feelings about runaway slaves. Clearly, Paul had overcome any prejudice he might have had against Onesimus. Furthermore, Paul was willing to put his personal reputation on the line for that runaway slave. He chose to do what was right instead of adhering to societal norms. Nevertheless, in trying to reconcile Onesimus to Philemon, Paul used some subtle as well as sometimes not-so-subtle diplomacy. Paul was asking Philemon to take a big risk in accepting Onesimus back as a Christian brother and a slave. Paul could have demanded that Philemon accept Onesimus back. Instead, Paul simply requested it.

8.    As a member of a small unrecognized church, Paul realized that he would only bring persecution upon himself and other Christians by trying to attack the enormous problem of slavery. So, Paul took the approach that slaves should be treated as Christian brothers. If everyone had taken the attitude that Paul took, the slavery problem would have vanished.

9.    Do we have any idea what the outcome was of Paul’s writing of this letter to Philemon? What happened to Onesimus? The letter to Philemon as well as Ephesians and Colossians were clearly written from prison. [(Philemon 1,9; Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 4:18[174])] It appears those letters were written in the latter part of Paul’s imprisonment since he seemed to think that he would be released soon. (Philemon 22[175]) Very few scholars question the authorship of Paul for Philemon. Among the earliest scholars, Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 35 to 107) at least twice mentioned this letter as being from Paul. It is interesting that he wrote a letter to the Bishop of Ephesus who was a man named Onesimus. Onesimus was a fairly common name, especially for slaves Onesimus meant “useful.” Do you think that could have been the same Onesimus? Is it possible that Onesimus helped to collect all Paul’s letters together to form the New Testament? Many scholars believe that may have taken place in Ephesus.

10.    It is fascinating to consider the possibility that this same slave, Onesimus, may have later been the “bishop” or “elder” of Ephesus. This is particularly significant in light of the fact that Ephesus apparently became the “publication center” for the early Christian church. Thus, it is possible that this former slave may have had considerable influence in putting together our New Testament! Paul’s diplomatic letter may have had a great influence on the Christian church for all time to come! If it is the same Onesimus, the book of Philemon may be included in the New Testament to explain the history of that prominent man in early Christian church history. This may be similar to the reason that the book of Ruth was included in the Old Testament-partially to explain some of the history of David’s ancestors. Does this short letter help to explain Onesimus’ story?

11.    When we first become Christians, it is very human for us to look around in the church and begin comparing ourselves with others. Read [1 Corinthians 3:5-11; 12:1-11; and 2 Corinthians 10:12-15][176]. These verses make it very clear that it is not our job to judge others or to compare ourselves with others. Each person has been given his talents and his responsibilities for building up the church. (1 Corinthians 3:9[177]) We are called to cooperation and not competition!

12.    Furthermore, when we compare ourselves to others, we are tempted either to be discouraged if we recognize that they seem to be better than we are or to be arrogant if we seem to be better than they are. Either of those attitudes is unchristian. There is only one example that we have been given as safe to follow, and that is Jesus. And there is no question about how we compare to Him! Paul had strong words to say to people who wanted to judge others. (2 Corinthians 12[178])

13.    Read [Romans 5:8-11; Luke 23:31-34; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; and Ephesians 4:26-30[179]]. These verses teach us that God has forgiven everyone. That does not necessarily make each of them savable! Jesus forgave even those who were crucifying Him. And God wants us to be transformed from being His enemies to being His friends and then to help others to become God’s friends also. We are challenged to use only helpful language while doing this. How could we possibly win friends for God if we cannot forgive or if we cannot speak loving and kind words.

14.    Always remember that it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4[180]) As we study the character of God especially as lived out by His Son Jesus, the example is absolutely clear. God offers us forgiveness again and again and again. If we confess our sins, we are simply recognizing that truth. It changes our attitude toward God but not God’s attitude toward us because His attitude does not need to be changed.

15.    If we hold a grudge or fail to forgive someone, we are allowing that smoldering hurt to damage us more and more. We need to learn to release others from condemnation or judgment just as

God has released us. This does not mean that we are necessarily forgiving their behavior. But, we always need to remember that the person that we are concerned about and whom we may feel very uncomfortable with might end up living next door to us in heaven!

16.    Read Matthew 18:15-17[181]. What are the benefits of practicing Christ’s advice? Clearly, the goal is to minimize conflict. It is so much better if we can resolve a problem just between the two people involved. When we call in others-which may be necessary in some cases-there is the risk that those others may begin to take sides, and the battle lines are drawn! If it ever becomes necessary for us to choose others to go with us to resolve such a case, it is very important to take levelheaded, clear-thinking, fellow Christians and not just people that we believe will take our side in the case! If we are going to be like Jesus, we need to be forgiveness Personified!

17.    Have you ever tried to use the approach of Matthew 18[182]? Has anyone ever used that approach on you?

18.    Occasionally, it may be necessary to take some serious problem to the church board. But, whenever possible, we need to resolve the issue before we get to that level. Consider these words from Ellen White.

Do not suffer resentment to ripen into malice. Do not allow the wound to fester and break out in poisoned words, which taint the minds of those who hear. Do not allow bitter thoughts to continue to fill your mind and his. Go to your brother, and in humility and sincerity talk with him about the matter.—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 499.

19.    Look at the example of Jesus. If anyone has ever had to deal with a difficult group of church leaders, it was Jesus. How did Jesus relate to the church leaders in His day? Read John 8:12-59[183]. Why did Jesus find it necessary to speak so bluntly to those church leaders? Three times He told them that He was God! It certainly did not resolve the differences between them!

20.    What do we do in times when two parties hold opposite views about what should be done and each of them absolutely believes he is right?

When the laborers have an abiding Christ in their own souls, when all selfishness is dead, when there is no rivalry, no strife for the supremacy, when oneness exists, when they sanctify themselves, so that love for one another is seen and felt, then the showers of the grace of the Holy Spirit will just as surely come upon them as that God’s promise will never fail in one jot or tittle.—Ellen G. White, “Unselfishness among Brethren,” Manuscript 24, September 9, 1896; 1MR 178.1; 1SM Bk. 1, p. 175; LDE 190.1; 1MR 178.1)

21.    Read Colossians 3:12-17[184]. Notice the words Paul used to describe the ways in which we should relate to each other. What would happen to church squabbles if we all acted with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, even with tolerance, forgiveness, love, thankfulness, and a willingness to teach and be taught? Isn’t the answer obvious? Notice the following note from our study guide for Friday:

22.    If we look at our church, that is, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as a whole, what is the greatest thing holding us back from the kind of revival and reformation that will be needed in order to reach the world? Is it our teachings and doctrines?

Of course not. [Our church leaders turned back the latter rain in 1888] These are the very things that God has given us to proclaim to the world. The problem lies solely in us, in our interpersonal relationships, our petty jealousies, our bickering, our selfishness, our desire for supremacy, and a whole host of other things. Why must you, yes, you, not the person next to you in the pew, not the pastor-but you, yourself-plead for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the changes that have to occur in you before we will see revival and reformation in the whole church? (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Friday, September 20, 2013)

23.    Do you think we will ever see revival and reformation in the whole church?

24.    One of the best ways to understand Bible stories is to try to put yourself in the place of the people involved. Do you think you would have left Paul and Barnabas as John Mark did? Would you have been a runaway slave like Onesimus? How do you think Onesimus came into contact with Paul?

25.    It is really important to understand that we will never be able to completely agree on everything. People are different. We are given different talents. We are given different responsibilities in the church. Each of us is to fill the place that God designed for us. In that process, we are to help build up the church. And, as far as possible, we should do so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

26.    What kinds of things have caused broken relationships in your world? How often have they been relatively minor things? Those who are locked into the past, constantly going back and thinking about some slight or even some large problem, are condemning themselves to a terrible kind of life. Christians need to be able to forgive and move on.

27.    Read Romans 5:8-11[185]. J. B. Phillips interpreted Romans 5:8 as follows: “Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.” That is probably a more accurate representation of what the Greek actually says.

28.    God’s love is so amazing. And it was demonstrated so well by Jesus Christ when He was on this earth. And He did all of that while almost all members of the human race were basically His enemies! God reached out to us while we were apparently paying no attention at all. Can we learn to do that for those around us?

29.    Who should take the first step in the reconciliation process? The one who has been wronged? Or, the one who did the wrong? When it comes time to try to reconcile with someone with whom we have had differences, consider these words.

In the spirit of meekness, “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal.

6:1), go to the erring one, and “tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Do not put him to shame by exposing his fault to others, nor bring dishonor upon Christ by making public the sin or error of one who bears His name. Often the truth must be plainly spoken to the erring; he must be led to see his error, that he may reform. But you are not to judge or to condemn. Make no attempt at self-justification. Let all your effort be for his recovery. In treating the wounds of the soul, there is need of the most delicate touch, the finest sensibility. Only the love that flows from the Suffering One of Calvary can avail here. With pitying tenderness, let brother deal with brother, knowing that if you succeed, you will “save a soul from death,” and “hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20[186].—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 440.

30.    Do you believe Jesus’s words in John 13:34-35[187]? Is it really true that if we were indeed loving-even to other church members-that the world would recognize that we are completely different from them? Would they be attracted? One of the most effective ways of witnessing is to tell people your own personal experiences. If those experiences include times when we have truly demonstrated Christ-like love, it cannot help but move them.

31.    Have you ever told someone that you forgive him/her when down deep inside your heart you really could not? Have your attitudes toward that person changed? Read Ephesians 4:26-28[188]. What is implied by the idea that we should not allow the sun to set on our anger? How much better would things be in the church if every time there was some difference between church members, it was resolved within 24 hours?

Revival and Reformation The Promised Revival: God’s Mission Completed

Lesson #13 for September 28, 2013

Scriptures: [Matthew 28:18-20; James 5:7-8; Zechariah 10:1; Matthew 3:11; Revelation 18:1; 19:11-16][189].

1.    This lesson talks about the latter rain. The latter rain is the enhanced outpouring of the Holy Spirit which will place the finishing touches on God’s remnant people to give them the power and the ability to reach the world with the final, true message about God.

2.    What needs to happen for the latter rain to come? While the Seventh-day Adventist Church is growing fairly rapidly, there are still many places in the world where even the name Seventh-day Adventist has never been heard. So, what needs to happen to get us from where we are to the latter rain? See items # 8 and #9 below for an explanation of the early rain and the latter rain.

3.    One very sobering thought is that to help deal with the crisis that arose in heaven, the focus of God’s plans to resolve the controversy moved to this earth; and He began with Adam and Eve, started over with Noah, started again with Abraham, started yet again after the Babylonian captivity, finally moved on to that small group of disciples in the Christian church, then called for the Protestant Reformation, and finally established the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Is it really possible that this small group of people will be able to bring the work of God to a conclusion when all those others failed? What is different about us?

4.    Read Matthew 28:18-20[190]. God instructs us to go, teach, baptize, and make disciples; but, with that He gives us a promise that He will be with us. As we saw in a previous lesson, the challenge of reaching the whole world seemed impossible to the disciples. Nevertheless, Paul said in Colossians 1:23[191] that the gospel was being preached in the whole world. How was that accomplished? Acts 1:8[192] tells us that the Holy Spirit will come upon God’s people as it did at Pentecost, and the gospel will be spread throughout the earth. What do we do?

5.    Read Matthew 24:14[193]. This statement from Jesus is a promise. Revelation 18:1[194] tells us that the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the fourth angel.

I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event.

Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message.

Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. [Revelation 18:1] The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere.—Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 277. [Content in brackets is supplied.]

6.    How can each one of us be a part of the fulfillment of those promises? What do we need to do to prepare ourselves and those around us? What is our individual responsibility?

7.    While the Holy Spirit is not mentioned as often in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit’s work is represented as water, wind, and oil. [Isaiah 44:3 and Joel 2:28][195] speak of the Holy Spirit coming as refreshing rains. In John 7:37-39[196], Jesus Himself used the symbolism of water to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. When will that happen? (See item #10.)

8.    Read [Joel 2:21-24, 28-32 and James 5:7-8][197]. In Palestine in Bible times, sowing and planting were normally done around the middle of October during what was called the early rains. That gave enough moisture for the plants to germinate and start their growth. Then, there was a period of relative dryness until late spring when the latter rains came to ripen the harvest. If the early rains and the latter rains were good, the harvest was good.

9.    In the history of the Christian church, the early rain refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (See Acts 2[198]) The latter rain will come in even greater power just before the second coming of Christ. It will put the final touch on God’s work here on earth. We use the term early rain also to refer to God’s Spirit convicting, instructing, guiding, and empowering each believer in the normal growth of the Christian. The latter rain is spoken of in the life of an individual as a special endowment of God’s Holy Spirit just before the second coming.

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. . . . [See Acts 2.]

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.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 54,55. [Content in brackets is supplied.]

10.    Read [2 Peter 3:10-12][199] and Evangelism pages 694-697. Let us be very clear about the fact that we are not waiting for God; He is waiting for us. And it need not take a long time.

You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years. . . . We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ.—Review and Herald, March 22, 1892; Ev 221.1. (This was soon after 1888; a national Sunday law was in congress)

11.    What preparation is necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit’s power in its fullness as the latter rain? Read [Acts 1:14; Zechariah 10:1; Acts 3:18-20; 4:31; Psalm 119:25; and John 6:63][200]. God calls for His people to gather together frequently for prayer. As they pray for the latter rain, times of spiritual strength will come, and miraculous signs will be seen in the earth. God’s people will be revived, and God’s life-giving Spirit will give them the power and the authority to finish the gospel. Imagine yourself as a step-brother of Jesus after discovering who He really was! Would you panic, considering how you had mistreated Him as a child?

12.    The experience of the disciples between crucifixion and Pentecost is a perfect example. God is just waiting for us to have that kind of experience. Bible study and prayer are the preparations we need to help us be open to the Spirit of God and ready to do the witnessing necessary for finishing God’s work on this earth. What is the purpose of the latter rain?

13.    Read [Psalm 51:10-13; Acts 4:13,20; 5:33; 8:1,4][201]. David reminded us that we need clean hearts and right spirits. God promises He will teach us so we can teach others. After Pentecost, Peter and John were bold; even their enemies recognized that they had been with Jesus. They could not stop speaking of what they had seen and heard. That made the Sanhedrin furious. When the persecution started, disciples were scattered everywhere, preaching the word. When we have really understood our role and have a right relationship with the Holy Spirit, like Paul we will not be able to keep quiet. (Romans 1:1)

14.    How do you explain the words in Acts 17:6[202], “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (NKJV) As you look at the world around you, finishing the gospel might seem like an impossible task. But, God’s Holy Spirit is offered in infinite supply to accomplish this most urgent important task. Could the Seventh-day Adventist Church in our day turn the world upside down? What would that take? A new understanding of truth? A new truth?

15.    In addition to the symbols of water, wind, and oil, John the Baptist described the coming of the Holy Spirit as fire. [(Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16)][203] In what sense is the coming of the Holy Spirit like fire? And what does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire? Are you excited about being totally immersed in fire? Read [Isaiah 33:10-16; Exodus 3:2-6; 24:17; 1 Kings 18:24; Malachi 3:2-3; Acts 2:1-4; and Hebrews 12:29][204]. In these verses it should be clear that the fire that is spoken of in Scripture is a representation of God’s presence and power; it is sometimes called God’s glory. We see the work of the Holy Spirit at the burning bush in Moses’ day, on the top of Mount Carmel in Elijah’s day, and with tongues of fire at Pentecost. What needs to happen to us? Why haven’t we received signs of God’s glory?

16.    Read Habakkuk 2:14[205]. What does it mean to be as filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea? Revelation 18:1 says that the whole earth will be enlightened by the glory of God’s angel. God’s glory is also spoken of as His loving character. How can that best be revealed to our sinful world?

17.    It might seem like Satan and sin are conquering our world. But, the book of Revelation gives a different ending. Read [Revelation 12:17; 17:13-14; and 19:11-16][206]. The message of Revelation is that, ultimately, Jesus wins and Satan loses. Ezekiel 28:18-19 tells us that self-destructive fire will come forth from within the Devil, and he will be totally destroyed. Revelation 19:19-21[207] tells us that God will win in the end. How is the latter rain involved?

18.    And how will we be involved?

Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 612.1

19.    Is there anything else that could possibly rival that in importance? Isn’t it clear that God is ready? But, He has chosen to work through us; so, He chooses not to do anything until we are ready.

The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 612.2

20.    What is the implication of saying the message is to be carried “not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God”? What happened at Pentecost? Consider Matthew 5:16[208].

21.    Seventh-day Adventists have the most logical and coherent message in the field of religion and theology that has ever been known. We have a massive amount of information that we can study and digest. We have so many promises from God that we cannot even quote them all. For what are we waiting? How much information do we have compared to the disciples?

22.    How do promises we have received compare with the promises God gave to His people in the days of the Old Testament? Read [Deuteronomy 11:13-21; Hosea 6:1-3; 10:12][209]. As Romans 8:31 tells us: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (GNB)

23.    Dr. Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s greatest scientists, called the concept of an afterlife a “fairy story for people afraid of the dark.” Why does a statement like that show just how crucial and hopeful our message is for a world that knows neither God nor His love? (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, p. 155.)

24.    Do we really want Jesus to come back? Do we have questions about His promises? Do we really believe them? What can we do to encourage progress toward the great culmination?

25.    Is it clear in your mind how and when and why the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon His people at the end of time? Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit. Does it seem like fulfillment of the promise of Matthew 24:14[210] is impossible? Is our life too good?

26.    In 1888 at the time of the general conference session in Minneapolis, there were only a few thousand Adventists, nearly all in North America. (1SM 233-235) Yet, God spoke to Ellen White and told her that the general conference leaders at that meeting had turned back the latter rain! Could the latter rain have actually come in 1888? How could that small group of Adventists which had just begun to spread around the world have experienced the latter rain and finished up the gospel in those days? How did the disciples almost do it in their day?

27.    On that occasion, it seemed like the problem was that they had the wrong message. Do we have the right message today? Which message is the right message? Are we sure?

28.    There are many ways to spread the gospel. People who cannot read or even who are blind have gone from door-to-door asking their neighbors to read to them; and by asking questions, they have brought people to the gospel. What is our excuse? Could we be effective witnesses for God? Jesus stated in Matthew 28:18-20[211] that He would give us authority, and the Greek word exousia could imply “divine privilege” or even “power.”

Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission. He made full provision for the prosecution of the work, and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 822.

29.    Could we be baptized with fire as they were on the day of Pentecost? LeRoy Froom explained the expression “a baptism of fire” in these words: “It is an explanatory phrase, completing the idea. It is the Scriptural way of repetition to emphasize and enforce a single thought. We are to be baptized with divine fire now to save us from destruction by consuming fire later.”-The Coming of the Comforter (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1956), p. 268 as quoted in the Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, page 159.

30.    If we have the possibility of having Jesus and the Holy Spirit working with us and through us, for what more could we ask?

31.    So, why hasn’t Jesus come yet? Read Evangelism 694-697.

32.    What would a church be like that was full of Spirit-filled members? If we could be like Paul or even Christ-like in our witness, what would that look like in the 21st century?

Great Controversy In Scripture

1.    The Bible teaches that there are other beings in the universe besides humans:

A.    God (and Christ) existed before this earth was created: Ps. 90:2[212]; Jn 1:1-3[213]; Jn 17:24[214]; Heb1:8-10[215]; 1 Pet 1:20[216]; Eph 1:4, 5[217]; Col. 1:15-17[218]

B.    Angels - More than 300 references in the King James Version : Psalms 91:11[219]; Hebrews 1:4-2:2[220];Exodus 23:23[221]; 1 Chronicles 21:16[222]; 2 Samuel 24:16-17[223]

C.    Satan/Devil - Ezekiel 28:13[224]; Revelation 12:7-12[225]; Genesis 3:1-4[226]; Approximately 200 references in King James Version ; See handout on Satan.

