Sabbath Afternoon - September 23, 2023

Reading for the Week

Ephesians 1-Ephesians 6. 

Prayer Thought

That simple faith which take God at His word should be encouraged. God's people must have that faith which will lay hold of divine power; "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [Ephesians 2:8.] Those who believe that God for Christ's sake has forgiven their sins, should not, through temptation, fail to press on to fight the good fight of faith. Their faith should grow stronger until their Christian life, as well as their words, shall declare, "The blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin." [1 John 1:7.]  {GW 161.2} 


Memory Text

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." {Eph. 2:8, 9}  


This week's SS Lesson will describe the overall content of Paul's message to the Ephesians and by heart understand them. This also includes the spiritual truth which applies in our life's warfare.


Study Outline
Sunday - September 24, 2023

We Are Blessed in Christ - Gifts in Christ {Ephesians 1}

Ephesians 1:3-14, 15-19, 20-23 

Monday - September 25, 2023

We Are Redeemed for Community - Grace that Breaks Down Walls {Ephesians 2}

Ephesians 2:1-10, 11-22  

Tuesday - September 26, 2023

We Are the Church of the Living God - The Mystery of Christ {Ephesians 3}

Ephesians 3; 3:2-13, 14-21  ; 2:11-22;  6:10-20 

Wednesday - September 27, 2023

The Unity of Faith - Unity and New Life Ephesians 4}

Ephesians 4; 4:1-3, 4-6, 7-16, 17-24, 25-31,  32. 

Thursday - September 28, 2023

We Are Recipients and Givers of Grace - Walking in Love {Ephesians 5}

Ephesians 4:32; 5:3, 4, 5-7, 8-10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15-21, 22-24, 25-33; Matt. 5:43-48; 13, 14, 


Friday - September 29, 2023

Armed for Battle {Ephesians 6}

Ephesians 6:10-20,  Isa. 59:15-17.

Further Study and Meditation

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Sunday - September 24, 2023

We Are Blessed in Christ - Gifts in Christ {Ephesians 1}

Ephesians 1:3-14, 15-19, 20-23 

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {Eph. 1:4}


Blessed with Great Gifts, the Human Government with Divine Appointment

The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of His word. We are to receive this word as supreme authority. We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith the state." The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.  {AA 68.2}  

God's Servants Possess Gifts for the Salvation of Humanity

God's servants do not all possess the same gifts, but they are all His workmen. Each is to learn of the Great Teacher and is then to communicate what he has learned. God has given to each of His messengers an individual work. There is a diversity of gifts, but all the workers are to blend in harmony, controlled by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. As they make known the gospel of salvation, many will be convicted and converted by the power of God. The human instrumentality is hidden with Christ in God, and Christ appears as the chiefs among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely.  {AA 274.2}  

The Channel of the Outworking of the Highest Influence in the Universe

The promise of the Spirit is not appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be. It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe.  {COL 328.1} 

Consider the Following

Paul wrote a quick overview of the plan of salvation from "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4) to "the redemption of the possession acquired" (Ephesians 1:14).

This plan is filled with gifts from God in Christ:

— He gives us every spiritual blessing (v. 3)

— He makes us holy and blameless (v. 4)

— He adopts us as sons (v. 5)

— He redeems us (v. 7)

— He gives us wisdom and understanding (v. 8)

— He gives us an inheritance (v. 11)

— He seals us with the Holy Spirit (v. 13)

At the end of his introduction, Paul prays that God may enlighten our understanding to comprehend that everything is subject to Christ, who is the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:17-23).


Monday - September 25, 2023

We Are Redeemed for Community - Grace that Breaks Down Walls {Ephesians 2}

Ephesians 2:1-10, 11-22  

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  {Eph. 2:13}


The Governing Power of LOVE

Love breaks down all barriers. Let there be no scolding, no loud-voiced, angry commands. Obey the injunction, "Be still, and know that I am God." The Lord will give rich blessings to those parents who make diligent efforts to rule the spirit. The grace of Christ softens harsh traits of character and smooths out the rugged disposition.  {RH, July 8, 1902 par. 10}  

Those who govern by force have far less influence than those who govern by love. Harshness hardens the heart and braces the will to resist. Gentleness softens the heart and subdues the most stubborn will.  {RH, July 8, 1902 par. 11}  

There's No Coercion in God's Kingdom

The kingdom of Christ does not and cannot bear any resemblance to the kingdoms of the world. In the kingdom of Christ there is no instrument of coercion. In it force has no place. The gospel of Him who gave His life for the life of the world is a gospel of peace. It is the Saviour's grace, His love, His tender compassion, that breaks every barrier down. The gospel is a power of itself, above all and encompassing all. It is a divine, immutable principle, as well-spring fed by the stream that flows from the throne of God.  {21MR 152.4}  

The Love of God Breaks Down the Barriers

The sinner views the spirituality of the law of God and its eternal obligations. He sees the love of God in providing a substitute and surety for guilty man, and that substitute is One equal with God. This display of grace in the gift of salvation to the world fills the sinner with amazement. This love of God to man breaks every barrier down. He comes to the cross, which has been placed midway between divinity and humanity, and repents of his sins of transgression, because Christ has been drawing him to Himself. He does not expect the law to cleanse him from sin, for there is no pardoning quality in the law to save the transgressors of the law. He looks to the atoning Sacrifice as his only hope, through repentance toward God--because the laws of His government have been broken--and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ as the One who can save and cleanse the sinner from every transgression.  {3SM 194.1}  

Consider the Following

What has God's grace done for us, and how does it affect our relationships with others?

