The Barren Fig Tree

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.

*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.

*Luke 13:6-9

L13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Then He began telling them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any;

By the "certain man" may be meant, either God the Father, who is sometimes called an husbandman; or rather the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly man, as well as properly God; and "by his vineyard" may be meant, the Jewish nation; which were His own nation and people, from whence He sprung, and to whom He was particularly sent, and among whom He had a special property; and may also be applied to the church of God in any age or nation, which is often compared to a vineyard, consisting of persons separated from the world, and planted with various plants, some fruitful, pleasant, profitable, and valuable, and are Christ's by His Father's gift, and His own purchase.

L13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’

cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? or "render the ground useless", for unfruitful trees suck up the juices of the earth, and draw away nourishment from other trees that are near them, and so make the earth barren, and not only hurt other trees, but stand in the way and place of fruitful ones; and therefore it is best to cut them down.

L13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
“But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

let it alone this year also - have patience one year more, or a little while longer. The Ethiopic version renders it, "until the winter".

L13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
and if it bears fruit after this, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

thou shall cut it down - do with it as thou pleasest, nothing more will be said or pleaded in its behalf; full consent shall be given, and no more intercession used.

"Having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:5-

The treatment of the barren fig tree by the Savior of the world shows how all pretenders to godliness will be treated.... This tree represents the Jews, who refused to respond to the love of Christ. Despite all the privileges and opportunities granted them, they brought forth only briers and thorns—no fruit to the glory of God. This blighted tree was a parable to the house of Israel—a most impressive lesson. It is also a lesson to the professed followers of Christ in every age. 

Reaching through all time, it speaks in unmistakable language to all formalists and boasters of godliness who stand forth to the world with high profession but are utterly devoid of that vital piety which alone God recognizes as fruit....We learn from the Sacred Record that this tree, upon which hung not a redeeming cluster of fruit, was clothed with green foliage. Notice the words, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 

*The doom of the fruitless fig tree has an application to individual professors who manifest the natural tendencies of the unrenewed heart, and contradict their faith by their daily life. They do not represent to the world the character of Christ, because they have not Christ in them."
From The Heart (E.G.W.)

The Good Shepherd

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.

*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.

*John 10:1-18

J10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.
but climbeth up some other way; by hypocrisy and deceit: or, like the prophets of old, who ran and were not sent; prophesied when they were not spoken to, but took their place and post by usurpation:
the same is a thief and a robber; steals into the church, or into an office in it, and robs God or Christ of their power and authority.

J10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].

But he that entereth in by the door; With a divine commission, and by a divine authority, he is the shepherd of the sheep; by whom Christ means Himself, as is evident.

J10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture].

John the Baptist was the porter who opened the door of Christ’s earthly ministry by bearing witness that he was the Son of God.

J10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call. 

He calls his own sheep by name, so exact is the notice he takes of them, the account he keeps of them; and he leads them our from the fold to the green pastures;

J10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.

They know his voice, so as to discern his mind by it, and to distinguish it from that of a stranger and a stranger will they not follow, but, as suspecting some ill design, will flee from him, not knowing his voice, but that it is not the voice of their own shepherd.

J10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them.
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.

This parable spake Jesus unto them; To the Pharisees, who were with Him, but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them; the things spoken by him being delivered in a parabolical way, though in lively figures, and in terms plain and easy to be understood; yet what through the blindness of their minds, and the hardness of their hearts, and their prejudices in favor of themselves, and against Christ, they did not understand what were meant by them.

J10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
So Jesus said again, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].

I am the door of the sheep; and of none but them; not of goats, dogs, or swine; none but sheep enter at this door;

J10:8 All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.

All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers,.... but the sheep did not hear them; the elect of God, some of which there were in all ages, though their number is comparatively few, did not attend to the false prophets, and false teachers, and idol shepherds; did not receive their doctrines, nor follow their practices; for it is not possible that these should be finally and totally deceived, or carried away with the error of the wicked.

J10:9 I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).

Christ is the door of the sheep: shall not only by safe from thieves and robbers, but he shall be happy, he shall go in and out.

J10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

The thief came to take away life, but Christ came to give life, and that abundant life which shall last for ever and ever; but see what it cost him to give that life.

J10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; A shepherd of his Father's appointing, calling, and sending, to whom the care of all His sheep.....the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep: not only exposes it to danger, as David did his, for the sake of his father's flock, but gives it away freely and voluntarily, for the sake of the sheep.

