It has been a blessing each week to study and teach the Sabbath School lesson online. After doing Monday's lesson for this week, I could not help but want to share some things with our readers of  the Remnant Online Newsletter. We do this with the hope that you will share some of the thoughts with your Sabbath School class this coming Sabbath.

Why are we so impressed with Monday's lesson? It deals with the sacred oracles of God which have been entrusted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Even more so, it is very pointed in that its purpose is to enlighten the church as to the stewardship of God's grace which has been entrusted to us as a people.
 

"For by grace are ye saved"

The lesson opens with Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." We are told that "grace is 'undeserved favor.' It is a gift you do not deserve. God has poured out His grace on this planet and, if we would simply not reject it, His grace will reach down and transform our lives, now and for eternity."

This is an amazing truth the lesson has revealed to the world church. We are saved by grace and that grace will "transform our lives, now and for eternity." The lesson also tells us that all we have to do is not reject His grace in order to be transformed. While this is true, from a practical standpoint, we need to spend time beholding His grace that we might see it. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ. Why? So that we might know Him, that we might see His grace towards us. We cannot trust someone we do not know. If we are to be saved, then we must

Grace will reach down and transform our lives, now

trust Him who gave all for us. In order to trust Him, to believe Him, with the whole heart, we must know Him intimately.

We appreciate the lesson on grace since grace is more than a word, it is the transforming power that takes the unrepentant sinner and transforms him into a saint. "If you would be a saint in heaven you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny. Defects of character must be repented of and overcome through the grace of Christ, and a symmetrical character must be formed while in this probationary state, that we may be fitted for the mansions above." Letter 18b, 1891

It is late in the day. Probations are closing, and soon probationary time will close for all. "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:10,11.

We live in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. The hour of His judgment is come. While many in the church have forgotten, or rejected this truth, it is Biblical and is and has been an important doctrine within the church. It is an integral part of the last message of warning to be given to a world soon to perish. "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement is come." Rev. 14:7.

Grace not received into the heart does not bring about the transformation of character that is needed to enter heaven. If we do not behold God's grace daily, then we will not be able to maintain our connection with Christ. Paul explained that we are to die daily. "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31. We live in vile bodies of fallen flesh. Our only hope is to allow grace into our hearts that we might then give glory to God. How do we do that? We manifest His character.

It is by grace that the character is transformed. It is His unmerited love that breaks the heart. It is a new heart that we need. The old carnal heart must be circumcised. "A new heart also will I give you, and a

I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes

new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:26,27. This is a most precious promise that God's grace will today transform your life. Today, is the day of salvation, today, we can be filled with the Spirit of God. When the Spirit comes into the heart, He brings with Him all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one is missing.

This is important, for many teach otherwise. It is Satan's work to deceive God's people as to the power of the gospel of grace to transform the life today. Let us look again at Monday's lesson. "His grace will reach down and transform our lives, now...." Amen! We do not have to wait until the end of time to be changed in character. Today, if we will allow God's grace into the heart, Jesus will change our character today. We can be new creatures in Christ Jesus. The old things will pass away as long as we will continue to abide in Christ and He in us. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance which is self control will be in the life. What a promise!! "When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." Desire of Ages, pg 676.

We are justified in having eternal life when by an intelligent faith we allow the grace of God into the

"Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart"

heart. We must believe with all of the heart, not part of it. We must love the Lord they God with all of the heart. There is no half way. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." Matthew 6:24. What is the great commandment? "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deuteronomy 6:5. We find the same in the New Testament. "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Matthew 22:37,38.

Grace is the transforming power that turns sinners into saints. If we do not believe this, then how can we be saved? Beware of false teachers who stand between you and Christ, between you and His grace, between you and the power of His grace. The Sabbath School lesson continues in making the point about the importance of grace.

"No question: of all that God gives us, the grace given us in Jesus Christ is the most precious gift of all.