D.    Other Beings : Job 1:6[227]; Job 2:1[228]; Job 38:4-7[229]; Daniel 9:21[230]; Acts 12:7[231]; Hebrews 13:2[232]; compare Revelation 22:16[233]; 2 Peter 1:19[234]; 1 Corinthians 4:9[235]; Ephesians 1:9-10; 3:9-10[236]; Colossians 1:19-20[237]

2.    Satan wanted to take the place of God: Isaiah 14:12-14[238]; Ezekiel 28:11-15[239]; Matthew 4:8-9[240]

3.    God has said that sin (which began with Satan) will lead to death: Genesis 2:17[241]; Romans 6:23[242]

4.    Satan has accused God of being a liar: Genesis 3:1-5[243]; Job 1:6-12[244]; Job 2:1-6[245]

5.    Sometime before this earth was created, war arose in heaven: Revelation 12:1-12[246]; Ezekiel 28:12-16[247]

6.    Satan and his followers were excluded from heaven: Luke 10:18[248]; John 8:44[249]; John 12:31[250]; Col. 2:15[251]; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-12

7.    When Satan lost his battle to overthrow God in heaven, he came to this earth to tempt us: Revelation 12:7-10[252]; Genesis 3:1-4[253]; Ezekiel 28:12-16[254]

8.    Satan claims to be the master of this world. He claims that this world belongs to him: Job 1 & 2[255]; Matthew 4:8,9[256]; 1 Kings 22[257]; 2 Chronicles 18[258]; John 12:31[259]; John 14:30[260]; John 16:11[261]; 2 Cor.4:4[262]; Eph. 2:1,2[263]; Eph. 6:16[264]; 1 John 5:19[265]

9.    Satan claims that we are his because we have sinned and he has the right to destroy us: Zechariah 3:1-5[266]; Jude 9[267]

10.    God promised to demonstrate the truthfulness of his statement in Genesis 2:17[268]: Genesis 3:15[269]; Romans 3:1-4[270]; Romans 3:25-27[271]

11.    The whole rest of the universe is watching us to see what is going to happen: 1 Corinthians 4:9[272]; Ephesians 1:7-10[273]; Eph. 3:9-10[274]; Colossians 1:19-20[275]

12.    Christ promised that he would deal with the sin problem. In order to do that he must deal with Satan’s lies as well as our misbehavior: Romans 8:3[276]; Romans 3:4[277]

13.    Christ died for sinless angels too, because they were the first ones to hear Satan’s accusations against God: Ephesians 1:7-10[278]; Eph. 3:7-10[279]; Colossians 1:19-20[280]; John 12:32[281] ( GNB )

14.    God needs to clear his own name in order to win in the great controversy: (See handout Ezekiel #3:For My Own Name’s Sake)

15.    Ezekiel 20 and 36[282] are very instructive chapters. They should be read carefully and the implications considered. Please note this particular theme:

In Egypt: Read Ezekiel 20:4-7[283] about how God tried to help Israel in Egypt, then note:

Ezekiel 20:8,9 : 8 “But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt. 9 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name , for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt... ( GNB )

In the wilderness: Read Eze 20:10-12[284], then note:

Ezekiel 20:13-14 : 13 “But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath.

I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them. 14 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt ... (See Exodus 32:7-14[285])

The second generation in the wilderness: Read Eze. 20:15-20[286], then note:

Ezekiel 20:21-22 : 21 “But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all. 22 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt ...

After the Babylonian captivity: Read Eze. 20:37-42[287], then note:

Ezekiel 20:43-44 : 43 “‘Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did. 44 When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the LORD, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve.’ The Sovereign LORD has spoken.” (GNB)

Right throughout Israelite history God has had to act, not primarily for the “salvation” of his people but for the honor of his own name! The great controversy is not so much about how God saves you and me but about how God answers Satan’s accusations against his character and government.

Note especially that the purpose of the Sabbath is to remind us of this particular very important truth. The Sabbath is to be a time when we get to know our God and are reminded of our relationship with him. (Ezekiel 20:12[288]; Eze. 20:20[289]) We need to understand his character and as much about him as possible and not just the right name by which to refer to him.

If the Sabbath is not being used for this purpose, then as far as God is concerned we are profaning it. (Ezekiel 20:13-21[290])

In Ezekiel 36 after all of Israel is in captivity, he explains further:

Ezekiel 36:20-22: 20 Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on my holy name, because people would say, These are the people of the LORD, but they had to leave his land.’ 21 That made me concerned for my holy name, since the Israelites brought disgrace on it. The everywhere they went. 22 Now then, give the Israelites the message that I, the Sovereign LORD, have for them: What I am going to do is not for the sake of you Israelites, but for the sake of my holy name , which you have disgraced in every country where you have gone. 23 When I demonstrate to the nations the holiness of my great name-the name you disgraced among them-then they will know that I am the LORD ... (28) You will be my people, and I will be your God... 32 Israel, I want you to know that I am not doing all this for your sake ... 36 Then the neighboring nations that have survived will know that I, the LORD, rebuild ruined cities and replant waste fields.

I, The LORD, have promised that I would do this-and I will. ( GNB )

This is why Ezekiel repeats the phrase “Then they will know that I am the LORD” or “for my own name’s sake” or something similar at least 46 times in his book. (See handout Ezekiel #3: “ For My Own Name’s Sake” )

Isaiah also realized and stated that God’s reputation was the key issue in Scripture:

Isaiah 48:11:

What I do is done for my own sake—

I will not let my name be dishonored or let anyone else share the glory that should be mine and mine alone.” ( GNB )

Daniel 9:14-19 : Daniel recognized that God must do something for his own reputation.

Summary: There has been a continuous war going on in our universe since before this earth was created. Lucifer, one of God’s foremost angels, began to have rebellious ideas in heaven. After some time he managed to get more than one-third of the angels to side with him against our wonderful Father-Creator-God. Thus “war” began in heaven. Finally, Lucifer, now turned into God’s “adversary” or “Satan”, was excluded from heaven and came down to our earth to cause trouble here. He convinced our first parents to join him in rebellion. From that day to this, we have been surrounded and controlled by sin. Down through the years Satan has been quite successful in convincing most of us that God is really a lying tyrant whose behavior is often “severe, exacting, revengeful, arbitrary” “stern”, “harsh”, “inflexible”, “unforgiving” and “implacable”—“One to be feared, dreaded and even hated”. ( Signs of the Times , January 20, 1890; Bible Training School, November

1, 1908; Review and Herald , November 17, 1891; Christian Education 73; EW 218; GC 534-536)

Jesus Christ was born into this sinful, rebellious world to fully and finally answer Satan’s charges—he came to “deal with sin”. (Romans 3:25-27; Romans 8:3) Now God is waiting for us here on this earth to discover and understand the fact that he has won this “great controversy”. He is waiting for a time when enough of us have “gotten the message” so that through the gift of the empowering Holy Spirit they can spread this truth throughout the world just before he returns in glory to redeem his faithful, trustworthy friends. Sin and those who refuse to separate themselves from sin will come to a final end and this world will once again be a peaceful, safe place to live for the rest of eternity.

© Copyright 1999-2008, Kenneth Hart info@theox.org

SOME QUOTATIONS FROM ELLEN WHITE REGARDING: THE PLAN OF SALVATION IN THE SETTING OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

The Bible-all of it-is the authoritative source of truth.

1.    “The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed.” Review and Herald Dec. 15, 1885 (1RH574:2:1); Selected Messages, bk. 1, 416; See also 5MR 49; 3SM 21

2.    “Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men.” Patriarchs and Prophets 504 (1890); 4T449; Gospel Workers (1892) 140; AG 350

This includes the book of Revelation with its picture of the war that began up in Heaven.

3.    “The last book of the New Testament Scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers 116; The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1906; Christ’s Object Lessons 133; Lift Him Up 378; Maranatha 30

“The very name <Revelation’ contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. <Revelation’ means that something of importance is revealed.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers 113; Acts of the Apostles 584; Manuscript Releases, vol 18, 22

“One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation...A wonderful connection is seen between the universe of heaven and this world.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers 114; Manuscript Releases, vol 18, 15

“The universe is looking upon the controversy that is going on upon the earth.” Review and Herald, February 18, 1890 (2RH 368:3:4); Testimonies to Ministers 116,113,114,119 Maranatha 23; Selected Messages, bk. 1, 415; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 534

The Bible should be studied as a whole.

4.    “Make the Bible its own expositor, bringing together all that is said concerning a given subject at different times and under varied circumstances.” Review and Herald, October 9, 1883; The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1887; Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 42,43

5.    “The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption...He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found.” Education 190 (1903); Counsels to Teachers 462; Lift Him Up 115; Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 346; compare #47

The plan of salvation involves the whole universe.

6.    “Through the plan of salvation, a larger purpose is to be wrought out even than the salvation of man and the redemption of the earth. Through the revelation of the character of God in Christ, the beneficence of the divine government would be manifested before the universe, the charge of Satan refuted, the nature and result of sin made plain, and the perpetuity of the law fully demonstrated.” The Signs of the Times, February 13, 1893 and December 22, 1914; The Messenger June 7, 1893; Bible Echoes July 15, 1893; That I May Know Him 366

7.    “But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. To this result of His great sacrifice-its influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon man-the Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: <Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me.’ John 12:31, 32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets 68,69 (1890); Reflecting Christ 60 (1985)

8.    “By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels...Not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which <angels desire to look,’ [1 Peter 1:12] and it will be their study throughout endless ages.” The Desire of Ages 19 (1898); Reflecting Christ 15 (1985)

9.    “To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry, “It is finished,” had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished....Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.” The Desire of Ages 758 (1898)

The security of the universe was even more important than the salvation of man.

10.    “It was in order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant of redemption that Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human race. The throne of Justice must be eternally and forever made secure, even tho the race be wiped out, and another creation populate the earth. By the sacrifice Christ was about to make, all doubts would be forever settled, and the human race would be saved if they would return to their allegiance. Christ alone could restore honor to God’s government. The cross of Calvary would be looked upon by the unfallen worlds, by the heavenly universe, by Satanic agencies, by the fallen race, and every mouth would be stopped....Who is able to describe the last scenes of Christ’s life on earth, His trial in the judgment hall, His crucifixion? Who witnessed these scenes?-The heavenly universe, God the Father, Satan and his angels.” The Signs of the Times, July 12, 1899 (4ST 44:1:2)

Christ died for sinless angels too.

11.    “That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. (QOD 680)...The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven (BTS December 1, 1907)...The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889; (2ST 345:1:1); SDA Bible Commentary, vol.

5, p. 1132, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7a, p. 252; Our High Calling 45; The Home Missionary May 1,1897

Why the angels needed the message of the cross.

12.    “For centuries God looked with patience and forbearance upon the cruel treatment given to his ambassadors, at his holy law prostrate, despised, trampled underfoot. He swept away the inhabitants of the Noachian world with a flood. But when the earth was again peopled, men drew away from God, and renewed their hostility to him, manifesting bold defiance. Those whom God rescued from Egyptian bondage followed in the footsteps of those who had preceded them. Cause was followed by effect; the earth was being corrupted.

“A crisis had arrived in the government of God...All heaven was prepared at the word of God to move to the help of his elect. One word from him, and the bolts of heaven would have fallen upon the earth, filling it with fire and flame. God had but to speak, and there would have been thunderings and lightnings and earthquakes and destruction.

“The heavenly intelligences were prepared for a fearful manifestation of Almighty power. Every move was watched with intense anxiety. The exercise of justice was expected. The angels looked for God to punish the inhabitants of the earth...”

“The heavenly universe was amazed at God’s patience and love. To save fallen humanity the Son of God took humanity upon himself.” Review and Herald, July 17, 1900; (4RH 201:1:4-201:2:1) compare Desire of Ages 37

13.    “For centuries God bore with the inhabitants of the old world. But at last guilt reached its limit...He came out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth, and by a flood cleansed the earth of its iniquity.

“Notwithstanding this terrible lesson, men had no sooner begun to multiply once more, than rebellion and vice became widespread. Satan seemed to have taken control of the world. The time came that a change must be made, or the image of God would be wholly obliterated from the hearts of the beings He had created. All heaven watched the movements of God with intense interest. Would He once more manifest His wrath? Would He destroy the world by fire? The angels thought that the time had come to strike the blow of justice, when, lo, to their wondering vision was unveiled the plan of salvation.” MS 22, January 10, 1890; The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials 569,570

14.    “Before Christ’s first advent, the sin of refusing to conform to God’s law had become widespread. Apparently Satan’s power was growing; his warfare against heaven was becoming more and more determined. A crisis had been reached. With intense interest God’s movements were watched by the heavenly angels. Would He come forth from His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity? Would He send fire or flood to destroy them? All heaven waited the bidding of their Commander to pour out the vials of wrath upon a rebellious world. One word from Him, one sign, and the world would have been destroyed. The worlds unfallen would have said, ‘Amen. Thou art righteous, O God, because Thou hast exterminated rebellion.’” The Signs of the Times, August 27, 1902; Reflecting Christ 58; compare The Youth’s Instructor, July 29, 1897; That I May Know Him 19

The Controversy is over the character of God.

15.    “From the beginning it has been Satan’s studied plan to cause men to forget God, that he might secure them to himself. Hence he has sought to misrepresent the character of God, to lead men to cherish a false conception of Him. The Creator has been presented to their minds as clothed with the attributes of the prince of evil himself-as arbitrary, severe, and unforgiving-that He might be feared, shunned, and even hated by men. Satan hoped to so confuse the minds of those whom he had deceived that they would put God out of their knowledge.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 738; In Heavenly Places, 8; Review and Herald February 15, 1912

16.    “It is beyond the power of the human mind to estimate the evil which has been wrought by the heresy

of eternal torment. The religion of the Bible, full of love and goodness, and abounding in compassion, is darkened by superstition and clothed with terror. When we consider in what false colors Satan has painted the character of God, can we wonder that our merciful Creator is feared, dreaded, and even hated? The appalling views of God which have spread over the world from the teachings of the pulpit have made thousands, yes, millions, of skeptics and infidels.

“The theory of eternal torment is one of the false doctrines that constitute the wine of the abomination of Babylon, of which she makes all nations drink. Revelation 14:8; 17:2.” The Great Controversy 536 (1888); 4SP 356 (1884)

17.    “Satan has ascribed to God all the evils to which the flesh is heir. He has represented him as a God who delights in the sufferings of his creatures, who is revengeful and implacable. It was Satan who originated the doctrine of eternal torment as a punishment for sin, because in this way he could lead men into infidelity and rebellion, distract souls, and dethrone the human reason.

“Heaven, looking down, and seeing the delusions into which men were led, knew that a divine Instructor must come to earth. Men in ignorance and moral darkness must have light, spiritual light; for the world knew not God, and he must be revealed to their understanding. Truth looked down from heaven, and saw not the reflection of her image; for dense clouds of moral darkness and gloom enveloped the world, and the Lord Jesus alone was able to roll back the clouds; for he was the light of the world. By his presence he could dissipate the gloomy shadow that Satan had cast between man and God. Darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. Through the accumulated misrepresentations of the enemy, many were so deceived that they worshiped a false god, clothed with the attributes of the satanic character.” Review and Herald, November 17, 1891 (2RH 529:3:1,2); FE 176,177; Counsels to Teachers 27; CE 73,74

Christ came primarily to reveal the truth about God.

18.    “The law of Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and God was represented

as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very attributes that belonged to the character of Satan, the evil one represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character of God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes.

“Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,-to set men right through the revelation of God. In Christ was arrayed before men the paternal grace and the matchless perfections of the Father. In his prayer just before his crucifixion, he declared, “I have manifested thy name.” “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” When the object of his mission was attained-the revelation of God to the world,-the Son of God announced that his work was accomplished, and that the character of the Father was made manifest to men.” The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1890 (2ST 351:2:0-3:1); compare ST December 4, 1893; Manuscript Releases, vol 18, 359; RH August 14, 1900; YI November 21, 1883

To see Christ is to see the Father.

19.    “Had God the Father come to our world and dwelt among us, humbling Himself, veiling His glory, that

humanity might look upon Him, the history that we have of the life of Christ would not have been changed....In every act of Jesus, in every lesson of His instruction, we are to see and hear and recognize God. In sight, in hearing, in effect, it is the voice and movements of the Father.” Letter 83, 1895; That I May Know Him 338; 21MR 393.1

God does not ask us to believe without evidence.

20.    “God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.” Steps to Christ 105 (1892); Education 169; 9MR 202

21.    “I am afraid of anything that would have a tendency to turn the mind away from the solid evidences of the truth as revealed in God’s Word. I am afraid of it; I am afraid of it. We must bring our minds within the bounds of reason, lest the enemy so come in as to set everything in a disorderly way. There are persons of an excitable temperament who are easily led into fanaticism; and should we allow anything to come into our churches that would lead such persons into error, we would soon see these errors carried to extreme lengths, and then because of the course of these disorderly elements, a stigma would rest upon the whole body of Seventh-day Adventists.” MS 115, 1908; Selected Messages, Bk. 2 p. 43; Bk. 3, p. 373

Jesus persuades by truth and evidence, not personal authority and power.

22.    “Jesus did not first reveal himself in his true character to them, and then open the Scriptures to their minds; for he knew that they would be so overjoyed to see him again, risen from the dead, that their souls would be satisfied. They would not hunger for the sacred truths which he wished to indelibly impress upon their minds, that they might impart them to others, who should in their turn spread the precious knowledge, until thousands of people should receive the light given that day to the despairing disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus.

“He (Jesus) maintained his disguise till he had interpreted the Scriptures, and had led them to an intelligent faith in his life, his character, his mission to earth, and his death and resurrection. He wished the truth to take firm root in their minds, not because it was supported by his personal testimony, but because the typical law, and the prophets of the Old Testament, agreeing with the facts of his life and death, presented unquestionable evidence of that truth. When the object of his labors with the two disciples was gained, he revealed himself to them that their joy might be full, and then vanished from their sight.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3 p. 214; The Signs of the Times October

6, 1909; 4ST 492:3:2 (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1125; SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7a, p. 245); 6Red 32

The Holy Spirit also persuades by truth and evidence.

23.    “The Holy Spirit will not compel men to take a certain course of action. We are free moral agents; and

when sufficient evidence has been given us as to our duty, it is left with us to decide our course.” Fundamentals of Christian Education 124; CE 116; Review and Herald July 17, 1888

24.    “‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them’ (Isaiah 8:20). Even the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart is to be tested by the Word of God. The Spirit which inspired the Scriptures, always leads to the Scriptures.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, April 13, 1891; Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 43; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 901

Love and Trust-the things that God desires the most-cannot be commanded or produced by force or fear.

25.    “The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan’s deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, <with healing in His wings.’ Mal. 4:2.” The Desire of Ages 22 (1898); Reflecting Christ 23; AG 23

26.    “In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence

of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom.” The Desire of Ages 466 (1898); Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 571

27.    “The shortness of time is urged as an incentive for us to seek righteousness and to make Christ our friend. This is not the great motive. It savors of selfishness. Is it necessary that the terrors of the day of God be held before us to compel us through fear to right action? This ought not to be.” Review and Herald Aug. 2, 1881; 1RH 273:1:6; That I May Know Him 320; Lift Him Up 98; The Signs of the Times, March 17, 1887; The Bible Echoes June 25, 1894

There is no need to be afraid of God.

28.    “We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death.” Letter 96, 1896; Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 235; FLB 84; 6BC 1085,1110; 1MR 130,131; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 1576

29.    “God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression; but

He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown.” The Great Controversy 36 (1888); 4SP 36,37 (1884)

30.    “This is not an act of arbitrary power on the part of God. The rejecters of His mercy reap that which they have sown. God is the fountain of life; and when one chooses the service of sin, he separates from God, and thus cuts himself off from life. He is <alienated from the life of God.’ Christ says, <All they that hate Me love death.’ Ephesians 4:18; Proverbs 8:36. God gives them existence for a time that they may develop their character and reveal their principles. This accomplished, they receive the results of their own choice. By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who is love will destroy them.” The Desire of Ages 764 (1898)

God does not desire obedience that springs from fear or obligation.