J10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

Just now the contrast was between the Shepherd and the thief. Here it is between the Shepherd and the hireling. The hireling cares for himself; the Shepherd cares for the sheep and provides for them and cares for them even at the cost of his life.

J10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling; And has no propriety in the sheep; had he, he would abide by them, and defend them; but because he has not, he will not expose himself to any danger, but leaves them: and careth not for the sheep; what becomes of them, providing only for his own safety.

J10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.
I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me].

There is mutual knowledge between the Shepherd and the sheep, and between the Father and the Son.

J10:15 As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep.
even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.

and I lay down My life for the sheep; 

which proves Him to be the good shepherd.

J10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.

The flock would never be complete without those “other sheep” which the Shepherd says He must bring into the fold, and which He says shall hear His voice.

J10:17 Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.

The voluntariness of Christ’s sacrifice is its glory.

J10:18 No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.
No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.

I have power - Or, authority. This commandment have I received - That is, I act according to the Divine commandment in executing these things, and giving you this information.

"Christ is the door to the fold of God. 

Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. 

In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace."
Desire of Ages (E.G.W.)

The Faithful Servant

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.
*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.
*Matthew 24:45-51/Luke 12:42–48

L12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward [of the estate], whom his master will put in charge over his household, to give his servants their portion of food at the proper time?
whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household: Christ's "household", or family, is His church, over which the ministers of the Gospel are appointed "rulers", to govern the house according to the laws of Christ, and keep every thing in good decorum and order; 
to give them their portion of meat in due season: they are faithful who give out the whole portion allotted, without adulterating it, or keeping back any part of it; and they are wise, who deliver it to them in proper time and season.

L12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.

What would be their happiness if they approved themselves faithful and wise: Blessed is that servant, 

(1.) That is doing, and is not idle, nor indulgent of his ease; even the rulers of the household must be doing, and make themselves servants of all. 

(2.) That is so doing, doing as he should be, giving them their portion of meat, by public preaching and personal application. 

(3.) That is found so doing when his Lord comes; that perseveres to the end, notwithstanding the difficulties he may meet with in the way.

M24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Just as Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over all Egypt, so, when men have done well in the ministry of Christ, He will promote them, and they shall do still more for Him.

L12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time in coming,’ and begins to beat the servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk...

But and if that servant say in his heart,.... Not the same servant before spoken of as a wise and faithful steward, that gives to all in the family the portion of meat in due season, and shall be found doing, and be made ruler over his master's goods but another, who also, as he, is made by his Lord ruler over his household, and is in a like post, and in the same office, but is an evil servant.
and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens; to persecute the ministers of the Gospel, and the true disciples of Christ,
and to eat, and drink, and to be drunken: to live a voluptuous and sensual life, to give himself up to intemperance and debauchery.

L12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him,.... For, not coming as was expected, he gives over looking, and concludes he will not come at all; in which he will find himself mistaken, for he will come in the very day which is appointed, though men know not of it, and do not look for it:
The worst portion that any man can get is with the unbelievers.

L12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
And that servant who knew his master’s will, and yet did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will be beaten with many lashes [of the whip],

And that servant which knew his Lord's will,.... Not his secret, but his revealed will; the will of God, which lies in the declarations of the Gospel, and in the commands and ordinances expressed in His word;

Christ here distinguishes between wicked servants, some being knowing, and others ignorant; and accordingly the aggravations of their guilt are more or less. So that there are different measures of responsibility; there are degrees in guilt, and degrees in punishment.

L12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
but the one who did not know it and did things worthy of a beating, will receive only a few [lashes]. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
So that there are different measures of responsibility; there are degrees in guilt, and degrees in punishment.

"The unfaithful steward had solemn responsibilities entrusted to him; before the world be appeared as a servant of Christ, but O, how deplorable for himself, and for all connected with him, he is an evil servant! 

He is imperiling his Lord’s goods. 

He is teaching souls to trample upon the holy law of God. 

He calls Christ, My Lord. 

But he says, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” 

He does not say that Christ will not come; 

he does not scoff at the idea of His second coming; 

but he tells the people that his coming is delayed. 

He is removing from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. 

His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay. 

Thus they are off their watch and they echo the words of the unfaithful watcher; still others catch them up, and the evil spirit, and men are confirmed in their worldliness and stupor. 

Their course is downward, not upward; they are not looking for and hasting unto the day of God. 

Earthly passions, corrupt thoughts, take possession of the mind."

Special Testimonies (E.G.W.)

