Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 6:12-16, John 16:7-14, Luke 6:20-49, Jer. 50:31, Isa. 57:15, Acts 1.
Memory Text: Now it came to pass in those days that those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13, NKJV)
While Jesus was ever active in making disciples, He recognized [...]
The central Sofia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bulgaria had a vision to record Sabbath school lessons and sermons to upload on the Internet for anyone to watch. They had purchased the camera and other basic equipment to operate the studio, but they needed a few more pieces of equipment. Where would they get the money to buy the needed equipment? They prayed and they searched, but they hadn’t been able to complete the studio.
Then one Sabbath after vespers, a Bulgarian [...]
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, The Great Commission, pp. 25-34; Pentecost, pp. 35-46, in The Acts of the Apostles; In the Outer Court, pp. 621-626, The Good Samaritan, pp. 497-505, in The Desire of Ages.
“A certain Samaritan, in his journey, came where the sufferer was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He did not question whether the stranger was a Jew or a Gentile. . . .
Thus the question, Who is my neighbor? is forever [...]
Read Romans 15:12; Acts 1:7-8; John 11:52-53; Matthew 28:19-20. What’s the essential message here, and how does this message fit in so well with the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14?
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God’s final work is incomplete until the eternal gospel expressed in the message of the three angels found in Revelation 14 has crossed every racial, ethnic, national, and geographical boundary. Without divulging the precise timing, Scripture unequivocally states that this gospel will reach around [...]
Read John 7:35, 8:48, and Luke 10:27-37. In what way do these verses show why regional, ethnic, and other barriers should have no place among Christians as they seek to make disciples among all nations?
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Some of the leaders’ contempt for Jesus knew no bounds. Again, the terrible irony was that those who should have been in the forefront of receiving Him and His message were the very ones who fought against Him the hardest. [...]
Current lesson of the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of the Hope Sabbath School “Discipling the Sick” is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School Site.
Read John 12:20-32. How is the universality of the gospel message revealed in these verses?
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Jerusalem was buzzing with rumors. Christ’s triumphal entry had just occurred. Hosannas, though, were quickly replaced by questions. What was going to happen next? Would Jesus be crowned king?
Among the crowd assembling for Passover were Greek worshipers. Notice their words to Philip, Sir, we would see Jesus. In other words, they wanted to see Jesus. They wanted to be with [...]
Read Matthew 11:20-24, Luke 4:25-30, 17:11-19, and John 10:16. What crucial message comes from these texts? How can we take what is written here and apply it to ourselves, in our own time and context? What principle is revealed here that we have to be very careful about?
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Christ wanted His own people, those who had so many advantages, to wake up to what their true calling and purpose was as a people. He wanted [...]
Ancient prophets foretold the conversion of non-Jewish people (Gentiles) to a scripturally based faith. Heathen deities, pagan worship, and destructive lifestyles would be toppled by uncompromising submission to, and faith in, Jehovah. Israel’s enemies would stream into Jerusalem begging for admission, thirsting for spiritual knowledge. Israel’s commission was to broadcast God’s universal invitation to the surrounding nations.
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Unfortunately, Israel’s missionary passion was derailed by earthly concerns. The grand vision was buried beneath complacency. Christ’s coming [...]
Read for This Week’s Study: Isa. 56:6-8; Matt. 11:20-24; John 12:20-32; Rom. 15:12; Acts 1:7-8.
Memory Text: For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7, NKJV)
Christ’s message, from its inception, was destined for everyone everywhere. Early on the gospel went worldwide, because it is universally applicable. Doubtless, this concept challenged the disciples’ thinking. Their initial reaction, for instance, to Christ’s conversing with the Samaritan woman illustrates this challenge. They thought that Jesus as the [...]
