8. Seeing the Invisible - August 13-19

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Through faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. {1TG31: 12.2}

Memory Text

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. {Hebrews 11:27}

Please visit this link for the Memory Verses Songs {click or copy-paste to your browser} https://youtu.be/hgMS-USVrQc

This week's SS Lesson will describe how His people become righteous which God has given by faith amidst the circumstances where different powers are on the go to see the invisible. It also includes the way God answers the penitent sinners' plea for forgiveness and righteousness.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Our Father's Extravagance (The Power of the Father) - Rom. 8:28-39

Monday: In the Name of Jesus (Power in the name of Jesus) - John 14:1-14

Tuesday: The Power of Resurrection - Eph. 1:18-23

Wednesday: To Carry All Our Worry (Power Over Anxiety) - 1Pet. 5:7; Ps. 55:22; Mat. 6:25-33

Thursday: Still Faithful When God Cannot Be Seen (Power Over Darkness) - Isa. 40:27-31; Rev. 13:15

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

Are any tempted to make their circumstances an excuse for failing to witness for Christ? Let them consider the situation of the disciples in Caesar's household--the depravity of the emperor, the profligacy of the court. We can hardly imagine circumstances more unfavorable to a religious life, and entailing greater sacrifice or opposition, than those in which these converts found themselves. Yet amidst difficulties and dangers they maintained their fidelity. Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable, the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in Jesus; but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation. Could he do this he would prove God unjust in that He had made for His children conditions of salvation with which they could not comply. {AA 466.2}

Sunday: Our Father's Extravagance (The Power of the Father) - Rom. 8:28-39

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Support in Every Danger

The servants of the Lord must expect every kind of discouragement. They will be tried, not only by the anger, contempt, and cruelty of enemies, but by the indolence, inconsistency, lukewarmness, and treachery of friends and helpers . . . Even some who seem to desire the work of God to prosper, will yet weaken the hands of His servants by hearing, reporting, and half believing the slanders, boasts, and menaces of their adversaries. . . . Amid great discouragements, Nehemiah made God his trust; and here is our defense. A remembrance of what the Lord has done for us will prove a support in every danger. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" And "if God be for us, who can be against us?" However craftily the plots of Satan and his agents may be laid, God can detect them, and bring to naught all their counsels.--Southern Watchman, April 19, 1904. {ChS 239.3}

Misunderstood God's bestowal of power (destruction to show LOVE?)

God must have had some special reason and specific purpose for an object lesson to be taught at a certain time. One may say, God did it all to show His power, but, would the all-wise and great God, full of love and mercy, destroy His children to show His power? Not even an earthly, mortal, human father would dare destroy his children to show his power. Who would dare say human beings have greater love or better judgment than the great God, whose mercy is immeasurable, whose love fills the universe, whose wisdom is unsearchable, whose judgment is justice? {SR1: 65.1}

Three a Symbol of Power (His Attributes: Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Omnipotence) and Triune Jehovah

The numerals of the Bible are like rich veins of metal beneath the surface of the earth. Thousands walk over these unknown treasures until some unseen power brings them to the surface. We know that the Trinity is best expressed by the use of the terms, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Likewise we express God's attributes in three terms, namely, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. This feature could be greatly enlarged upon. {SR2: 54.1}

If three is the symbol of the Triune Jehovah, four must designate that which proceeds from Him, as revealed in creation. (fourth Law - "Remember the Sabbath..." , four directions - North, South, East West, four winds, four angels, fourth angel, etc.

Consider the Following

We know that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). However, we might doubt it sometimes. If He is love, why does it feel like He forgets about us during tough times? Why doesn’t He give us everything we know it’s good and necessary? Why…?

By studying Romans 8:28-39, we will find reasons to believe that God is able and wants to do good things for us.

