Jesus Prepares You

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON III 
JESUS PREPARES YOU

The Law of Humility in Action

1. How did Jesus emphasize the importance of humility? "I can of mine own self do nothing." John 5:30.
2. How important is it that we assume Christ's attitude:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8.
3. Why is it essential for soul-winners to come down, in attitude, to the level of those for whom they labor?
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14, 15.

II. First Lesson to be Learned by Soul-winners
1. How did Peter express his humility, and with what result?
"I am a sinful man, 0 Lord," exclaimed Peter. Luke 5:8.
"Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men," replied Jesus. Verse 10.

2. When Isaiah caught a real picture of Christ, and of self, how did he express his humility,, and with what result?
"Woe is me: for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips," Isaiah exclaimed. Isaiah 6:5.
Then God said, "Go." Isaiah 6:9.
3. When Daniel recognized the presence of God, how did he show his humility, and with what result?
"My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength," declared Daniel. Daniel 10:8.
And the answer came back, "0 Daniel, a man greatly beloved." Daniel 10:11.

III. Humility–A Condition of Success
1. When God looks for channels of blessing, to what class does He turn?
"Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: . . . but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isaiah 66:1, 2.
"The Lord can work most effectually through those who are most sensible of their own insufficiency, and who will rely upon Him as their leader and source of strength. He will make them strong by uniting their weakness to His might, and wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom."Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 553.
"The first thing to be learned by all who would become workers together with God is the lesson of self- distrust; then they are prepared to have imparted to them the character of Christ."Desire of Ages, p. 250.
"The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power."Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 717.
"Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely."Desire of Ages, p. 382.
"The most childlike disciple is the most efficient in labor for God. The heavenly intelligences can co- operate with him who is seeking, not to exalt self, but to save souls." Desire of Ages, p. 436.
"You who feel the most unworthy, fear not to commit your case to God."Christ's Object Lessons, p. 177. 2. What did Jesus say of the high standing of John the Baptist?
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Matthew 11:11.
3. What spirit of self-distrust characterized John's life? "Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear." Matthew 3:11.
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. . . . He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:27-30.
"Those who have had the deepest experience in the things of God, are the farthest removed from pride or self-exaltation. They have the humblest thoughts of self, and the most exalted conceptions of the glory and excellence of Christ. They feel that the lowest place in His service is too honorable for them."Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 223.

4. How was the apostle Paul highly honored by the Lord?

"I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord ... such an one caught up to the third heaven." 2 Corinthians 12:1, 2.
5. How did this greatest of New Testament missionaries view himself?
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15.
6. How great a prophet was Moses?
"And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." Deuteronomy 34:10.
7. And yet how meek was he?
"Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3.
8. What spirit of the Master is to be learned?
"Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." Matthew 11:28-30.
"It is love of self that brings unrest."Desire of Ages, p. 330.
9. What will bring true rest to the soul?
“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33:14.

IV. How Self-Renunciation Is Acquired
1. Is it possible for us to empty ourselves of self?
"0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23.
"But no man can empty himself of self."Christ's Object Lessons, p. 161. 2. What is our part in getting rid of self?
"Yield yourselves unto God." Romans 6:13.
"We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, 'Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, un-Christlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul."Christ's Object Lessons, p. 161.
3. How often must this surrender of self be made to God?
"I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31, last part.
"It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely."Christ's Object Lessons, p. 161.

V. How the Humble Soul-winner Acts

1. How will humility cause the soul winner to relate himself to others? "Honour all men." 1 Peter 2:17.
"Let each esteem other better than themselves." Philippians 2:3. "Speak evil of no man." Titus 3:2.
"If they would cherish true humility, the Lord could do much more for His people; but there are few who can be trusted with any large measure of responsibility or success without becoming self-confident, and forgetful of their dependence upon God. This is why, in choosing the instruments for his work, the Lord passes by those whom the world honors as great, talented, and brilliant. They are too often proud and self-sufficient. They feel competent to act without counsel from God."Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 553, 554.

VI. Guidance Is Promised
1. When we thus renounce self, what great promise has God given to us?
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Proverbs 3:5-7
"Every one must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of him." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 214.
2. What was it that made the disciples adequate?
"When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13.
"The Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime."Acts of the Apostles, pp. 39, 40.
"Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day's duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be 'laborers together with God."Acts of the Apostles, p. 56.
3. What is God's promise to all who distrust self and rely wholly upon Him?
"The Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." Jeremiah 1:9.
4. What is God's command?
"Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." Exodus 4:12.

Reflection
Since nothing is so offensive to God as pride and self-sufficiency, is it your determination, with the author, to keep self low at the foot of the cross, and make the following rule your own?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8. 

"Enamored" with Jesus

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON II "ENAMORED" WITH JESUS

1. How is Christ described by the wise man?
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend." Song of Solomon 5:16.

II. We Are to Learn Christ's Way of Winning Souls
1. How successful was Christ in attracting audiences?
"There was gathered unto him a great multitude." Mark 4:1.
2. What was Christ's favorite theme?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." Psalms 103:13.
"Christ's favorite theme was the paternal character and abundant love of God. This knowledge of God was Christ's own gift to men, and this gift He has committed to His people to be communicated by them to the world." Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 55.
3. What invitation does Jesus give to His followers? "Come ... learn of me." Matthew 11:28, 29.
"Those who will study the manner of Christ's teaching, and educate themselves to follow His way, will attract and hold large numbers now, as Christ held the people in His day." Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 57.
4. 'What was the result of the early church following Christ's method?
"And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Acts 5:14.
"The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions."Acts of the Apostles, p. 48.