The grace given us in Jesus Christ is the most precious gift of all

Without grace, we would be without hope. Sin’s doleful impact on humanity is too great for humans ever to free themselves from it. Even obedience to God’s law couldn’t bring to us life."

There is no "obedience to God's law" unless we first die to self. Obedience is only possible when we have the Holy Spirit abiding in the heart. Without a full heartfelt surrender to Christ, we can do no good thing. Our tithing is tainted by selfishness if we have not His Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9. Tithing and offerings given by Christians for the wrong reason are a stench in God's nostrils, just as were the slain lambs when given by Jews that were "whited sepulchers."

The lesson continues: “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law' (Gal. 3:21). After all, if any law could save us, it would be God’s law. But Paul says that even that can’t do it. If we are to be saved, it would have to be by grace."

Amen! And then how do we know that one is saved by grace? Is there evidence of this change, of conversion? There indeed is evidence of conversion. There is a radical transformation of character when the heart is fully given to Christ. As we have read, all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in the life, not one is missing. Again, if we are walking in the flesh, we have not His Spirit, then we are none of His. "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9.
 
Today's lesson asks "how is stewardship related to grace?" The lesson provides Biblical evidence that the church is the repository of God's grace. Peter tells us who are born again Christians "As every man hath

We are indeed stewards of God's grace

received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10. All who have allowed God's grace into the heart, are as fountains of "living water" which we are to share with those in the world. We are indeed "stewards of God's grace."

Peter goes on to make it clear that it is in our suffering that we are witnesses of that grace. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified." 1 Peter 4:12-14. 

Paul understands what it means to suffer and he did glory in his great trials. He tells the Philippians "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29. It is contrary to the natural man to glory in tribulation, but for the truly converted Christian, it is an honor. "And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor." Desire of Ages, pg 224.

When we are mistreated, how do we respond? Is there grace in the heart that others might be loved even though they be our enemy? Point me to a world religion that not only teaches this, but practices it. It is only the religion of heaven that has the power of an indwelling Savior that teaches and reflects heaven's love for fallen evil humanity.

Why is today's lesson so important to the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Because the gospel of grace is foreign to way too many, including ministers who were ordained to preach the gospel of grace. Unless we recognize our continual need of God's grace in order to do any good thing, unless we believe grace can keep us from sinning, until we teach that God's grace when received into the heart transforms sinners into saints....today, we are not in a position to give the three angels message which begins with "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Revelation 14:6.

More than this, unless we are in a converted state, unless we are living this message, how can we take it to the world? We can't. No one would believe the message if the ones carrying it were not reflecting the truth portrayed. There are many who have left God's church because they saw the hypocrisy in the church. They then began calling the church Babylon contrary to the light given in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. It is true that God's chosen people, Israel, were cut off because of their apostasy. But, it is not prophesied that the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be cut off as was Israel. And, it is revealed in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that the last of the seven churches in Revelation will see revival and reformation. Why do I bring this up now in our study of today's Sabbath School lesson? Because God tells us that we are not now reflecting His character, but He still loves us and will pour out His Spirit upon His church. Not all will accept the Spirit, so not all will be converted. But, God will have a church without spot or wrinkle. Let none prophecy that God's grace cannot transform His Laodicean Church. God's grace has power to convert more than a few in the church. Those who will not allow His grace into the heart, will be sifted out of the church.

Where in the Bible do we find the promise of His church reflecting His grace?

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah  59:19-60:2.

God does not just speak of His glory, which is His character, being revealed in His church in just one place in Scripture. He wants us to know for a certainty He is speaking of us and to us who are living at the end of time. He identifies the Laodicean Church in a manner that we might see ourselves in His Word. In two chapters He speaks through Ezekiel to the last of the churches that His promise can apply. For there will be no other church after us. We are the seventh and last church in Revelation. Thus, the promises we are about to read, having not been fulfilled, must apply to the Laodicean Church, the Remnant Church of God.

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of

"I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes"

Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you..." Ezekiel 36:22-26.