31.    “The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely-because he is required to do so-will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right-because right doing is pleasing to God.” Christ’s Object Lessons 97,98 (1900)

32.    “A sullen submission to the will of the Father will develop the character of a rebel. By such a one service is looked upon as drudgery. It is not rendered cheerfully, and in the love of God. It is a mere mechanical performance. [If he dared, such a one would disobey. His rebellion is smothered, ready to break out at any time in bitter murmurings and complaints.] Such service brings no peace or quietude to the soul.” MS 20, 1897 (MR # 970); Signs of the Times, July 22, 1897 (3ST 400:2:1) -section in [. . .] omitted in That I May Know Him p. 120; 12MR 236

God has made emergency use of law because we needed it.

33.    “If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved in the ark by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity of the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, which circumcision was a token or pledge of, they would never have gone into idolatry, and been suffered to go down into Egypt, and there would have been no necessity of God’s proclaiming his law from Sinai, and engraving it upon tables of stone, and guarding it by definite directions in the judgments and statutes given to Moses.

“Moses wrote these judgments and statutes from the mouth of God while he was with him in the mount. If the people of God had obeyed the principles of the ten commandments, there would have been no need of the specific directions given to Moses, which he wrote in a book, relative to their duty to God and to one another. The definite directions which the Lord gave to Moses in regard to the duty of his people to one another, and to the stranger, are the principles of the ten commandments simplified, and given in a definite manner that they need not err.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 299,300 (1864); 1SP 264; The Signs of the Times June, 17, 1880; compare PH 064 p. 19 (1875)

33.b.    “If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have kept God’s law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to be proclaimed from Sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone. And had the people practiced the principles of the Ten Commandments, there would have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses.” Patriarchs and Prophets 364 (1890)

34.    “But in heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of. In their ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons. There is

perfect unity between them and their Creator. Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for God makes their service a joy.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 109

35.    “I am asked concerning the law in Galatians. What law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ? I answer: Both the ceremonial and the moral code of ten commandments...” Selected Messages Bk.

1,    p. 233 (1900); 6BC 1109,1110; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 1575; 1MR 130,131

“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). In this scripture, the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law.” Selected Messages Bk, 1 p. 234 (1900); 6BC 1110; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 1575; 1MR 131

God values nothing higher than our freedom, dignity and individuality.

36.    “Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator-individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men’s thought...Instead of educated weaklings, institutions of learning may send forth men strong to think and to act, men who are masters and not slaves of circumstances, men who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of their convictions.” Education 17,18 (1903); Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 361; Mind, Character, and Personality, vol.

2,    423; Reflecting Christ 155

37.    “It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.” The Great Controversy 598 (1888); 4SP 416 (1884); Maranatha 94; Reflecting Christ 116; RH June 28, 1906 and September 10, 1914

Jesus will come when His people are ready.

38.    “The long night of gloom is trying; but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God’s unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 193 (1868); Evangelism 694; Maranatha 56; LDE 37; Ph 098 p. 16

39.    “Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads-it is not any seal or mark that can

be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved-just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming” (MS 173, 1902). S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 4, p. 1161; LDE 219; Maranatha 200; FLB 287; 1MR 249,250; 10MR 252

Where on earth are God’s friends?

40.    “Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion.” The Great Controversy 390 (1888); FLB 285; LDE 198

What difference does it make to know the truth about God?

41.    “The reason why it seems so difficult to win souls for Christ, is that Satan is continually engaged in misrepresenting the character of God to the human mind. Christ came to reveal the Father to the world in his true character, that the false conceptions which men entertained of the divine character might be swept away.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 31, 1892 (2RH 573:2:2); compare GC 569; 4SP 385

42.    “We are not to think of God only as a judge, and to forget him as our loving Father. Nothing can do our souls greater harm than this; for our whole spiritual life will be molded by our conceptions of God’s character.”Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 5, 1887 (RH 126:1:2); Our High Calling 176; That I May Know Him 262

43.    “Jesus said: ‘This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.’ All that was done and said had this one object in view,-to rivet truth in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting life. Jesus did not come to astonish men with some great announcement of some special time when some great event would occur, but he came to instruct and save the lost.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 22, 1892 (2RH 553:3:1); Selected Messages, bk. 1, 186-187; 6BC 1052; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 958

44.    “It is growth in knowledge of the character of Christ that sanctifies the soul. To discern and appreciate the wonderful work of the atonement, transforms him who contemplates the plan of salvation. By beholding Christ, he becomes changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. The beholding of Jesus becomes an ennobling, refining process to the actual Christian. He sees the Pattern, and grows into its likeness, and then how easily are dissensions, emulations, and strife adjusted. The perfection of Christ’s character is the Christian’s inspiration. When we see him as he is, desire awakes to be like him, and this elevates the whole man; for “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 26, 1890 (2RH421:3:2) Reflecting Christ 304; That I May Know Him 166; The EGWhite 1888 Materials, p. 695

45.    “Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased. The psalmist describes the effect produced upon the worshiper by the adoration of idols. He says, “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” Psalm 115:8. It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. Man will rise no higher than his conceptions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. The worshipers of false gods clothed their deities with human attributes and passions, and thus their standard of character was degraded to the likeness of sinful humanity. They were defiled in consequence.” Patriarchs and Prophets 91 (1890)

46.    “It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The

mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably be downward.” The Great Controversy p. 555 (1888); Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 331; Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 418

47.    “Merely to hear or to read the word is not enough. He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures must meditate upon the truth that has been presented to him. By earnest attention and prayerful thought he must learn the meaning of the words of truth, and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles. (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 11/10/1891; Bible Echoes 10/1/1892; FE 169,170; CE 100,101; compare The Signs of the Times, 1/30/1893 and 9/26/1895)

“God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of Scriptures.” Christ’s Object Lessons 59,60 (1900); AG 34 compare FLB 223.3; MH 466.0

48.    “The effort to earn salvation by one’s own works inevitably leads men to pile up human exactions as a barrier against sin. For, seeing that they fail to keep the law, they will devise rules and regulations of their own to force themselves to obey. All this turns the mind away from God to self. His love dies out of the heart, and with it perishes love for his fellow men. A system of human invention, with its multitudinous exactions, will lead its advocates to judge all who come short of the prescribed human standard. The atmosphere of selfish and narrow criticism stifles the noble and generous emotions, and causes men to become self-centered judges and petty spies.

“The Pharisees were of this class. They came forth from their religious services, not humbled with a sense of their own weakness, not grateful for the great privileges that God had given them. They came forth filled with spiritual pride, and their theme was, “Myself, my feelings, my knowledge, my ways.” Their own attainments became the standard by which they judged others. Putting on the robes of self-dignity, they mounted the judgment seat to criticize and condemn. (ST 12/17/1894)

“The people partook largely of the same spirit, intruding upon the province of conscience and judging one another in matters that lay between the soul and God. It was in reference to this spirit and practice that Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” That is, do not set yourself up as a standard. Do not make your opinions, your views of duty, your interpretations of Scripture, a criterion for others and in your heart condemn them if they do not come up to your ideal. Do not criticize others, conjecturing as to their motives and passing judgment upon them.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 123,124

For more information contact: khart@sachs.llu.edu

December 11, 2005

Though all these evidences have been given, the enemy of good blinded the minds of men, so that they looked upon God with fear; they thought of [11] Him as severe and unforgiving. Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice-one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men.--SC 11 (1892). {1MCP 250.1}

Our Creator justly claims the right to do as He chooses with the creatures of His hand. He has a right to govern as He will, and not as man chooses. But He is not a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He is the very fountain of love, the giver of blessings innumerable. It should cause you the deepest grief that you have disregarded such love, and have not let gratitude and praise well up in your hearts for the marvelous goodness of God. We do not deserve all His benefits; but they are [315] continued to us, notwithstanding our unworthiness and cruel ingratitude. Then cease to complain as though you were bond servants under a hard taskmaster. Jesus is good. Praise Him. Praise Him who is the health of your countenance, and your God. {5T 314.4}

Many conceive of the Christian's God as a being whose attribute is stern justice,--one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. The Creator has been pictured as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgment upon them. In the minds of thousands, love and sympathy and tenderness are associated with the character of Christ, while God is regarded as the law-giver, inflexible, arbitrary, devoid of sympathy for the beings He has made. {BTS, November 1, 1908 par. 1} Never was there a greater error. Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. It is from Him that we receive every good gift. He is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. {BTS, November 1, 1908 par. 2}

1-Revelation 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. 15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, "I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. 21 To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.

Hebrews 12:7 Endure what you suffer as being a father's punishment; your suffering shows that God is treating you as his children. Was there ever a child who was not punished by his father? 8 If you are not punished, as all his children are, it means you are not real children, but bastards. 9 In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them. How much more, then, should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 Our human fathers punished us for a short time, as it seemed right to them; but God does it for our own good, so that we may share his holiness. 11 When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.

Matthew 25:1 "At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them, 4 while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep. 6 "It was already midnight when the cry rang out, "Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!' 7 The ten young women woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, "Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' 9 "No, indeed,' the wise ones answered, "there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.' 10 So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed. 11 "Later the others arrived. "Sir, sir! Let us in!' they cried out. 12 "Certainly not! I don't know you,' the bridegroom answered." 13 And Jesus concluded, "Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Zechariah 3:1 In another vision the Lord showed me the High Priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord. And there beside Joshua stood Satan, ready to bring an accusation against him. 2 The angel of the Lord said to Satan, "May the Lord condemn you, Satan! May the Lord, who loves Jerusalem, condemn you. This man is like a stick snatched from the fire." 3 Joshua was standing there, wearing filthy clothes. 4 The angel said to his heavenly attendants, "Take away the filthy clothes this man is wearing." Then he said to Joshua, "I have taken away your sin and will give you new clothes to wear." 5 He commanded the attendants to put a clean turban on Joshua's head. They did so, and then they put the new clothes on him while the angel of the Lord stood there.

Song of Solomon 5:2 While I slept, my heart was awake. I dreamed my lover knocked at the door. Let me come in, my darling, my sweetheart, my dove. My head is wet with dew, and my hair is damp from the mist. 3 I have already undressed; why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet; why should I get them dirty again? 4 My lover put his hand to the door, and I was thrilled that he was near. 5 I was ready to let him come in. My hands were covered with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, as I grasped the handle of the door.

2-Revelation 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. 15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, "I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. 21 To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.

3-Revelation 3:15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!

4-Hebrews 12:7 Endure what you suffer as being a father's punishment; your suffering shows that God is treating you as his children. Was there ever a child who was not punished by his father? 8 If you are not punished, as all his children are, it means you are not real children, but bastards. 9 In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them. How much more, then, should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 Our human fathers punished us for a short time, as it seemed right to them; but God does it for our own good, so that we may share his holiness. 11 When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.

Psalm 94:12 Lord, how happy are those you instruct, the ones to whom you teach your law!

Proverbs 29:15 Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them. 17 Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.

5-Revelation 3:18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins.

6-Revelation 3:20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me.

7-Song of Solomon 5:2 While I slept, my heart was awake. I dreamed my lover knocked at the door. Let me come in, my darling, my sweetheart, my dove. My head is wet with dew, and my hair is damp from the mist. 3 I have already undressed; why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet; why should I get them dirty again? 4 My lover put his hand to the door, and I was thrilled that he was near. 5 I was ready to let him come in. My hands were covered with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, as I grasped the handle of the door.

8-Revelation 3:21 To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.

9-John 4:1 (The Pharisees heard that Jesus was winning and baptizing more disciples than John 2 Actually, Jesus himself did not baptize anyone; only his disciples did.) 3 So when Jesus heard what was being said, he left Judea and went back to Galilee; 4 on his way there he had to go through Samaria. 5 In Samaria he came to a town named Sychar, which was not far from the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by the trip, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 (A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink of water. 8 His disciples had gone into town to buy food.) 9 The woman answered, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan - so how can you ask me for a drink?" (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.) 10 Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water." 11 "Sir," the woman said, "you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water? 12 It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?" 13 Jesus answered, "Those who drink this water will get thirsty again, 14 but those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life." 15 "Sir," the woman said, "give me that water! Then I will never be thirsty again, nor will I have to come here to draw water." 16 "Go and call your husband," Jesus told her, "and come back." 17 "I don't have a husband," she answered. Jesus replied, "You are right when you say you don't have a husband. 18 You have been married to five men, and the man you live with now is not really your husband. You have told me the truth." 19 "I see you are a prophet, sir," the woman said. 20 "My Samaritan ancestors worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God." 21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. 23 But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. 24 God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah will come, and when he comes, he will tell us everything." 26 Jesus answered, "I am he, I who am talking with you." 27 At that moment Jesus' disciples returned, and they were greatly surprised to find him talking with a woman. But none of them said to her, "What do you want?" or asked him, "Why are you talking with her?" 28 Then the woman left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people there, 29 "Come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done. Could he be the Messiah?" 30 So they left the town and went to Jesus. 31 In the meantime the disciples were begging Jesus, "Teacher, have something to eat!" 32 But he answered, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." 33 So the disciples started asking among themselves, "Could somebody have brought him food?" 34 "My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do. 35 You have a saying, "Four more months and then the harvest.' But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested! 36 The one who reaps the harvest is being paid and gathers the crops for eternal life; so the one who plants and the one who reaps will be glad together. 37 For the saying is true, "Someone plants, someone else reaps.' 38 I have sent you to reap a harvest in a field where you did not work; others worked there, and you profit from their work." 39 Many of the Samaritans in that town believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I have ever done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them, and Jesus stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of his message, 42 and they told the woman, "We believe now, not because of what you said, but because we ourselves have heard him, and we know that he really is the Savior of the world." 43 After spending two days there, Jesus left and went to Galilee. 44 For he himself had said, "Prophets are not respected in their own country." 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the people there welcomed him, because they had gone to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything that he had done during the festival. 46 Then Jesus went back to Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. A government official was there whose son was sick in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to go to Capernaum and heal his son, who was about to die. 48 Jesus said to him, "None of you will ever believe unless you see miracles and wonders." 49 "Sir," replied the official, "come with me before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live!" The man believed Jesus' words and went. 51 On his way home his servants met him with the news, "Your boy is going to live!" 52 He asked them what time it was when his son got better, and they answered, "It was one o'clock yesterday afternoon when the fever left him." 53 Then the father remembered that it was at that very hour when Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." So he and all his family believed. 54 This was the second miracle that Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

10-Matthew 8:28 When Jesus came to the territory of Gadara on the other side of the lake, he was met by two men who came out of the burial caves there. These men had demons in them and were so fierce that no one dared travel on that road. 29 At once they screamed, "What do you want with us, you Son of God? Have you come to punish us before the right time?" 30 Not far away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. 31 So the demons begged Jesus, "If you are going to drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs." 32 "Go," Jesus told them; so they left and went off into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned. 33 The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and went into the town, where they told the whole story and what had happened to the men with the demons. 34 So everyone from the town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their territory.

11-Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages. 7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, "These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 9 We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia, 10 from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome, 11 both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia - yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!" 12 Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" 13 But others made fun of the believers, saying, "These people are drunk!" 14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 "This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke; 20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.' 22 "Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him, "I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is near me, and I will not be troubled. 26 And so I am filled with gladness, and my words are full of joy. And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead; you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the paths that lead to life, and your presence will fill me with joy.' 29 "My friends, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31 David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said, "He was not abandoned in the world of the dead; his body did not rot in the grave.' 32 God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33 He has been raised to the right side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. 34 For it was not David who went up into heaven; rather he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: Sit here at my right side 35 until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.' 36 "All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!" 37 When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do, brothers?" 38 Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away - all whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, "Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!" 41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day. 42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. 43 Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45 They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46 Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

12-Galatians 5:6 For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.

13-Matthew 22:1 Jesus again used parables in talking to the people. 2 "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. 3 He sent his servants to tell the invited guests to come to the feast, but they did not want to come. 4 So he sent other servants with this message for the guests: "My feast is ready now; my steers and prize calves have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!' 5 But the invited guests paid no attention and went about their business: one went to his farm, another to his store, 6 while others grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them. 7 The king was very angry; so he sent his soldiers, who killed those murderers and burned down their city. 8 Then he called his servants and said to them, "My wedding feast is ready, but the people I invited did not deserve it. 9 Now go to the main streets and invite to the feast as many people as you find.' 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, good and bad alike; and the wedding hall was filled with people. 11 "The king went in to look at the guests and saw a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 "Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' the king asked him. But the man said nothing. 13 Then the king told the servants, "Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark. There he will cry and gnash his teeth.' " 14 And Jesus concluded, "Many are invited, but few are chosen."

14-Acts 1:4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 14 They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

Mark 1:35 Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of town to a lonely place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:16 But he would go away to lonely places, where he prayed.

Matthew 18:19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them."

2 Corinthians 10:3 It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5 we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.

Psalm 50:23 Giving thanks is the sacrifice that honors me, and I will surely save all who obey me."

15-Mark 1:35 Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of town to a lonely place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:16 But he would go away to lonely places, where he prayed.

Luke 9:18 One day when Jesus was praying alone, the disciples came to him. "Who do the crowds say I am?" he asked them.

16-John 14:24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.

17-John 4:31 In the meantime the disciples were begging Jesus, "Teacher, have something to eat!" 32 But he answered, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." 33 So the disciples started asking among themselves, "Could somebody have brought him food?"

18-Acts 2:41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day.

Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed; and the number grew to about five thousand.

Acts 6:7 And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith.

Acts 9:31 And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.

Acts 15:5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses."

19-Acts 1:4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 14 They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

Acts 2:42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.

Acts 4:31 When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness. 33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.

Acts 6:3 So then, friends, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this matter. 4 We ourselves, then, will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching."

20-John 17:20 "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: 23 I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. 24 "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

21-Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers."

22-Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. Grief and anguish came over him, 38 and he said to them, "The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 He went a little farther on, threw himself face downward on the ground, and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want." 40 Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Once more Jesus went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 He returned once more and found the disciples asleep; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 Again Jesus left them, went away, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

23-Matthew 18:19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them."

24-Acts 12:1 About this time King Herod began to persecute some members of the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he went ahead and had Peter arrested. (This happened during the time of the Festival of Unleavened Bread.) 4 After his arrest Peter was put in jail, where he was handed over to be guarded by four groups of four soldiers each. Herod planned to put him on trial in public after Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was going to bring him out to the people, Peter was sleeping between two guards. He was tied with two chains, and there were guards on duty at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shone in the cell. The angel shook Peter by the shoulder, woke him up, and said, "Hurry! Get up!" At once the chains fell off Peter's hands. 8 Then the angel said, "Tighten your belt and put on your sandals." Peter did so, and the angel said, "Put your cloak around you and come with me." 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, not knowing, however, if what the angel was doing was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed by the first guard station and then the second, and came at last to the iron gate that opens into the city. The gate opened for them by itself, and they went out. They walked down a street, and suddenly the angel left Peter. 11 Then Peter realized what had happened to him, and said, "Now I know that it is really true! The Lord sent his angel to rescue me from Herod's power and from everything the Jewish people expected to happen." 12 Aware of his situation, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outside door, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer it. 14 She recognized Peter's voice and was so happy that she ran back in without opening the door, and announced that Peter was standing outside. 15 "You are crazy!" they told her. But she insisted that it was true. So they answered, "It is his angel." 16 Meanwhile Peter kept on knocking. At last they opened the door, and when they saw him, they were amazed.

25-2 Corinthians 10:3 It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5 we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.

26-John 11:38 Deeply moved once more, Jesus went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone placed at the entrance. 39 "Take the stone away!" Jesus ordered. Martha, the dead man's sister, answered, "There will be a bad smell, Lord. He has been buried four days!" 40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believed?" 41 They took the stone away. Jesus looked up and said, "I thank you, Father, that you listen to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me." 43 After he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 He came out, his hands and feet wrapped in grave cloths, and with a cloth around his face. "Untie him," Jesus told them, "and let him go."

27-John 6:10 "Make the people sit down," Jesus told them. (There was a lot of grass there.) So all the people sat down; there were about five thousand men. 11 Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, and they all had as much as they wanted.

28-Matthew 6:7 "When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. 9 This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored; 10 may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need. 12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. 13 Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.'

