Sabbath afternoon
Prayer Thought
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges. {COL 65.2}
Memory Text
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. {John 12:24}
Please visit this link for the Memory Verses Songs {click or copy-paste to your browser} https://youtu.be/_T3YuzmAJak
This week's SS Lesson will describe how the seed is sown to reproduce and bear fruit knowing that it has significant lessons for our spiritual growth and development. This study includes the spiritual application of serving the Lord as human instrumentalities to take part in preparing the soil for planting the seed of truth, cultivating and pruning to bear much fruit.
Outline of the Study
The Process of the Seed
Sunday: Submission for Service (Falling to the Ground: Humbleness) - Phil. 2:5-8
Monday: Dying Comes Before Knowing God’s Will (Dying: Dying to Self) - Rom. 12:1, 2
Tuesday: Willingness to Listen (Bearing Fruit: Listening and Obeying) - 1Sam. 2:12-3:18
Hindrances to Growth
Wednesday: Self-Reliance (Self-sufficiency) - 1Sam. 13:1-14
Thursday: Substitutes (Replacement) - Zech. 4
Friday: The Further Study and Meditation
The Process of the Seed
Sunday: Submission for Service (Falling to the Ground: Humbleness) - Phil. 2:5-8
““Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5)
Mighty Power of the Holy Spirit
The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to sustain its life. It sends down its roots into the earth. It drinks in the sunshine, the dew, and the rain. It receives the life-giving properties from the air. So the Christian is to grow by co-operating with the divine agencies. Feeling our helplessness, we are to improve all the opportunities granted us to gain a fuller experience. As the plant takes root in the soil, so we are to take deep root in Christ. As the plant receives the sunshine, the dew, and the rain, we are to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. The work is to be done "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6. If we keep our minds stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us "as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3. As the Sun of Righteousness, He will arise upon us "with healing in His wings." Malachi 4:2. We shall "grow as the lily." We shall "revive as the corn, and grow as the vine." Hosea 14:5, 7. By constantly relying upon Christ as our personal Saviour, we shall grow up into Him in all things who is our head. {COL 66.1}
Let Us Stand On the Side of Christ
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28, 29. {CTr 360.1}
All who would work for the Master must submit to the yoke of Christ. This submission involves self-sacrifice and entire consecration of body, soul, and spirit. As they learn of Christ, His meekness and lowliness, they will find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. They will not become weary in His service. . . . Let all ask of God, and they will receive wisdom to carry on His work under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. . . . {CTr 360.2}
Time is precious. The destiny of souls is in the balance. At infinite cost a way of salvation has been provided. Shall Christ’s great sacrifice be in vain? Shall the earth be entirely controlled by satanic agencies? The salvation of souls is dependent upon the consecration and activity of God’s church. The Lord calls all who believe in Him to be workers together with Him. While their life shall last, they are not to feel that their work is done. Until the time comes when Christ shall say, “It is finished,” His work for the saving of souls will not decrease, but will grow in importance. {CTr 360.3}
King Saul, a Sad Example
The history of Israel's first king presents a sad example of the power of early wrong habits. In his youth Saul did not love and fear God; and that impetuous spirit, not early trained to submission, was ever ready to rebel against divine authority. Those who in their youth cherish a sacred regard for the will of God, and who faithfully perform the duties of their position, will be prepared for higher service in the afterlife. But men cannot for years pervert the powers that God has given them, and then, when they choose to change, find these powers fresh and free for an entirely opposite course. {CG 201.1}
A child may receive sound religious instruction; but if parents, teachers, or guardians permit his character to be biased by a wrong habit, that habit, if not overcome, will become a predominant power, and the child is lost. {CG 201.2}
Consider the Following
— What is the “mind” of Jesus that Paul encouraged us to have (see Philippians 2:5)?
— Jesus “humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:8). He renounced his rights as the governor of the universe. He became a servant of humans and died on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).
— Renunciation and service preceded His redeeming death. What are you willing to renounce? Are you willing to serve others like Jesus did?
