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REFORMATION: THE WILLINGNESS TO GROW AND CHANGE

Lesson 10 for September 7, 2013. REFORMATION: THE WILLINGNESS TO GROW AND CHANGE.

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REFORMATION: THE WILLINGNESS TO GROW AND CHANGE

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  1. Lesson 10 for September 7, 2013 REFORMATION: THE WILLINGNESS TO GROW AND CHANGE

  2. As we cooperate with God and allow Him to complete in us the work that He has started (as He did in the lives of James, John, Peter, the prodigal, and the man by the pool of Bethesda), Jesus will work amazing changes in our lives. Day by day we will become more like Him, and that is what reformation is all about.

  3. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:12-15) Jesus convinces us of sin. He brings us to himself and makes us respond to His grace. He saves us and holds us with His grace. • Although “it is God who works in you both to will and to do”, we must “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. • Reformation takes place when we chooseto surrender everything that is not in harmony with God’s will; always guided by the Holy Spirit. A positive spiritual change won’t take place if we don’t make those decisions —which sometimes may be painful to make.

  4. CHANGING: JAMES AND JOHN BEFORE THE REFORMATION • Not loving others. “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Lk. 9:54) • Desiring the main position: “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory” (Mr. 10:37) AFTER THE REFORMATION • Heralds of love. “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1Jn. 2:10) • Humble and obedient: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1Jn. 2:6)

  5. “Day by day his [John’s] heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven” E.G.W. (Steps to Christ, cp. 8, pg. 73)

  6. TRUSTING: PETER BEFORE THE REFORMATION Trusting what he could do. “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Mt. 26:35) AFTER THE REFORMATION Trusting the power of God only. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6) Jesus prayed for Peter. He knew about the reformation that would take place in his live, so He told him: “and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Lk. 22:32)

  7. BELIEVING: THOMAS AFTER THE REFORMATION He unreservedly believed. “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:28) BEFORE THE REFORMATION He only believed what he could see. “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (Jn. 20:25) After his personal encounter with God, “Thomas recounted the story of his unbelief, and told how his doubts had been swept away”(DA. Pg. 818) Thomas was revitalized by the power of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost. Tradition tells that Thomas evangelized in distant zones like Persia, Ethiopia and India.

  8. DECIDING: THE PRODIGAL SON BEFORE THE REFORMATION He longed to live his way. “[He] journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living” (Lk. 15:13) AFTER THE REFORMATION He longed to come back home and live with his father. “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”” (Lk. 15:18-19)

  9. Revival began when the young man remembered the love of his father. Reformation began when he decided to leave and to come back to his father’s house. Revival begins when the love of God breaks our hearts. Reformation begins when we choose to respond to that deep love. It takes place when we choose to abandon the attitudes, habits, thoughts and feelings that separate us from Him.

  10. PRACTICING OUR FAITH: THE PARALYTIC AT BETHESDA BEFORE THE REFORMATION AFTER THE REFORMATION He lived without any hope. “I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (Jn. 5:7) He obeyed without hesitation. “And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked” (Jn. 5:9)

  11. Guilt kept that paralytic on his bed. Jesus healed his paralyzed body. That way He showed him that He was able to heal his paralyzed soul. “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (Jn. 5:14) “Jesus had given him no assurance of divine help. The man might have stopped to doubt, and lost his one chance of healing. But he believed Christ’s word, and in acting upon it he received strength. Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking… He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 21, pg. 203)

  12. “In the heavenly councils it has been decided by what means and methods the grace of Christ shall prove effectual in saving the soul. And it is clear that unless the sinner consents to be drawn, unless he will cooperate with divine agencies, the end will not be attained. The work to be done is a united work. The divine and the human are to work together, and the sinner is to depend upon grace, while rendering willing obedience to the dictates of the Spirit of God. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)” E.G.W. (The Signs of the Times, February 12, 1894)

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