The working of the Holy Spirit at heart is what anybody needs at the present day, for it leads to heart obedience not mere head knowledge of the scriptures. This week is the thirteenth Sabbath for this quarter and the lesson will discuss the following: A. Let the Holy Spirit work, B. Put the Bible into practice, C. Accept the whole Bible, D. Make the Bible yours, 1. Devote time to it, 2. Learn it by heart.

Memory Verse:

• But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Prayer Thought:

• It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. {AA 51.2}
• It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, "the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father." It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit that, in His work of guiding men into all truth, "He shall not speak of Himself." John 15:26; 16:13.

A. Let the Holy Spirit Work

“that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15)

1. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We are to seek most earnestly to be of one mind, of one purpose. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, and nothing less can bring us to this place. Let us by self-renunciation prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit that a great work may be done for us, so that we can say, not, "See what I am doing," but, "Behold the goodness and love of God!" {RH, June 10, 1902 par. 11}

2. Effectual Working of the Holy Spirit

The Lord requires the human agent not to move by impulse in speaking, but to move calmly, speak slowly, and let the Holy Spirit give efficiency to the truth. Never think that in working yourselves up to a passion of delivery, speaking by impulse, and suffering your feelings to raise your voice to an unnaturally high key, that you are giving evidence of the great power of God upon you. {SpTA07 10.1}

3. Whole Surrender to God

All who learn in Christ's school, allowing God to work them, will cultivate the voice, so as to make the very best impression, and to honor the truth which they present to the people. The Lord demands an unreserved surrender of the body, soul, and spirit, that the divine power may work through all your energies and capabilities during the entire period of your service for him. {SpTA07 10.1}

Personal Benefits of God's Spirit Working in Our Lives

Philippians 2:12 is an invitation to work out our own salvation. How should we do that?

According to Paul, studying the Word of God must bring substantial changes to our lives (v. 14-16).

We must let the Holy Spirit work so those changes can happen:

— He enlightens our minds (John 14:26)

— He leads us to Jesus (John 15:26)

— He leads us to the truth (John 16:13)

— He gives us hope and confidence (Romans 5:5)

— He gives us joy (Romans 14:17)

— He fills us with love (Galatians 5:22)

— He leads us to obedience (Philippians 2:13)

B. Put the Bible Into Practice

“He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’” (Luke 10:26)

1. Sacred Responsibility to Follow

Ministers are engaged in a sacred, solemn work, but upon those who hear rests just as sacred a responsibility. They are to hear with a determination to follow the instruction that all must practice who gain eternal life. Each hearer should strive to understand each presentation of Bible truth as God's message to him, to be received by faith and put into practice in the daily life. Parents should explain to their children the words spoken from the pulpit, that they also may understand and have that knowledge which if put into practice brings abundant grace and peace. {CG 531.3}

2. Religion of the Bible is grand and Precious Reality

The Holy Spirit will impress upon the mind that the religion of the Bible is a grand and precious reality. You need not only to assent to the truth, but to put it into practice. Let every ray of light that shines from the word be heeded as the eternal truth of God. Then as you place your will on the Lord's side, look around for some work to do for the Master. Set to work at whatever your hand finds to do; for it is in practicing truth, in blessing others, that you work out your own salvation. If God works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure, you will cultivate those traits of character that every heir of heaven must possess. {RH, January 28, 1902 par. 7}

3. The Gospel as a Living Force to Change the Life

The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power. Those whose course has been most offensive to Him He freely accepts; when they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit, places them in the highest positions of trust, and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His boundless mercy. He would have His servants bear testimony to the fact that through His grace men may possess Christlikeness of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great love. He would have us bear testimony to the fact that He cannot be satisfied until the human race are reclaimed and reinstated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters. {DA 826.2}

Jesus studied the Scriptures. He embraced them and could remember them and apply them properly in various aspects of His life.

He used the Scriptures when He was tempted, when He threw out the money changers from the Temple, when He had to answer difficult questions…

We should also use the Bible when making decisions, when acting, when interpreting events, when sharing Christ with others…

C. Accept the Whole Bible

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

1. The Whole Bible is Full of Most Precious Truth

I beseech those who are laboring for God not to accept the spurious for the genuine. We have a whole Bible full of the most precious truth. We have no need for supposition or false excitement. In the golden censer of truth as presented in Christ's teachings, we have that which will convict and convert souls. Present in the simplicity of Christ the truths that He came to this world to proclaim, and the power of your message will make itself felt. Do not present theories or tests that have no foundation in the Bible. We have grand, solemn tests to present. "It is written" is the test that must be brought home to every one. {BCL 98.7}

2. Bring your Bible with you

It is the privilege and the duty of all to closely investigate the doctrine presented to them before they receive it. And the most effectual way to find access to those whom we wish to educate in the truth, is to have them bring their Bibles, and point them to the chapter and verse, that they may see for themselves that these things are so. The people are so utterly deceived in regard to what the Bible does teach, that they will say, “It does not read so in my Bible.” But ask them to bring their Bibles and show them the very chapter and verse you wish to impress upon their minds, and they will be surprised at the plain statements of revealed truth which they read out of their own Bibles. {GW92 410.2}

3. Changes Made By God's Word

We receive God's word as food for the soul, through the same evidence by which we receive bread as food for the body. Bread supplies the need of our nature; we know by experience that it produces blood and bone and brain. Apply the same test to the Bible; when its principles have actually become the elements of character, what has been the result? what changes have been made in the life? "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. In its power, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have been transformed into the image of God. This change is itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27. {Ed 171.4}

Jesus didn't reject the Scriptures. He gave them a broader meaning instead (Matthew 5:38-39).