— Many times, humbling ourselves and renouncing our rights involves subjecting ourselves to the crucible.
The Wonderful Promise - the Grand Helper
Jesus the Son of God humbled Himself for us, endured temptation for us, overcame in our behalf, to show us how we may overcome. . . . The Holy Spirit was promised to be with those who were wrestling for victory, in demonstration of all mightiness, endowing the human agent with supernatural powers, and instructing the ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. That the Holy Spirit is to be the grand helper is a wonderful promise. . . . The imparted Holy Spirit enabled His disciples, the apostles, to stand firmly against every species of idolatry and to exalt the Lord and Him alone. Who, but Jesus Christ by His Spirit and divine power, guided the pens of the sacred historians that to the world might be presented the precious record of the sayings and work of Jesus Christ? The promised Holy Spirit, that He would send after He ascended to His Father, is constantly at work to draw attention to the great official sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary, and to unfold to the world the love of God to man, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things in the Scriptures, and to open to darkened minds the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, the truths that make their hearts burn within them with the awakened intelligence of the truths of eternity. {RC 132.5}
Monday: Dying Comes Before Knowing God’s Will (Dying: Dying to Self) - Rom. 12:1, 2
““I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
Dying to Self and Overcoming Sin
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ's followers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and each had access to the divine grace that transforms character. But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer of the word, but a hearer only. One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan. {AA 558.1}
Death Before Knowledge of Truth
Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience. {AA 560.3}
None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. {AA 561.1}
Selfishness a Contagious Disorders
The sin which is indulged to the greatest extent, and which separates us from God and produces so many contagious spiritual disorders, is selfishness. There can be no returning to the Lord except by self-denial. Of ourselves we can do nothing; but, through God strengthening us, we can live to do good to others, and in this way shun the evil of selfishness. We need not go to heathen lands to manifest our desire to devote all to God in a useful, unselfish life. We should do this in the home circle, in the church, among those with whom we associate and with whom we do business. Right in the common walks of life is where self is to be denied and kept in subordination. Paul could say: "I die daily." It is the daily dying to self in the little transactions of life that makes us overcomers. We should forget self in the desire to do good to others. With many there is a decided lack of love for others. Instead of faithfully performing their duty, they seek rather their own pleasure. {CCh 80.2}
In heaven none will think of self, nor seek their own pleasure; but all, from pure, genuine love, will seek the happiness of the heavenly beings around them. If we wish to enjoy heavenly society in the earth made new, we must be governed by heavenly principles here. {CCh 80.3}
Consider the Following
— A sacrifice involved the death of an animal. Our sacrifices involve the death of self. Our sinful thoughts and desires must die (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5).
— What will change after we offer ourselves as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (see Romans 12:2)?
— A renewed mind and an experimental knowledge of God’s will for our lives.
— Every sacrifice has a cost, a crucible. The death of self is painful. However, it’s also indispensable to have a new mind, a mind that understands “the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
Tuesday: Willingness to Listen (Bearing Fruit: Listening and Obeying) - 1Sam. 2:12-3:18
““Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV)
Willingness to Return the Repenting Sinner
What assurance here of God's willingness to receive the repenting sinner! Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? And now, your substance spent, your life-plans thwarted, and your hopes dead, do you sit alone and desolate? Now that voice which has long been speaking to your heart, but to which you would not listen, comes to you distinct and clear, "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction." Micah 2:10. Return to your Father's house. He invites you, saying, "Return unto me: for I have redeemed thee." Isaiah 44:22. {GCB, December 1, 1895 par. 13}
Repeat God's Promises
Do not listen to the enemy's suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of Jesus, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. Tell the enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. Make the prayer of David your own. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalms 51:7. {GCB, December 1, 1895 par. 14}
Consider the Following
— 1 Samuel chapters 2 and 3 tell the story of three different people who heard the voice of wisdom and responded quiet differently.
