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    Chapter 45—The Chief Burden of Christ

    BIBLE GEM

    “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.”—John 16:7CWG 106.1

    QUESTION

    When Christ lived on earth, how did He spend much of His time? What was the chief subject upon which He preached?CWG 106.2

    ANSWER

    Christ spent much time in prayer: “Entire days were devoted to labor, and entire nights were spent in prayer, that He might be braced to meet the foe and fortified to help those who came to Him for relief.”—Gospel Workers, 115CWG 106.3

    Prayer a part of His daily program: “From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others.”—Christ's Object Lessons, 139CWG 106.4

    The disciples deeply impressed as they heard Him in secret prayer: “The hearts of the listening disciples were deeply moved. They had marked how often He spent long hours in solitude in communion with His Father.... It was from hours spent with God that He came forth, morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. The disciples had come to connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 102, 103CWG 106.5

    “He had often spent entire nights in the mountains in prayer.”—The Desire of Ages, 419CWG 107.1

    The chief burden of His preaching: “Christ, the Great Teacher, had an infinite variety of subjects from which to choose, but the one upon which He dwelt most largely was the endowment of the Holy Spirit. What great things He predicted for the church because of this endowment. Yet what subject is less dwelt upon now? What promise is less fulfilled? An occasional discourse is given upon the Holy Spirit, and then the subject is left for after consideration.”—Selected Messages 1:156, 157CWG 107.2

    Brings all other blessings: “The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the ‘former rain,’ and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant....CWG 107.3

    “The promise of the Spirit is a matter little thought of; and the result is only what might be expected—spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Minor matter occupy the attention, and the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in its infinite plenitude.CWG 107.4

    “It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless.”—Testimonies For The Church 8:21CWG 107.5

    “Plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise He has made.”—Testimonies For The Church 8:23CWG 107.6

    SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

    The promise of the Holy Spirit is as sure and as certain and we can rely on it just like we know the sun will rise every morning. But He will not come with power unless He is invited. Yes, He is with us at all times, but only the early birds get the worms. Only those that rise early or make an earnest effort during the day to seek for an ever greater infilling and empowering will receive Him.CWG 107.7

    Christ has promised if we ask, seek and knock, we will for sure receive, pressed down, shaken together, in absolute abundance.CWG 107.8

    Loving Saviour, please help us to believe in Your word and especially in the mighty gift of Your Holy Spirit. And may we with great joy experience the power of Your Holy Spirit flowing through us in love and compassion to this perishing world.CWG 107.9

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