— What God's grace has done for us (Ephesians 2:1-10)

(1) It gave us life WITH CHRIST (v. 5)

(2) It raised us up WITH CHRIST (v. 6a)

(3) It seated us WITH CHRIST (v. 6b)

(4) It created us IN CHRIST for good works (v. 10)

— What God's grace does with our relationships (Ephesians 2:11-22)

(1) Christ brings us near to one another by His blood (v. 13)

(2) Christ tears down the walls that separate us (v. 14)

(3) Christ "kills" enmities (v. 16)

(4) Christ makes us members of His family (v. 19)

(5) Christ coordinates us and makes us a holy temple (v. 21)

(6) Christ makes us the dwelling place of God in the Spirit (v. 22)


Tuesday - September 26, 2023

We Are the Church of the Living God - The Mystery of Christ {Ephesians 3}

Ephesians 3; 3:2-13, 14-21; 2:11-22;  6:10-20 

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.  {Eph. 3:4}


The Living and the Dead Will Touch Immortality 

As Paul's epistle was opened and read, great joy and consolation was brought to the church by the words revealing the true state of the dead. Paul showed that those living when Christ should come would not go to meet their Lord in advance of those who had fallen asleep in Jesus. The voice of the Archangel and the trump of God would reach the sleeping ones, and the dead in Christ should rise first, before the touch of immortality should be given to the living. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."  {AA 258.2}  

Be Sober, Putting on the Breastplate of Faith and Love

Especially important to the church in our time are the teachings of the apostle upon this point. To those living so near the great consummation, the words of Paul should come with telling force: "Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."  {AA 260.2}  

Never Ascribe to Fallible Mortals

The church should ever bear in mind that they are never to ascribe to fallible mortals the unerring wisdom of the one living God. . . . We want all souls to have a pure gospel and to feel the necessity of searching the Scriptures for themselves, to know what saith the voice of the Eternal, and bind themselves to the great heart of Infinite Love.—Letter 12, 1890. {CTr 332.6} 


Influence Reflected in People

There is need of Nehemiahs in the church today,--not men who can pray and preach only, but men whose prayers and sermons are braced with firm and eager purpose.  The course pursued by this Hebrew patriot in the accomplishment of his plans is one that should still be adopted by ministers and leading men.  When they have laid their plans, they should present them to the church in such a manner as to win their interest and co-operation.  Let the people have a personal interest in its prosperity.  The success attending Nehemiah's efforts shows what prayer, faith, and wise, energetic action will accomplish.  Living faith will prompt to energetic action.  The spirit manifested by the leader will be, to a great extent, reflected by the people.  If the leaders professing to believe the solemn, important truths that are to test the world at this time, manifest no ardent zeal to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, we must expect the church to be careless, indolent, and pleasure-loving.--Christian Service, p. 177. {ChL 22.1}


Consider the Following

In chapter 3, Paul reveals to us a plan of God, which he calls "the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4).

— God conceived the plan and kept it hidden (v. 9)

— Jesus fulfilled the plan (v. 11)

— This plan was revealed to Paul and others (v. 3-5)

— Paul was entrusted with proclaiming the plan (v. 7-8)

— Ultimately, everyone knows the plan (v. 10)

And what is this plan? "That the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).

This implies a united Church. And Paul prays that each of us may be "strengthened with power... through his Spirit" and be "filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:16, 19).


Wednesday - September 27, 2023

The Unity of Faith - Unity and New Life Ephesians 4}

Ephesians 4; 4:1-3, 4-6, 7-16, 17-24, 25-31,  32. 

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.  {Eph. 4:3-6}


Those Born Again in Christ Have Strength

When God's people are born again, when they live the new life in Christ, with His love abiding in their hearts, their candlestick will stand securely in its place. But the principles they have followed in their connection with one another need revising. In their unity with one another and with God through Christ is their strength.  {15MR 109.2}  

The Character of Christ Manifested for Those Who Look Unto Him

Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense, a believer in Jesus. When self is renounced, then the Lord can make man a new creature. New bottles can contain the new wine. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life. In him who looks unto the Author and Finisher of our faith the character of Christ will be manifest. {CSA 17.2} 

Your part is to put your will on the side of Christ. When you yield your will to his, he immediately takes possession of you, and works in you to will and to do of his good pleasure. Your nature is brought under the control of his Spirit. Even your thoughts are subject to him. If you cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire, you can control the will, and thus an entire change will be wrought in your life. When you yield up your will to Christ, your life is hid with Christ in God. It is allied to the power which is above all principalities and powers. You have a strength from God that holds you fast to his strength; and a new life, even the life of faith, is possible to you.  {CTBH 148.2}


Consider the Following

Ephesians 4 begins the practical part of the letter: how to make unity in the Church a reality.