The Watchful Servants

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.

*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.

*Mark 13:34–37/Luke 12:35–40

L12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning.

Let your loins - Be active, diligent, determined ready; let all hinderances be removed out of the way; and let the candle of the Lord be always found burning brightly in your hand.

M13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert.

Left his house - Οικιαν, family. Our blessed Lord and Master, when He ascended to heaven, commanded His servants to be faithful and watchful. 

This fidelity to which He exhorts His servants consists in doing every thing well which is to be done, in the heart or in the family, according to the full extent of the duty. 

The watchfulness consists in suffering no stranger nor enemy to enter in by the senses, which are the gates of the soul.

L12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those servants whom the master finds awake and watching when he arrives. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will prepare himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them.

Christ is our Master, and we are His servants, not only working servants, but waiting servants, servants that are to do Him honor, in waiting on Him, and attending His motions:
Christ our Master, though now gone from us, will return again, return from the wedding, from solemnizing the nuptials abroad, to complete them at home.

L12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Whether he comes in the second watch (before midnight), or even in the third (after midnight), and finds them so [prepared and ready], blessed are those servants.

The time of our Master's return is uncertain; it will be in the night, it will be far in the night, when he has long deferred his coming, and when many have done looking for Him; in the second watch, just before midnight, or in the third watch, next after midnight. 

His coming to us, at our death, is uncertain, and to many it will be a great surprise; for the Son of Man cometh at an hour that ye think not.

L12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he [would have been awake and alert, and] would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

But we do not know at what hour the alarm will be given us, and therefore are concerned to watch at all tines, and never to be off our guard.

M13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
What I say to you I say to everyone, Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!

We know not when He will come; and He has very wisely kept us at uncertainty, that we might all be always ready.

"Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may entice us to choose another master; for we are always free to do this."
Steps to Christ (White)

The Rich Fool

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.
*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.
*Luke 12:16–21

L 12:16 And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

Then He told them a parable, saying, There was a rich man whose land was very fertile and productive.

The ground of a certain rich man, etc. - He had generally what is called good luck in his farm, and this was a remarkably plentiful year.

L 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he began thinking to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place [large enough in which] to store my crops?

And, he thought within himself, - And foolish thoughts they were; 

he did not think of God, 

or that there was one, 

and much less that He was the author, 

of all his outward prosperity and plenty; 

and was still further off of thinking of returning thanks to God for it: or of asking counsel of Him, what he should do with it; but he consults himself only, and thought only within, and for himself; and not at all of his poor neighbors, or for the good of others; nor did he think even of his own soul, but altogether about his worldly substance.

L 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my storehouses and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.

I will pull down, etc. - The rich are full of designs concerning this life, but in general take no thought about eternity till the time that their goods and their lives are both taken away.

L 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).

Soul, thou hast much goods - Great possessions are generally accompanied with pride, idleness, and luxury; and these are the greatest enemies to salvation.

L 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own all the things you have prepared?’

“Thou fool.” That is God’s opinion of the man who means to build bigger barns in order that he may himself enjoy what is about to be taken away from him. 

He was a fool to be laying up in store for others to scatter. 

This night - How awful was this saying! He had just made the necessary arrangements for the gratification of his sensual appetites; and, in the very night in which he had finally settled all his plans....

L 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

So is he that So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God. 

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself - This is the accommodation of the parable.

"By the parable of the foolish rich man, Christ showed the folly of those who make the world their all. 

This man had received everything from God. 

The sun had been permitted 

to shine upon his land; 

for its rays fall on the 

just and on the unjust. 

The showers of heaven descend on the evil and on the good. 

The Lord had caused vegetation to flourish, and the fields to bring forth abundantly. 

--The rich man was in perplexity as to what he should do with his produce. His barns were full to overflowing, and he had no place to put the surplus of his harvest. 

--He did not think of God, from whom all his mercies had come. 

--He did not realize that God had made him a steward of His goods that he might help the needy. 

He had a blessed opportunity of being God's almoner, 

but he thought only of ministering to his own comfort.
This man's aims were no higher than those of the beasts that perish. He lived as if there were no God."
Christ Object Lessons (White)

The Two Debtors

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.

*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.
*Luke 7:41–43

L7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

A certain creditor  - It is plain that in this parable our Lord means, by the creditor, God.

L7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?
Which of them will love him most? - Q: Which is under the greater obligation and should love him most? 

The debtor that has found his creditors merciful ought to be very grateful to them; and, if he cannot otherwise recompense them, ought to love them.