He clarified that He had not come “to abolish the Law or the Prophets” (Matthew 5:17). Rejecting parts of the Bible was never His intention.

No one can determine which parts of the Bible are inspired or useful and which ones are not.

D. Make the Bible Yours

How can the Lord bless those who manifest a spirit of "I don't care," a spirit which leads them to walk contrary to the light which the Lord has given them? But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my words again as long as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God, and will be partakers of His divine nature. Let us all search the Scriptures, for in them you will find our Saviour a present help in every time of need. I exalt the precious Word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, "Sister White said this," and "Sister White said that." Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands. Christ said, "I must work the works of him that sent Me." The Father and the Son are united. Will you [during this] morning address consecrate yourselves to God? {13MR 248.1}

When you take the Bible and make that your food, and your meat, and your drink, and make that the elements of your character, when you can do that you will know better how to receive some counsel from God. But here is the Word, the precious Word, exalted before you today. And don't you give a rap any more what "Sister White said"-- "Sister White said this," and "Sister White said that," and "Sister White said the other thing." But say, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel," and then you do just what the Lord God of Israel does, and what he says. {SpM 167.2}

1. Devote time to it

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

We should criticise our motives, test our thoughts. Is God the subject of our meditation? Do we love the Bible? Do we love the hour of prayer? Or will we neglect it in order to adorn ourselves to attract attention to self? Do you devote your time to dress instead of to the study of God's precious word, which would broaden your understanding and make your heart glow with truth that you could communicate to others? Are you reluctant in your attendance at social meeting? Do you feel no zeal, no pleasure, in speaking of the love of Christ? If this is the case, you are cherishing some idol. {RH, June 2, 1891 par. 12}

Parents may well inquire, “Who is sufficient for these things?” God alone is their sufficiency; and if they do not seek his aid and counsel, hopeless indeed is their task. But by prayer, by the study of the Bible, and by earnest zeal on their part, they may succeed nobly in this important duty, and be repaid a hundred-fold for all their time and care. Gossiping and anxiety concerning the external appearance have often taken the precious time that should have been devoted to prayer for wisdom and strength from God to fulfill this most sacred trust. Fathers and mothers who are wise unto salvation will seek to make their surroundings such that they will be favorable to the formation of correct character in their children. The source of wisdom is open to them, and from it they may draw the knowledge which they need. The Bible, a volume rich in instruction, should be their text-book. If they train their children according to its precepts, they are not only setting their young feet in the right path, but are educating themselves in their holy duties as well. {CTBH 138.2}

The Sabbath school affords to parents and children a precious opportunity for the study of God's word. But in order to gain that benefit which they should gain in the Sabbath school, both parents and children should devote time to the study of the lessons, seeking to obtain a thorough knowledge of the facts presented, and also of the spiritual truths which these facts are designed to teach. We should especially impress upon the minds of the young the importance of seeking the full significance of the scripture under consideration. . . . {CSW 41.2}

— We should set time aside to seek Jesus through Bible study and prayer.

— We will not discover the truths in the Bible by just reading it quickly. We must read it carefully, meditate on it, and let the Holy Spirit speak and enlighten us.

— Include a moment for study and prayer in your daily schedule. Your thoughts will be linked to the Fountain of Life, and you will reflect Jesus.

2. Learn it By Heart

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Let the believing soul stand beside the cross of Calvary, and with a heart swelling with grateful love, cry, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" Behold Him! Say it with heart and soul and voice. Induce the sinner to look. When his gaze is arrested, amazed at such wonderful condescension, he steps nearer, and learns of the Saviour the lesson all must learn,--the lesson of meekness and lowliness. The believing soul sees Jesus as He is, and beholding, is changed into His image. The experience of those who are truly converted testifies that God is the author of eternal salvation, and that the grace of Christ is wisdom and power. {RH, January 7, 1902 par. 11}

The right use of one's self is the most valuable lesson that can be learned. We are not to do brain work and stop there, or make physical exertions and stop there; but we are to make the very best use of the various parts composing the human machinery, brain, bone and muscle; body, head and heart. No man is fit for the ministry who does not understand how to do this. {SpM 97.2}

There are some lessons that are never learned only through failure. Peter was a better man after his fall. The Lord permits his children to fall; and then, if they repent of their wrongdoing, he helps them to stand on vantage ground. As fire purifies gold, so Christ purifies his people by temptation and trial. If the heart has not been hardened by a disregard of great light, the temptation and fall will bring repentance. Humble, fervent prayer will save the soul from death, and confession and restitution will hide a multitude of sins. {RH, December 16, 1902 par. 9}

— Why is memorizing Bible passages useful?

(1) We can apply them to various circumstances.

(2) They help us making decisions.

(3) They influence our thoughts and actions.

(4) They lift up our thoughts to God.

(5) They protect us against false ideas and interpretations.

(6) We can quote them when we need them, even if we don't have a Bible close at hand.

(7) They defend us from temptation.

— There are many different ways to learn the Bible, its teachings and its stories by heart. Music is one of the most effective ones.

— When we sing hymns and spiritual songs, the truths of the Bible get attached to our minds. They are also a source of encouragement and hope (Ephesians 5:19).

From the Pen of Inspiration:

• “There should be a living, growing interest in storing the mind with Bible truth. The precious knowledge thus gained will build a barrier about the soul. Although assailed with temptation, there will be a firm trust in Jesus, through the knowledge of Him who hath called them to glory and to virtue.”E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, cp. 2, p. 36)