— First, by caring for one another (v. 1-3, 16).

— Next, the unifying elements are listed: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God (v. 4-6).

— Christ grants us the gifts necessary to achieve unity (v. 7).

— He has also placed people responsible for reaching unity: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (v. 11-13).

— We are encouraged to grow together, avoiding internal issues that may arise (v. 14-15).

— Finally, each of us should experience a change in life so that we can be kind to one another (v. 17-32).


Thursday - September 28, 2023

We Are Recipients and Givers of Grace - Walking in Love {Ephesians 5}

Ephesians 4:32; 5:3, 4, 5-7, 8-10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15-21, 22-24, 25-33; Matt. 5:43-48; 13, 14, 

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  {Eph. 5:2}


The Lord Entrusted Us Means to Give Cheerfully to Others

Let the ninth chapter of second Corinthians be read in all our churches, that the members may catch the inspiration of liberality. God help His people to see things in a correct light, and to arouse to meet the pressing emergencies that always arise in aggressive warfare. As they give cheerfully and willingly of the Lord's entrusted means, He will entrust them with more to impart. He is able to make all grace abound toward cheerful givers, that, always having all sufficiency in all things, they may abound to every good work. {RH, February 19, 1901 par. 21}  


The Beautiful and Spotless Character of Christ in Us

In the beginning God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” But sin has almost obliterated the moral image of God in human beings. Jesus came down to our world that He might give us a living example, that we might know how to live and how to keep the way of the Lord. He was the image of the Father. His beautiful and spotless character is before us as an example for us to imitate. We must study and copy and follow Jesus Christ, then we shall bring His loveliness and beauty into our character. In doing this we are standing before God through faith, winning back by conflict with the powers of darkness the power of self-control, the love of God that Adam lost.—Manuscript 6a, 1886 (Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, pp. 31-34). {CTr 43.6} 


The Pattern is Given to Follow 

Our notions, our peculiarities, are wholly human and must not be humored or indulged. Self is to be crucified, not now and then, but daily, and the physical, mental, and spiritual must be subordinate to the will of God. The glory of God, the perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim, the purpose of our life. Christ's followers must imitate Christ in disposition. The Pattern is given us to copy, and no excuse will be accepted of God as a reason for not meeting the divine standard, however contrary it may be to our own nature, our own selfish desires and inclinations. Like Christ is the watchword, not like your father or your mother, but like Jesus Christ--hid in Christ, clothed with Christ's righteousness, imbued with the Spirit of Christ. {DG 169.2} 

Consider the Following

We must imitate God (Ephesians 5:1). How can we do this? By following Christ's example: walking in love (v. 2).

To be able to do this, we must abandon "dark" habits of our lives, not associate with those who indulge in sin, and do what pleases God (v. 3-12).

We are encouraged to make the most of our time and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that, together, we can sing, praise, and give thanks to God (v. 15-20).

Final advice for achieving unity:

— Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

— Husbands love their wives, and wives respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33)

— Children honor their parents, and parents do not provoke their children (Ephesians 6:1-4)

— Slaves serve their masters as unto the Lord, and masters treat them kindly (Ephesians 6:5-9)


Friday - September 29, 2023

Armed for Battle {Ephesians 6}

Ephesians 6:10-20,  Isa. 59:15-17.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  {Eph. 6:10, 11}

The letter to the Ephesians concludes with a vigorous call to action. We are God's army and actively fight against "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Though the enemy is powerful, God has provided us with the necessary armor to stand firm:

— Truth (v. 14a)

— Righteousness (v. 14b)

— The gospel of peace (v. 15)

— Faith (v. 16)

— Salvation (v. 17a)

— The Word of God (v. 17b)

— Prayer (v. 18)

With these weapons, victory is guaranteed!


Further Study and Meditation

The human heart, uncontrolled by the Spirit of God, is void of the meekness of Christ, but loves to battle for the truth. Those who are proclaiming God's message to the world must not be captious or overbearing. They should not be too free to criticize or condemn others. They should be careful not to let their words wound but should let pure Bible truth cut its way to the heart. When tempted to speak impatiently, remember, brethren, that when Jesus was reviled, he reviled not again. Give the reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. With fear lest you have not the truth?—No; but with fear lest by some unwise, impatient word, you may close hearts against the truth. If you cannot be calm in answering the accusations of enemies, it is better to keep silent.  {GW92 396.2} 


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“The powers of darkness stand a poor chance against believers who love one another as Christ has loved them, who refuse to create alienation and strife, who stand together, who are kind, courteous, and tender-hearted, cherishing the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. We must have the Spirit of Christ, or we are none of His.

In unity there is strength; in division there is weakness.” E. G. W. (Sons and Daughters of God, October 6)


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