Luke 11:2 Jesus said to them, "When you pray, say this: "Father: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come. 3 Give us day by day the food we need. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.' "

29-Daniel 9:8 Our kings, our rulers, and our ancestors have acted shamefully and sinned against you, Lord. 9 You are merciful and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you. 10 We did not listen to you, O Lord our God, when you told us to live according to the laws which you gave us through your servants the prophets. 11 All Israel broke your laws and refused to listen to what you said. We sinned against you, and so you brought on us the curses that are written in the Law of Moses, your servant. 12 You did what you said you would do to us and our rulers. You punished Jerusalem more severely than any other city on earth, 13 giving us all the punishment described in the Law of Moses. But even now, O Lord our God, we have not tried to please you by turning from our sins or by following your truth. 14 You, O Lord our God, were prepared to punish us, and you did, because you always do what is right, and we did not listen to you. 15 "O Lord our God, you showed your power by bringing your people out of Egypt, and your power is still remembered. We have sinned; we have done wrong. 16 You have defended us in the past, so do not be angry with Jerusalem any longer. It is your city, your sacred hill. All the people in the neighboring countries look down on Jerusalem and on your people because of our sins and the evil our ancestors did. 17 O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God. 18 Listen to us, O God; look at us and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right. 19 Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act! In order that everyone will know that you are God, do not delay! This city and these people are yours."

30-Ephesians 6:18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.

31-Psalm 119:50 Even in my suffering I was comforted because your promise gave me life. 74 Those who honor you will be glad when they see me, because I trust in your promise. 116 Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live; don't let me be disappointed in my hope!

Hebrews 4:1 Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. 2 For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. 12 The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.

Hebrews 11:3 It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

John 5:39 You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!

Acts 20:27 For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. 28 So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son. 29 I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them. 31 Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years. 32 "And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.

32-Psalms 119:50 Even in my suffering I was comforted because your promise gave me life. 74 Those who honor you will be glad when they see me, because I trust in your promise. 116 Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live; don't let me be disappointed in my hope! 154 Defend my cause, and set me free; save me, as you have promised.

33-2 Samuel 2:1 After this, David asked the Lord, "Shall I go and take control of one of the towns of Judah?" "Yes," the Lord answered. "Which one?" David asked. "Hebron," the Lord said. 2 So David went to Hebron, taking with him his two wives: Ahinoam, who was from Jezreel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow, who was from Carmel. 3 He also took his men and their families, and they settled in the towns around Hebron. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David as king of Judah. When David heard that the people of Jabesh in Gilead had buried Saul,

34-Romans 8:1 There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. 4 God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. 5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. 6 To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. 7 And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it. 8 Those who obey their human nature cannot please God. 9 But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to - if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin. 11 If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. 12 So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. 13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. 15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!" 16 God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. 17 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory. 18 I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. 20 For creation was condemned to lose its purpose, not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope 21 that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. 23 But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God's gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free. 24 For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. 27 And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will. 28 We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. 29 Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. 30 And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. 31 In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son - will he not also freely give us all things? 33 Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! 34 Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! 35 Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? 36 As the scripture says, "For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! 38 For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, 39 neither the world above nor the world below - there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

35-Luke 24:13 On that same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; 16 they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. 17 Jesus said to them, "What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?" They stood still, with sad faces. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have been happening there these last few days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "The things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth," they answered. "This man was a prophet and was considered by God and by all the people to be powerful in everything he said and did. 20 Our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and he was crucified. 21 And we had hoped that he would be the one who was going to set Israel free! Besides all that, this is now the third day since it happened. 22 Some of the women of our group surprised us; they went at dawn to the tomb, 23 but could not find his body. They came back saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some of our group went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, but they did not see him." 25 Then Jesus said to them, "How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! 26 Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?" 27 And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther; 29 but they held him back, saying, "Stay with us; the day is almost over and it is getting dark." So he went in to stay with them. 30 He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" 33 They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples gathered together with the others 34 and saying, "The Lord is risen indeed! He has appeared to Simon!" 35 The two then explained to them what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized the Lord when he broke the bread.

36-Exodus 23:20 "I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to him and obey him. Do not rebel against him, for I have sent him, and he will not pardon such rebellion. 22 But if you obey him and do everything I command, I will fight against all your enemies. 23 My angel will go ahead of you and take you into the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I will destroy them. 24 Do not bow down to their gods or worship them, and do not adopt their religious practices. Destroy their gods and break down their sacred stone pillars. 25 If you worship me, the Lord your God, I will bless you with food and water and take away all your sicknesses. 26 In your land no woman will have a miscarriage or be without children. I will give you long lives. 27 "I will make the people who oppose you afraid of me; I will bring confusion among the people against whom you fight, and I will make all your enemies turn and run from you. 28 I will throw your enemies into panic; I will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites as you advance. 29 I will not drive them out within a year's time; if I did, the land would become deserted, and the wild animals would be too many for you. 30 Instead, I will drive them out little by little, until there are enough of you to take possession of the land. 31 I will make the borders of your land extend from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean Sea and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give you power over the inhabitants of the land, and you will drive them out as you advance. 32 Do not make any agreement with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let those people live in your country; if you do, they will make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, it will be a fatal trap for you."

Deuteronomy 20:16 "But when you capture cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, kill everyone. 17 Completely destroy all the people: the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, as the Lord ordered you to do. 18 Kill them, so that they will not make you sin against the Lord by teaching you to do all the disgusting things that they do in the worship of their gods.

37-Matthew 8:5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman officer met him and begged for help: 6 "Sir, my servant is sick in bed at home, unable to move and suffering terribly." 7 "I will go and make him well," Jesus said. 8 "Oh no, sir," answered the officer. "I do not deserve to have you come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I, too, am a man under the authority of superior officers, and I have soldiers under me. I order this one, "Go!' and he goes; and I order that one, "Come!' and he comes; and I order my slave, "Do this!' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was surprised and said to the people following him, "I tell you, I have never found anyone in Israel with faith like this. 11 I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven. 12 But those who should be in the Kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness, where they will cry and gnash their teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the officer, "Go home, and what you believe will be done for you." And the officer's servant was healed that very moment.

John 5:1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches - the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7 The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, "This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat." 11 He answered, "The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk." 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you to do this?" 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away.

Matthew 14:29 "Come!" answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. "Save me, Lord!" he cried. 31 At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, "What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?" 32 They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. 33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus. "Truly you are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

38-Acts 20:27 For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. 28 So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son. 29 I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them. 31 Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years. 32 "And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.

39-Matthew 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

John 6:1 After this, Jesus went across Lake Galilee (or, Lake Tiberias, as it is also called). 2 A large crowd followed him, because they had seen his miracles of healing the sick. 3 Jesus went up a hill and sat down with his disciples. 4 The time for the Passover Festival was near. 5 Jesus looked around and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, so he asked Philip, "Where can we buy enough food to feed all these people? 6 (He said this to test Philip; actually he already knew what he would do.) 7 Philip answered, "For everyone to have even a little, it would take more than two hundred silver coins to buy enough bread." 8 Another one of his disciples, Andrew, who was Simon Peter's brother, said, 9 "There is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish. But they will certainly not be enough for all these people." 10 "Make the people sit down," Jesus told them. (There was a lot of grass there.) So all the people sat down; there were about five thousand men. 11 Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, and they all had as much as they wanted.

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you."

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages. 7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, "These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 9 We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia, 10 from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome, 11 both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia - yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!" 12 Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" 13 But others made fun of the believers, saying, "These people are drunk!" 14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 "This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke; 20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.' 22 "Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him, "I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is near me, and I will not be troubled. 26 And so I am filled with gladness, and my words are full of joy. And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead; you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the paths that lead to life, and your presence will fill me with joy.' 29 "My friends, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31 David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said, "He was not abandoned in the world of the dead; his body did not rot in the grave.' 32 God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33 He has been raised to the right side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. 34 For it was not David who went up into heaven; rather he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: Sit here at my right side 35 until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.' 36 "All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!" 37 When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do, brothers?" 38 Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away - all whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, "Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!" 41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day. 42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. 43 Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45 They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46 Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Acts 8:26 An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get ready and go south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This road is not used nowadays.) 27 So Philip got ready and went. Now an Ethiopian eunuch, who was an important official in charge of the treasury of the queen of Ethiopia, was on his way home. He had been to Jerusalem to worship God and was going back home in his carriage. As he rode along, he was reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to that carriage and stay close to it." 30 Philip ran over and heard him reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 The official replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" And he invited Philip to climb up and sit in the carriage with him. 32 The passage of scripture which he was reading was this: "He was like a sheep that is taken to be slaughtered, like a lamb that makes no sound when its wool is cut off. He did not say a word. 33 He was humiliated, and justice was denied him. No one will be able to tell about his descendants, because his life on earth has come to an end." 34 The official asked Philip, "Tell me, of whom is the prophet saying this? Of himself or of someone else?" 35 Then Philip began to speak; starting from this passage of scripture, he told him the Good News about Jesus. 36 As they traveled down the road, they came to a place where there was some water, and the official said, "Here is some water. What is to keep me from being baptized?" 38 The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Acts 22:1 "My fellow Jews, listen to me as I make my defense before you!" 2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even quieter; and Paul went on: 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as dedicated to God as are all of you who are here today. 4 I persecuted to the death the people who followed this Way. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. 5 The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received from them letters written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 "As I was traveling and coming near Damascus, about midday a bright light from the sky flashed suddenly around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 8 "Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute,' he said to me. 9 The men with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 I asked, "What shall I do, Lord?' and the Lord said to me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that God has determined for you to do.' 11 I was blind because of the bright light, and so my companions took me by the hand and led me into Damascus. 12 "In that city was a man named Ananias, a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He came to me, stood by me, and said, "Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. 14 He said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see his righteous Servant, and to hear him speaking with his own voice.

40-Genesis 12:1 The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's home, and go to a land that I am going to show you. 2 I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations."

41-FLB 150.2 As the mind dwells upon Christ, the character is molded after the divine similitude. The thoughts are pervaded with a sense of His goodness, His love. We contemplate His character, and thus He is in all our thoughts. His love encloses us. If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian glory, when we turn away our eyes, the image of the sun will appear in everything upon which we look. Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and affects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature. By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the likeness of Christ. To all with whom we associate we reflect the bright and cheerful beams of His righteousness. We have become transformed in character; for heart, soul, mind, are irradiated by the reflection of Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us

42-Ephesians 1:7 For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, 8 which he gave to us in such large measure! In all his wisdom and insight 9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10 This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

Ephesians 3:7 I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. 8 I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, 9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

Colossians 1:19 For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

43-1 Timothy 2:4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

44-Luke 18:31 Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, insult him, and spit on him. 33 They will whip him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life." 34 But the disciples did not understand any of these things; the meaning of the words was hidden from them, and they did not know what Jesus was talking about.

45-Romans 1:1 From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach his Good News.

1 Corinthians 3:5 After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do:

Ephesians 3:7 I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power.

Philippians 1:1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus - To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

46-Acts 22:1 "My fellow Jews, listen to me as I make my defense before you!" 2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even quieter; and Paul went on: 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as dedicated to God as are all of you who are here today. 4 I persecuted to the death the people who followed this Way. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. 5 The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received from them letters written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 "As I was traveling and coming near Damascus, about midday a bright light from the sky flashed suddenly around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 8 "Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute,' he said to me. 9 The men with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 I asked, "What shall I do, Lord?' and the Lord said to me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that God has determined for you to do.' 11 I was blind because of the bright light, and so my companions took me by the hand and led me into Damascus. 12 "In that city was a man named Ananias, a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He came to me, stood by me, and said, "Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. 14 He said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see his righteous Servant, and to hear him speaking with his own voice.

Philippians 3:1 In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so. 2 Watch out for those who do evil things, those dogs, those who insist on cutting the body. 3 It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies. 4 I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way. 5 I was circumcised when I was a week old. I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew. As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee, 6 and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church. As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault. 7 But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake.

47-Acts 5:42 And every day in the Temple and in people's homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.

48-Acts 8:4 The believers who were scattered went everywhere, preaching the message.

49-Acts 8:26 An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get ready and go south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This road is not used nowadays.) 27 So Philip got ready and went. Now an Ethiopian eunuch, who was an important official in charge of the treasury of the queen of Ethiopia, was on his way home. He had been to Jerusalem to worship God and was going back home in his carriage. As he rode along, he was reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to that carriage and stay close to it." 30 Philip ran over and heard him reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 The official replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" And he invited Philip to climb up and sit in the carriage with him. 32 The passage of scripture which he was reading was this: "He was like a sheep that is taken to be slaughtered, like a lamb that makes no sound when its wool is cut off. He did not say a word. 33 He was humiliated, and justice was denied him. No one will be able to tell about his descendants, because his life on earth has come to an end." 34 The official asked Philip, "Tell me, of whom is the prophet saying this? Of himself or of someone else?" 35 Then Philip began to speak; starting from this passage of scripture, he told him the Good News about Jesus. 36 As they traveled down the road, they came to a place where there was some water, and the official said, "Here is some water. What is to keep me from being baptized?" 38 The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

50-2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish. 11 Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon - the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.

51-Matthew 26:69 Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came to him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee." 70 But he denied it in front of them all. "I don't know what you are talking about," he answered, 71 and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, "He was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it and answered, "I swear that I don't know that man!" 73 After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. "Of course you are one of them," they said. "After all, the way you speak gives you away!" 74 Then Peter said, "I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!" Just then a rooster crowed,

Acts 5:28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man," he said; "but see what you have done! You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death!" 29 Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. 31 God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things - we and the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those who obey him."

Acts 6:3 So then, friends, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this matter. 4 We ourselves, then, will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching." 5 The whole group was pleased with the apostles' proposal, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a Gentile from Antioch who had earlier been converted to Judaism. 6 The group presented them to the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them. 7 And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith. 8 Stephen, a man richly blessed by God and full of power, performed great miracles and wonders among the people. 9 But he was opposed by some men who were members of the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), which had Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria. They and other Jews from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started arguing with Stephen. 10 But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him.

Acts 9:1 In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest 2 and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem. 3 As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you persecute," the voice said. 6 "But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do." 7 The men who were traveling with Saul had stopped, not saying a word; they heard the voice but could not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but could not see a thing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.

Philippians 2:5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: 6 He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. 7 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. 8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death - his death on the cross.

52-Acts 6:7 And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith.

Acts 15:5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses."

53-Matthew 26:69 Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came to him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee." 70 But he denied it in front of them all. "I don't know what you are talking about," he answered, 71 and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, "He was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it and answered, "I swear that I don't know that man!" 73 After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. "Of course you are one of them," they said. "After all, the way you speak gives you away!" 74 Then Peter said, "I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!" Just then a rooster crowed,

John 21:15 After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." 16 A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." 17 A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. 18 I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don't want to go." 19 (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"

Acts 5:28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man," he said; "but see what you have done! You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death!" 29 Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. 31 God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things - we and the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those who obey him."

54-Acts 6:3 So then, friends, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this matter. 4 We ourselves, then, will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching." 5 The whole group was pleased with the apostles' proposal, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a Gentile from Antioch who had earlier been converted to Judaism. 6 The group presented them to the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them. 7 And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith. 8 Stephen, a man richly blessed by God and full of power, performed great miracles and wonders among the people. 9 But he was opposed by some men who were members of the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), which had Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria. They and other Jews from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started arguing with Stephen. 10 But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him.

Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God.

55-Acts 7:1 The High Priest asked Stephen, "Is this true?" 2 Stephen answered, "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! Before our ancestor Abraham had gone to live in Haran, the God of glory appeared to him in Mesopotamia 3 and said to him, "Leave your family and country and go to the land that I will show you.' 4 And so he left his country and went to live in Haran. After Abraham's father died, God made him move to this land where you now live. 5 God did not then give Abraham any part of it as his own, not even a square foot of ground, but God promised to give it to him, and that it would belong to him and to his descendants. At the time God made this promise, Abraham had no children. 6 This is what God said to him: "Your descendants will live in a foreign country, where they will be slaves and will be badly treated for four hundred years. 7 But I will pass judgment on the people that they will serve, and afterward your descendants will come out of that country and will worship me in this place.' 8 Then God gave to Abraham the ceremony of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. So Abraham circumcised Isaac a week after he was born; Isaac circumcised his son Jacob, and Jacob circumcised his twelve sons, the famous ancestors of our race. 9 "Jacob's sons became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him 10 and brought him safely through all his troubles. When Joseph appeared before the king of Egypt, God gave him a pleasing manner and wisdom, and the king made Joseph governor over the country and the royal household. 11 Then there was a famine all over Egypt and Canaan, which caused much suffering. Our ancestors could not find any food, 12 and when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons, our ancestors, on their first visit there. 13 On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and the king of Egypt came to know about Joseph's family. 14 So Joseph sent a message to his father Jacob, telling him and the whole family, seventy-five people in all, to come to Egypt. 15 Then Jacob went to Egypt, where he and his sons died. 16 Their bodies were taken to Shechem, where they were buried in the grave which Abraham had bought from the clan of Hamor for a sum of money. 17 "When the time drew near for God to keep the promise he had made to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had grown much larger. 18 At last a king who did not know about Joseph began to rule in Egypt. 19 He tricked our ancestors and was cruel to them, forcing them to put their babies out of their homes, so that they would die. 20 It was at this time that Moses was born, a very beautiful child. He was cared for at home for three months, 21 and when he was put out of his home, the king's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 He was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a great man in words and deeds. 23 "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to find out how his fellow Israelites were being treated. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his help and took revenge on the Egyptian by killing him 25 (He thought that his own people would understand that God was going to use him to set them free, but they did not understand.) 26 The next day he saw two Israelites fighting, and he tried to make peace between them. "Listen, men,' he said, "you are fellow Israelites; why are you fighting like this?' 27 But the one who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside. "Who made you ruler and judge over us?' he asked. 28 "Do you want to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?' 29 When Moses heard this, he fled from Egypt and went to live in the land of Midian. There he had two sons. 30 "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 Moses was amazed by what he saw, and went near the bush to get a better look. But he heard the Lord's voice: 32 "I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and dared not look. 33 The Lord said to him, "Take your sandals off, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have seen the cruel suffering of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans, and I have come down to set them free. Come now; I will send you to Egypt.' 35 "Moses is the one who was rejected by the people of Israel. "Who made you ruler and judge over us?' they asked. He is the one whom God sent to rule the people and set them free with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush. 36 He led the people out of Egypt, performing miracles and wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. 37 Moses is the one who said to the people of Israel, "God will send you a prophet, just as he sent me, and he will be one of your own people.' 38 He is the one who was with the people of Israel assembled in the desert; he was there with our ancestors and with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and he received God's living messages to pass on to us. 39 "But our ancestors refused to obey him; they pushed him aside and wished that they could go back to Egypt. 40 So they said to Aaron, "Make us some gods who will lead us. We do not know what has happened to that man Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.' 41 It was then that they made an idol in the shape of a bull, offered sacrifice to it, and had a feast in honor of what they themselves had made. 42 So God turned away from them and gave them over to worship the stars of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: "People of Israel! It was not to me that you slaughtered and sacrificed animals for forty years in the desert. 43 It was the tent of the god Molech that you carried, and the image of Rephan, your star god; they were idols that you had made to worship. And so I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.' 44 "Our ancestors had the Tent of God's presence with them in the desert. It had been made as God had told Moses to make it, according to the pattern that Moses had been shown. 45 Later on, our ancestors who received the tent from their fathers carried it with them when they went with Joshua and took over the land from the nations that God drove out as they advanced. And it stayed there until the time of David. 46 He won God's favor and asked God to allow him to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built him a house. 48 "But the Most High God does not live in houses built by human hands; as the prophet says, 49 "Heaven is my throne, says the Lord, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house would you build for me? Where is the place for me to live in? 50 Did not I myself make all these things?' 51 "How stubborn you are!" Stephen went on to say. "How heathen your hearts, how deaf you are to God's message! You are just like your ancestors: you too have always resisted the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there any prophet that your ancestors did not persecute? They killed God's messengers, who long ago announced the coming of his righteous Servant. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. 53 You are the ones who received God's law, that was handed down by angels - yet you have not obeyed it!" 54 As the members of the Council listened to Stephen, they became furious and ground their teeth at him in anger. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God. 56 "Look!" he said. "I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!" 57 With a loud cry the Council members covered their ears with their hands. Then they all rushed at him at once, 58 threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses left their cloaks in the care of a young man named Saul. 59 They kept on stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 He knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!" He said this and died.