(1) The sons of Eli heard their father and didn’t obey him (1 Samuel 2:22-25)
(2) Eli heard the voice of the prophet and obeyed partially (1 Samuel 2:27-36; 3:13)
(3) Samuel heard God’s voice and obeyed Him (1 Samuel 3:10-11, 15-19)
— The Holy Spirit expects a response when He talks to us. We must not quieten His voice. He’s sharing God’s will for us. Our response must always be obedience.
Hindrances to Growth
Wednesday: Self-Reliance (Self-sufficiency) - 1Sam. 13:1-14
““Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me […] then I said, the Philistines will now come down on me […] Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.’” (1 Samuel 13:11-12)
Sacrifice Should Become Habitual
By precept and example, teach self-denial, economy, largeheartedness, and self-reliance. Everyone who has a true character will be qualified to cope with difficulties and will be prompt in following a "Thus saith the Lord." Men are not prepared to understand their obligation to God until they have learned in Christ's school to wear His yoke of restraint and obedience. Sacrifice is the very beginning of our work in advancing the truth and in establishing institutions. It is an essential part of education. Sacrifice must become habitual in all our character building in this life, if we would have a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {CG 131.3}
Train Every Child to Be Self-reliant
So far as possible, every child should be trained to self-reliance. By calling into exercise the various faculties, he will learn where he is strongest, and in what he is deficient. A wise instructor will give special attention to the development of the weaker traits, that the child may form a well-balanced, harmonious character. {CG 156.1}
Self-government the Paramount Objective
The object of discipline is the training of the child for self-government. He should be taught self-reliance and self-control. Therefore as soon as he is capable of understanding, his reason should be enlisted on the side of obedience. Let all dealing with him be such as to show obedience to be just and reasonable. Help him to see that all things are under law, and that disobedience leads, in the end, to disaster and suffering. When God says, "Thou shalt not," He in love warns us of the consequence of disobedience, in order to save us from harm and loss. {CG 223.1}
Enlisting the Power of the Will
The true object of reproof is gained only when the wrongdoer himself is led to see his fault and his will is enlisted for its correction. When this is accomplished, point him to the source of pardon and power. {CG 223.2}
Consider the Following
— We must trust God’s Word when making decisions. Trusting ourselves instead is a source of trouble.
— That happened to Eve (Genesis 3:6), and the consequences were terrible. Let’s analyze Saul’s case (1 Samuel 13:11-12).
(1) He observed (“I saw”)
(2) He assessed (“I said”)
(3) He acted (“I felt compelled”)
— Saul had received precise instructions from God, but he was afraid (1 Samuel 10:8; 13:8). He was led by his own feelings and created a different plan that was supposed to “improve” God’s. He failed because he trusted himself.
Thursday: Substitutes (Replacement) - Zech. 4
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 )
Prophetic Restoration of God's Temple
"For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: So shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." Eze. 4:5, 6. The prophecy of the fourth chapter of Ezekiel finds its fulfillment in our day. This prophecy could not possibly refer to Israel after the flesh, though it deals with a period of 430 years in about the same manner as the prophecy made to Abraham. "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years." Gen. 15:13. But Ex. 12:40 says, "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years." So the prophecy to Abraham was made in two sections, first being 400 years, and then to 430 years. Ezekiel's prophecy is made exactly the same way, in two sections, but not the same number of years in each section. Instead of 400 years, we have 390 years, and instead of 30 years, we have 40, making the same total of 430 in each case If this prophecy had a reference to the prophecy made to Abraham, there should have been the same number of years in each section, but since it is not the same, it must be another period of time. {SR1: 114.1}
Six Varieties of Doctrine to Sustain Spiritual Life
