Sunday
September 27
1. THE FIRST TIME THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED
a. Soon after the fall of man, what message was given to our first parents, and what was its significance? Genesis 3:15.
“To man the first intimation of redemption was communicated in the sentence pronounced upon Satan in the garden. [Genesis 3:15 quoted.] This sentence, uttered in the hearing of our first parents, was to them a promise. While it foretold war between man and Satan, it declared that the power of the great adversary would finally be broken.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 75.
b. By what means was the good news of salvation believed by the patriarchs and prophets? Genesis 4:3–7; Hebrews 11:4
“The worship of God through sacrificial offerings was established, and those who feared God acknowledged their sins before him, and looked forward with gratitude and holy trust to the coming of the Day Star, which should guide the fallen sons of Adam to heaven, through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thus the gospel was preached in every sacrifice.”—Selected Message, vol.1, p. 231.
Monday
September 28
2. JOHN THE BAPTIST’S MESSAGE
a. When John the Baptist began His ministry, what was the theme of his preaching? Matthew 3:1, 2; John 1:29.
“But when John beheld Jesus he told His mission. He said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).”—Faith and Works, p. 90.
“The preaching of John the Baptist created intense excitement. At the beginning of his ministry, religious interest was very low. Superstition, tradition, and fables had confused the minds of the people, and the right way was not understood. Zealous in securing worldly treasure and honor, men had forgotten God. John went forth to herald the Lord’s anointed, and call men to repentance.”—The Youth’s Instructor, May 17, 1900.
b. What was the result of John’s preaching? How did he deal with different people? Luke 3:7–14.
“The doctrine that John preached was, first, repentance for past sins; then, ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ They must show repentance toward God; then they would be prepared to show faith in the One who was about to declare himself unto them. Truth must be allowed to exercise its cleansing power upon the lives of these rulers.
“To those who were untaught in the oracles of God, it was enough for John to say, ‘Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ But when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he was stirred to give them a decided message. These men held themselves as a power among the people. Though they held different theories regarding some Bible subjects they were united in their desire to hear the words of the wilderness prophet. Some who came from curiosity, arrested by his words, became interested in the message he was giving, and were moved to be baptized. To them John said, ‘Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.’ Christ was about to appear as the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make known to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from sin, could they enter into fellowship with Him. Those who were corrupt in heart could not abide in His presence.”—The Review and Herald, November 28, 1907.
Tuesday
September 29
3. THE MESSAGE OF JESUS
a. As Jesus commenced His earthly ministry, what was the topic He urged upon the people? Mark 1:14, 15.
“The burden of Christ’s preaching was, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15).”—The Desire of Ages, p. 233.
“Christ’s message to the people was, ‘Unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ And the apostles were commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent. The Lord would have His servants preach today the old gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel, who have the tenderness of Christ.”—This Day With God, p. 370.
“To us Christ’s message is, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’.”—Welfare Ministry, p. 116.
b. What is the Bible definition of the gospel, the good news of salvation? Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
“Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel…This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, p. 37.
“The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, when it is interwoven with the practical life, when it is lived and practiced. The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel.”—My Life Today, p. 225.
“The gospel is the power and wisdom of God, if it is correctly represented by those who claim to be Christians.”—Christian Education, p. 147.
“The gospel is the revelation of God’s love to men, and means everything that is essential to the happiness and well-being of humanity.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 186.
“The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 824, 825.
Wednesday
September 30
4. BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
a. What will be the effect of the gospel in those who by faith accept the provision made for their salvation? Luke 18:13; 24:47; 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10.
“The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle’s confession our own: ‘I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.’ ‘God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world’ (Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14).”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 561.
b. Besides repentance, what will be the fruit of believing in Christ? Psalms 51:10–13; Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 John 3:24.
“The faith in Christ that saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. ‘Believe, believe,’ is their cry; ‘only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.’ While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works.”—Faith and Works, p. 52.
“The converting power of God can transform inherited and cultivated tendencies; for the religion of Jesus is uplifting. ‘Born again’ means a transformation, a new birth in Christ Jesus.”—The Adventist Home, p. 206.
“We need the faith of Abraham in our day, to lighten the darkness that gathers around us, shutting out the sweet sunlight of God’s love, and dwarfing spiritual growth. Our faith should be prolific of good works; for faith without works is dead. Every duty performed, every sacrifice made in the name of Jesus, brings an exceeding great reward. In the very act of duty, God speaks and gives His blessing.”—The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1898.
Thursday
October 1
5. SPREAD THE NEWS
a. What commission did Jesus give to His followers from His day until the end of time? Mark 16:15, 16; Matthew 28:18–20.
“In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message. Teach the people, He said, ‘to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’ …. ‘The law and the prophets,’ with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. Christ’s name is their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing that does not bear His superscription is to be recognized in His kingdom.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 826.
“The world is our field of missionary toil, and we are to go forth to labor surrounded with the atmosphere of Gethsemane and Calvary.”—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 12.
b. What power is promised to all who sincerely engage in the work of spreading the Good News of the Gospel? Acts 1:8.
“Believing in Christ and receiving His transforming grace is not guesswork, but a work which causes Christ’s virtues to be reflected in mind and character. When you gain this experience, you will say, ‘I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. The Lord Jesus shall be my portion forever.’ The power of the cross will move in you the mysterious springs of hope and fear, adoration, and love…. Henceforth, surrendering your will to the will of Christ, you are drawn into a region where the cross is the central object.”—Lift Him Up, p. 252.
Friday
October 2
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. What does Genesis 3:15 have to do with overcoming sin?
b. What should we learn from the ministry of John the Baptist?
c. How is the gospel to affect our practical life?
d. What does it actually mean to “believe” the gospel?
e. What promises are associated with spreading the gospel?