56-Acts 9:1 In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest 2 and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem. 3 As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you persecute," the voice said. 6 "But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do." 7 The men who were traveling with Saul had stopped, not saying a word; they heard the voice but could not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but could not see a thing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.

57-Ephesians 3:10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

58-Acts 9:10 There was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. He had a vision, in which the Lord said to him, "Ananias!" "Here I am, Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord said to him, "Get ready and go to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he might see again." 13 Ananias answered, "Lord, many people have told me about this man and about all the terrible things he has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who worship you." 15 The Lord said to him, "Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel. 16 And I myself will show him all that he must suffer for my sake."

59-Acts 26:18 You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God's chosen people.' 19 "And so, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision I had from heaven. 20 First in Damascus and in Jerusalem and then in the whole country of Israel and among the Gentiles, I preached that they must repent of their sins and turn to God and do the things that would show they had repented. 21 It was for this reason that these Jews seized me while I was in the Temple, and they tried to kill me. 22 But to this very day I have been helped by God, and so I stand here giving my witness to all, to small and great alike. What I say is the very same thing which the prophets and Moses said was going to happen: 23 that the Messiah must suffer and be the first one to rise from death, to announce the light of salvation to the Jews and to the Gentiles." 24 As Paul defended himself in this way, Festus shouted at him, "You are mad, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad!" 25 Paul answered, "I am not mad, Your Excellency! I am speaking the sober truth. 26 King Agrippa! I can speak to you with all boldness, because you know about these things. I am sure that you have taken notice of every one of them, for this thing has not happened hidden away in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do!" 28 Agrippa said to Paul, "In this short time do you think you will make me a Christian?" 29 "Whether a short time or a long time," Paul answered, "my prayer to God is that you and all the rest of you who are listening to me today might become what I am - except, of course, for these chains!" 30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others got up, 31 and after leaving they said to each other, "This man has not done anything for which he should die or be put in prison." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to the Emperor."

60-2 Corinthians 11:1 I wish you would tolerate me, even when I am a bit foolish. Please do! 2 I am jealous for you, just as God is; you are like a pure virgin whom I have promised in marriage to one man only, Christ himself. 3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ - in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. 4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us! 5 I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called "apostles" of yours! 6 Perhaps I am an amateur in speaking, but certainly not in knowledge; we have made this clear to you at all times and in all conditions. 7 I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? 8 While I was working among you, I was paid by other churches. I was robbing them, so to speak, in order to help you. 9 And during the time I was with you I did not bother you for help when I needed money; the believers who came from Macedonia brought me everything I needed. As in the past, so in the future: I will never be a burden to you! 10 By Christ's truth in me, I promise that this boast of mine will not be silenced anywhere in all of Achaia. 11 Do I say this because I don't love you? God knows I love you! 12 I will go on doing what I am doing now, in order to keep those other "apostles" from having any reason for boasting and saying that they work in the same way that we do. 13 Those men are not true apostles - they are false apostles, who lie about their work and disguise themselves to look like real apostles of Christ. 14 Well, no wonder! Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light! 15 So it is no great thing if his servants disguise themselves to look like servants of righteousness. In the end they will get exactly what their actions deserve. 16 I repeat: no one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, just so I will have a little to boast of. 17 Of course what I am saying now is not what the Lord would have me say; in this matter of boasting I am really talking like a fool. 18 But since there are so many who boast for merely human reasons, I will do the same. 19 You yourselves are so wise, and so you gladly tolerate fools! 20 You tolerate anyone who orders you around or takes advantage of you or traps you or looks down on you or slaps you in the face. 21 I am ashamed to admit that we were too timid to do those things! But if anyone dares to boast about something - I am talking like a fool - I will be just as daring. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they Christ's servants? I sound like a madman - but I am a better servant than they are! I have worked much harder, I have been in prison more times, I have been whipped much more, and I have been near death more often. 24 Five times I was given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews; 25 three times I was whipped by the Romans; and once I was stoned. I have been in three shipwrecks, and once I spent twenty-four hours in the water. 26 In my many travels I have been in danger from floods and from robbers, in danger from my own people and from Gentiles; there have been dangers in the cities, dangers in the wilds, dangers on the high seas, and dangers from false friends. 27 There has been work and toil; often I have gone without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty; I have often been without enough food, shelter, or clothing. 28 And not to mention other things, every day I am under the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 When someone is weak, then I feel weak too; when someone is led into sin, I am filled with distress. 30 If I must boast, I will boast about things that show how weak I am. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus - blessed be his name forever! - knows that I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas placed guards at the city gates to arrest me. 33 But I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.

2 Corinthians 12:1 I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. 2 I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision - only God knows). 3 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision - only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. 5 So I will boast about this man - but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say. 7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. 8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. 9 But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. 10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I am acting like a fool - but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special "apostles" of yours. 12 The many miracles and wonders that prove that I am an apostle were performed among you with much patience. 13 How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair! 14 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you - and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. 15 I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much? 16 You will agree, then, that I was not a burden to you. But someone will say that I was tricky, and trapped you with lies. 17 How? Did I take advantage of you through any of the messengers I sent? 18 I begged Titus to go, and I sent the other believer with him. Would you say that Titus took advantage of you? Do not he and I act from the very same motives and behave in the same way? 19 Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you. 20 I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder. 21 I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done - their lust and their sexual sins

61-Romans 1:1 From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach his Good News.

Philippians 1:1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus - To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

62-Romans 6:15 What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under God's grace? By no means! 16 Surely you know that when you surrender yourselves as slaves to obey someone, you are in fact the slaves of the master you obey - either of sin, which results in death, or of obedience, which results in being put right with God. 17 But thanks be to God! For though at one time you were slaves to sin, you have obeyed with all your heart the truths found in the teaching you received. 18 You were set free from sin and became the slaves of righteousness. 19 (I use everyday language because of the weakness of your natural selves.) At one time you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to impurity and wickedness for wicked purposes. In the same way you must now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of righteousness for holy purposes. 20 When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of? The result of those things is death! 22 But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life. 23 For sin pays its wage - death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

63-Romans 8:12 So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. 13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. 15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!" 16 God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. 17 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

64-Acts 5:1 But there was a man named Ananias, who with his wife Sapphira sold some property that belonged to them. 2 But with his wife's agreement he kept part of the money for himself and turned the rest over to the apostles. 3 Peter said to him, "Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property? 4 Before you sold the property, it belonged to you; and after you sold it, the money was yours. Why, then, did you decide to do such a thing? You have not lied to people - you have lied to God!" 5 As soon as Ananias heard this, he fell down dead; and all who heard about it were terrified. 6 The young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, was this the full amount you and your husband received for your property?" "Yes," she answered, "the full amount." 9 So Peter said to her, "Why did you and your husband decide to put the Lord's Spirit to the test? The men who buried your husband are at the door right now, and they will carry you out too!" 10 At once she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in and saw that she was dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 The whole church and all the others who heard of this were terrified.

65-Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

66-Acts 5:30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. 31 God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things - we and the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those who obey him."

2 Corinthians 7:9 But now I am happy - not because I made you sad, but because your sadness made you change your ways. That sadness was used by God, and so we caused you no harm. 10 For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation - and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death. 11 See what God did with this sadness of yours: how earnest it has made you, how eager to prove your innocence! Such indignation, such alarm, such feelings, such devotion, such readiness to punish wrongdoing! You have shown yourselves to be without fault in the whole matter.

Leviticus 5:5 When you are guilty, you must confess the sin,

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

Hebrews 12:17 Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father's blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it.

Psalm 32:1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. 6 So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. 8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you.

67-Psalm 32:1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. 6 So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. 8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you. 9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule, which must be controlled with a bit and bridle to make it submit." 10 The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by his constant love. 11 You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey him, shout for joy!

68-Psalm 51:1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. 6 So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. 8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you. 9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule, which must be controlled with a bit and bridle to make it submit." 10 The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by his constant love. 11 You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey him, shout for joy!

69-Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, asking, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"

Luke 9:46 An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest.

Luke 22:24 An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.

70-Acts 4:13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.

Acts 5:30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. 31 God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things - we and the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those who obey him."

71-Romans 2:4 Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.

72-2 Corinthians 12:4 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you - and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. "Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses" - as the scripture says.

73-2 Corinthians 7:9 But now I am happy - not because I made you sad, but because your sadness made you change your ways. That sadness was used by God, and so we caused you no harm. 10 For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation - and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death. 11 See what God did with this sadness of yours: how earnest it has made you, how eager to prove your innocence! Such indignation, such alarm, such feelings, such devotion, such readiness to punish wrongdoing! You have shown yourselves to be without fault in the whole matter. 12 So, even though I wrote that letter, it was not because of the one who did wrong or the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote it to make plain to you, in God's sight, how deep your devotion to us really is. 13 That is why we were encouraged. Not only were we encouraged; how happy Titus made us with his happiness over the way in which all of you helped to cheer him up! 14 I did boast of you to him, and you have not disappointed me. We have always spoken the truth to you, and in the same way the boast we made to Titus has proved true. 15 And so his love for you grows stronger, as he remembers how all of you were ready to obey his instructions, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. 16 How happy I am that I can depend on you completely!

74-Jeremiah 31:1 The Lord says, "The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 None of them will have to teach a neighbor to know the Lord, because all will know me, from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs. I, the Lord, have spoken."

75-1 Timothy 1:14 And our Lord poured out his abundant grace on me and gave me the faith and love which are ours in union with Christ Jesus. 15 This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them, 16 but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 To the eternal King, immortal and invisible, the only God - to him be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

76-Luke 8:1 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

77-1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

Isaiah 1:16 Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil 17 and learn to do right. See that justice is done - help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows." 18 The Lord says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

78-Exodus 12:29 At midnight the Lord killed all the first-born sons in Egypt, from the king's son, who was heir to the throne, to the son of the prisoner in the dungeon; all the first-born of the animals were also killed. 30 That night, the king, his officials, and all the other Egyptians were awakened. There was loud crying throughout Egypt, because there was not one home in which there was not a dead son. 31 That same night the king sent for Moses and Aaron and said, "Get out, you and your Israelites! Leave my country; go and worship the Lord, as you asked. 32 Take your sheep, goats, and cattle, and leave. Also pray for a blessing on me."

Numbers 22:32 The angel demanded, "Why have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey. 33 But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it hadn't, I would have killed you and spared the donkey." 34 Balaam replied, "I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me; but now if you think it is wrong for me to go on, I will return home." 35 But the angel said, "Go on with these men, but say only what I tell you to say." So Balaam went on with them.

Hebrews 12:17 Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father's blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it.

Matthew 27:4 "I have sinned by betraying an innocent man to death!" he said. "What do we care about that?" they answered. "That is your business!"

79-Psalm 32:1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. 6 So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. 8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you.

80-Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing." They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.

81-John 17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them. 11 And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.

John 17:20 "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: 23 I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. 24 "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

1 Corinthians 12:12 Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. 13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink. 14 For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. 15 If the foot were to say, "Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 16 And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? 18 As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be.

Acts 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 4:32 The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.

Acts 15:1 Some men came from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers, "You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses requires." 2 Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them about this, so it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others in Antioch should go to Jerusalem and see the apostles and elders about this matter. 3 They were sent on their way by the church; and as they went through Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported how the Gentiles had turned to God; this news brought great joy to all the believers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this question. 7 After a long debate Peter stood up and said, "My friends, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe. 8 And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us. 9 He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. 10 So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? 11 No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are." 12 The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they had finished speaking, James spoke up: "Listen to me, my friends! 14 Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him. 15 The words of the prophets agree completely with this. As the scripture says, 16 "After this I will return, says the Lord, and restore the kingdom of David. I will rebuild its ruins and make it strong again. 17 And so all the rest of the human race will come to me, all the Gentiles whom I have called to be my own. 18 So says the Lord, who made this known long ago.' 19 "It is my opinion," James went on, "that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write a letter telling them not to eat any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols; to keep themselves from sexual immorality; and not to eat any animal that has been strangled, or any blood. 21 For the Law of Moses has been read for a very long time in the synagogues every Sabbath, and his words are preached in every town." 22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to choose some men from the group and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose two men who were highly respected by the believers, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, 23 and they sent the following letter by them: "We, the apostles and the elders, your brothers, send greetings to all our brothers of Gentile birth who live in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 24 We have heard that some who went from our group have troubled and upset you by what they said; they had not, however, received any instruction from us. 25 And so we have met together and have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you. They will go with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We send you, then, Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things we are writing. 28 The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any other burden on you besides these necessary rules: 29 eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes." 30 The messengers were sent off and went to Antioch, where they gathered the whole group of believers and gave them the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were filled with joy by the message of encouragement.

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that "every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,' as the scripture says. 17 And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "And so I tell all of you: what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them."

82-Luke 22:24 An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.

83-Acts 5:12 Many miracles and wonders were being performed among the people by the apostles. All the believers met together in Solomon's Porch.

84-John 17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them. 11 And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.

John 17:20 "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: 23 I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. 24 "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

85-Acts 4:32 The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.

86-Corinthians 12:12 Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. 13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink. 14 For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. 15 If the foot were to say, "Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 16 And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? 18 As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be.

87-1 Peter 2:4 Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. 5 Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with God's people and members of the family of God. 20 You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself. 21 He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. 22 In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.

88-John 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."

89-Acts 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.

Acts 5:42 And every day in the Temple and in people's homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.

Acts 9:31 And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord.

Acts 28:28 And Paul concluded: "You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!" 30 For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him.

90-Luke 8:1 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, 2 and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod's court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

91-Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!" 8 A second angel followed the first one, saying, "She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She made all peoples drink her wine - the strong wine of her immoral lust!" 9 A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand 10 will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name." 12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

92-Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. 16 But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that "every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,' as the scripture says. 17 And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "And so I tell all of you: what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them."

93-Acts 15:1 Some men came from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers, "You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses requires." 2 Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them about this, so it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others in Antioch should go to Jerusalem and see the apostles and elders about this matter. 3 They were sent on their way by the church; and as they went through Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported how the Gentiles had turned to God; this news brought great joy to all the believers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this question. 7 After a long debate Peter stood up and said, "My friends, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe. 8 And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us. 9 He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. 10 So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? 11 No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are." 12 The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they had finished speaking, James spoke up: "Listen to me, my friends! 14 Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him. 15 The words of the prophets agree completely with this. As the scripture says, 16 "After this I will return, says the Lord, and restore the kingdom of David. I will rebuild its ruins and make it strong again. 17 And so all the rest of the human race will come to me, all the Gentiles whom I have called to be my own. 18 So says the Lord, who made this known long ago.' 19 "It is my opinion," James went on, "that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write a letter telling them not to eat any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols; to keep themselves from sexual immorality; and not to eat any animal that has been strangled, or any blood. 21 For the Law of Moses has been read for a very long time in the synagogues every Sabbath, and his words are preached in every town." 22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to choose some men from the group and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose two men who were highly respected by the believers, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, 23 and they sent the following letter by them: "We, the apostles and the elders, your brothers, send greetings to all our brothers of Gentile birth who live in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 24 We have heard that some who went from our group have troubled and upset you by what they said; they had not, however, received any instruction from us. 25 And so we have met together and have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you. They will go with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We send you, then, Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things we are writing. 28 The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any other burden on you besides these necessary rules: 29 eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes." 30 The messengers were sent off and went to Antioch, where they gathered the whole group of believers and gave them the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were filled with joy by the message of encouragement.

94-Romans 14:1 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. 6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 7 We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. 8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. 10 You then, who eat only vegetables - why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything - why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him. 11 For the scripture says, "As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me, and everyone will confess that I am God." 12 Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God. 13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others. 19 So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now, concerning what you wrote about food offered to idols. It is true, of course, that "all of us have knowledge," as they say. Such knowledge, however, puffs a person up with pride; but love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something really don't know as they ought to know. 3 But the person who loves God is known by him. 4 So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God. 5 Even if there are so-called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these "gods" and "lords," 6 yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this truth. Some people have been so used to idols that to this day when they eat such food they still think of it as food that belongs to an idol; their conscience is weak, and they feel they are defiled by the food. 8 Food, however, will not improve our relation with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat. 9 Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin. 10 Suppose a person whose conscience is weak in this matter sees you, who have so-called "knowledge," eating in the temple of an idol; will not this encourage him to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your "knowledge"! 12 And in this way you will be sinning against Christ by sinning against other Christians and wounding their weak conscience. 13 So then, if food makes a believer sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make a believer fall into sin.

1 Corinthians 10:1 I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. 2 In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All ate the same spiritual bread 4 and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. 5 But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert. 6 Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, 7 nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, "The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex." 8 We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were - and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. 9 We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did - and they were killed by snakes. 10 We must not complain, as some of them did - and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death. 11 All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come. 12 If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. 13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 14 So then, my dear friends, keep away from the worship of idols. 15 I speak to you as sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup we use in the Lord's Supper and for which we give thanks to God: when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing in the body of Christ. 17 Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf. 18 Consider the people of Israel; those who eat what is offered in sacrifice share in the altar's service to God. 19 Do I imply, then, that an idol or the food offered to it really amounts to anything? 20 No! What I am saying is that what is sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink from the Lord's cup and also from the cup of demons; you cannot eat at the Lord's table and also at the table of demons. 22 Or do we want to make the Lord jealous? Do we think that we are stronger than he? 23 "We are allowed to do anything," so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. "We are allowed to do anything" - but not everything is helpful. 24 None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others. 25 You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 26 For, as the scripture says, "The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord." 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 28 But if someone tells you, "This food was offered to idols," then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake - 29 that is, not your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. "Well, then," someone asks, "why should my freedom to act be limited by another person's conscience? 30 If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?" 31 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. 32 Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. 33 Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.

95-Acts 1:14 They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him. 12 Aware of his situation, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Acts 6:7 And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests accepted the faith.

Matthew 28:16 The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, even though some of them doubted. 18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

96-John 17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them. 11 And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one. 20 "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: 23 I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. 24 "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

97-Romans 14:1 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds.

98-John 17:3 And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

1 John 2:3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. 5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did.

Matthew 23:27 "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but are full of bones and decaying corpses on the inside. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, 10 and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. 11 And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. 12 The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.

1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. 6 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. 7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

99-Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. 22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, "Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!' 23 Then I will say to them, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!'

Matthew 24:24 For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.

100-Revelation 13:13 This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in the sight of everyone. 14 And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles which it was allowed to perform in the presence of the first beast. The beast told them to build an image in honor of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Revelation 16:14 They are the spirits of demons that perform miracles. These three spirits go out to all the kings of the world, to bring them together for the battle on the great Day of Almighty God.

Revelation 19:20 The beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had performed miracles in his presence. (It was by those miracles that he had deceived those who had the mark of the beast and those who had worshiped the image of the beast.) The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

101-John 17:3 And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, "Here I am, to do your will, O God, just as it is written of me in the book of the Law.' "

102-John 6:63 What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.

103-Isaiah 42:5 God created the heavens and stretched them out; he fashioned the earth and all that lives there; he gave life and breath to all its people. And now the Lord God says to his servant,

Acts 17:25 Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. 28 as someone has said, "In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, "We too are his children.'

104-Genesis 6:3 Then the Lord said, "I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years."

Psalm 51:11 Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me.

105-Joel 2:28 "Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions. 29 At that time I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, both men and women.

John 16:8 And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment.

Acts 2:17 "This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke; 20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.'

106-1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. 9 One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. 10 The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said. 11 But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person. 28 In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues.

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who "gave gifts to people"; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.

107-Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

108-Matthew 21:28 "Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 "I don't want to,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. "Yes, sir,' he answered, but he did not go. 31 Which one of the two did what his father wanted?" "The older one," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John the Baptist came to you showing you the right path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

109-Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. 22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, "Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!' 23 Then I will say to them, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!'

110-2 Thessalonians 2:9 The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, 10 and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. 11 And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. 12 The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.

