3rd Quarter 2013 Lesson 10 Reformation the Willingness to Grow and Change

7/30/2019 3rd Quarter 2013 Lesson 10 Reformation the Willingness to Grow and Change

1/12

Lesson 10 for September 7, 2013


2/12

Changing(James and

John)

Trusting(Peter)

Believing(Thomas)

Deciding

(theprodigal

son)

Practicing

our faith(the

paralytic at

Bethesda)

As we cooperate with God and allow Him to complete in us the work

that He has started (as He did in the lives of James, John, Peter, the

prodigal, and the man by the pool of Bethesda), Jesus will work

amazing changes in our lives. Day by day we will become more like

Him, and that is what reformation is all about.


3/12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in mypresence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your ownsalvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both towill and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and

disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of Godwithout fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, amongwhom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:12-15)

Jesus convinces us of sin. He brings us to himself and makes us respond to His

grace. He saves us and holds us with His grace.

Although it is God who works in you

both to will and to do, we must work

out your own salvation with fear and

trembling.

Reformation takes place when we

choose to surrender everything that is

not in harmony with Gods will; always

guided by the Holy Spirit. A positive

spiritual change wont take place if we

dont make those decisions which

sometimes may be painful to make.


4/12

BEFORE THE REFORMATION

AFTER THE REFORMATION

o Not loving others. Lord, do You want us tocommand fire to come down from heaven and

consume them, just as Elijah did? (Lk. 9:54)

o Desiring the main position: Grant us that we

may sit, one on Your right hand and the other

on Your left, in Your glory (Mr. 10:37)

Heralds of love. He who loves his

brother abides in the light, and there is nocause for stumbling in him (1Jn. 2:10)

Humble and obedient: He who says he

abides in Him ought himself also to walk

just as He walked (1Jn. 2:6)


5/12

Day by day his [Johns]

heart was drawn out toward

Christ, until he lost sight of

self in love for his Master.

His resentful, ambitioustemper was yielded to the

molding power of Christ.

The regenerating influence

of the Holy Spirit renewed

his heart. The power of the

love of Christ wrought a

transformation of character.

This is the sure result of

union with Jesus. When

Christ abides in the heart,

the whole nature is

transformed. Christs Spirit,

His love, softens the heart,

subdues the soul, and raises

the thoughts and desires

toward God and heavenE.G.W.

(Steps to Christ,

cp. 8, pg. 73)


6/12

Trusting what he could do. Even if I have to diewith You, I will not deny You! (Mt. 26:35)

Trusting the power of God only.

Silver and gold I do not have, but

what I do have I give you: In the

name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

rise up and walk (Acts 3:6)



Jesus prayed for Peter. He knew about the

reformation that would take place in his live, so

He told him: and when you have returned to

Me, strengthen your brethren (Lk. 22:32)


7/12

He only believed what he could see.

Unless I see in His hands the print

of the nails, and put my finger into

the print of the nails, and put myhand into His side, I will not believe

(Jn. 20:25)

After his personal encounter with God,

Thomas recounted the story of his unbelief,

and told how his doubts had been swept

away(DA. Pg. 818)

Thomas was revitalized by the power of the

Holy Spirit in Pentecost. Tradition tells that

Thomas evangelized in distant zones like

Persia, Ethiopia and India.



He unreservedly believed. My

Lord and my God! (Jn. 20:28)


8/12

He longed to live his way.*He+ journeyed to a far

country, and there wasted his

possessions with prodigal

living (Lk. 15:13)

He longed to come back home

and live with his father. I will

arise and go to my father, and

will say to him, Father, I have

sinned against heaven and

before you, and I am no longer

worthy to be called your son.

Make me like one of your

hired servants. (Lk. 15:18-19)




9/12

Revival began when the

young man remembered

the love of his father.

Reformation began when

he decided to leave and to

come back to his fathers

house.

Revival begins when the

love of God breaks our

hearts. Reformation

begins when we choose to

respond to that deep love.

It takes place when we

choose to abandon theattitudes, habits, thoughts

and feelings that separate

us from Him.


10/12

He lived without any hope. I have

no man to put me into the pool

when the water is stirred up; but

while I am coming, another steps

down before me

(Jn. 5:7)

He obeyed without hesitation.

And immediately the man was

made well, took up his bed, and

walked (Jn. 5:9)

BEFORE THE REFORMATIONAFTER THE REFORMATION


11/12

Jesus had given him no assurance of divine help. The man might

have stopped to doubt, and lost his one chance of healing. But he

believed Christs word, and in acting upon it he received

strength.

Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin

we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied.

Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was

the impotent man capable of walking He bids you arise in

health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole.

Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the

side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word

you will receive strength E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 21, pg. 203)

Guilt kept that paralytic on his bed.

Jesus healed his paralyzed body. That way

He showed him that He was able to heal his

paralyzed soul.

See, you have been made well. Sin no

more, lest a worse thing come upon you

(Jn. 5:14)


12/12

In the heavenly councils it has been decided

by what means and methods the grace of

Christ shall prove effectual in saving the soul.

And it is clear that unless the sinner consents

to be drawn, unless he will cooperate with

divine agencies, the end will not be attained.

The work to be done is a united work. The

divine and the human are to work together,

and the sinner is to depend upon grace, while

rendering willing obedience to the dictates of

the Spirit of God. Work out your own

salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God

which worketh in you both to will and to do of

his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

E.G.W. (The Signs of the Times, February 12, 1894)

Documents

3rd Quarter 2013 Lesson 10 Reformation the Willingness to Grow and Change