God can make all things work together for good, even when it may not seem obvious (v. 28)

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (v. 32)

The Product of Omnipotent Power of Trinity

Thus being as they were the product of the omnipotent power of the three persons of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) at work for 40 days through the personal ministry of their triune representative. Christ, this preternatural little group consequently preserved and continued the line of the church. {TN3: 91.3}

When reduced to its primary significance, this succession of numerical facts leads to the conclusion that 3, the number of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is therefore numerically figurative of the Trinity, and that 120, the number of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost times the number of the saints, is therefore numerically figurative of the Pentecost---a basic factor in the equation of salvation, and one inseparably linked to the relation of Christ and the Bible. {TN3: 91.4}

Monday: In the Name of Jesus (Power in the name of Jesus) - John 14:1-14

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

Perfect Soundness in Christ through Faith

When the disciples saw the amazement of the people, Peter asked, "Why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" He assured them that the cure had been wrought in the name and through the merits of Jesus of Nazareth, whom God had raised from the dead. "His name through faith in His name," the apostle declared, "hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." {AA 59.1}

Power of the Spirit Accomplishes Great Miracles

Hitherto the priests had avoided mentioning the crucifixion or the resurrection of Jesus. But now, in fulfillment of their purpose, they were forced to inquire of the accused how the cure of the impotent man had been accomplished. "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" they asked. {AA 63.1}

With holy boldness and in the power of the Spirit Peter fearlessly declared: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." {AA 63.2}

Pattern of Every man: Perfect and Holy

Christ is our pattern, the perfect and holy example that has been given us to follow. We can never equal the pattern, but we may imitate and resemble it according to our ability. . . . When we surrender all we have and are to God, and are placed in trying and dangerous positions, coming in contact with Satan, we should remember that we shall have victory in meeting the enemy in the name and power of the Conqueror. Every angel would be commissioned to come to our rescue when we thus depend upon Christ, rather than that we should be permitted to be overcome. But we need not expect to get the victory without suffering, for Jesus suffered in conquering for us. . . . {CTr 204.5}

The Christian life is a life of warfare, of continual conflict. It is a battle and a march. But every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory.—Manuscript 65, 1894 (Review and Herald, Feb. 5, 1895). {CTr 204.6}

Consider the Following

When our request is “in the name of Jesus,” we can be certain that the whole machinery of heaven is at work on our behalf. We may not see the angels working all around us. But they are—sent from the throne of heaven in the name of Jesus, to fulfill our requests.

God answers our prayers in diverse ways. Sometimes we may receive an immediate and dramatic answer. Other times it may seem there’s no answer at all, and we just must wait. Prayers are always heard, and God is already working on them. We will receive His answer eventually.

Tuesday: The Power of Resurrection - Eph. 1:18-23

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10)

Life for Humanity in Christ's Resurrection

Throughout his later ministry, Paul never lost sight of the Source of his wisdom and strength. Hear him, years afterward, still declaring, "For to me to live is Christ." Philippians 1:21. And again: "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, . . . that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings." Philippians 3:8-10. {AA 128.1}

Life after Death, Saints Resurrected as Trophies

Those who had been raised were presented as trophies to the heavenly universe—samples of the resurrection of all who receive and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. They were a symbol of the final resurrection of the righteous. That same power that has raised Christ from the dead will raise His church—as His bride—and glorify it, with Christ, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the heavenly courts, the world above. . . . {CTr 286.4}

Christ was the firstfruits of them that slept. This very scene, the resurrection of Christ from the dead, was observed in type by the Jews at one of their sacred feasts, called the feast of the Jews. They came up to the temple when the firstfruits had been gathered in, and held a feast of thanksgiving. The firstfruits of the harvest crop was sacredly dedicated to the Lord. . . . {CTr 286.5}

Lifted up to Heaven as Firstfruits

As Christ ascends while in the act of blessing His disciples, an army of angels encircles Him as a cloud. Christ takes with Him the multitude of captives as His trophy. He will Himself bring to the Father the firstfruits of them that slept, to present [them] to God as an assurance that He is conqueror over death and the grave.—Manuscript 115, 1897. {CTr 286.6}

And after Christ came up from the resurrection, what did He do? He grasped His power and held His scepter. He opened the graves and brought up the multitude of captives, testifying to everyone in our world, and in creation, that He had the power over death and that He rescued the captives of death. {CTr 287.4}

Consider the Following

Paul introduced God’s power by recalling that Jesus was resurrected and glorified (Ephesians 1:19-20).

