MEMORY VERSE: ‘Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.’ Isaiah 6:8.
LESSON AIM: To study what should be our reaction to all the good news we have been studying.
‘The Lord imparts a fitness for the work to every man and woman who will co-operate with divine power. All the requisite talent, courage, perseverance, faith, and tact will come as they put the armour on. A great work is to be done in our world, and human agencies will surely respond to the demand. The world must hear the warning. When the call comes, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” send back the answer clear and distinct, “Here am I; send me.”’ Testimony Treasures, volume 2, page 549.
1. What is our natural reaction when we hear good news? Luke 15:6, 9.
NOTE: 'I feel somewhat as did the woman, represented by our Lord in the parable, who having ten pieces of silver, and losing one, did light a candle, and sweep the house, and search diligently till she had found it; and when she had found it, she called her friends and neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found that which was lost. After a most laborious effort, in searching for truth, I think that, by the grace of God, I have been able to discover the last link in the golden chain of truth, that reaches from Paradise lost, to Paradise restored. I am at last convinced that it lies in the message of the third angel of Revelation 14. I have for thirteen years past felt deeply interested in the subject of the Advent and have, by the grace of God, borne a humble part in disseminating the glorious truths on that subject, till about one year ago, when a partial failure of health, obliged me to desist almost entirely from public labour. Never have I prayed more fervently, or searched more diligently for light, than I have for eight months past; and “I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord,” I think I have at last found it. I believe, without a doubt that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and that there is not to be found in the Bible any intimation of a change from the seventh to any other day of the week; I believe the heavenly Sanctuary to be the one that Daniel was instructed would be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days, and that that period ended in the Fall of 1844; that Jesus then entered the “Holiest;” that He will speedily finish the work assigned Him in that apartment; that He will come out in grandeur and in glory; that He will return to earth in like manner as He was seen to go up into heaven; that He will receive the kingdom and give it to His people. It may be thought strange by some that I have been so long in the investigation of so plain a subject; perhaps I have been too tardy; but I would rather stand still, than go the wrong way, and I have been resolved that I would not step till I could see by the light of the Lamp that my feet were directed by wisdom; and I think the Lord has directed my steps. My prayer is, that God would restore my health, and by the leadings of His providence, so open the way before me, that I may again enter the field of public labour; that I might again bear some humble part in searching out the scattered sheep of the house of Israel, and pointing them to the true Shepherd as He ministers in the Most Holy Place. I desire, if it be the will of God, to finish my course on the battle field; but be this as it may, I know if I endure to the end, I shall not be denied the privilege of joining the shout of victory, when the battle is won.’ Albert Stone: Review & Herald, August 4, 1853.
2. What good news have we received? Romans 1:16. n.b. the word ‘gospel’ means good news.
NOTE: ‘The converted soul lives in Christ. His darkness passes away, and a new and heavenly light shines into his soul. “He that winneth souls is wise.” [Proverbs 11:30.] “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.” [Daniel 12:3.] What is done through the co-operation of men with God is a work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal ages. He that makes God his wisdom, that grows up into the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings, before the so-called great men of the world, and show forth the praises of Him who hath called him out of darkness into His marvellous light. Science and literature cannot bring into the darkened mind of men the light which the glorious gospel of the Son of God can bring. The Son of God alone can do the great work of illuminating the soul. No wonder Paul exclaims, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” [Romans 1:16.] The gospel of Christ becomes personality in those who believe, and makes them living epistles, known and read of all men. In this way the leaven of godliness passes into the multitude.’ Christian Education, page 97.