Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2018

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STEWARDSHIP MOTIVES OF THE HEART BY JOHN H. H. MATHEWS

Stewardship: Motives of the Heart Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 The Influence of Materialism I See, I Want, I Take God or Mammon? Escape From the World’s Ways Stewards After Eden The Marks of a Steward Honesty With God The Impact of Tithing Offerings of Gratitude The Role of Stewardship Debt—A Daily Decision The Habits of a Steward— The Results of Stewardship

Stewardship: Motives of the Heart Our Goal These lessons are geared to teach us what our responsibilities as stewards are, and how we can, through God’s grace, fulfill those responsibilities—not as a means of trying to earn salvation but as the fruit of already having it.

Stewardship: Motives of the Heart Lesson 4, January 27 Escape From the World’s Ways

Escape From the World’s Ways Key Text Proverbs 11: 4, 28, NKJV “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. . He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. ”

Escape From the World’s Ways Initial Words Although Satan failed with Jesus, he has succeeded with everyone else. He will continue to do so unless we fight in the armor and power of God. Our only hope to escape the allure of the world is a vital and successful relationship with Jesus. We will study the elements of that relationship.

Escape From the World’s Ways Quick Look 1. Relationship Through the Word (John 5: 39, 20: 31) 2. Relationship Through Prayer (Mark 11: 24) 3. Relationship Through the Spirit (John 16: 13)

Escape From the World’s Ways 1. Relationship Through the Word John 5: 39, 20: 31 NKJV “ ‘You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ’. . . But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. ”

1. Relationship Through the Word A Relationship With Christ Love of worldly possessions can be a powerful chain that binds the soul to the world instead of to Christ. The passionate desire to attain material goods can become a terrible curse that will, lead a soul away from salvation. Satan uses the love of material possessions to ensnare as many as he possibly can. What is our only

1. Relationship Through the Word A Relationship With Christ The only cure for worldliness is a continual devotion to Christ (Ps. 34: 1). Christ must be our first priority. We must be devoted to Christ because of who He is and what He has done for us, not because of any immediate advantages our faith and commitment to Him might bring. Then He will break the world’s hold upon our souls.

1. Relationship Through the Word In the Word We study the Bible because it’s the ultimate source of the Truth. Jesus is the Truth. In God’s Word we learn about who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for us. We then fall in love with Him and commit our lives and souls to His eternal safekeeping. By obeying His words we can become free from the bonds of the

1. Relationship Through the Word In the Word Love of worldly things never elevates the mind to spiritual morality; instead, it replaces biblical principles with greed, selfishness, and lust. Love, as revealed in the Bible, builds relationships by teaching us the importance of the giving of ourselves to others. In contrast, worldliness is all about getting things for ourselves.

Escape From the World’s Ways 2. Relationship Through Prayer Mark 11: 24 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ”

2. Relationship Through Prayer The Life of Prayer Faith is about a relationship with God. If knowing God is “ ‘eternal life, ’ ” then we can find that life through a relationship with Him. And central to that relationship is communication. God communicates to us through His divine Word. We, in turn, commune with Him through prayer.

2. Relationship Through Prayer The Life of Prayer If we are to set our minds and hearts upon heavenly things as opposed to things of this world, then prayer is essential. This is because, by its very nature, prayer points us to a higher realm than that of the world itself. Yet we must be careful, because sometimes our prayers can be merely an expression of our own selfish nature.

2. Relationship Through Prayer The Life of Prayer If there is no faith attached to our prayers, there will be presumption, Satan’s counterfeit faith. “Prayer and faith are closely allied. . Christ. . . makes it plain that. . . we must ask for the things that He has promised, and whatever we receive must be used in doing His will. The conditions met, the promise is unequivocal. ”—EGW Prayer 57.

2. Relationship Through Prayer The Life of Wisdom is the application of knowledge and understanding. Knowledge represents the facts; understanding represents discernment; and wisdom comes in the process of applying our understanding and knowledge to our lives. A wise steward needs the experience that comes from living out that knowledge and understanding.

Escape From the World’s Ways 3. Relationship Through the Spirit John 16: 13 NKJV “ ‘However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. . ’ ”

3. Relationship Through the Spirit The Holy Spirit of Truth The Great controversy is real; two sides are battling for our souls. One is drawing us to Christ (John 6: 44) and one to the world (1 John 2: 16). The power of the Holy Spirit can and will draw us in the right direction. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live by principle and by faith, not by whims or emotions that so dominate the world.

3. Relationship Through the Spirit The Holy Spirit of Truth “It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the mind. By directing men to false standards, he misshapes the character. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. ”—The Desire of Ages 671.

Escape From the World’s Ways Final Words A steward operates from the twin principles of duty and love. “Remember that duty has a twin sister, Love; these united can accomplish almost everything, but separated, neither is capable of good. ”— Testimonies 4: 62. Duty is love in action. We need only to dwell on Christ’s sacrifice in order