This is the foundation of our hope and inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). The same power that was shown in the resurrection of Jesus is available to us today.

The resurrection of Jesus guarantees that we have access to the power of the One who is “far above all principality and power and might and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21).

Partakers of Heavenly and Mighty Power

The Saviour continued: "What things soever He [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. . . . As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will." The Sadducees held that there would be no resurrection of the body; but Jesus tells them that one of the greatest works of His Father is raising the dead, and that He Himself has power to do the same work. "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead. Christ declares that even now the power which gives life to the dead is among them, and they are to behold its manifestation. This same resurrection power is that which gives life to the soul "dead in trespasses and sins." Ephesians 2:1. That spirit of life in Christ Jesus, "the power of His resurrection," sets men "free from the law of sin and death." Philippians 3:10; Romans 8:2. The dominion of evil is broken, and through faith the soul is kept from sin. He who opens his heart to the Spirit of Christ becomes a partaker of that mighty power which shall bring forth his body from the grave. {DA 209.3}

Wednesday: To Carry All Our Worry (Power Over Anxiety) - 1Pet. 5:7; Ps. 55:22; Mat. 6:25-33

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. {1Pet. 5:7}

God Cares for His Creatures

The Lord's care is over all His creatures. He loves them all and makes no difference, except that He has the most tender pity for those who are called to bear life's heaviest burdens. God's children must meet trials and difficulties. But they should accept their lot with a cheerful spirit, remembering that for all that the world neglects to bestow, God Himself will make up to them in the best of favors. {FLB 63.2}

God Sacrifices for His Children

Many a sin is left unconfessed, to be confronted in the day of final accounts; better far to see your sins now, to confess them, and put them away, while the atoning Sacrifice pleads in your behalf. Do not dislike to learn the will of God on this subject. The health of your soul, the unity of your brethren, may depend upon the course you pursue in these things. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, "casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." {FE 239.1}

God Helps in our Troubles

Do not take your troubles to human beings. Take them to the Lord. You may think that others ought to sympathize with you in your trials, but you will sometimes be disappointed. Jesus never disappoints the one who comes to Him for help. He is saying to you today, "Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He will give you rest in Him. No one who comes to Him goes away unhelped. Take your burdens to the divine Burden Bearer and leave them with Him, knowing that He will carry them for you. . . . {HP 275.2}

Act your part in helping yourselves, as all must do who would be blessed. Do not dwell upon the hardships of the Christian life. Do not talk of your trials. . . . Do not utter one despondent word, for such words please Satan. Talk of Christ's goodness and tell of His power. Words of hope and trust and courage are as easily spoken as words of complaint. . . . {HP 275.3}

God Forgive a Penitent Sinners

To enlarge our views of God's goodness, Christ calls upon us to behold the works of His hands. "Behold the fowls of the air," He says, "they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matthew 6:26.... {OHC 28.2}

Though men and women have sinned grievously, they are not forsaken. The hand that upholds the world, upholds and strengthens His weakest child. The great Master Artist, whose skill is infinitely beyond the skill of any human being, who gives to the lily of the field its delicate and beautiful tints, cares for the little sparrow. Not one falls to the ground without His notice.... {OHC 28.3}

Consider the Following

The apostle Peter encouraged us to cast ALL our anxiety on Jesus. There’s no problem too small or too large for Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Jesus wants us to put our problems on His hands as soon as possible. We don’t have to wait until we have exhausted all the possibilities.

Besides, He wants us to stop feeling anxious about those problems once we’ve put them on His hands. Now they are His, and He will provide a solution.

We can trust Him because He cares for us. He cares so much for us that He will do anything necessary for our good.

