Sabbath Afternoon - November 18, 2023
Scripture Reading for the Week:
Luke 5:17-26; John 5:1-9; Deuteronomy 10:19; Leviticus 23:22; Matthew 25:34-40; John 15:13.
Meditation Thought:
Ministering to Those in Need
There is a work to be done by our churches that few have any idea of. "I was an hungred," Christ says, "and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." We shall have to give of our means to support laborers in the harvest field, and we shall rejoice in the sheaves gathered in. But while this is right, there is a work, as yet untouched, that must be done. The mission of Christ was to heal the sick, encourage the hopeless, bind up the brokenhearted. This work of restoration is to be carried on among the needy, suffering ones of humanity. God calls not only for your benevolence, but your cheerful countenance, your hopeful words, the grasp of your hand. Relieve some of God's afflicted ones. Some are sick, and hope has departed. Bring back the sunlight to them. There are souls who have lost their courage; speak to them, pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. There is a soul sickness no balm can reach, no medicine heal. Pray for these, and bring them to Jesus Christ. And in all your work, Christ will be present to make impressions upon human hearts. {CME 22.5}
Memory Text:
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’ ” (Matthew 25:40).
This week's SSLesson will examine the importance of filling in the needs of the unfortunate amongst us and how is it being done in the time of Jesus in the New Testament. This includes the authentic duty of every Christian to help the Lord's poor as a missionary in the church and community.
Study Outline:
How to Deal with Those in Need
Sunday - November 19, 2023
The Faith of Friends - Friends of the Needy. Luke 5:17-26
Monday - November 20, 2023
Imitate Jesus. John 5:1-9
Special Cases
Tuesday - November 21, 2023
Refugies and Migrants. Matthew 2:13-14
Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 146:9; Romans 12:13; Leviticus 23:22.
Wednesday - November 22, 2023
To Help the Hurting - Those who Suffer. Luke 4:18
Motivated to Help
Thursday - November 23, 2023
Greater Love - Just for Love. John 15:13
Friday - November 24, 2023
Insights and Further Study
From the Pen of Inspiration
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How to Deal with Those in Need
Sunday - November 19, 2023
The Faith of Friends - Friends of the Needy. Luke 5:17-26
“Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them” (Mark 2:3)
The Happiness of the Believing Friends
Now they rejoiced in the knowledge that their believing friends would be raised from the grave to live forever in the kingdom of God. The darkness that had enshrouded the resting place of the dead was dispelled. A new splendor crowned the Christian faith, and they saw a new glory in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. {AA 259.2}
A Prisoner for His Faith, without Friend, wealth or position - All Heaven was Interested
The aged prisoner, chained to his soldier guard, had in his appearance nothing that would lead the world to pay him homage. Yet in this man, apparently without friends or wealth or position, and held a prisoner for his faith in the Son of God, all heaven was interested. Angels were his attendants. Had the glory of one of those shining messengers flashed forth, the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled; the king and courtiers would have been stricken to the earth, as were the Roman guards at the sepulcher of Christ. {AA 434.4}
Consider the Following
Luke 5:17-26 shows us the story of some men who bring one of their friends to Jesus to be healed of his paralysis. They do not give up in the face of difficulties. If it is necessary to break through the roof to take him to Jesus, they will do it (there will be time to fix the damage later).
When we find out that one of our friends is going through a time of need, what do we do?
We must do everything possible to alleviate their need. But we have to go a little further. We must take him to Jesus, who can not only help him but also give him eternal life.
Monday - November 20, 2023
Imitate Jesus. John 5:1-9
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
The 5 Cs, the Christ's Method
Contact - He mingled with people.
Concern - He desires and sympathizes for the good
Care - He ministered to their needs.
Confidence - He won their trust and confidence.
Call - He calls them to follow Him.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’ ”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.
Jesus, the Express Image of God in Character
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}
Don't Sit in Satan's Easy Chair of Doing Little
In a divided, halfhearted life, you will find doubt and darkness. You cannot enjoy the consolations of religion, neither the peace which the world gives. Do not sit down in Satan's easy chair of do-little, but arise, and aim at the elevated standard which it is your privilege to attain. It is a blessed privilege to give up all for Christ. Look not at the lives of others and imitate them and rise no higher. You have only one true, unerring Pattern. It is safe to follow Jesus only. Determine that if others act on the principle of the spiritual sluggard you will leave them and march forward toward the elevation of Christian character. Form a character for heaven. Sleep not at your post. Deal faithfully and truly with your own soul. {CCh 346.3}
Consider the Following
How did Jesus treat those in need? (Based on EGW., The Ministry of Healing, pg. 143).
(1) He wanted to do them good: We must relate to those in need to understand their needs and know how to help them.
(2) Showed them sympathy: We must earn their trust by being kind and empathizing with them.
(3) Attended to their needs: We must help them in a practical way, according to our capabilities, or put them in contact with those who can meet their needs.
(4) Earned their trust: Seeing our sincere concern for them, they will trust us.