Ezekiel was commanded to lie on his left side for 390 days during which time he was to eat and drink. After the 390 days were ended, he must turn to his right side and lie for forty days, but during this time he must not eat. The 390 days are 390 literal years according to the last part of Ezek. 4:6. As we have made the application, the 390 years began with Luther and ended in 1890. During this period of time Ezekiel was told to eat and drink while he lay on his left side. What is he told to eat?--six varieties of food; namely, wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt (margin). We are not to understand these six varieties to be material food to sustain physical life, but as symbols of spiritual food (doctrines) of six varieties to sustain spiritual life. Had these not been symbols of truth, the Lord would not have asked Ezekiel to get a specified number of cereals, and that he should put them in one vessel, and bake them into a certain cake, and eat them at a specified time, in a particular way, with a fixed measure of water. These six doctrines may be represented by six steps upward (Reformation; an effort to bring the church to her state of purity. {SR1: 117.1}
For a deeper understanding of Ezek. 4 - the Six Grains - Spiritual food for His Church. Please copy-paste to your browser and /or click this link:
Meat In Due Season - 13. The Grains of Ezekiel 4 (google.com)
Power of the Holy Spirit
The Lord told Ezekiel, "Thou shalt eat it as barley cakes." Ezek.4:12. Why the wheat beans, lentils, millet, and spelt made as barley cake? Why not as wheat cake, or cake of some of the other cereals? The truth of the Holy Spirit was represented by the barley; as explained on page 118. For this reason Ezekiel was told to make it into barley cake, meaning the truth came by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not by the aid of men. {SR1: 122.1}
For a deeper understanding of Zechariah 4 - the Golden Bowl - God's mode of inspiration - His communication with His Church. Please copy-paste to your browser and /or click this link:
https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-the-golden-bowl-zec-4
Consider the Following
— As we grow spiritually, the spiritual “fruit” will depend on how we handle those troubles. The only sure way is to trust God’s plan.
— However, we tend to seek replacements: human logic, our own experience, denying the issues…
— Zerubbabel faced many issues when rebuilding the temple. He didn’t trust his own strength but trusted God instead. God encourages us to trust His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6-9).
Friday: The Further Study and Meditation
Wonderfully were these words fulfilled. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Him and for those for whom He died, that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered. They spoke in the power of the Spirit; and under the influence of that power, thousands were converted. {AA 22.2}
As Christ's representatives the apostles were to make a decided impression on the world. The fact that they were humble men would not diminish their influence, but increase it; for the minds of their hearers would be carried from them to the Saviour, who, though unseen, was still working with them. The wonderful teaching of the apostles, their words of courage and trust, would assure all that it was not in their own power that they worked, but in the power of Christ. Humbling themselves, they would declare that He whom the Jews had crucified was the Prince of life, the Son of the living God, and that in His name they did the works that He had done. {AA 22.3}
Questions to Ponder
What kind of submission does Christ had given? How do we relate our lives to the seed?
How do we persevere the unfavorable experiences as we serve God when He doesn't want us to be, to the extent of having peace and security?
In what way that we may be fully dead before we can have the things of the Spirit - a living sacrifice?
Do you have any experience of the small still voice speaking to you that you've regretted listening to? What will do to ascertain that it's the voice of God speaking?
Based on the Wednesday lesson, what do you think is the reason King Saul purposely ignored God's instructions to him? What should we do when we are uncertain of our knowledge before, we decide to do something?
What does Zechariah's chapter 4 main lesson depict in relation to our body as God's temple and we are His Temple/people?
In the above statements, {AA 22.2-3}, do you think we need the same realization that we need the power of God's Spirit so that we as His people will manifest as directed by the Spirit of Truth?
From the Pen of Inspiration
“We need to understand how necessary it is that we die to self. Self-crucifixion will place souls on vantage ground. I entreat those [of you] who profess to be Christians to die to self that you may be stirred with a new life by the Holy Spirit's power. Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. Daily we need the converting power of God, or we cannot walk in the footprints of Christ. As the mind is enlightened in regard to what is purity and sanctification, and the heart responds to the strivings of the Holy Spirit, a daily conversion will be the result.” E. G. W. (The Upward Look, September 12)
SSL-Q3-L12-Dying-Like-a-Seed-Sept.10-16-2022 (fliphtml5.com)
SSL-Q3-L12-Dying-Like-a-Seed-Sept.10-16-2022.pdf