Sun,
Aug 3
1. OBEDIENCE—THE FRUIT OF FAITH
a. Upon receiving Jesus by faith, what do Christians receive in their hearts? Romans 5:1–5.
b. How is the love of Christ manifested in the life of the believer? John 14:15, 21; 1 John 2:3.
“[Christ] saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him will show their love by obedience.
“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.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 668.
Mon,
Aug 4
2. AN ESSENTIAL NEED
a. Whom did Jesus promise to send to comfort the disciples? John 14:16–18.
“From the very beginning of the work of redemption He [the Spirit] had been moving upon men’s hearts. But while Christ was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper. Not until they were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 669.
b. How would Christ “live” in the hearts of the disciples? John 14:19–23.
“The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high. . . .
“Jesus read the future of His disciples. He saw one brought to the scaffold, one to the cross, one to exile among the lonely rocks of the sea, others to persecution and death. He encouraged them with the promise that in every trial He would be with them. That promise has lost none of its force. The Lord knows all about His faithful servants who for His sake are lying in prison or who are banished to lonely islands. He comforts them with His own presence. When for the truth’s sake the believer stands at the bar of unrighteous tribunals, Christ stands by his side. All the reproaches that fall upon him, fall upon Christ. Christ is condemned over again in the person of His disciple. When one is incarcerated in prison walls, Christ ravishes the heart with His love. . . .
“At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflictions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer.”—Ibid., pp. 669, 670.
Tue,
Aug 5
3. THE TEACHER
a. How would the Comforter influence the memory and understanding of the disciples? John 14:26.
“[The disciples] did not comprehend the value of the scriptures Christ presented. Many of His lessons seemed almost lost upon them. Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the real meaning of His words. He compassionately promised that the Holy Spirit should recall these sayings to their minds. And He had left unsaid many things that could not be comprehended by the disciples. These also would be opened to them by the Spirit. The Spirit was to quicken their understanding, that they might have an appreciation of heavenly things. ‘When He, the Spirit of truth, is come,’ said Jesus, ‘He will guide you into all truth.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 670, 671.
b. What else would the Comforter do in behalf of Christ’s true followers? John 16:12–14.
“If there is a point of truth that you do not understand, upon which you do not agree, investigate, compare scripture with scripture, sink the shaft of truth down deep into the mine of God’s Word. You must lay yourselves and your opinions on the altar of God, put away your preconceived ideas, and let the Spirit of Heaven guide you into all truth.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 412, 413.
“We cannot rightly understand or appreciate divine revelation without the aid of that Spirit by whom the word was given.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 241.
“Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus ‘when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.’ Isaiah 59:19.
“Jesus promised His disciples: ‘The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.’ John 14:26. But the teachings of Christ must previously have been stored in the mind in order for the Spirit of God to bring them to our remembrance in the time of peril.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 599, 600.
Wed,
Aug 6
4. A LEGACY OF PEACE
a. What wonderful promise did Jesus give to His faithful followers—a promise that would be very helpful in times of adversity? John 14:27–29.
“In His discourse to the disciples, Jesus made no mournful allusion to His own sufferings and death. His last legacy to them was a legacy of peace.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 672.
“[John 14:27 quoted.] This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 84.
“The history of truth has ever been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world in the face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering.
“What was the strength of those who in the past have suffered persecution for Christ’s sake? It was union with God, union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ. Reproach and persecution have separated many from earthly friends, but never from the love of Christ. Never is the tempest-tried soul more dearly loved by his Saviour than when he is suffering reproach for the truth’s sake. ‘I will love him,’ Christ said, ‘and will manifest Myself to him.’ John 14:21. When for the truth’s sake the believer stands at the bar of earthly tribunals, Christ stands by his side. When he is confined within prison walls, Christ manifests Himself to him and cheers his heart with His love.”—Ibid., p. 85.
b. At the end of His mission, what was Jesus able to affirm concerning Himself? John 14:30.
“Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.’ The storms of temptation burst upon Him, but they could not cause Him to swerve from His allegiance to God.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 927.
Thu,
Aug 7
5. THE PEACE OF CHRIST
a. Through what means alone can we have peace with God? John 16:33; Ephesians 2:13, 14.
“In our own strength it is impossible for us to deny the clamors of our fallen nature. Through this channel Satan will bring temptation upon us. Christ knew that the enemy would come to every human being, to take advantage of hereditary weakness, and by his false insinuations to ensnare all whose trust is not in God. And by passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to overcome. It is not His will that we should be placed at a disadvantage in the conflict with Satan. He would not have us intimidated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent. ‘Be of good cheer,’ He says; ‘I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 122.
b. What is required of the believer who wishes to be at peace with God? Psalm 119:165. What will be the experience of such a believer? 1 John 3:22.
“The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience, for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has promised.”—Ibid., p. 668.
Fri,
Aug 8
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How can I be sure that I am really praying in Christ’s name?
2. Why should Christ’s peace appeal to me more than the peace the world offers?
3. How can I experience more of the peace of Christ?
4. Describe the life of the believer at peace with God.
5. Summarize the work of the Holy Spirit.