L7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And He said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Simon answered, The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more. Jesus said to him, You have decided correctly.

I suppose, that he to whom he forgave most - it was his opinion, and to him a plain case, that he that owed the largest debt, and that being forgiven him fully, and freely, as he was under the greatest obligation, so as he ought, he would show the greatest love and affection to his kind and gracious creditor:
and He said unto him - thou hast rightly judged - this is a right and true judgment of the case; it is obvious and clear at first sight, and which every one must agree to.

"The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God. 

--But the atonement for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. 

--Christ's offering was exceedingly abundant to reach every soul that God had created. 

--It could not be restricted so as not to exceed the number who would accept the great Gift. 

All men are not saved; 

yet the plan of redemption is not a waste 

because it does not accomplish all 

that its liberality has provided for. 

There must be enough and to spare.

Christ's Object Lessons/Desire of Ages (White)

Wise and Foolish Builders

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version.
*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.
*Matthew 7:24–27/Luke 6:47–49

L6:46 And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you?
Q: Why do we call Him Lord, Lord, in prayer if we do not obey His commands?

M7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.

I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock -Luke says, "he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation a rock". 

Every believer is a builder; the house he builds, to which he digs deep, till he comes to a rock, to a good foundation; he searches diligently into the Scriptures of truth;

M7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

And the rain descended - floods came - winds blew - There are three general kinds of trials to which the followers of God are exposed; and to which, some think, our Lord alludes here: 

First, those of temporal afflictions, coming in the course of Divine Providence: these may be likened to the torrents of rain. 

Secondly, those which come from the passions of men, and which may be likened to the impetuous rivers. 

Thirdly, those which come from Satan and his angels, and which, like tempestuous whirlwinds, threaten to carry every thing before them. 

He alone, whose soul is built on the Rock of ages, stands all these shocks; and not only stands in, but profits by them.

Even if you live to the world, 

or live unto Satan, 

you will not live without trial.

M7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand.

And every one that heareth - and doeth them not - Q: Was there ever a stricter system of morality delivered by God to man, than in this sermon? 

He who reads or hears it, and does not look to God to conform his soul and life to it, and notwithstanding is hoping to enter into the kingdom of heaven, is like the fool who built his house on the sand. When the rain, the rivers, and the winds come, his building must fall, and his soul be crushed into the nethermost pit by its ruins.

M7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.

Just when the tenant most needed shelter, it fell. He did not need it so much till the floods came, and the winds blew; but now, when he would fain have crouched down beneath his roof-tree, and have been at peace from the howling hurricane, then “it fell.”

L6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.

The ruin of that house was great - Without a holy heart and a holy life, all is ruinous in the hour of temptation, and in the day of wrath.

“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” was the question put to the disciples at this time, and addressed to every one who names the name of Christ. 

The mere profession is nothing. 

No matter how lofty and splendid the edifice built on the sand, when the storm comes it is doomed.

Of course, it is a good deal easier 

to make anything 

out of sand than out of rock, which calls for patient, 

long-continued toil.

The reason so few find the way that leads to heaven and safety is that they do not heed the words of Christ. 

They may hear them, but this does not avail if, after hearing, 

they still follow in their own course 

--of unbelief 

--and sinful indulgences, 

and then when they are not blessed, complain.

--Let us make the Scriptures our rule of life. 

--Let us search them diligently and carry out in the daily life the principles that they teach. 

--This is the only genuine higher education possible for us to obtain."

Sermon/PresentTruthMagazine (White/Waggoner)

The Lamp

*Bible verses from the KJV and AMP version. 

*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.

*Matthew 5:14–16/Mark 4:21–25/Luke 8:16–18

M4:21 And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

He said to them, A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand?

Is a candle - put under a bushel - The design of My preaching is to enlighten men; my parables not being designed to hide the truth, but to make it more manifest.

M4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known].
For there is nothing hid - In these parables, and figurative expressions used by Christ, which shall not be manifested, sooner or later, to his disciples:
neither was any thing kept secret - any doctrine of the Gospel, or mystery of the kingdom:
but that it should come abroad - it was designed to be published in all Judea, and afterwards, throughout the whole world.
Though Christ expounded the parables to His disciples privately, yet it was with design to make them the more publicly useful; 

they were taught, 

that they might teach; 

and it is a general rule, 

that the ministration of the Spirit is given to every man, 

not himself only, but others also.

M5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Christ never contemplated the production of secret Christians.