It is when the world sees a sanctified people who were a Laodicean people who profaned the name of God, that they will know there is a God in heaven who has power to turn sinners into saints. Is not God speaking of a Laodicean Church? Let not those who call the church Babylon, say God has not the power to transform a church when the Word of God says otherwise. Let not apostate ministers deny the power of grace to "sanctify" a Laodicean today. Let not those who do not believe with the whole heart, deny what Scripture says about a new heart that has power to cause repentant sinners to keep the statutes of God.

How does this transformation of the church take place? It is through the power of grace. It was a filthy church that God poured out His Spirit upon. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." Yes, it is a filthy church that God has promised to revive and reform. But, God does not stop here. He gives more evidence that a Laodicean Church, dead in trespasses and sins, not only can be revived, but will be. Which is the church  filled with dead, dead, dead church members? It is the modern day house of Israel.

"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, [there were] very many in the open valley; and, lo, [they were] very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in

"These bones are the whole house of Israel"

you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." Ezekiel 37:1-14.

To those who call the church Babylon, you are denying the power of God's grace to bring revival to a dead church. You deny Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. These "bones" are dry, very dry, dead, dead, dead. But, God breathes out His Spirit upon the bones. He pours out cleansing water, and the filthy church is cleansed. New hearts that manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen by the world, which then knows it is the God of modern day Israel that is the God of heaven and earth. Those dead dry bones deserved nothing. It is God's grace that brings about life where there was none.

To those who are leaders in Israel today, do not deny what you read. The church is backslidden and will not see revival until she acknowledges her condition and seeks repentance which God has promised. What does God want from His pastors?

     "There is need of shepherds who, under the direction of the Chief Shepherd, will visit and present the truth in the simplicity of Christ. This means physical discomfort, and the sacrifice of ease. It means that

Present the truth in the simplicity of Christ

the workers are to represent the Great Shepherd, leaving ninety and nine, and seeking for the stray sheep and lambs. It means a tender solicitude for the erring, the forbearance of Christ, a divine compassion, because the human agent is a partaker of the divine nature. It means an ear that can listen to heart-breaking recitals of wrongs, of degradation, of falling under temptation, of despair and misery. This kind of work means self-sacrifice." Review and Herald, January 26, 1911

God wants a converted ministry where the pastor is a "partaker of the divine nature." In order to become such a pastor and to continue to be such a pastor, he needs to partake of the spiritual food which is God's grace, daily. It is by beholding the loveliness of Jesus that we are converted daily. It is not only possible to be sanctified, and to remain sanctified, it is necessary in order to feed the sheep.

Monday's lesson speaks truths to us all, but especially to those called into ministry. We have stood on vantage ground. We have been given time to study, resources that we might understand present truth,  and most of all, the Spirit and grace of God. To whom much is given, much is expected. What shall we render unto God? Today's lesson speaks to this.

"Peter said that as we have received the gift of God’s grace, we are to be 'stewards of the manifold grace of God' (1 Pet. 4:10) in return. That is, God has given us gifts; therefore, we need to give back from what we have been given. What we have received, by grace, is not just for pleasing and benefitting ourselves, but for the furtherance of the gospel. Freely we have been given (which is what grace is all about); freely, then, we need to give every way we can."

Amen! The grace extended to us is to be given to others. In order to give grace to others, we need a fresh

God only gives grace for today

supply each day. We cannot give to others that which we do not possess. God only gives grace for today. Tomorrow we need to obtain a fresh supply, which is set before us each day. We must make the effort to obtain it. Where can we find this grace? It surrounds us a thickly as the air we breathe. The Spirit that came upon the dead dry bones is speaking to us right now. Will we respond to God's grace? Will we spend that thoughtful hour each day contemplating the grace of Christ? It is left with us to decide if we want Jesus or the things of this world.

It is our prayer that we all will choose Jesus. Then we can honestly give the gospel and the last message of warning to a world which is soon to perish....."Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come."