Lesson 6, August 1-7
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Corinthians 12:12; Matthew 3:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Matthew 25:14-30.
Memory Text: “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:11
God calls us to witness for Him (Acts 1:8, Isaiah 43:10). Witnessing is not a special spiritual gift that only a select few possess. Witnessing is the divine calling of each Christian.
The Bible uses different expressions to describe our calling before God. We are to be “the light of the world”, “ambassadors for Christ”, and “a royal priesthood” (Matthew 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 2:9). This same God who calls us to witness and for service equips us for the task. He imparts spiritual gifts to each believer. God does not call the qualified. He qualifies those whom He has called. Just as He gives salvation freely to all who believe, He gives His gifts to them freely, as well.
As we consecrate ourselves to God and dedicate our lives to His service, our possibilities to serve are endless. “There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting aside self, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God” (Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 159).
In this week’s lesson, we will study our unlimited possibilities for service through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
