Sabbath Afternoon - Aug, 19, 2023

Reading for the Week

 Eph. 5:1-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-11; Rev. 16:1-16; Col. 4:5; Prov. 20:1; Prov. 23:29-35; Acts 16:25. 

Prayer Thought

The cause of God in the earth today is in need of living representatives of Bible truth. The ordained ministers alone are not equal to the task of warning the great cities. God is calling not only upon ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, colporteurs, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of the word of God and who know the power of His grace, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. Time is rapidly passing, and there is much to be done. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved.  {AA 158.3}  


Memory Text

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].  Eph. 5:15-17


This week's SS Lesson will divulge into the power that transforms life which is found in Jesus-Christ - the source of wisdom. It includes the wise choices men could choose to achieve a victorious life - Living Wisely!


Study Outline
Imitating God

Sunday - August 20, 2023

Instead Let there be Thanksgiving - Walking in Love - Ephesians 5:1-5

Eph. 5:8, 15;   Exod. 29:18, Lev. 2:9, Phil. 4:18; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 5:1-11, 1 Cor. 6:12-20, 2 Cor. 12:21;  1 Cor. 6:9, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 4:17-19, Col. 3:5;  Eph. 5:21-6:9, Col. 3:18-4:1.


Monday - August 21, 2023

Walking as Children of Light -  Eph. 5:6-10

 Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 16:1-16, Rev. 19:11-16; Eph. 5:7-10;   Rom. 12:1, 2 Cor. 5:9, Heb. 13:21;  


Walking in the Light

Tuesday - August 22, 2023

Awake, O Sleeper! - The Light Exposes Everything - Ephesians 5:11-14

 Ephesians 5:11-14; Eph. 5:8; see also Eph. 5:1, 2, 4, 9-10, 11, 13, 14;   Eph. 5:3-8-10   12;  Phil. 2:14-16, Matt. 5:16. 


Wednesday - August 23, 2023

Snapping Up the Bargains - Enlightened by Christ - Eph. 5:15-17

Ephesians 5:15-17,18-20; Eph. 2:2, 10; Eph. 4:1, 17; Eph. 5:2, 8;  Col. 4:5;  Eph. 6:13, Gal. 1:4.  


Praising in the Spirit

Thursday - August 24, 2023

Spirit-Filled Worship -  Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs - Eph. 5:18-20

Ephesians 5:1-20;  Proverbs 23:31; 20:1; 23:29-35;  Acts 16:25, James 5:13;  Col. 3:16.  


Friday - August 25, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

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Imitating God

Sunday - August 20, 2023

Instead Let there be Thanksgiving - Walking in Love - Ephesians 5:1-5

Eph. 5:8, 15;   Exod. 29:18, Lev. 2:9, Phil. 4:18; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 5:1-11, 1 Cor. 6:12-20, 2 Cor. 12:21;  1 Cor. 6:9, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 4:17-19, Col. 3:5;  Eph. 5:21-6:9, Col. 3:18-4:1.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 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 sweet-smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Ephesians 5:1-5


An Entire Surrender of the Will to God 

  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}  

Trusting Wholly in the Merits of a Crucified Saviour

We must not trust at all to ourselves or to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light. {CCh 49.3} 


Exemplifying in Our Lives the Character of Jesus 

I entreat of you to hide in Jesus, to be His own true child, walking in love and obedience to all His requirements, exemplifying in your life the character of Jesus--tender and thoughtful of others, considering them just as good and just as deserving as yourself of conveniences and comforts and happiness. This you have not done. Self has been put first, and others' pleasure, taste, and happiness have come second. Now, this is not as it should be, although it is natural. {DG 167.2} 


Consider the Following

Paul uses the verb "to walk" as a synonym for behavior or way of living. Our motivation to live a life of love is the sacrifice of Jesus (5:1-2):

(1) He loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20)

(2) It was a substitutionary sacrifice, bearing our sins (Isaiah 53:6)

(3) It was a fragrant offering, pleasing to God (Exodus 29:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 4:18)

What should we avoid while walking in love, and why?

(1) Things not even to be named (v. 3): Fornication, uncleanness, greed

(2) They will not inherit the kingdom of God (v. 5): Fornicators, unclean persons, greedy (idolaters)

What is fitting and what is not fitting?

(1) Things not fitting (v. 4a): Filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting

(2) Things fitting (v. 4b): Thanksgiving


Monday - August 21, 2023

Walking as Children of Light -  Eph. 5:6-10

 Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 16:1-16, Rev. 19:11-16; Eph. 5:7-10;   Rom. 12:1, 2 Cor. 5:9, Heb. 13:21;  

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  {Eph. 5:6-10}


Be Watchful and Vigilant!