Matthew 24:11 Then many false prophets will appear and fool many people. 12 Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold. 13 But whoever holds out to the end will be saved. 24 For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.

Revelation 13:13 This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in the sight of everyone. 14 And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles which it was allowed to perform in the presence of the first beast. The beast told them to build an image in honor of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Revelation 16:13 Then I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs. They were coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are the spirits of demons that perform miracles. These three spirits go out to all the kings of the world, to bring them together for the battle on the great Day of Almighty God.

Revelation 19:20 The beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had performed miracles in his presence. (It was by those miracles that he had deceived those who had the mark of the beast and those who had worshiped the image of the beast.) The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

111-Romans 12:6 So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; 7 if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; 8 if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully.

112-Ephesians 4:11 It was he who "gave gifts to people"; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. 12 He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.

113-Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

114-Luke 16:31 But Abraham said, "If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone were to rise from death.' "

115-1 John 3:1 See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children - and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God. 2 My dear friends, we are now God's children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure.

116-Revelation 14:12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

117-2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!" 18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord. 19 The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel. 20 Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: "People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed."

1 Corinthians 6:19 Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; 20 he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.

Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. 2 I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. 3 You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. 4 But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. 5 Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. 6 But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

Romans 1:16 I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. 17 For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live."

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!" 12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

118-2 Peter 3:17 But you, my friends, already know this. Be on your guard, then, so that you will not be led away by the errors of lawless people and fall from your safe position. 18 But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.

119-2 Chronicles 20:1 Some time later the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with their allies, the Meunites, invaded Judah. 2 Some messengers came and announced to King Jehoshaphat: "A large army from Edom has come from the other side of the Dead Sea to attack you. They have already captured Hazazon Tamar." (This is another name for Engedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country. 4 From every city of Judah people hurried to Jerusalem to ask the Lord for guidance, 5 and they and the people of Jerusalem gathered in the new courtyard of the Temple. King Jehoshaphat went and stood before them 6 and prayed aloud, "O Lord God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty, and no one can oppose you. 7 You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs forever. 8 They have lived here and have built a temple to honor you, knowing 9 that if any disaster struck them to punish them - a war, an epidemic, or a famine - then they could come and stand in front of this Temple where you are worshiped. They could pray to you in their trouble, and you would hear them and rescue them. 10 "Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom have attacked us. When our ancestors came out of Egypt, you did not allow them to enter those lands, so our ancestors went around them and did not destroy them. 11 This is how they repay us - they come to drive us out of the land that you gave us. 12 You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help." 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children, were standing there at the Temple. 14 The spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite who was present in the crowd. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah; he was a member of the clan of Asaph and was descended from Asaph through Mattaniah, Jeiel, and Benaiah. 15 Jahaziel said, "Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you. 16 Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. You will meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!" 18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord. 19 The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel. 20 Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: "People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed." 21 After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army, singing: "Praise the Lord! His love is eternal!" 22 When they began to sing, the Lord threw the invading armies into a panic. 23 The Ammonites and the Moabites attacked the Edomite army and completely destroyed it, and then they turned on each other in savage fighting. 24 When the Judean army reached a tower that was in the desert, they looked toward the enemy and saw that they were all lying on the ground dead. Not one had escaped. 25 Jehoshaphat and his troops moved in to take the loot, and they found many cattle, supplies, clothing, and other valuable objects. They spent three days gathering the loot, but there was so much that they could not take everything.

120-Deuteronomy 20:1 "When you go out to fight against your enemies and you see chariots and horses and an army that outnumbers yours, do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who rescued you from Egypt, will be with you. 2 Before you start fighting, a priest is to come forward and say to the army, 3 "Men of Israel, listen! Today you are going into battle. Do not be afraid of your enemies or lose courage or panic. 4 The Lord your God is going with you, and he will give you victory.'

121-1 Chronicles 16:35 Say to him, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us together; rescue us from the nations, so that we may be thankful and praise your holy name."

122-Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision in which he saw a Macedonian standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"

123-1 Corinthians 5:9 In the letter that I wrote you I told you not to associate with immoral people.

124-2 Corinthians 12:14 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you - and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. "Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses" - as the scripture says.

125-2 Corinthians 2:1 So I made up my mind not to come to you again to make you sad. 2 For if I were to make you sad, who would be left to cheer me up? Only the very persons I had made sad. 3 That is why I wrote that letter to you - I did not want to come to you and be made sad by the very people who should make me glad. For I am convinced that when I am happy, then all of you are happy too. 4 I wrote you with a greatly troubled and distressed heart and with many tears; my purpose was not to make you sad, but to make you realize how much I love you all.

126-2 Corinthians 7:8 For even if that letter of mine made you sad, I am not sorry I wrote it. I could have been sorry when I saw that it made you sad for a while. 9 But now I am happy - not because I made you sad, but because your sadness made you change your ways. That sadness was used by God, and so we caused you no harm. 10 For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation - and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death. 11 See what God did with this sadness of yours: how earnest it has made you, how eager to prove your innocence! Such indignation, such alarm, such feelings, such devotion, such readiness to punish wrongdoing! You have shown yourselves to be without fault in the whole matter. 12 So, even though I wrote that letter, it was not because of the one who did wrong or the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote it to make plain to you, in God's sight, how deep your devotion to us really is. 13 That is why we were encouraged. Not only were we encouraged; how happy Titus made us with his happiness over the way in which all of you helped to cheer him up! 14 I did boast of you to him, and you have not disappointed me. We have always spoken the truth to you, and in the same way the boast we made to Titus has proved true. 15 And so his love for you grows stronger, as he remembers how all of you were ready to obey his instructions, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. 16 How happy I am that I can depend on you completely!

127-1 Corinthians 6:19 Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; 20 he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. 25 Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. 26 That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. 27 I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

1 Corinthians 15:1 And now I want to remind you, my friends, of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which your faith stands firm. 2 That is the gospel, the message that I preached to you. You are saved by the gospel if you hold firmly to it - unless it was for nothing that you believed. 27 For the scripture says, "God put [all] things under his feet." It is clear, of course, that the words "all things" do not include God himself, who puts all things under Christ. 28 But when all things have been placed under Christ's rule, then he himself, the Son, will place himself under God, who placed all things under him; and God will rule completely over all.

128-Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. 2 I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. 3 You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. 4 But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. 5 Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. 6 But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

129-Revelation 2:4 But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.

130-Romans 1:16 I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. 17 For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live."

Romans 3:21 But now God's way of putting people right with himself has been revealed. It has nothing to do with law, even though the Law of Moses and the prophets gave their witness to it. 22 God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all: 23 everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. 24 But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. 25 God offered him, so that by his blood he should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in him. God did this in order to demonstrate that he is righteous. In the past he was patient and overlooked people's sins; but in the present time he deals with their sins, in order to demonstrate his righteousness. In this way God shows that he himself is righteous and that he puts right everyone who believes in Jesus. 27 What, then, can we boast about? Nothing! And what is the reason for this? Is it that we obey the Law? No, but that we believe. 28 For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands. 29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles also? Of course he is. 30 God is one, and he will put the Jews right with himself on the basis of their faith, and will put the Gentiles right through their faith.

Romans 5:6 For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. 7 It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. 8 But God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! 9 By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! 10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! 11 But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

Romans 8:1 There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. 4 God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.

131-Revelation 1:16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth. His face was as bright as the midday sun. 17 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last.

132-Jeremiah 31:31 The Lord says, "The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 None of them will have to teach a neighbor to know the Lord, because all will know me, from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs. I, the Lord, have spoken."

Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them in the days to come, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds." 17 And then he says, "I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer." 18 So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed.

133-Romans 2:4 Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.

134-John 17:4 I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. 6 "I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your word,

135-Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!" 8 A second angel followed the first one, saying, "She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She made all peoples drink her wine - the strong wine of her immoral lust!" 9 A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand 10 will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name." 12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

136-Revelation 13:16 The beast forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands or on their foreheads. 17 No one could buy or sell without this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name.

137-Revelation 3:15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, "I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.

138-1 John 2:1 I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf - Jesus Christ, the righteous one. 2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. 3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. 5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did. 7 My dear friends, this command I am writing you is not new; it is the old command, the one you have had from the very beginning. The old command is the message you have already heard. 8 However, the command I now write you is new, because its truth is seen in Christ and also in you. For the darkness is passing away, and the real light is already shining. 9 If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour.

Philippians 2:12 So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, 13 because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,

Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "This very night all of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, "God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you." 33 Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, "I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!" 34 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell you that before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me." 35 Peter answered, "I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!" And all the other disciples said the same thing.

John 20:24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!" 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"

Luke 15:11 Jesus went on to say, "There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to him, "Father, give me my share of the property now.' So the man divided his property between his two sons. 13 After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living. 14 He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. 15 So he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his farm to take care of the pigs. 16 He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. 17 At last he came to his senses and said, "All my father's hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am about to starve! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers." ' 20 So he got up and started back to his father. "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. 21 "Father,' the son said, "I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.' 22 But the father called to his servants. "Hurry!' he said. "Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began. 25 "In the meantime the older son was out in the field. On his way back, when he came close to the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him, "What's going on?' 27 "Your brother has come back home,' the servant answered, "and your father has killed the prize calf, because he got him back safe and sound.' 28 The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in. 29 But he spoke back to his father, "Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! 30 But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!' 31 "My son,' the father answered, "you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' "

John 5:1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches - the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7 The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, "This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat." 11 He answered, "The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk." 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you to do this?" 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the Temple and said, "Listen, you are well now; so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

139-Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "This very night all of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, "God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you." 33 Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, "I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!" 34 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell you that before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me." 35 Peter answered, "I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!" And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Acts 4:5 The next day the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law gathered in Jerusalem. 6 They met with the High Priest Annas and with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the others who belonged to the High Priest's family. 7 They made the apostles stand before them and asked them, "How did you do this? What power do you have or whose name did you use?" 8 Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: 9 if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, 10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - whom you crucified and whom God raised from death. 11 Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says, "The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.' 12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us." 13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.

140-Luke 9:51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. 53 But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then Jesus and his disciples went on to another village.

2 Kings 1:9 Then he sent an officer with fifty men to get Elijah. The officer found him sitting on a hill and said to him, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down." 10 "If I am a man of God," Elijah answered, "may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!" At once fire came down and killed the officer and his men. 11 The king sent another officer with fifty men, who went up and said to Elijah, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down at once!" 12 "If I am a man of God," Elijah answered, "may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!" At once the fire of God came down and killed the officer and his men. 13 Once more the king sent an officer with fifty men. He went up the hill, fell on his knees in front of Elijah, and pleaded, "Man of God, be merciful to me and my men. Spare our lives! 14 The two other officers and their men were killed by fire from heaven; but please be merciful to me!" 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Go down with him, and don't be afraid." So Elijah went with the officer to the king 16 and said to him, "This is what the Lord says: "Because you sent messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron - as if there were no god in Israel to consult - you will not get well; you will die!' "

Matthew 20:20 Then the wife of Zebedee came to Jesus with her two sons, bowed before him, and asked him for a favor. 21 "What do you want?" Jesus asked her. She answered, "Promise me that these two sons of mine will sit at your right and your left when you are King." 22 "You don't know what you are asking for," Jesus answered the sons. "Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?" "We can," they answered. 23 "You will indeed drink from my cup," Jesus told them, "but I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. These places belong to those for whom my Father has prepared them." 24 When the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with the two brothers. 25 So Jesus called them all together and said, "You know that the rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. 26 This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest; 27 and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of the others 28 like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."

141-1 John 2:1 I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf - Jesus Christ, the righteous one. 2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. 3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. 5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did. 7 My dear friends, this command I am writing you is not new; it is the old command, the one you have had from the very beginning. The old command is the message you have already heard. 8 However, the command I now write you is new, because its truth is seen in Christ and also in you. For the darkness is passing away, and the real light is already shining. 9 If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour.

142-Roman 7:14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate. 16 Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this shows that I agree that the Law is right. 17 So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. 18 I know that good does not live in me - that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. 19 I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. 20 If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. 22 My inner being delights in the law of God. 23 But I see a different law at work in my body - a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body. 24 What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ! This, then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.

143-Philippians 2:12 So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, 13 because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,

144-John 20:24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!" 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"

145-Luke 15:11 Jesus went on to say, "There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to him, "Father, give me my share of the property now.' So the man divided his property between his two sons. 13 After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living. 14 He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. 15 So he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his farm to take care of the pigs. 16 He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. 17 At last he came to his senses and said, "All my father's hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am about to starve! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers." ' 20 So he got up and started back to his father. "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. 21 "Father,' the son said, "I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.' 22 But the father called to his servants. "Hurry!' he said. "Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began. 25 "In the meantime the older son was out in the field. On his way back, when he came close to the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him, "What's going on?' 27 "Your brother has come back home,' the servant answered, "and your father has killed the prize calf, because he got him back safe and sound.' 28 The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in. 29 But he spoke back to his father, "Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! 30 But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!' 31 "My son,' the father answered, "you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' "

146-John 5:1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches - the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7 The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first." 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, "This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat." 11 He answered, "The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk." 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you to do this?" 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the Temple and said, "Listen, you are well now; so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

147-1 John 1:7 But if we live in the light - just as he is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. 9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

Philippians 4:13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

James 1:5 But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. 6 But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. 7 If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.

Romans 8:31 In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son - will he not also freely give us all things? 33 Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! 34 Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! 35 Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? 36 As the scripture says, "For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! 38 For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, 39 neither the world above nor the world below - there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

148-Luke 13:24 "Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able.

149-Heb. 12:1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

150-James 4:7 So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.

151-Matt. 24:13 But whoever holds out to the end will be saved.

152-Hebrews 12:1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. 2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.

2 Corinthians 3:18 All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.

Philippians 1:6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.

153-Colossians 3:1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now, "the Lord" in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.

2 Corinthians 10:3 It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5 we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. 3 And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.

Matthew 5:13 "You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. 14 "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

154-1 Corinthians 10:1 I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. 2 In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All ate the same spiritual bread 4 and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself.

155-Philippians 4:7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. 8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

Romans 5:10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life!

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

156-1 Thessalonians 5:23 May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being - spirit, soul, and body - free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

157-1 Corinthians 6:19 Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; 20 he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. 3 And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.

158-John 1:9 This was the real light - the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."

John 12:35 Jesus answered, "The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Believe in the light, then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light." After Jesus said this, he went off and hid himself from them.

159-Matthew 5:13 "You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. 14 "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, 16 as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.

160-Colossians 3:1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.

161-1 Pet. 3:3 You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. 4 Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight.

162-Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts," says the Lord, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.

163-2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. 19 Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends. 20 Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!

2 Corinthians 6:17 And so the Lord says, "You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you. 18 I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

164-Philippians 2:5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:

165-1 Peter 1:16 The scripture says, "Be holy because I am holy."

166-Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

167-Titus 3:5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.

2 Corinthians 4:16 For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.

168-Philippians 2:5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:

Romans 8:5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.

Colossians 3:1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.

169-Hebrews 11:25 He preferred to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy sin for a little while.

170-Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, 16 as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted. 17 Perhaps my life's blood is to be poured out like an offering on the sacrifice that your faith offers to God. If that is so, I am glad and share my joy with you all.

171-2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work.

Philemon 1 From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy - To our friend and fellow worker Philemon, 2 and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow soldier Archippus: 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. 5 For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. 7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people. 8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. 9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. 10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. 11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. 13 I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place. 14 However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree. 15 It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time. 16 And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord! 17 So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19 Here, I will write this with my own hand: [I, Paul, will pay you back.] (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.) 20 So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up! 21 I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask - in fact I know that you will do even more. 22 At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you. 23 Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, 24 and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

2 Corinthians 10:12 Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards! 13 As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you. 14 And since you are within those limits, we were not going beyond them when we came to you, bringing the Good News about Christ. 15 So we do not boast about the work that others have done beyond the limits God set for us. Instead, we hope that your faith may grow and that we may be able to do a much greater work among you, always within the limits that God has set.

Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! 9 By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! 10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! 11 But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. 16 But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that "every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,' as the scripture says. 17 And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector.

172-Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have already received instructions to welcome Mark if he comes your way.) 11 Joshua, also called Justus, sends greetings too. These three are the only Jewish believers who work with me for the Kingdom of God, and they have been a great help to me.

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work.

173-Philemon 1 From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy - To our friend and fellow worker Philemon, 2 and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow soldier Archippus: 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. 5 For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. 7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people. 8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. 9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. 10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. 11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. 13 I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place. 14 However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree. 15 It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time. 16 And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord! 17 So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19 Here, I will write this with my own hand: [I, Paul, will pay you back.] (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.) 20 So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up! 21 I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask - in fact I know that you will do even more. 22 At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you. 23 Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, 24 and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

174-Philemon 1 From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy - To our friend and fellow worker Philemon, 9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.

Ephesians 6:20 For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

Colossians 4:18 With my own hand I write this: [Greetings from Paul.] Do not forget my chains! May God's grace be with you.

175-Philemon 22 At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you.

176-1 Corinthians 3:5 After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. 7 The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. 8 There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done. 9 For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building. 10 Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build. 11 For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now, concerning what you wrote about the gifts from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know the truth about them, my friends. 2 You know that while you were still heathen, you were led astray in many ways to the worship of lifeless idols. 3 I want you to know that no one who is led by God's Spirit can say "A curse on Jesus!" and no one can confess "Jesus is Lord," without being guided by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. 6 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. 7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. 8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. 9 One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. 10 The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said. 11 But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.

2 Corinthians 10:12 Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards! 13 As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you. 14 And since you are within those limits, we were not going beyond them when we came to you, bringing the Good News about Christ. 15 So we do not boast about the work that others have done beyond the limits God set for us. Instead, we hope that your faith may grow and that we may be able to do a much greater work among you, always within the limits that God has set.

177-1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.

178-2 Corinthians 12:1 I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. 2 I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision - only God knows). 3 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision - only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. 5 So I will boast about this man - but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say. 7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. 8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. 9 But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. 10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I am acting like a fool - but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special "apostles" of yours. 12 The many miracles and wonders that prove that I am an apostle were performed among you with much patience. 13 How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair! 14 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you - and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. 15 I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much? 16 You will agree, then, that I was not a burden to you. But someone will say that I was tricky, and trapped you with lies. 17 How? Did I take advantage of you through any of the messengers I sent? 18 I begged Titus to go, and I sent the other believer with him. Would you say that Titus took advantage of you? Do not he and I act from the very same motives and behave in the same way? 19 Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you. 20 I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder. 21 I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done - their lust and their sexual sins.

179-Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! 9 By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! 10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! 11 But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

Luke 23:31 For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" 32 Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When they came to the place called "The Skull," they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing." They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends! 21 Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26 If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. 27 Don't give the Devil a chance. 28 If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor. 29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. 30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.

180-Romans 2:4 Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.

181-Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. 16 But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that "every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,' as the scripture says. 17 And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector.

