Sabbath Afternoon Bible class @ Eternal Gospel Church in West Palm
Beach on 7/23/05
By: Pablo Pacheco Jr.
Latter Rain—Unachievable Without
Unity
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1 And when the day of
Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
What did Jesus pray for in order that
we could receive the latter rain?
….that they all may be
one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in
us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou
gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in
them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;
What is Jesus waiting for? Should we
be anxious?
James 5:7-9 7 Be
patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience
for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also
patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one
against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth
before the door.
Should we be discouraging each other?
{RH, April 27, 1897 par.
2} All who bring
weakness and sorrow and discouragement upon God's people, by their own perverse
ways and tempers, aid the enemy of God, and are working directly against the
prayer of Christ.
Those types of people have a serious need.
{9T 193.1} Those who are following a course of
action that separates them from their brethren and brings in discord and
dissension, need a thorough conversion.
Let us compare unity with disunity.
{RH, April 27, 1897 par.
4} In union there
is strength; in disunion there is weakness.
What are God’s chosen ones suppose to reveal to the
world?
{Ibid.} God's chosen ones are to
reveal to the world their union one with another. It is not possible for a few
to walk to heaven alone because they can agree with no others.
What are we suppose to be? {Ibid.} God's people are to be a unit.
But what if we don’t agree on a certain standard?
{Ibid.} If some entertain ideas so
peculiar that others cannot accept them, they should compare notes in a
teachable spirit, and all should be willing to learn. They should make the most
strenuous efforts to be one, to come into the unity of the faith in the bonds
of peace.
Should all of
us dress appropriate, modest, and becoming?
Education, p. 248 In
dress, as in all things else, it is our privilege to honor our Creator. He
desires our clothing to be not only neat and healthful, but appropriate and
becoming.
The dress
reform should be practiced by all.
{HL 119.2} The sum and substance of true religion is
to own and continually acknowledge by words, by dress, by deportment, our
relationship to God.
Dress reform develops character.
{HL 120.1}Perhaps no question has ever come up among us which has
caused such development of character as has the dress reform.
Women’s attire should be.
{3SM 253.2} LOOSE-FITTING GARMENTS HUNG FROM THE
SHOULDERS WITH A HEMLINE ABOUT NINE INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.
What about the women’s arms or legs?
{HL 124.2} There is but one woman in a thousand who
clothes her limbs as she should. . . . Women should clothe their limbs as
thoroughly as do men.
Should women dress modestly only around strangers? Some wives and mothers seem to think it is no matter how
they look when about their work and when they are seen only by their husbands
and children, but they are very particular to dress in taste for the eyes of
those who have no special claims upon them. Is not the esteem and love of
husband and children more to be prized than that of strangers or common
friends? The happiness of husband and children should be more sacred to every
wife and mother than that of all others. Christian sisters should not at any
time dress extravagantly, but should at all times dress as neatly, modestly,
and healthfully as their work will allow." {1T 464.2}
Attire Appropriate for the Pulpit. Black or dark material is more becoming to a minister in the desk and will make a better impression upon the people than would be made by a combination of two or three different colors in his apparel. {3SM 250.1}
Should we wear belts? {HR, April
1, 1872 par. 1} Every article of clothing should be suspended from the
shoulders…. For exactly where these bands girt are nerves, and large
blood-vessels, which carry the blood into the limbs. These veins and nerves
should not be pressed, but allowed the most perfect freedom to fulfill the
purpose for which nature designed them.
What could happen if we continue to wear belts? {HL
122.2} The compression of the waist weakens the muscles of the
respiratory organs. It hinders the process of digestion. The heart, liver,
lungs, spleen, and stomach are crowded into a small compass, not allowing room
for the healthful action of these organs.
Some of us are imitating the fashions of the world.
{1T 189} I was shown that the
people of God should not imitate the fashions of the world. Some have done
this, and are fast losing the peculiar, holy character which should distinguish
them as God's people.
Should a woman cover her head in
church?
1 Cor 11:5-6 5 But every woman
that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her
head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman
be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be
shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
How did Sister White see the ancient people of God? {1T 188.3} I was pointed back to God's ancient people, and was led to compare their apparel with the mode of dress in these last days. What a difference! what a change! Then the women were not so bold as now. When they went in public, they covered their faces with a veil.
How did she describe last day fashions? {Ibid.} In these last days, fashions are shameful
and immodest.
Why isn’t there a marked difference between God’s people
and the world?
{Ibid.} If God's professed people had not greatly departed from
Him, there would now be a marked difference between their dress and that of the
world.
What about the small bonnets (a cloth tied under the chin and worn by women)? {Ibid.} The small bonnets, exposing the face and head, show a lack of modesty. The hoops are a shame.
What will happen to us if we neglect our duty to become a distinct people? {1T 188.3} The inhabitants of earth are growing more and more corrupt, and the line of distinction between them and the Israel of God must be more plain, or the curse which falls upon worldlings will fall on God's professed people.
We should study together in order to grow together and eliminate confusion. {9T 180.3} ….God wants the different nationalities to mingle together, to be one in judgment, one in purpose. Then the union that there is in Christ will be exemplified.
Let us break down the walls of partition between us.
{9T 181.1} I warn you, brethren
and sisters, not to build up a wall of partition between different
nationalities. On the contrary, seek to break it down wherever it exists. We
should endeavor to bring all into the harmony that there is in Jesus, laboring
for the one object, the salvation of our fellow men.
Let us be an example to the rest of the world. {9T 188.2} The world needs to see worked out before it the miracle that binds the hearts of God's people together in Christian love. It needs to see the Lord's people sitting together in heavenly places in Christ.
What are we to strive for?
{9T 188.1} Strive earnestly for unity. Pray for it, work for it.
What will happen if we do this?
{Ibid.} It will bring spiritual
health, elevation of thought, nobility of character, heavenly-mindedness,
enabling you to overcome selfishness and evil surmisings, and to be more than
conquerors through Him that loved you and gave Himself for you.
We must do the same as Jesus did. {Ibid.} Crucify self; esteem others better than yourselves. Great things will happen if we crucify self. {Ibid.} Thus you will be brought into oneness with Christ. Before the heavenly universe, and before the church and the world, you will bear unmistakable evidence that you are God's sons and daughters. God will be glorified in the example that you set.
What will happen if we give diligence to make our calling and election sure? {9T 191.3} "Wherefore the rather, brethren," says the apostle Peter, "give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10, 11.
Let us love one another. {9T 192.4} Do not let anything interpose between you and your brethren. If there is anything that you can do by sacrifice to clear away the rubbish of suspicion, do it. God wants us to love one another as brethren. He wants us to be pitiful and courteous. He wants us to educate ourselves to believe that our brethren love us, and to believe that Christ loves us. Love begets love.
Let us follow Jesus. {9T 198.3} Brethren, unify; draw close together, laying aside every human invention and following closely in the footsteps of Jesus, your great Example.