Lesson 4 for July 27, 2013

The purpose of revival is to fill our hearts with such a love for Jesus that we long to share this love with every person possible. In genuine revival, our own hearts are wakened to God’s goodness, compassion, forgiveness, and power. We are so charmed by His love and transformed by His grace that we cannot be silent. This week we’ll study the steps to become ambassadors of God’s love. 1st step: Accepting the Commission. 2nd step: Receiving power. 3rd step: Personal testification. 4th step: Personal growth. 5th step: Divine intervention.

Which is the plan of God for the salvation of the people? “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4) How does God plan to tell the world about salvation? “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”” (Mark 16:15) Jesus commissioned His Church to preach the Gospel to all creature, so everyone could get the chance of accepting the salvation.

“The words “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) are spoken to each one of Christ’s followers. All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of soul that He felt for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them. Not all can fill the same place, but for all there is a place and a work. All upon whom God’s blessings have been bestowed are to respond by actual service; every gift is to be employed for the advancement of His kingdom” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, pg. 16)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) The great testimony of the first believers —who were driven by the power of the Holy Spirit—spread the Gospel all around the known world. The testimony of their persecutors was, “Not cities alone but villages in even rural areas have been invaded by the infection of this superstition” (Pliny the Younger, Christianity) That same power is available for us today. All those walking closely with Jesus receive the Holy Spirit to live as He did and to be “fishers of men”.

“that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3) The most efficient testimony is the simplest: Tell others how you met God and how your life has changed since He changed you. “All who receive the gospel message into the heart will long to proclaim it. The heaven-born love of Christ must find expression. Those who have put on Christ will relate their experience, tracing step by step the leadings of the Holy Spirit—their hungering and thirsting for the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, the results of their searching of the Scriptures, their prayers, their soul agony, and the words of Christ to them, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.” It is unnatural for any to keep these things secret, and those who are filled with the love of Christ will not do so” E.G.W. (Christ’s object lessons, cp. 11, pg. 125)

“And as they make known the rich treasures of God’s grace, more and still more of the grace of Christ will be imparted to them. They will have the heart of a little child in its simplicity and unreserved obedience. Their souls will pant after holiness, and more and more of the treasures of truth and grace will be revealed to them to be given to the world” E.G.W. (Christ’s object lessons, cp. 11, pg. 125) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58) When we share God’s Word with others, we grow spiritually. The more we love Jesus, the more we will desire to witness of His love. The more we witness of His love, the more we will love Him. Sharing our faith strengthens our faith.

The more we give the more we get. The multiplication of the loaves and fish is a practical example. The disciples got the loaves and fish from Jesus’ hands. Then they gave them to the people who were waiting on the grass. When their hands were empty, they came back to Jesus for more. That process ended when everyone was satisfied… and there was food left! We also receive the Bread of Life from Jesus to share it with others. As we give our testimony to the world, Jesus gives us more faith, knowledge and Spirit so we can share more Bread of Life. The more we give the more we get. The multiplication of the loaves and fish is a practical example. The disciples got the loaves and fish from Jesus’ hands. Then they gave them to the people who were waiting on the grass. When their hands were empty, they came back to Jesus for more. That process ended when everyone was satisfied… and there was food left! We also receive the Bread of Life from Jesus to share it with others. As we give our testimony to the world, Jesus gives us more faith, knowledge and Spirit so we can share more Bread of Life.

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21) Sometimes our testimony is not enough to reach some people. Then, God intervenes in a special manner and uses us to reach those people. We can find an example in how Philip could share his testimony with the Ethiopian Queen Candace treasurer (Acts 8:26-38)

“The missionary spirit needs to be renewed in our churches. God designs that life-giving beams shall, through the individual members of the church, shine forth to the world. Receiving light from the source of all light, his people are to reflect that light to others. But this can be done only as the church draws near to God, and lives in close connection with the Giver of life and light. The purity and simplicity of Christ, revealed in the lives of his followers, will witness to the possession of genuine piety. The believer who is imbued with a true missionary spirit will be a living epistle, known and read of all men” E.G.W. (The Review and Herald, March 2, 1911)