Paul teaches that it is sinful to be indifferent to the signs which are to precede the second coming of Christ. Those guilty of this neglect he calls children of the night and of darkness. He encourages the vigilant and watchful with these words: "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."  {AA 260.1}  


Walk as Children of Light

It is not the will of God that we should be gloomy or impatient, nor that we should be light and trifling. It is Satan's studied plan to push persons from one extreme to the other. As children of the light, God would have us cultivate a cheerful, happy spirit, that we may show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.  {AH 432.1}  


God Calls Us To Be Children Of The Light

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5. 


The Bible is God’s great director. It is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path. It flashes its light ahead, that we may see the path by which we are traveling; and its rays are thrown back on past history, showing the most perfect harmony in that which to the mind in darkness appears like error and discord. In that which seems to the worldling an inexplicable mystery, God’s children see light and beauty. . . . {CTr 328.2} 

Consider the Following

We should not support those who engage in such things: they are under God's wrath because of their disobedience (v. 6-7).

God's wrath is not like ours – a violent, irrational outburst – but a just response to evil (James 1:20; 2 Chronicles 24:18; Romans 1:18).

We no longer participate in the "works of darkness," that is, the behavior of those who reject or do not know God (2 Corinthians 6:14). Now, we are "light" (Matthew 5:14), and our fruit in the Spirit is "all goodness, righteousness, and truth," which is pleasing to God (5:8-10).

Unselfishness Beholds the Fruit of their Labors

All the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony. {CSA 67.1} 

There all who have wrought with unselfish spirit will behold the fruit of their labors. The outworking of every right principle and noble deed will be seen. Something of this we see here. But how little of the result of the world’s noblest work is in this life manifest to the doer! {CSA 67.2} 

In our life here, earthly, sin-restricted though it is, the greatest joy and the highest education are in service. And in the future state, untrammeled by the limitations of sinful humanity, it is in service that our greatest joy and our highest education will be found—witnessing, and ever as we witness learning anew “the riches of the glory of this mystery;”“which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. 102 {CSA 67.3} 

Walking in the Light

Tuesday - August 22, 2023

Awake, O Sleeper! - The Light Exposes Everything - Ephesians 5:11-14

 Ephesians 5:11-14; Eph. 5:8; see also Eph. 5:1, 2, 4, 9-10, 11, 13, 14;   Eph. 5:3-8-10   12;  Phil. 2:14-16, Matt. 5:16. 

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  {Eph. 5:11-14}


The Awake Out of Sleep and Cast Off the Armor of Satan

The words of the apostle Paul to Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself, and to the doctrine," may be addressed to every member of the Church of God. We are not half awake. The enemy is watching for an opportunity to take God's standard from the hands of His people, and place there his own standard; but they discern it not. The call comes, "What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God." It is high time for us to awake out of sleep, to cast off the armor of Satan, and call upon Him who never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord desires men and women to break their connection with the enemy, and link up with Christ. The mistakes of the past have been enough. Through them minds have been confused, precious opportunities have been neglected, and time, which is of more value than gold, has been wasted. We need now strong evidence that the Lord is with us of a truth. We need to consecrate ourselves and all we have to the service of God.  {RH, May 21, 1901 par. 1}  


Consider the Following

Paul continually uses a dichotomy: living a lifestyle that honors God versus living an immoral lifestyle that opposes God.

Those of us who have chosen to live a life that honors God are light, and "the light reveals everything" (5:11-13).

Paul considers the Christian who participates in "the unfruitful works of darkness" as "asleep."

Therefore, using the lyrics of a hymn, he calls them to awaken and rise "from the dead" (5:14). By doing so, they will also reflect the light of Christ in a world of darkness (Philippians 2:15).


Wednesday - August 23, 2023

Snapping Up the Bargains - Enlightened by Christ - Eph. 5:15-17

Ephesians 5:15-17,18-20; Eph. 2:2, 10; Eph. 4:1, 17; Eph. 5:2, 8;  Col. 4:5;  Eph. 6:13, Gal. 1:4.  

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].  Eph. 5:15-17


Position Does Not Give Holiness

Solomon was never so rich or so wise or so truly great as when he confessed, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in." {ChL 13.2} 

Those who today occupy positions of trust should seek to learn the lesson taught by Solomon's prayer.  The higher the position a man occupies, the greater the responsibility that he has to bear, the wider will be the influence that he exerts and the greater his need of dependence on God.  Ever should he remember that with the call to work comes the call to walk circumspectly before his fellow men.  He is to stand before God in the attitude of a learner.  Position does not give holiness of character.  It is by honoring God and obeying His commands that a man is made truly great. {ChL 13.3} 

The Word of God Rules the Life - Redeeming the Time

When the testing time shall come, those who have made God's word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the falsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.  {GC 602.1}  


God Choose the Weak to Confound the Strong

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." 1 Corinthians 1:18, 19, 27, 28. Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen, the world's most eminent men, will in these last days turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God. Yet God's servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher.  {AA 241.3}  


Consider the Following

What happens when Christ enlightens us? Paul explains it by using a "sandwich" structure (v. 15 and 17) with an exhortation in the middle (v. 16):

(1) v. 15: Do not walk as fools, walk as wise.