(5) He asked them: 'Follow me': Finally, we must introduce them to Jesus
Special Cases
Tuesday - November 21, 2023
Refugies and Migrants. Matthew 2:13-14
Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 146:9; Romans 12:13; Leviticus 23:22.
“So he got up (Joseph), took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt” (Matthew 2:14)
Christ's Dedication in a Foreign Land
About 40 days after the birth of Christ, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, and to offer sacrifice. . . . {LHU 29.5}
The priest went through the ceremony of his official work. He took the child in his arms, and held it up before the altar. After handing it back to its mother, he inscribed the name "Jesus" on the roll of the firstborn. Little did he think, as the babe lay in his arms, that it was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. The priest did not think that this babe was the One of whom Moses had written, "A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you" (Acts 3:22). He did not think that this babe was He whose glory Moses had asked to see. But One greater than Moses lay in the priest's arms; and when he enrolled the child's name, he was enrolling the name of One who was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy (The Desire of Ages, pp. 50-52).
God deals with Different kinds of People, and Nationalities
Seek the Lord in prayer, asking Him to show you the best way in which to reach the people with whom you come in contact. Remember the words of the Saviour, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Remember that different methods must be followed in dealing with different people. To some you can give a tract. To others, you can put the question, “Do you love the Lord Jesus?” In the meetings that are held, talk in a way that will interest them. Deal with the subject on which you are speaking in so simple and practical a way that they can not fail to understand. There are many so ignorant of the terms used by those who speak on spiritual subjects that they do not understand what they hear. Many who hear have so little interest in spiritual things that much of the effort put forth to give them religious instruction is like beating the air. {HFM 68.3}
Consider the Following
Although in biblical times there were no massive movements of thousands of people going from one country to another, there were refugees and migrants (foreigners). Some came to take refuge in Israel
[like Ittai (2 Sam. 15:19)]; others had to leave for various reasons [such as David (1 Sam. 27:1), or Elimelech and Naomi (Ruth 1:1-2)].
Emigrating to a different country is difficult. Sometimes, it is also difficult to help them. Their habits, appearance and way of speaking are different, and they are especially sensitive.
It requires a special effort on our part to help them. Perhaps they will need special help that exceeds our possibilities, but we can collaborate with humanitarian aid organizations, giving them part of our time and resources.
Wednesday - November 22, 2023
To Help the Hurting - Those who Suffer. Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18)
The Care for the Lord's poor, Need of Large, Open and Generous Hearts
There is no question in regard to the Lord's poor. They are to be helped in every case where it will be for their benefit. {CCh 284.3}
God wants His people to reveal to a sinful world that He has not left them to perish. Special pains should be taken to help those who for the truth's sake are cast out from their homes and are obliged to suffer. More and more there will be a need of large, open, generous hearts, those who will deny self and will take hold of the cases of these very ones whom the Lord loves. The poor among God's people must not be left without provision for their wants. Some way must be found whereby they may obtain a livelihood. Some will need to be taught to work. Others who work hard and are taxed to the utmost of their ability to support their families will need special assistance. We should take an interest in these cases and help them to secure employment. There should be a fund to aid such worthy poor families who love God and keep His commandments. {CCh 284.4}
Precious in God's Sight
Among the professed children of God, there are men and women who love the world, and the things of the world, and these souls are being corrupted by worldly influences. The divine is being dropped out of their nature. As instruments of unrighteousness, they are working out the purposes of the enemy. {CS 177.1}
In contrast with this class, stands the honest, industrious poor man, who is ready to help those who need help, and willing to suffer wrong rather than manifest the close, acquisitive spirit of the rich. This man esteems a clear conscience and right principles above the value of gold. He is ready to do all the good in his power. If some benevolent enterprise calls for money or for his labor, he is the first to respond, and often he goes far beyond his real ability, denying himself some needed good in order to carry out his benevolent purpose. {CS 177.2}
I Shall Go Forward with My Work
We may be called "weak and foolish," enthusiastic, or even insane. It may be said of us as it was of Christ, "He hath a devil" (John 10:20). But the work which the Master has given us to do is our work still. We must direct minds to Jesus, not seeking praise or honor of men, but committing ourselves to Him who judgeth righteously. He knows how to help those who while following in His steps suffer in a limited degree the reproach He bore. He was tempted in all points like as we are, that He might know how to succor those who should be tempted. {1SM 73.2}
Many Sabbath-keepers Love the World and Have Been Corrupted by Its Spirit and Influence
I was shown that many who profess to be Sabbath keepers so love the world and the things that are in the world that they have been corrupted by its spirit and influence; the divine has disappeared from their characters and the satanic has crept in, transforming them to serve the purposes of Satan, to be instruments of unrighteousness. Then in contrast with these men, I was shown the industrious, honest, poor men who stand ready to help those who need help, who would rather suffer themselves to be disadvantaged by their wealthy brethren than manifest so close and acquisitive a spirit as they manifest; men who esteem a clear conscience and right, even in little things, of greater value than riches. They are so ready to help others, so willing to do all the good in their power, that they do not amass wealth; their earthly possessions do not increase. If there is a benevolent object to call forth means or labor, they are the first to be interested in and respond to it, and frequently do far beyond their real ability, and thus deny themselves some needed good, to carry out their benevolent purposes. {1T 537.2}
Consider the Following
Suffering has no barriers. It affects all of us at some point in our lives.