182-Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, asking, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" 2 So Jesus called a child to come and stand in front of them, 3 and said, "I assure you that unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. 4 The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself and becomes like this child. 5 And whoever welcomes in my name one such child as this, welcomes me. 6 "If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose his faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the deep sea. 7 How terrible for the world that there are things that make people lose their faith! Such things will always happen - but how terrible for the one who causes them! 8 "If your hand or your foot makes you lose your faith, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to enter life without a hand or a foot than to keep both hands and both feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye makes you lose your faith, take it out and throw it away! It is better for you to enter life with only one eye than to keep both eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. 10 12 "What do you think a man does who has one hundred sheep and one of them gets lost? He will leave the other ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go and look for the lost sheep. 13 When he finds it, I tell you, he feels far happier over this one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost. 14 In just the same way your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to be lost. 15 "If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. 16 But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that "every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,' as the scripture says. 17 And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "And so I tell all of you: what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them." 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?" 22 "No, not seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven, 23 because the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants' accounts. 24 He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. 26 The servant fell on his knees before the king. "Be patient with me,' he begged, "and I will pay you everything!' 27 The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go. 28 "Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. "Pay back what you owe me!' he said. 29 His fellow servant fell down and begged him, "Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!' 30 But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. 32 So he called the servant in. "You worthless slave!' he said. "I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. 33 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.' 34 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount." 35 And Jesus concluded, "That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

183-John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness." 13 The Pharisees said to him, "Now you are testifying on your own behalf; what you say proves nothing." 14 "No," Jesus answered, "even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me. 17 It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me also testifies on my behalf." 19 "Where is your father?" they asked him. "You know neither me nor my Father," Jesus answered. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 Jesus said all this as he taught in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed. And no one arrested him, because his hour had not come. 21 Again Jesus said to them, "I will go away; you will look for me, but you will die in your sins. You cannot go where I am going." 22 So the Jewish authorities said, "He says that we cannot go where he is going. Does this mean that he will kill himself?" 23 Jesus answered, "You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world. 24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that "I Am Who I Am'." 25 "Who are you?" they asked him. Jesus answered, "What I have told you from the very beginning. 26 I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him." 27 They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. 28 So he said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that "I Am Who I Am'; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say. 29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him." 30 Many who heard Jesus say these things believed in him. 31 So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; 32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 "We are the descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, "You will be free'?" 34 Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. 36 If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. 38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you." 39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." "If you really were Abraham's children," Jesus replied, "you would do the same things that he did. 40 All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! 41 You are doing what your father did." "God himself is the only Father we have," they answered, "and we are his true children." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. 44 You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. 45 But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? 47 He who comes from God listens to God's words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen." 48 They asked Jesus, "Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?" 49 "I have no demon," Jesus answered. "I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking honor for myself. But there is one who is seeking it and who judges in my favor. 51 I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die." 52 They said to him, "Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Abraham died, and the prophets died, yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. 53 Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father - the very one you say is your God. 55 You have never known him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad." 57 They said to him, "You are not even fifty years old - and you have seen Abraham?" 58 "I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, "I Am'." 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

184-Colossians 3:12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. 15 The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. 17 Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

185-Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! 9 By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! 10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! 11 But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

186-James 5:20 remember this: whoever turns a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinner's soul from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

187-John 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."

188-Ephesians 4:26 If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. 27 Don't give the Devil a chance. 28 If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor.

189-Matthew 28:18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

James 5:7 Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

Zechariah 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the spring of the year. It is the Lord who sends rain clouds and showers, making the fields green for everyone.

Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.

Revelation 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down out of heaven. He had great authority, and his splendor brightened the whole earth.

Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and he wore many crowns on his head. He had a name written on him, but no one except himself knows what it is. 13 The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is "The Word of God." 14 The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen. 15 Out of his mouth came a sharp sword, with which he will defeat the nations. He will rule over them with a rod of iron, and he will trample out the wine in the wine press of the furious anger of the Almighty God. 16 On his robe and on his thigh was written the name: "King of kings and Lord of lords."

190-Matthew 28:18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

191-Colossians 1:23 You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel. It is of this gospel that I, Paul, became a servant - this gospel which has been preached to everybody in the world.

192-Acts 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

193-Matthew 24:14 And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

194-Revelation 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down out of heaven. He had great authority, and his splendor brightened the whole earth.

195-Isaiah 44:3 "I will give water to the thirsty land and make streams flow on the dry ground. I will pour out my spirit on your children and my blessing on your descendants.

Joel 2:28 "Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions.

196-John 7:37 On the last and most important day of the festival Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and 38 whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, "Streams of life-giving water will pour out from his side.' " 39 Jesus said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not been raised to glory.

197-Joel 2:21 "Fields, don't be afraid, but be joyful and glad because of all the Lord has done for you. 22 Animals, don't be afraid. The pastures are green; the trees bear their fruit, and there are plenty of figs and grapes. 23 "Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice at what the Lord your God has done for you. He has given you the right amount of autumn rain; he has poured down the winter rain for you and the spring rain as before. 24 The threshing places will be full of grain; the pits beside the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil. 28 "Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions. 29 At that time I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, both men and women. 30 "I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke. 31 The sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. 32 But all who ask the Lord for help will be saved. As the Lord has said, "Some in Jerusalem will escape; those whom I choose will survive.' "

James 5:7 Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

198-Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages. 7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, "These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 9 We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia, 10 from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome, 11 both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia - yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!" 12 Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" 13 But others made fun of the believers, saying, "These people are drunk!" 14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 "This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke; 20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.' 22 "Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him, "I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is near me, and I will not be troubled. 26 And so I am filled with gladness, and my words are full of joy. And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead; you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the paths that lead to life, and your presence will fill me with joy.' 29 "My friends, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31 David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said, "He was not abandoned in the world of the dead; his body did not rot in the grave.' 32 God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33 He has been raised to the right side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. 34 For it was not David who went up into heaven; rather he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: Sit here at my right side 35 until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.' 36 "All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!" 37 When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do, brothers?" 38 Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away - all whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, "Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!" 41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day. 42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. 43 Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45 They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46 Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

199-2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish. 11 Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon - the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.

200-Acts 1:14 They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

Zechariah 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the spring of the year. It is the Lord who sends rain clouds and showers, making the fields green for everyone.

Acts 3:18 God announced long ago through all the prophets that his Messiah had to suffer; and he made it come true in this way. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do, 20 times of spiritual strength will come from the Lord, and he will send Jesus, who is the Messiah he has already chosen for you.

Acts 4:31 When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness.

Psalm 119:25 I lie defeated in the dust; revive me, as you have promised.

John 6:63 What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.

201-Psalm 51:10 Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. 12 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you.

Acts 4:13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. 20 For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard."

Acts 5:33 When the members of the Council heard this, they were so furious that they wanted to have the apostles put to death.

Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of his murder. That very day the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria.,4 The believers who were scattered went everywhere, preaching the message.

202-Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city authorities and shouted, "These men have caused trouble everywhere! Now they have come to our city,

203-Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.

Luke 3:16 So John said to all of them, "I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

204-Isaiah 33:10 The Lord says to the nations, "Now I will act. I will show how powerful I am. 11 You make worthless plans and everything you do is useless. My spirit is like a fire that will destroy you. 12 You will crumble like rocks burned to make lime, like thorns burned to ashes. 13 Let everyone near and far hear what I have done and acknowledge my power." 14 The sinful people of Zion are trembling with fright. They say, "God's judgment is like a fire that burns forever. Can any of us survive a fire like that?" 15 You can survive if you say and do what is right. Don't use your power to cheat the poor and don't accept bribes. Don't join with those who plan to commit murder or to do other evil things. 16 Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.

Exodus 3:2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up. 3 "This is strange," he thought. "Why isn't the bush burning up? I will go closer and see." 4 When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Yes, here I am." 5 God said, "Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." So Moses covered his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 24:16 The dazzling light of the Lord's presence came down on the mountain. To the Israelites the light looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain. The cloud covered the mountain for six days, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from the cloud.

1 Kings 18:24 Then let the prophets of Baal pray to their god, and I will pray to the Lord, and the one who answers by sending fire - he is God." The people shouted their approval.

Malachi 3:2 But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. 3 He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings.

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Hebrews 12:29 because our God is indeed a destroying fire.

205-Habakkuk 2:14 But the earth will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord's glory as the seas are full of water.

206-Revelation 12:17 The dragon was furious with the woman and went off to fight against the rest of her descendants, all those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to the truth revealed by Jesus.

Revelation 17:13 These ten all have the same purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will fight against the Lamb; but the Lamb, together with his called, chosen, and faithful followers, will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings."

Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and he wore many crowns on his head. He had a name written on him, but no one except himself knows what it is. 13 The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is "The Word of God." 14 The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen. 15 Out of his mouth came a sharp sword, with which he will defeat the nations. He will rule over them with a rod of iron, and he will trample out the wine in the wine press of the furious anger of the Almighty God. 16 On his robe and on his thigh was written the name: "King of kings and Lord of lords."

207-Revelation 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to fight against the one who was riding the horse and against his army. 20 The beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had performed miracles in his presence. (It was by those miracles that he had deceived those who had the mark of the beast and those who had worshiped the image of the beast.) The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 Their armies were killed by the sword that comes out of the mouth of the one who was riding the horse; and all the birds ate all they could of their flesh.

208-Matthew 5:16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

209-Deuteronomy 11:13 "So then, obey the commands that I have given you today; love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart. 14 If you do, he will send rain on your land when it is needed, in the autumn and in the spring, so that there will be grain, wine, and olive oil for you, 15 and grass for your livestock. You will have all the food you want. 16 Do not let yourselves be led away from the Lord to worship and serve other gods. 17 If you do, the Lord will become angry with you. He will hold back the rain, and your ground will become too dry for crops to grow. Then you will soon die there, even though it is a good land that he is giving you. 18 "Remember these commands and cherish them. Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then you and your children will live a long time in the land that the Lord your God promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as there is a sky above the earth.

Hosea 6:1 The people say, "Let's return to the Lord! He has hurt us, but he will be sure to heal us; he has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds, won't he? 2 In two or three days he will revive us, and we will live in his presence. 3 Let us try to know the Lord. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth."

Hosea 10:12 I said, "Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessings that your devotion to me will produce. It is time for you to turn to me, your Lord, and I will come and pour out blessings upon you.'

210-Matthew 24:14 And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

211-Matthew 28:18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

212-Ps. 90:2 Before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever. 1 The Lord spoke to me. 2 "Mortal man," he said, "there were once two sisters. 3 When they were young, living in Egypt, they lost their virginity and became prostitutes. 4 The older one was named Oholah (she represents Samaria), and the younger one was named Oholibah (she represents Jerusalem). I married both of them, and they bore me children. 5 Although she was mine, Oholah continued to be a prostitute and was full of lust for her lovers from Assyria. 6 They were soldiers in uniforms of purple, noblemen and high-ranking officers; all of them were handsome young cavalry officers. 7 She was the whore for all the Assyrian officers, and her lust led her to defile herself by worshiping Assyrian idols. 8 She continued what she had begun as a prostitute in Egypt, where she lost her virginity. From the time she was a young woman, men slept with her and treated her like a prostitute. 9 So I handed her over to her Assyrian lovers whom she wanted so much. 10 They stripped her naked, seized her sons and daughters, and then killed her with a sword. Women everywhere gossiped about her fate. 11 "Even though her sister Oholibah saw this, she was wilder and more of a prostitute than Oholah had ever been. 12 She too was full of lust for the Assyrian noblemen and officers - soldiers in bright uniforms - and for the cavalry officers, all of those handsome young men. 13 I saw that she was completely immoral, that the second sister was as bad as the first. 14 "She sank deeper and deeper in her immorality. She was attracted by the images of high Babylonian officials carved into the wall and painted bright red, with sashes around their waists and fancy turbans on their heads. 16 As soon as she saw them, she was filled with lust and sent messengers to them in Babylonia. 17 The Babylonians came to have sex with her. They used her and defiled her so much that finally she became disgusted with them. 18 She exposed herself publicly and let everyone know she was a whore. I was as disgusted with her as I had been with her sister. 19 She became more of a prostitute than ever, acting the way she did as a young woman, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. 20 She was filled with lust for oversexed men who had all the lustfulness of donkeys or stallions. 21 (Oholibah, you wanted to repeat the immorality you were guilty of as a young woman in Egypt, where men played with your breasts and you lost your virginity.) 22 "Now then, Oholibah, this is what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to you. You are tired of those lovers, but I will make them angry with you and bring them to surround you. 23 I will bring all the Babylonians and Chaldeans, men from Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians. I will gather all those handsome young noblemen and officers, all those important officials and high-ranking cavalry officers. 24 They will attack you from the north, bringing a large army with chariots and supply wagons. Protected by shields and helmets, they will surround you. I will hand you over to them, and they will judge you by their own laws. 25 Because I am angry with you, I will let them deal with you in their anger. They will cut off your nose and your ears and kill your children. Yes, they will take your sons and daughters from you and burn them alive. 26 They will tear off your clothes and take your jewels. 27 I will put a stop to your lust and to the obscenities you have committed ever since you were in Egypt. You won't look at any more idols or think about Egypt any more." 28 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "I will hand you over to people you hate and are disgusted with. 29 And because they hate you, they will take away everything you have worked for and leave you stripped naked, exposed like a prostitute. Your lust and your prostitution 30 have brought this on you. You were a prostitute for the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. 31 You followed in your sister's footsteps, and so I will give you the same cup of punishment to drink." 32 The Sovereign Lord says, "You will drink from your sister's cup; it is large and deep. Everyone will scorn and mock you; the cup is full. 33 It will make you miserable and drunk, that cup of fear and ruin, your sister Samaria's cup. 34 You will drink and drain it dry, and with its broken pieces tear your breast. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken." 35 Now this is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: "Because you forgot me and turned your back on me, you will suffer for your lust and your prostitution." 36 The Lord said to me, "Mortal man, are you ready to judge Oholah and Oholibah? Accuse them of the disgusting things they have done. 37 They have committed adultery and murder - adultery with idols and murder of the children they bore me. They sacrificed my children to their idols. 38 And that is not all they did. They profaned my Temple and broke the Sabbath, which I had established. 39 The very day that they killed my children as sacrifices to idols, they came to my Temple and profaned it! 40 "Again and again they sent messengers to invite men to come from a great distance, and the men came. The two sisters would bathe and put on eye shadow and jewelry. 41 They would sit on a beautiful couch, and in front of them they would have a table covered with good things, including the incense and the olive oil that I had given them. 42 The sound of a carefree crowd could be heard, a group of men brought in from the desert. They put bracelets on the women's arms and beautiful crowns on their heads. 43 And I said to myself that they were using as a prostitute a woman worn out by adultery. 44 They went back to these prostitutes again and again. They went back to Oholah and Oholibah, those immoral women. 45 Righteous men will condemn them on the charge of adultery and murder, because they practice adultery and their hands are stained with blood." 46 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Bring a mob to terrorize them and rob them. 47 Let the mob stone them and attack them with swords, kill their children, and burn down their houses. 48 Throughout the land I will put a stop to immorality, as a warning to every woman not to commit adultery as they did. 49 And you two sisters - I will punish you for your immorality and your sin of worshiping idols. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord."

213-Jn 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.

214-Jn 17:24 "Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

215-Heb1:8 About the Son, however, God said: "Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever! You rule over your people with justice. 9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions." 10 He also said, "You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens.

216-1 Pet 1:20 He had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake.

217-Eph 1:4 Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love 5 God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children - this was his pleasure and purpose.

218-Col. 1:Col. 1:15-17

219-Psalms 91:15 Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. 16 For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. 17 Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place.

220-Hebrews 1:4 The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. 5 For God never said to any of his angels, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." Nor did God say about any angel, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son." 6 But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said, "All of God's angels must worship him." 7 But about the angels God said, "God makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." 8 About the Son, however, God said: "Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever! You rule over your people with justice. 9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions." 10 He also said, "You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens. 11 They will disappear, but you will remain; they will all wear out like clothes. 12 You will fold them up like a coat, and they will be changed like clothes. But you are always the same, and your life never ends." 13 God never said to any of his angels: "Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet." 14 What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.

Hebrews 2:1 That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. 2 The message given to our ancestors by the angels was shown to be true, and those who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment they deserved.

221-Exodus 23:23 My angel will go ahead of you and take you into the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I will destroy them.

222-1 Chronicles 21:16 David saw the angel standing in midair, holding his sword in his hand, ready to destroy Jerusalem. Then David and the leaders of the people - all of whom were wearing sackcloth - bowed low, with their faces touching the ground.

223-2 Samuel 24:16 When the Lord's angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord changed his mind about punishing the people and said to the angel who was killing them, "Stop! That's enough!" The angel was by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite. 17 David saw the angel who was killing the people, and said to the Lord, "I am the guilty one. I am the one who did wrong. What have these poor people done? You should punish me and my family."

224-Ezekiel 28:13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you on the day you were created.

225-Revelation 12:7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; 8 but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. 9 The huge dragon was thrown out - that ancient serpent, named the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. 11 They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. 12 And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left."

226-Genesis 3:1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die.

227-Job 1:6 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord, Satan was there among them.

228-Job 2:1 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord again, Satan was there among them.

229-Job 38:4 Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. 5 Who decided how large it would be? Who stretched the measuring line over it? Do you know all the answers? 6 What holds up the pillars that support the earth? Who laid the cornerstone of the world? 7 In the dawn of that day the stars sang together, and the heavenly beings shouted for joy.

230-Daniel 9:21 While I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying down to where I was. It was the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered.

231-Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shone in the cell. The angel shook Peter by the shoulder, woke him up, and said, "Hurry! Get up!" At once the chains fell off Peter's hands.

232-Hebrews 13:2 Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.

233-Revelation 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to announce these things to you in the churches. I am descended from the family of David; I am the bright morning star."

234-2 Peter 1:19 So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.

235-1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has given the very last place to us apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of human beings.

236-Ephesians 1:9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10 This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

Ephesians 3:9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

237-Colossians 1:19 For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

238-Isaiah 14:12 King of Babylon, bright morning star, you have fallen from heaven! In the past you conquered nations, but now you have been thrown to the ground. 13 You were determined to climb up to heaven and to place your throne above the highest stars. You thought you would sit like a king on that mountain in the north where the gods assemble. 14 You said you would climb to the tops of the clouds and be like the Almighty.

239-Ezekiel 28:11 The Lord spoke to me again. 12 "Mortal man," he said, "grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were! 13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you on the day you were created. 14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you. You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. 15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil.

240-Matthew 4:8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 9 "All this I will give you," the Devil said, "if you kneel down and worship me."

241-Genesis 2:17 except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day."

242-Romans 6:23 For sin pays its wage - death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

243-Genesis 3:woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die. 5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad."

244-Job 1:6 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord, Satan was there among them. 7 The Lord asked him, "What have you been doing?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth." 8 "Did you notice my servant Job?" the Lord asked. "There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil." 9 Satan replied, "Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? 10 You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. 11 But now suppose you take away everything he has - he will curse you to your face!" 12 "All right," the Lord said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left.

245-Job 2:1 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord again, Satan was there among them. 2 The Lord asked him, "Where have you been?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth." 3 "Did you notice my servant Job?" the Lord asked. "There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever." 4 Satan replied, "A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body - he will curse you to your face!" 6 So the Lord said to Satan, "All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him."

246-Revelation 12:1 Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was soon to give birth, and the pains and suffering of childbirth made her cry out. 3 Another mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a crown on each of his heads. 4 With his tail he dragged a third of the stars out of the sky and threw them down to the earth. He stood in front of the woman, in order to eat her child as soon as it was born. 5 Then she gave birth to a son, who will rule over all nations with an iron rod. But the child was snatched away and taken to God and his throne. 6 The woman fled to the desert, to a place God had prepared for her, where she will be taken care of for 1,260 days. 7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; 8 but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. 9 The huge dragon was thrown out - that ancient serpent, named the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. 11 They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. 12 And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left."

247-Ezekiel 28:12 "Mortal man," he said, "grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were! 13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you on the day you were created. 14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you. You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. 15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil. 16 You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave my holy mountain, and the angel who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems.

248-Luke 10:18 Jesus answered them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

249-John 8:18 Jesus answered them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

250-John 12:31 Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown.

251-Col. 2:15 And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.

252-Revelation 12:7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; 8 but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. 9 The huge dragon was thrown out - that ancient serpent, named the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven.

253-Genesis 3:1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die.

254-Ezekiel 28:12 "Mortal man," he said, "grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were! 13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you on the day you were created. 14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you. You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. 15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil. 16 You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave my holy mountain, and the angel who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems.