(2) v. 17: Do not be unwise, understand what the Lord's will is.

(a) Notice that to be wise, we must understand God's will (Proverbs 9:10).

The exhortation that Paul includes in the middle tells us how we should live if we walk wisely in these "evil days" (5:16):

(1) exagorazō [redeem, make the most of]. It was used for bargains offered in the market.

(2) kairos [time, moment]. It indicates the opportune moment to do something.

While waiting for the coming of Christ, believers live in tough times. We must pay close attention to how we use the time that remains, like bargain hunters during a sale. We must promptly seize what God offers us in Christ (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17).


Praising in the Spirit

Thursday - August 24, 2023

Spirit-Filled Worship -  Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs - Eph. 5:18-20

 Ephesians 5:1-20;  Proverbs 23:31; 20:1; 23:29-35;  Acts 16:25, James 5:13;  Col. 3:16.  

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  {Eph. 5:18-20}


Harmonious Living - To the Law and Testimony

Those who love the law of God cannot harmonize in worship or in spirit with the determined transgressors of that law, who are filled with bitterness and malice when the plainly revealed truths of the Bible are taught. We have a detector that discriminates between the true and the false. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." [Sign of the Times, FEB. 26, 1885.] {NL 57.3} 

Filled with Praise and Thanksgiving Worship

There should be a spirit of confession to God, and an acknowledgment of His blessings, with thanksgiving. Our worship should be so filled with praise and thanksgiving that the angels of heaven will rejoice with us.-- Letter 279, 1905, pp. 2,3. (To Clarence Santee, October 4, 1905.)  {9MR 97.1}  

Humbleness of Heart before God

Our worship cannot be acceptable to God if our hearts are filled with bitterness toward our brethren, or to those not of our faith. Jesus has given us an example that we should follow in his steps, and manifest compassion and love and good-will toward all. Let us cultivate a kind spirit, a spirit of forbearance, and tender, pitying love toward those, who, when under temptation, have done us grievous wrongs. If possible, let us heal these wounds, and close the door of temptation by removing every barrier the wrong-doer has erected between himself and us. Humble your heart before God, and come close to the one who would deal unjustly with you, and it may be that the difficulty may all be healed. The Lord delights to bestow his blessings upon those who will honor him, who will acknowledge his mercy, and show that they appreciate his love to them by manifesting the same gracious characteristic to those around them. O may the youth be able to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us." Mrs. E. G. White.  {YI, June 1, 1893 par. 8}  



Consider the Following

Again, Paul presents two opposite thoughts: filling our minds with alcohol or filling them with the Holy Spirit (5:18).

As the Bible indicates, alcohol clouds our minds (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35). Under the influence of drunkenness, we are easily led to fornication, impurity, and bad language.

But when our minds are filled with the Holy Spirit, we share psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with our brothers and sisters; we sing and praise God (5:19).

Filled with the Spirit, we give thanks to the Father in the name of the Son (5:20). Blessed Trinity!


Friday - August 25, 2023

Further Study, and Meditation

God requires that every human agent shall improve all the means of grace heaven has provided, and become more and more efficient in the work of God. Every provision has been made that the piety, purity, and love of the Christian shall ever increase, that his talents may double, and his ability increase in the service of his divine Master. But though this provision has been made, many who profess to believe in Jesus do not make it manifest by growth that testifies to the sanctifying power of the truth upon life and character. When we first receive Jesus into our hearts, we are as babes in religion; but we are not to remain babes in experience. We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; we are to attain to the full measure of the stature of men and women in him. We are to make advances, to gain new and rich experiences through faith, growing in trust and confidence and love, knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. God expects, in view of the great facilities he has provided for our advancement, that we shall grow; but many do not become more efficient, simply because they do not use the power that God has already given them. By a proper use of their intrusted talents, they might acquire tact and wisdom, and grow in efficiency. The unprofitable servant gave back his Lord's intrusted talent; but the Lord demanded the reason why he had not put to use that which had been given for that purpose.  {YI, June 8, 1893 par. 4}  


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“Wherever there is union with Christ there is love […] When we are united to Christ, we have the mind of Christ. Purity and love shine forth in the character, meekness and truth control the life. The very expression of the countenance is changed […] If we are connected with the Light, we shall be channels of light, and in our words and works we shall reflect light to the world. Those who are truly Christians are bound with the chain of love which links earth to heaven, which binds finite man to the infinite God. The light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ shines in the hearts of His followers, to the glory of God.” E. G. W. (Selected Messages, book 1, Ch. 51, p. 337)


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