Lesson 1. Obstacles to the advancement of the work of God will appear; but fear not.
Biblical evidence
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Practical application for 2009
Obstacles to the advancement of the work of God will appear; but fear not for the following reasons:
- To the omnipotence of the King of kings, our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of a tender shepherd.
- Nothing can stand in His way.
- His power is absolute, and it is the pledge of the sure fulfillment of His promises to His people.
- He can remove all obstructions to the advancement of His work.
- He has means for the removal of every difficulty, that those who serve Him and respect the means He employs may be delivered.
So His goodness and love are infinite, and His covenant is unalterable.
(Discussion)
Con:
It is true that the plans of the enemies of His work may seem to be firm and well established,
Pro:
But God can overthrow the strongest of these plans, and in His own time and way He will do this, when He sees…
- That our faith has been sufficiently tested
- That we are drawing near to Him
- That we are making Him our counselor.
In the darkest days, when appearances seem so forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God:
- He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people.
- The strength of those who love and serve Him will be renewed day by day.
- His understanding will be placed at their service, that they may not err in the carrying out of His purposes.
There is to be no despondency in God’s service. Our faith is to endure the pressure brought to bear upon it:
- God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need.
- God will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him.
- God will give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand.
Shine amid the darkness
The deeper meaning:
Oh, my brethren, hold the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end. The light of God’s truth is not to be dimmed. It is to shine amidst the darkness of error that enshrouds our world. The word of God is to be opened to those in the high places of the earth, as well as to those in the more lowly. {8T 11.3}
The church of Christ is …
- She is God’s agency for the proclamation of truth.
- She is empowered by Him to do a special work.
What if….
- If she is loyal to God, obedient to his commandments
- If she will honor the Lord God of Israel.
- If she will be true to her allegiance,
- If she will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance to the world
Then…
- There will dwell within her the excellence of divine power.
- There is no power that can stand against her
- The forces of the enemy will be no more able to overpower her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind.
- There is before the church the dawn of a bright glorious day.
The members of the church need now to do:
The members of the church need now to confess their backslidings and press together. My brethren…
- Allow nothing to come in that will separate you from one another or from God.
- Talk not of differences of opinion, but unite in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus.
- Come before God, and plead the shed blood of the Saviour as a reason why you should receive help in the warfare against evil.
Then you will not plead in vain. As you draw near to God, with heartfelt contrition and in full assurance of faith, the enemy who seeks to destroy you will be overcome.
Prisoners of hope turn to the Lord:
Turn to the Lord, ye prisoners of hope. Seek strength from God, the living God:
- Show an unwavering, humble faith in His power and
- Show an unwavering humble faith in His willingness to save.
From Christ is flowing the living stream of salvation. He is the Fountain of life, the Source of all power. When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change, wonderfully change, the most hopeless, discouraging outlook. He will do this for the glory of His name.
Tags: Adventist, Christian work, Repentance
