Q5/6: WHAT IS THE CALL THAT JESUS SENDS OUT TO ALL MANKIND? WHAT ARE WE CALLED TO?
Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Everyone who accepts Jesus as Saviour and Lord is expected to co-labour with Him for the salvation of the human race. Many folk have been chosen for various things from corporal to sergeant, from ordinary man to Premier...
1 Peter 2:9: But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Matthew 5:14: Ye are the light of the world.
Isaiah 43:10: Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen.
2 Corinthians 5:12: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.
From ordinary to extraordinary! From common to holy! We are chosen to become God's visual aid. His letter to mankind. He places us on stage as "Exhibit A".
Gospel Workers, pp. 13 & 26: In every period of this earth's history, God has had His men of opportunity, to whom He has said, "Ye are my witnesses." Since His ascension, Christ the great head of the church, has carried forward His work in the world by chosen ambassadors, through whom He speaks to the children of men, and ministers to their needs. The position of those who have been called of God to labour in word and doctrine for the upbuilding of His church, is one of grave responsibility. In Christ's stead, they are to beseech men and women to be reconciled to God; and they can fulfil their mission only as they receive wisdom and power from above. There can be no harvest without seed-sowing, no result without effort. So today, God's servants are to go where He calls, trusting Him to guide them and to give them success in their work.
Q7: HOW DOES GOD CHOOSE THOSE FOR HIS SERVICE?
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 144: In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence or worldly wealth. He asks: "Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them my way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent me?
Q8/9: HOW DOES GOD WORK IN AND WITH US TO MAKE US SUCCESSFUL IN HIS SERVICE? HOW CAN WE CO-OPERATE WITH HIM?
Christ's Object Lessons, p. 146: It is not the capabilities you now possess, or ever will, that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you...He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you.
Desire of Ages, p. 668: It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses.
Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 382: When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit.
Matthew 26:40: Jesus said, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Q10: WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO CO-OPERATE WITH GOD?
James 1:5-7: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Q11: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SURRENDER OURSELVES TO CHRIST?
Desire of Ages, p. 324: When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one.
Steps to Christ, p. 47: What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centred upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.
If we put our wills on God's side, he will put His power on our side. Then we will have will power to do His will. Is this a Ripley story? Are these "cunningly devised fables?"
Q12: WHAT IS FAITH AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK?
Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Romans 1:17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
1 John 5:4: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:).
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Philippians 2:12, 13: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
Salvation is not of works but it must be worked out. We must not be intimidated by a beaten foe. We must take God at his word! The principles of the Word of God can be lived out - natural and normal!
Q13: WHAT IS AN EXCELLENT OBJECT LESSON OF FAITH FROM THE BIBLE?
Matthew 8:5-10: And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Q14: WHAT IS THE LIFE OF FAITH LIKE?
My Life Today, p. 313: When souls are converted their salvation is not yet accomplished. They then have the race to run; the arduous struggle is before them to do, what? "To fight the good fight of faith," to press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. There is no release in this warfare; the battle is lifelong, and must be carried forward with determined energy proportionate to the value of the object you are in pursuit of, which is eternal life.
IT'S A MIND GAME!