Imitating Jesus, we must approach those who suffer; understand their needs; and provide them with the best possible help.
Although we want they to know and accept Jesus, this should not condition our service. As you help them, they may want to know more about Jesus, or they may not. It doesn't matter. We must help them whatever their decision.
Although Jesus healed thousands, only a few followed Him (Mark 6:56; Luke 17:12-19). But that did not stop him from continuing to help and heal the broken and suffering (Acts 10:38). Let's follow his example.
Motivated to Help
Thursday - November 23, 2023
Greater Love - Just for Love. John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13)
Sabbath-Keeping Adventists Failed to Cherish Unselfish Interest for the Needy
From what was shown me, Sabbath keeping Adventists have but a feeble sense of how large a place the world and selfishness hold in their hearts. If you have a desire to do good and glorify God, there are many ways in which you can do it. But you have not felt that this was the result of true religion. This is the fruit which every good tree will produce. You have not felt that it was required of you to be interested in others, to make their cases your own, and to manifest an unselfish interest for the very ones who stand most in need of help. You have not reached out to help the most needy, the most helpless. Had you children of your own to call into exercise care, affection, and love, you would not be so much shut up to yourselves and to your own interests. If those who have no children, and whom God has made stewards of means, would expand their hearts to care for children who need love, care, and affection, and assistance with this world's goods, they would be far happier than they are today. So long as youth who have not a father's pitying care nor a mother's tender love are exposed to the corrupting influences of these last days, it is somebody's duty to supply the place of father and mother to some of them. Learn to give them love, affection, and sympathy. All who profess to have a Father in heaven, who they hope will care for them and finally take them to the home He has prepared for them, ought to feel a solemn obligation resting upon them to be friends to the friendless and fathers to the orphans, to aid the widows, and be of some practical use in this world by benefiting humanity. Many have not viewed these things in a right light. If they live merely for themselves, they will have no greater strength than this calls for. {2T 328.3}
Consider the Following
Love should prompt us to perform acts of benevolence toward others (1Jn. 3:16-18).
When approaching them with the intention of helping them, we must pray for special help from God to know the best way to do it. He will help us show our love, become their friends, help them, and lead them to Jesus.
Friday - November 24, 2023
Insights and Further Study
The question asked of Christ involved the whole conduct of life, and in the answer Jesus revealed the scheme of redemption. He revealed the young man to himself, by presenting before him the moral standard of righteousness. The young man had thought that he understood all the requirements of the law. He had asked, "What lack I yet?" Satisfied with his morality, confident of his piety, he imagined that he was above the average, and if not quite perfect, very nearly so. He desired to receive instruction if he needed any, that he might be perfect in himself. Christ revealed to him the fact that he was building upon his own self-righteousness. He showed him what he was lacking in the knowledge and practice of the law. The love of self, the love of the world, was the barrier which stood between him and Christ, and Jesus alone could remove this obstruction. The young man had never known himself before, never realized how he was idolizing earthly treasures. The opportunity was offered him to use his intrusted talents of earthly treasure in doing good, in blessing the needy, thus laying up an enduring substance in heaven. He was offered the privilege of choosing to follow the Master whom he had called good, and whom he really admired, or to hold fast his earthly possessions and forfeit eternal life. He never understood how little love he had for his neighbor, or how much his earthly possessions were to him until he was required to part with them. He went away very sorrowful. He preferred his property rather than the company of Jesus. He preferred his earthly substance rather than the treasures he was assured he would have in heaven. He loved the passing things of this life rather than eternal life. {RH, March 28, 1893 par. 6}
Questions to Ponder
How crucial is our duty and responsibility to the needy and poor people around us?
What help could be extended to the needy and poor when we're also suffering like them?
To whom does God's blessing be a channel of His will to others?
What is the sole effective method in ministering to the needs of the people?
What are the strategies of Christ in drawing other people to Him?
What principle does the Bible teach regarding serving without expectation of returns?
Based upon the statement above, {RH, March 28, 1893 par. 6}, How it is possible that a sinful human be able to grasp the spiritual realms and will have an unselfish heart?
From the Pen of Inspiration
“Seize every opportunity to contribute to the happiness of those around you, sharing with them your affection. Words of kindness, looks of sympathy, expression of appreciation, would to many a struggling, lonely one be as a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of cheer, an act of kindness, would go far to lighten the burdens that are resting heavily upon weary shoulders. It is in unselfish ministry that true happiness is found. And every word and deed of such service is recorded in the books of heaven as done to Christ.... Live in the sunshine of Christ's love. Then your influence will bless the world” EGW (The Youth’s Instructor April 9, 1903)