Thursday: Still Faithful When God Cannot Be Seen (Power Over Darkness) - Isa. 40:27-31; Rev. 13:15

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? {Isa. 40:27}

Deliverance from darkness (the Grave)

Here for the first time the power of Christ was exercised to break the power of Satan and give life to the dead. Here began His work of making alive that which was dead. Thus He testified that He was indeed the Resurrection and the Life, that He had power to ransom those whom Satan had made his captives, that although people die they will live again. The question had been asked, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). The question was now answered. {CTr 130.3}

This act was a great victory over the powers of darkness. This display of power was an incontrovertible testimony to the supremacy of the Son of God. Satan had not expected that the body would be raised to life after death. He had concluded that the sentence “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” gave him undisputed possession of the bodies of the dead. Now he saw that he would be despoiled of his prey, that mortals would live again after death. {CTr 130.4}

Strength to Resist the Inclination

Christ was put to the closest test, requiring the strength of all His faculties to resist the inclination, when in danger, to use His power to deliver Himself from peril and triumph over the power of the prince of darkness. Satan showed his knowledge of the weak points of the human heart, and put forth his utmost power to take advantage of the weakness of the humanity, which Christ had assumed in order to overcome his temptations on man's account. {Con 85.2}

Full Submission to Suffer

Now had come the hour of the power of darkness. Now His voice was heard on the still evening air, not in tones of triumph, but full of human anguish. The words of the Saviour were borne to the ears of the drowsy disciples, "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." {DA 689.4}

Consider the Following

Thinking that God doesn’t care for us may be quite distressing. It’s like living in darkness with no light to illuminate the path.

That was the experience of Israel during the Babylonian exile (Isaiah 40:27). God reminded them of His power that “neither faints nor is weary” (Isaiah 40:28). He giveth power to the faint, and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29)

Think about how distressing a death decree can be, with no repeal or way out (Daniel 6:7-8, 16; Esther 3:13). The only safe way is to continue “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27), the only One who has the power to save us.

Conqueror Over the Power of Darkness

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14. {LHU 235.1}

Christ left His position in the heavenly courts, and came to this earth to live the life of human beings. This sacrifice He made in order to show that Satan's charge against God is false--that it is possible for man to obey the laws of God's kingdom. Equal with the Father, honored and adored by the angels, in our behalf Christ humbled Himself, and came to this earth to live a life of lowliness and poverty--to be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Yet the stamp of divinity was upon His humanity. He came as a divine Teacher, to uplift human beings, to increase their physical, mental, and spiritual efficiency. {LHU 235.2}

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

Christ was crucified, and in His death the powers of hell seemed to prevail. But even when on the cross the Saviour cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He was conqueror over the power of darkness. When the words, "It is finished," came from His pale, trembling lips, darkness like the darkness of midnight hid His dying agony from the eyes of the spectators. Through long hours of agony He had been gazed upon by the jesting multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God. {LHU 235.5}

At His death, there was a violent earthquake. The people were shaken together in heaps. The wildest confusion and consternation ensued. . . . Creation seemed to be shivering to atoms. It was as if nature itself were protesting against the murder of the Son of God. {LHU 235.6}

Christ's death on the cross paid the ransom for every human being. All may overcome, because Christ has made an atonement for the sins of the whole world. To all He offers the power of redeeming grace (manuscript 140, 1903).

Questions to Ponder

1. What kind of faith do we need to have in order to see God - the invisible? What are the truths about Him that enable us to understand in times of our crucibles?

2. In Sunday's lesson, what's your reaction to the statement that God the Father is extravagant, when in fact He had to let His Son die on the shameful cross?

3. In what way could we see through faith our victory over the challenges, we're facing daily? What changes does life brings when we pray in Jesus' name?

4. What power does the resurrection of Jesus brought upon humanity with regard to the spiritual journey facing fierce crucibles?

5. Do you worry about your tomorrow? What are things you worry about?

6. How could we tell the people about God whom they think had forgotten them and disappeared from them?

7. Based on the passage above, {LHU 235.5} What's the significance of Christ dying on the cross in seeing the invisible?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Jesus does not call on us to follow Him, and then forsake us. If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend.” E. G. W. (Gospel Workers, p. 263)

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