255-Job 1:1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle, and five hundred donkeys. He also had a large number of servants and was the richest man in the East. 4 Job's sons used to take turns giving a feast, to which all the others would come, and they always invited their three sisters to join them. 5 The morning after each feast, Job would get up early and offer sacrifices for each of his children in order to purify them. He always did this because he thought that one of them might have sinned by insulting God unintentionally. 6 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord, Satan was there among them. 7 The Lord asked him, "What have you been doing?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth." 8 "Did you notice my servant Job?" the Lord asked. "There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil." 9 Satan replied, "Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? 10 You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. 11 But now suppose you take away everything he has - he will curse you to your face!" 12 "All right," the Lord said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left. 13 One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, 14 a messenger came running to Job. "We were plowing the fields with the oxen," he said, "and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. 15 Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 16 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 17 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 18 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, 19 when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 20 Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. 21 He said, "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!" 22 In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Job 2:1 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord again, Satan was there among them. 2 The Lord asked him, "Where have you been?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth." 3 "Did you notice my servant Job?" the Lord asked. "There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever." 4 Satan replied, "A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body - he will curse you to your face!" 6 So the Lord said to Satan, "All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him." 7 Then Satan left the Lord's presence and made sores break out all over Job's body. 8 Job went and sat by the garbage dump and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores. 9 His wife said to him, "You are still as faithful as ever, aren't you? Why don't you curse God and die?" 10 Job answered, "You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?" Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God. 11 Three of Job's friends were Eliphaz, from the city of Teman, Bildad, from the land of Shuah, and Zophar, from the land of Naamah. When they heard how much Job had been suffering, they decided to go and comfort him. 12 While they were still a long way off they saw Job, but did not recognize him. When they did, they began to weep and wail, tearing their clothes in grief and throwing dust into the air and on their heads. 13 Then they sat there on the ground with him for seven days and nights without saying a word, because they saw how much he was suffering.

256-Matthew 4:8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 9 "All this I will give you," the Devil said, "if you kneel down and worship me."

257-1 Kings 22:1 There was peace between Israel and Syria for the next two years, 2 but in the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to see King Ahab of Israel. 3 Ahab asked his officials, "Why is it that we have not done anything to get back Ramoth in Gilead from the king of Syria? It belongs to us!" 4 And Ahab asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to attack Ramoth?" "I am ready when you are," Jehoshaphat answered, "and so are my soldiers and my cavalry. 5 But first let's consult the Lord." 6 So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack it," they answered. "The Lord will give you victory." 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there another prophet through whom we can consult the Lord?" 8 Ahab answered, "There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad." "You shouldn't say that!" Jehoshaphat replied. 9 Then Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once. 10 The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them. 11 One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab, "This is what the Lord says: "With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.' " 12 All the other prophets said the same thing. "March against Ramoth and you will win," they said. "The Lord will give you victory." 13 Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, "All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same." 14 But Micaiah answered, "By the living Lord I promise that I will say what he tells me to!" 15 When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack!" Micaiah answered. "Of course you'll win. The Lord will give you victory." 16 But Ahab replied, "When you speak to me in the name of the Lord, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that?" 17 Micaiah answered, "I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, "These men have no leader; let them go home in peace.' " 18 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good for me? It's always something bad!" 19 Micaiah went on: "Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. 20 The Lord asked, "Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and be killed at Ramoth?' Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, 21 until a spirit stepped forward, approached the Lord, and said, "I will deceive him.' 22 "How?' the Lord asked. The spirit replied, "I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies.' The Lord said, "Go and deceive him. You will succeed.' " 23 And Micaiah concluded: "This is what has happened. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he himself has decreed that you will meet with disaster!" 24 Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, "Since when did the Lord's spirit leave me and speak to you?" 25 "You will find out when you go into some back room to hide," Micaiah replied. 26 Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, "Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. 27 Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely." 28 "If you return safely," Micaiah exclaimed, "then the Lord has not spoken through me!" And he added, "Listen, everyone, to what I have said!" 29 Then King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to attack the city of Ramoth in Gilead. 30 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "As we go into battle, I will disguise myself, but you wear your royal garments." So the king of Israel went into battle in disguise. 31 The king of Syria had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel. 32 So when they saw King Jehoshaphat, they all thought that he was the king of Israel, and they turned to attack him. But when he cried out, 33 they realized that he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped their attack. 34 By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. "I'm wounded!" he cried out to his chariot driver. "Turn around and pull out of the battle!" 35 While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. The blood from his wound ran down and covered the bottom of the chariot, and at evening he died. 36 Near sunset the order went out through the Israelite ranks: "Each of you go back to your own country and city!" 37 So died King Ahab. His body was taken to Samaria and buried. 38 His chariot was cleaned up at the pool of Samaria, where dogs licked up his blood and prostitutes washed themselves, as the Lord had said would happen. 39 Everything else that King Ahab did, including an account of his palace decorated with ivory and of all the cities he built, is recorded in [The History of the Kings of Israel.] 40 At his death his son Ahaziah succeeded him as king. 41 In the fourth year of the reign of King Ahab of Israel, Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah 42 at the age of thirty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. 43 Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord; but the places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 44 Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. 45 Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, all his bravery and his battles, are recorded in [The History of the Kings of Judah.] 46 He got rid of all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan altars who were still left from the days of his father Asa. 47 The land of Edom had no king; it was ruled by a deputy appointed by the king of Judah. 48 King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold; but they were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed. 49 Then King Ahaziah of Israel offered to let his men sail with Jehoshaphat's men, but Jehoshaphat refused the offer. 50 Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City, and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king. 51 In the seventeenth year of the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for two years. 52 He sinned against the Lord, following the wicked example of his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and King Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin. 53 He worshiped and served Baal, and like his father before him, he aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel.

258-2 Chronicles 18:1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah became rich and famous, he arranged a marriage between a member of his family and the family of King Ahab of Israel. 2 A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. To honor Jehoshaphat and those with him, Ahab had a large number of sheep and cattle slaughtered for a feast. He tried to persuade Jehoshaphat to join him in attacking the city of Ramoth in Gilead. 3 He asked, "Will you go with me to attack Ramoth?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I am ready when you are, and so is my army. We will join you." 4 Then he added, "But first let's consult the Lord." 5 So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack it," they answered. "God will give you victory." 6 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there another prophet through whom we can consult the Lord?" 7 Ahab answered, "There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad." "You shouldn't say that!" Jehoshaphat replied. 8 So King Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once. 9 The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them. 10 One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab, "This is what the Lord says, "With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.' " 11 All the other prophets said the same thing. "March against Ramoth and you will win," they said. "The Lord will give you victory." 12 Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, "All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same." 13 But Micaiah answered, "By the living Lord I will say what my God tells me to!" 14 When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack!" Micaiah answered. "Of course you'll win. The Lord will give you victory." 15 But Ahab replied, "When you speak to me in the name of the Lord, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that?" 16 Micaiah answered, "I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, "These men have no leader; let them go home in peace.' " 17 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "I told you that he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad!" 18 Micaiah went on: "Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. 19 The Lord asked, "Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and get killed at Ramoth?' Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, 20 until a spirit stepped forward, approached the Lord, and said, "I will deceive him.' "How?' the Lord asked. 21 The spirit replied, "I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies.' The Lord said, "Go and deceive him. You will succeed.' " 22 And Micaiah concluded: "This is what has happened. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he himself has decreed that you will meet with disaster!" 23 Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, "Since when did the Lord's spirit leave me and speak to you?" 24 "You will find out when you go into some back room to hide," Micaiah replied. 25 Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, "Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. 26 Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely." 27 "If you return safely," Micaiah exclaimed, "then the Lord has not spoken through me!" And he added, "Listen, everyone, to what I have said!" 28 Then King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to attack the city of Ramoth in Gilead. 29 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "As we go into battle, I will disguise myself, but you wear your royal garments." So the king of Israel went into battle in disguise. 30 The king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel. 31 So when they saw King Jehoshaphat, they all thought that he was the king of Israel, and they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat gave a shout, and the Lord God rescued him and turned the attack away from him. 32 The chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, so they stopped pursuing him. 33 By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. "I'm wounded!" he cried out to his chariot driver. "Turn around and pull out of the battle!" 34 While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. At sunset he died.

259-John 12:31 Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown.

260-John 14:30 I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me,

261-John 16:11 and they are wrong about judgment, because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

262-2 Cor.4:4 They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

263-Eph. 2:1 In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. 2 At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God.

264-Eph. 6:16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.

265-1 John 5:19 We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One.

266-Zechariah 3:1 In another vision the Lord showed me the High Priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord. And there beside Joshua stood Satan, ready to bring an accusation against him. 2 The angel of the Lord said to Satan, "May the Lord condemn you, Satan! May the Lord, who loves Jerusalem, condemn you. This man is like a stick snatched from the fire." 3 Joshua was standing there, wearing filthy clothes. 4 The angel said to his heavenly attendants, "Take away the filthy clothes this man is wearing." Then he said to Joshua, "I have taken away your sin and will give you new clothes to wear." 5 He commanded the attendants to put a clean turban on Joshua's head. They did so, and then they put the new clothes on him while the angel of the Lord stood there.

267-Jude 9 Not even the chief angel Michael did this. In his quarrel with the Devil, when they argued about who would have the body of Moses, Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

268-Genesis 2:17 except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day."

269-Genesis 3:15 I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel."

270-Romans 3:1 Do the Jews then have any advantage over the Gentiles? Or is there any value in being circumcised? 2 Much, indeed, in every way! In the first place, God trusted his message to the Jews. 3 But what if some of them were not faithful? Does this mean that God will not be faithful? 4 Certainly not! God must be true, even though all human beings are liars. As the scripture says, "You must be shown to be right when you speak; you must win your case when you are being tried."

271-Romans 3:25 God offered him, so that by his blood he should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in him. God did this in order to demonstrate that he is righteous. In the past he was patient and overlooked people's sins; but in the present time he deals with their sins, in order to demonstrate his righteousness. In this way God shows that he himself is righteous and that he puts right everyone who believes in Jesus. 27 What, then, can we boast about? Nothing! And what is the reason for this? Is it that we obey the Law? No, but that we believe.

272-1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has given the very last place to us apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of human beings.

273-Ephesians 1:7 For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, 8 which he gave to us in such large measure! In all his wisdom and insight 9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10 This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

274-Eph. 3:9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

275-Colossians 1:19 For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

276-Romans 8:3 What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin.

277-Romans 3:4 Certainly not! God must be true, even though all human beings are liars. As the scripture says, "You must be shown to be right when you speak; you must win your case when you are being tried."

278-Ephesians 1:7 For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, 8 which he gave to us in such large measure! In all his wisdom and insight 9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10 This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

279-Eph. 3:7 I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. 8 I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, 9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

280-Colossians 1:19 For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.

281-John 12:32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.

282-Ezekiel 20:1 It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the Lord's will, and they sat down in front of me. 2 Then the Lord spoke to me. 3 "Mortal man," he said, "speak to these leaders and tell them that the Sovereign Lord is saying: You have come to ask my will, have you? As surely as I am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken. 4 "Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did. 5 Tell them what I am saying. When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am the Lord your God. 6 It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 7 I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt, because I am the Lord their God. 8 But they defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt. 9 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt. 10 "And so I led them out of Egypt into the desert. 11 I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. 12 I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the Lord, make them holy. 13 But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them. 14 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt. 15 So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 16 I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath - they preferred to worship their idols. 17 "But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. 18 Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws and my commands. 20 Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the Lord your God. 21 "But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all. 22 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. 23 So I made another vow in the desert. I vowed that I would scatter them all over the world. 24 I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served. 25 "Then I gave them laws that are not good and commands that do not bring life. 26 I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am the Lord. 27 "Now then, mortal man, tell the Israelites what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness. 28 I brought them to the land I had promised to give them. When they saw the high hills and green trees, they offered sacrifices at all of them. They made me angry by the sacrifices they burned and by the wine they brought as offerings. 29 I asked them: What are these high places where you go? So they have been called "High Places' ever since. 30 Now tell the Israelites what I am saying: Why must you commit the same sins your ancestors did and go running after their idols? 31 Even today you offer the same gifts and defile yourselves with the same idols by sacrificing your children to them in the fire. And then you Israelites still come to ask what my will is! As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything. 32 You have made up your minds that you want to be like the other nations, like the people who live in other countries and worship trees and rocks. But that will never be. 33 "As surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I warn you that in my anger I will rule over you with a strong hand, with all my power. 34 I will show you my power and my anger when I gather you together and bring you back from all the countries where you have been scattered. 35 I will bring you into the "Desert of the Nations,' and there I will condemn you to your face. 36 I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert," says the Sovereign Lord. 37 "I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant. 38 I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord." 39 The Sovereign Lord says, "And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols. 40 There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts. 41 After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy. 42 When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the Lord. 43 Then you will remember all the disgraceful things you did and how you defiled yourselves. You will be disgusted with yourselves because of all the evil things you did. 44 When I act to protect my honor, you Israelites will know that I am the Lord, because I do not deal with you as your wicked, evil actions deserve." The Sovereign Lord has spoken. 45 The Lord spoke to me. 46 "Mortal man," he said, "look toward the south. Speak against the south and prophesy against the forest of the south. 47 Tell the southern forest to hear what the Sovereign Lord is saying: Look! I am starting a fire, and it will burn up every tree in you, whether green or dry. Nothing will be able to put it out. It will spread from south to north, and everyone will feel the heat of the flames. 48 They will all see that I, the Lord, set it on fire and that no one can put it out." 49 But I protested, "Sovereign Lord, don't make me do it! Everyone is already complaining that I always speak in riddles."

Ezekiel 36:1 The Lord said, "Mortal man, speak to the mountains of Israel and tell them to listen to the message which I, 2 the Sovereign Lord, have for them: Israel's enemies gloated and said, "Now those ancient hills are ours!' 3 "Prophesy, then, and announce what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying. When the neighboring nations captured and plundered the mountains of Israel, everyone made fun of Israel. 4 So now listen to what I, the Sovereign Lord, say to you mountains and hills, to you brooks and valleys, to you places that were left in ruins, and to you deserted cities which were plundered and mocked by all the surrounding nations. 5 "I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken out in the heat of my anger against the surrounding nations, and especially against Edom. With glee and contempt they captured my land and took possession of its pastures. 6 "So prophesy to the land of Israel; tell the mountains, hills, brooks, and valleys what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying in jealous anger because of the way the nations have insulted and humiliated them. 7 I, the Sovereign Lord, solemnly promise that the surrounding nations will be humiliated. 8 But on the mountains of Israel the trees will again grow leaves and bear fruit for you, my people Israel. You are going to come home soon. 9 I am on your side, and I will make sure that your land is plowed again and crops are planted on it. 10 I will make your population grow. You will live in the cities and rebuild everything that was left in ruins. 11 I will make people and cattle increase in number. There will be more of you than ever before, and you will have many children. I will let you live there as you used to live, and I will make you more prosperous than ever. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12 I will bring you, my people Israel, back to live again in the land. It will be your own land, and it will never again let your children starve. 13 "I, the Sovereign Lord, say: It is true that people say that the land eats people and that it robs the nation of its children. 14 But from now on it will no longer eat people and rob you of your children. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken. 15 The land will no longer have to listen to the nations making fun of it or see the peoples sneer at it. The land will no longer rob the nation of its children. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken." 16 The Lord spoke to me. 17 "Mortal man," he said, "when the Israelites were living in their land, they defiled it by the way they lived and acted. I regarded their behavior as being as ritually unclean as a woman is during her monthly period. 18 I let them feel the force of my anger because of the murders they had committed in the land and because of the idols by which they had defiled it. 19 I condemned them for the way they lived and acted, and I scattered them through foreign countries. 20 Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on my holy name, because people would say, "These are the people of the Lord, but they had to leave his land.' 21 That made me concerned for my holy name, since the Israelites brought disgrace on it everywhere they went. 22 "Now then, give the Israelites the message that I, the Sovereign Lord, have for them: What I am going to do is not for the sake of you Israelites, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have disgraced in every country where you have gone. 23 When I demonstrate to the nations the holiness of my great name - the name you disgraced among them - then they will know that I am the Lord. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken. I will use you to show the nations that I am holy. 24 I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that has defiled you. 26 I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. 27 I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from everything that defiles you. I will command the grain to be plentiful, so that you will not have any more famines. 30 I will increase the yield of your fruit trees and your fields, so that there will be no more famines to disgrace you among the nations. 31 You will remember your evil conduct and the wrongs that you committed, and you will be disgusted with yourselves because of your sins and your iniquities. 32 Israel, I want you to know that I am not doing all this for your sake. I want you to feel the shame and disgrace of what you are doing. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken." 33 The Sovereign Lord says, "When I make you clean from all your sins, I will let you live in your cities again and let you rebuild the ruins. 34 Everyone who used to walk by your fields saw how overgrown and wild they were, but I will let you farm them again. 35 Everyone will talk about how this land, which was once a wilderness, has become like the Garden of Eden, and how the cities which were torn down, looted, and left in ruins, are now inhabited and fortified. 36 Then the neighboring nations that have survived will know that I, the Lord, rebuild ruined cities and replant waste fields. I, the Lord, have promised that I would do this - and I will." 37 The Sovereign Lord says, "I will once again let the Israelites ask me for help, and I will let them increase in numbers like a flock of sheep. 38 The cities that are now in ruins will then be as full of people as Jerusalem was once full of the sheep which were offered as sacrifices at a festival. Then they will know that I am the Lord."

283-Ezekiel 20:4 "Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did. 5 Tell them what I am saying. When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: I am the Lord your God. 6 It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 7 I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt, because I am the Lord their God.

284-Eze 20:10 "And so I led them out of Egypt into the desert. 11 I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. 12 I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the Lord, make them holy.

285-Exodus 32:7 The Lord said to Moses, "Hurry and go back down, because your people, whom you led out of Egypt, have sinned and rejected me. 8 They have already left the way that I commanded them to follow; they have made a bull-calf out of melted gold and have worshiped it and offered sacrifices to it. They are saying that this is their god, who led them out of Egypt. 9 I know how stubborn these people are. 10 Now, don't try to stop me. I am angry with them, and I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants into a great nation." 11 But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God and said, "Lord, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power? 12 Why should the Egyptians be able to say that you led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely? Stop being angry; change your mind and do not bring this disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the solemn promise you made to them to give them as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and to give their descendants all that land you promised would be their possession forever." 14 So the Lord changed his mind and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

286-Eze. 20:15 So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 16 I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath - they preferred to worship their idols. 17 "But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. 18 Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws and my commands. 20 Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the Lord your God.

287-Eze. 20:37 "I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant. 38 I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord." 39 The Sovereign Lord says, "And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols. 40 There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts. 41 After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy. 42 When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, then you will know that I am the Lord.

288-Ezekiel 20:12 I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the Lord, make them holy.

289-Eze. 20:20 Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the Lord your God.

290-Ezekiel 20:13 But even in the desert they defied me. They broke my laws and rejected my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They completely profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to destroy them. 14 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt. 15 So I made a vow in the desert that I would not take them to the land I had given them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 16 I made the vow because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, and profaned the Sabbath - they preferred to worship their idols. 17 "But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. 18 Instead, I warned the young people among them: Do not keep the laws your ancestors made; do not follow their customs or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws and my commands. 20 Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind you that I am the Lord your God. 21 "But that generation also defied me. They broke my laws and did not keep my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. They profaned the Sabbath. I was ready to let them feel the force of my anger there in the desert and to kill them all.

Table of Contents

Lesson #1 for July 6, 2013: Revival: Our Great Need

Lesson #2 for July 13, 2013: Prayer: The Heartbeat of Revival

Lesson #3 for July 20, 2013: The Word: the Foundation of Revival

Lesson # 4 for July 27, 2013 Witness and Service: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson # 5 for August 3, 2013 Obedience: The Fruit of Revival

Lesson # 6 for August 10, 2013 Confession and Repentance: The Conditions of Revival

Lesson # 7 for August 17, 2013 Unity: The Bond of Revival

Lesson # 8 for August 24, 2013 Revival and Reformation Discernment: The Safeguard of Revival

Lesson # 9 for August 31, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Outgrowth of Revival

Lesson # 10 for September 7, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: The Willingness to Grow and C

Lesson # 11 for September 14, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: Thinking New Thoughts

Lesson # 12 for September 21, 2013 Revival and Reformation Reformation: Healing Broken Relationships

Lesson # 13 for September 28, 2013 Revival and Reformation The Promised Revival: God’s Mission Compl

Great Controversy in Scriptures

SOME QUOTATIONS FROM ELLEN WHITE REGARDING --THE PLAN OF SALVATION IN THE SETTING OF THE GREAT CONTR

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