III. We Must Recognize the Law of Choice
1. How does the Lord make clear to us that we are not to exert human pressure in seeking to cause people to serve the Lord?
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5.
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." Romans 12:1, 2.
IV. We are Not to Use Fear, or Other Methods of Human Pressure
1. What does the Lord teach us concerning efforts to try to frighten people into making decisions for Christ?
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18.
"The young are often urged to do duty, to speak or pray in meeting; urged to die to pride. Every step they are urged. Such religion is worth nothing."Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 162.
"Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in his service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment, would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship."Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 523.
V. Christ's Method was to Make Truth So Attractive that People Would Choose It.
1. Whose way shall we follow in our efforts to win souls: Our's, of frightening, belittling, denouncing; or Christ's?
"I am the way." John 14:6.
"Learn of me.” Matthew 11:29.
2. What does the Bible say is the Lord's way of securing the choice of the sinner?
"I will allure her, ... and speak comfortably unto her." (Margin: "to her heart, or, friendly") Hosea 2:14.
"His blessings He presents in the most alluring terms. He is not content merely to announce these blessings; He presents them in the most attractive way, to excite a desire to possess them."Desire of Ages, p. 826.
"If Christ be in us the hope of glory, we shall discover such matchless charms in him that the soul will be enamored." Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 162.
"If we are Christ's, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences."Desire of Ages, p. 83.
"This is the theme of conversation–the preciousness of Christ."Testimonies to Ministers, p. 81.
VI. We Must Change Our Methods of Soul -winning to Conform to Those Christ Used
1. What does the Bible say should be done with evil methods? "Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness." Romans 13:12.

"That religion which will not exert a regenerating power upon the world, is of no value. We cannot trust it for our own salvation. The sooner we cast it away the better; for it is powerless and spurious." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 389.
"The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character. Acts of the Apostles, p. 48.

VII. The Holy Spirit Our Guide
1. How only can we win in the great struggle to allure sinners to Christ?
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." John 15:26.
''My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise He has made. With your Bibles in your hands, say: 'I have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy promise, 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 23.

Reflection
Would you like to join the author in the resolve to never belittle, over-urge, or denounce people; but on the other hand, to reflect Jesus in all His beauty in such a manner as will woo others to Him? 

Jesus Only!

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON I "JESUS ONLY"

The Central Law of Soul winning

I. The Secret of Winning 3,000 in a Day

1. As the glorious scene of Christ's transfiguration faded away, Whom only did the disciples see? "And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." Matthew 17:8.
"Jesus only–in these words is contained the secret of the life and power that marked the history of the early church."Acts of the Apostles, p. 64.
2. What experience was needed to prepare them to present "Jesus only"'?
"Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." Acts 1:8.
"Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit, since this is the means by which we are to receive power: Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to us than parents are to give good gifts to their children."Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 22.
"For the daily baptism of the Spirit, every worker should offer his petition to God." Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.
3. How many were added unto the early church in one day?
"And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41, last part.

II. Always the Secret
1. Whom are we invited to behold, and why?
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29, last part.
2. What is said to be the secret of the success of the life of Moses?
"For he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27, last part.
"Moses did not merely think of God, he saw Him. God was the constant vision before him. Never did he lose sight of His face."Education, p. 63.
3. What is the result of continually looking to God?
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Isaiah 45:22.
4. As we teach individuals to look to Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing, what also must we teach them to do?
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
5. How can we teach men they may be kept from sin?
"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalms 16:8.

"When the disciples first heard the words of Christ, they felt their need of Him. They sought, they found, they followed Him. They were with Him in the temple, at the table, on the mountain-side, in the field. ... After the Saviour's ascension, the sense of the divine presence, full of love and light, was still with them. IT WAS PERSONAL PRESENCE." Acts of the Apostles, pp. 64, 65.

III. Men Are Saved as They Become Acquainted with Jesus
1. Through knowledge of Whom does eternal life come?
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3.
2. What will Christ declare of those who are lost?
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:22, 23.
IV. Satan's Desire Is to Deceive the World
1. How are men lost?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth." Revelation 13:14, first part.
2. What caused Eve to sin?
"Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." 1 Timothy 2:14.

V. Doctrine and Jesus Go Together–they Cannot be Separated
1. Should we attempt to teach doctrine without Jesus?
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.
2. What statement shows that all doctrine, when properly presented, is truth about Christ?
"I say the truth in Christ." Romans 9:1.
"Christ presented the principles of truth in the gospel." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 309.
"Let the repenting sinner fix his eyes upon 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;' and by beholding, he becomes changed."Desire of Ages, p. 439.
3. What statement shows that it is necessary to have the "truth of Christ"—not merely abstract doctrine?
"As the truth of Christ is in me." 2 Corinthians 11:10.
4. What shows that it is not abstract truth which we are commissioned to give? "I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not." 1 Timothy 2:7.
VI. Our Need Today
1. What invitation is extended to the church of Laodicea by a Christ who is kept outside?

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20.

Reflection
Jesus declared that there is none good but one, and that is God. If, therefore, we would begin the philosophy of "I Know Something Good," we must begin with God. In the foregoing lesson we have learned that the disciples of Jesus, by beholding Him, carrying His personal presence with them, were able to live positive, happy and joyful lives. Threatenings, imprisonment, persecution, none of these could check their happiness.
Shall it not be our rule of life to so set Christ before our eyes that we shall no longer behold the weaknesses, faults and sins of others, but that we shall, by beholding Christ, be changed into positive, happy, joyful Christians?