Sunday
July 10
1. WISE BUILDERS
a. Who is the only foundation upon which we will stand in the judgment? 1 Corinthians 3:11. What has God called us to be in this world? 1 Corinthians 3:9.
“Christ, the Word, the revelation of God—the manifestation of His character, His law, His love, His life—is the only foundation upon which we can build a character that will endure. . . .
“As you receive the word in faith, it will give you power to obey. As you give heed to the light you have, greater light will come. You are building on God’s word, and your character will be builded after the similitude of the character of Christ.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 149, 150.
b. How did Christ describe a wise man? Matthew 7:24, 25.
“Like the builders of these houses [which were founded up]on the rock, said Jesus, is he who shall receive the words that I have spoken to you, and make them the foundation of his character and life. . . . The word of God is the only steadfast thing our world knows. It is the sure foundation.” —Ibid., p. 148.
Monday
July 11
2. UNWISE BUILDERS
a. How did Christ describe an unwise person who may profess to be a Christian? Matthew 7:26, 27. What is wrong with so many nominal Christians who cannot see their danger? Matthew 7:21–23. Note that the Greek word translated as “iniquity” is anomia, meaning “lawlessness.”
b. With what kind of materials are we to build if we expect our spiritual house to stand all the tests? 1 Corinthians 3:12, 13.
“As fire reveals the difference between gold, silver, and precious stones and wood, hay, and stubble, so the day of judgment will test characters, showing the difference between characters formed after Christ’s likeness and characters formed after the likeness of the selfish heart.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 548.
“Every building erected on other foundation than God’s word will fall. He who, like the Jews in Christ’s day, builds on the foundation of human ideas and opinions, of forms and ceremonies of man’s invention, or on any works that he can do independently of the grace of Christ, is erecting his structure of character upon the shifting sand. The fierce tempests of temptation will sweep away the sandy foundation and leave his house a wreck on the shores of time.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 150, 151.
c. How do unwise people open the door to Satan? Matthew 12:43–45.
“The garnished house represents the self-righteous soul. . . .
“Self-righteousness is a curse, a human embellishment, which Satan uses for his glory. Those who garnish the soul with self-praise and flattery prepare the way for the seven other spirits more wicked than the first. In their very reception of the truth these souls deceive themselves. They are building upon a foundation of self-righteousness.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1093.
Tuesday
July 12
3. CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED
a. On what conditions can we claim to be Christ’s household? Hebrews 3:6; 10:23, 36.
“It is not enough to profess the faith. There must be a patient endurance of all trials and a brave resistance to all temptations. Faith can be maintained only by bringing the Christian religion to the test of practice, thus demonstrating its transforming power and the faithfulness of its promises.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, pp. 928, 929.
b. What relationship does God want to see among the members of His household? Galatians 6:9, 10; Romans 15:5–7.
“Church relationship is not a light matter. Every believer should be wholehearted in his attachment to the church of God. Its prosperity should be his first interest. . . . None need stay out because their talents are small or their opportunities limited. It is in the power of all to do something for the cause of God. They can illustrate in their lives and characters the teachings of Christ, being at peace with one another and moving in perfect harmony. They can, too, by a little self-denial, help to bear the financial burdens of the church. They should not feel at liberty to receive the benefits and share the privileges of the church relationship without doing this. . . .
“Christ saw that unity and Christian fellowship were necessary to the success of His cause, therefore He enjoined upon His disciples to cultivate these qualities. And the history of Christianity from that time to this proves conclusively that in union only is there strength.”—The Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, September 1, 1888.
“Through circumstances some who love and obey God become poor. Some are not careful; they do not know how to manage. Others are poor through sickness and misfortune. Whatever the cause, they are in need, and to help them is an important line of missionary work.
“All our churches should have a care for their own poor. Our love for God is to be expressed in doing good to the needy and suffering of the household of faith whose necessities come to our knowledge and require our care. Every soul is under special obligation to God to notice His worthy poor with particular compassion.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 271.
Wednesday
July 13
4. HELPING EACH OTHER
a. As members of Christ’s household, how are we to help each other? Galatians 6:1, 2; James 5:19, 20; Hebrews 10:24; 12:13.
b. Where and how should we put into practice the admonition of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:13? Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:34–40.
“God’s cause embraces every needy, suffering saint. We are not selfishly to single out a few relatives and friends and help them, letting our work end here. All the needy who come to our notice are to be helped, but especially those who are suffering for the truth’s sake.” —The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1151.
c. What spiritual condition should we achieve before we can effectively help others? 2 Timothy 2:20–26. How can we become vessels of honor in Christ’s house? 1 Timothy 4:12–16.
“A godly example will tell more for the truth than the greatest eloquence, unaccompanied by a well-ordered life. Trim the lamp of the soul, and replenish it with the oil of the Spirit. Seek from Christ that grace, that clearness of comprehension, which will enable you to do successful work.”—Gospel Workers, pp. 104, 105.
“Take heed to thyself. Do not talk of the faults of others. If you have anything against any one, go to him, and tell him all about it. Pray with him and for him. If all would do this, how many souls would be saved to the work of God! . . .
“God has sent us reproofs and warnings. Forget not the things that you have seen. Forget not the history of the past, when God revealed His power and His grace, giving victory after victory, when He let His blessing and mercy rest upon us, and when He reproved our errors and our wrongs. Do not repeat the wrongs that He has reproved. Do not wait for Him to tell you every day what you must do. When He commands you once, it is forever. Establish your confidence in God. Come to Him with a living faith.”—The General Conference Bulletin, April 2, 1903.
Thursday
July 14
5. “FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK”
a. How did the world treat the Master of the universe? And what treatment must we expect from the world? Matthew 10:24–26.
“God’s servants must not be surprised that they meet with great difficulties and persecution at this time. In His day, the world’s Redeemer, the Son of God, was shamefully treated by the people He came to bless. He had to go from city to city to ensure His safety, and this persecution followed Him until His work on earth was accomplished.
“I am so thankful that we have a faith that will stand the test of trial and opposition. As trouble in the world increases, the Lord’s children will have to suffer; but the Word of God affords comfort and encouragement for such a time.”—Manuscipt Releases, vol. 21, p. 101.
b. On what condition do we have assurance while undergoing persecution? Romans 8:35–37; Hebrews 13:6; 2 Chronicles 15:2.
“In every age God’s chosen messengers have been reviled and persecuted, yet through their affliction the knowledge of God has been spread abroad. Every disciple of Christ is to step into the ranks and carry forward the same work, knowing that its foes can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. God means that truth shall be brought to the front and become the subject of examination and discussion, even through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated; every controversy, every reproach, every effort to restrict liberty of conscience, is God’s means of awakening minds that otherwise might slumber.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 33.
Friday
July 15
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe a wise spiritual builder.
2. Describe an unwise spiritual builder.
3. How can Christ’s household be identified?
4. What will be taken into consideration in the judgment?
5. What assurance do we have for the time of persecution?