M5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Let your light so shine before men - Here Christ applies the foregoing simile to His disciples, and more fully opens the meaning and design of it.
that they may see your good works - meaning their zeal and fervency; their plainness and openness; their sincerity, faithfulness, and integrity;
and glorify your Father which is in heaven - that is, that when the ministration of the Gospel has been blessed, 

for the illumination of the minds of men, 

to a thorough conviction of their state; and for their 

--conversion, 

--sanctification, 

--and comfort; 

they may give praise to God, and bless His name.

M4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear - What is now delivered, being very momentous and important;

L8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.

Take heed therefore how ye hear -That ye hear not in a careless and negligent manner,
for whosoever hath - that is, hath knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, and hath gifts and abilities to preach them to others:
to him shall be given - more knowledge, and by using his gifts they shall be increased:
but he that hath not - true, solid, spiritual knowledge of divine things, though he has had considerable advantages and opportunities of learning it.
from him shall be taken, even that which he seemeth to have - or "that which he thinks he has", as the Syriac version renders it; 

shall be taken from him - his seeming gifts shall vanish away, and he shall be left to fall into ignorance, error, and heresy. To seem to have a thing, is only to have it in appearance, and not in reality.

"As the sun goes forth on its errand of love, 

--dispelling the shades of night and awakening the world to life, 

so the followers of Christ are to go forth on their mission, 

--diffusing the light of heaven upon those who are in the darkness of error and sin.

The whole earth,
wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin, and sorrow, and pain,

is to be lighted with 

the knowledge of God's love.

From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded.

True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within. 

If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts.

--No other light ever has shone or ever will shine upon fallen man save that which emanates from Christ. 

Jesus, the Savior, is the only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying in sin.

Of Christ it is written, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4)."

Desire Of Ages/Christ's Object Lessons (White)

New Cloth and New Wineskins

*Bible verses from the KJV then AMP version.
*Verse by Verse Commentary from Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon and John Gill.

*Matthew 9:16–17/Mark 2:21–22/Luke 5:36–39

M9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

“But no one puts a piece of unshrunk (new) cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.
No man putteth a piece of new cloth - No man putteth a patch of unscoured cloth upon an old garment. Ρακος αγναφον is that cloth which has not been scoured, or which has not passed under the hand of the fuller, who is called γναφευς in Greek: and επιβλημα signifies a piece put on, or what we commonly term a patch.

M2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
“No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the wineskins. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles - By "old bottles" are meant, the Scribes and Pharisees, the whole, which needed not a physician, and the righteous, Christ came not to call; and by new wine, ... the love of God, ....the Gospel, which is not received by carnal men:
else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred - the Gospel will only fill them with rage and fury, and they will despise it, and let it go; 
but new wine must be put into new bottles - into the hearts of sinners, who are called to repentance, and are renewed in the Spirit of their minds; are newborn babes, that desire the sincere milk of the word, and wine of the Gospel.

L5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
“And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’”

for he saith, the old is better - old wine is more grateful, more generous, and more reviving to the spirits, than new wine is. 

This is a proverbial expression, and which Luke only records; which may be applied to natural men, who having drunk the old wine of their carnal lusts and pleasures, do not desire the new wine of the Gospel, and of the grace of God, and of spiritual things, but prefer their old sins and lusts unto them: carnal lusts may be signified by old wine, both for the antiquity of them, being as old as men themselves, and therefore called the old man. 

Scribes and Pharisees, who have drank of the old wine of the traditions of the elders, do not desire the new wine of the Gospel.

"The skin bottles which were used as vessels to contain the new wine, after a time became dry and brittle, and were then worthless to serve the same purpose again. 

In this familiar illustration Jesus presented the condition of the Jewish leaders. 

--Priests and scribes and rulers were fixed in a rut of ceremonies and traditions. Their hearts had become contracted, like the dried-up wine skins to which He had compared them. 

--While they remained satisfied with a legal religion, it was impossible for them to become the depositaries of the living truth of heaven.

--They thought their own righteousness all-sufficient, and did not desire that a new element should be brought into their religion. 

The good will of God to men they did not accept as something apart from themselves. They connected it with their own merit because of their good works. 

The faith that works by love and purifies the soul could find no place for union with the religion of the Pharisees, made up of ceremonies and the injunctions of men. 

The effort to unite the teachings of Jesus with the established religion would be vain. 

The vital truth of God, like fermenting wine, would burst the old, decaying bottles of the Pharisaical tradition." 

Desire of Ages (White)