‘Be zealous therefore and repent’

MEMORY VERSE: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.’ Zechariah 4:6, last part.

STUDY HELP:  Christian Service, pages 35-45.

LESSON SCRIPTURES: Revelation 3:14-22.

LESSON AIM: To study the need for a revival of zeal among God’s people today.  

Introduction  

‘The church at this time should have the faith once delivered to the saints, which will enable them to say boldly: “God is mine helper”; “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The Lord bids us arise and go forward. Whenever the church at any period have forsaken their sins, and believed and walked in the truth, they have been honoured of God. There is in faith and humble obedience a power that the world cannot withstand. The order of God’s providence in relation to His people is progression, continual advancement in the perfection of Christian character, in the way of holiness, rising higher and higher in the clear light and knowledge and love of God, to the very close of time. Oh! why are we ever learning only the first principles of the doctrine of Christ?’ Lift Him Up, page 338.  

‘Neither cold nor hot’  

1.        What does Christ diagnose as the chief problem with His end-time church? Revelation 3:15. 

NOTE: ‘As a people we are deficient. Our works are not in accordance with our faith. Our faith testifies that we are living under the proclamation of the most solemn and important message that was ever given to mortals. Yet in full view of this fact, our efforts, our zeal, our spirit of self-sacrifice, do not compare with the character of the work. We should awake from the dead, and Christ will give us life.’ Testimonies, volume 2, page 114.  

2.        What is a principal reason for the church’s lukewarmness? Matthew 24:48.

 NOTE: ‘Let there be an earnest consideration of these words. Let none say, “That does not mean me; I am a Christian.” Who says this, yourself, or He who reads the heart? The unfaithful steward had solemn responsibilities entrusted to him; before the world be appeared as a servant of Christ, but O, how deplorable for himself, and for all connected with him, he is an evil servant! He is imperilling his Lord’s goods. He is teaching souls to trample upon the holy law of God. He calls Christ, my Lord. But he says, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” He does not say that Christ will not come; he does not scoff at the idea of His second coming; but he tells the people that His coming is delayed. He is removing from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay. Thus they are off their watch and they echo the words of the unfaithful watcher; still others catch them up, and the evil spirit, and men are confirmed in their worldliness and stupor. Their course is downward, not upward; they are not looking for and hasting unto the day of God. Earthly passions, corrupt thoughts, take possession of the mind.’ Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers, No, 4, page 9.

3.        What will this attitude lead to? Matthew 24:49.

NOTE: ‘There are many who have outgrown their advent faith. They are living for the world, and while saying in their hearts, as they desire it shall be, “My Lord delayeth His coming,” they have beaten their fellow servants. They do this for the same reason that Cain killed Abel. Abel was determined to worship God according to the direction God had given. This displeased Cain. He thought that his own plans were best, and that the Lord would come to his terms. . . He became so angry that he slew his brother. The Lord has a controversy with all who by their unbelief and doubt have been saying that He delays His coming, and who have been smiting their fellow servants.’ Manuscript Releases, volume 14, pages 115-116.