The issue of where we stand in the cosmic struggle that unfolds around us is made very personal in the parable of the man building a house on the rock. Read Matthew 7:21-27. What is so frightening about this parable? What comes to mind when you imagine this story? Where is the rock and where … [Click to read more …]
The great controversy theme is implicit in Jesus’ parable of the sower. The listing of four types of responses to the gospel message indicates that there are more than just “good” and “bad” people in the world. Life is more complex than that, and so we need to be careful how we approach those who … [Click to read more …]
“‘Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’” (Matt. 11:29, NKJV). How does taking His “yoke” bring rest to our souls? This offer points to a personal dimension amid the much larger one of Jesus’ mission to free … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 11:29; Rom. 4:1-6; Matt. 13:3-8, Matt. 13:18-23; Matt. 7:21-27; James 2:17; Matt. 7:1-5. Memory Text: “‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). When we think of the great-controversy theme, we tend to think of it in grand, … [Click to read more …]
Though one can find writers through the centuries touching on the theme of the great controversy, and though some evangelicals today are looking at the idea more closely-no one has a deeply developed great- controversy worldview as does the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A literal, physical, moral, and spiritual conflict between Christ and Satan is, indeed, … [Click to read more …]
In Matthew’s version, while the first temptation focused on appetite and the second on manipulating God, the third was a direct challenge to Christ Himself, to His kingship and to His ultimate mission on earth. Read Matthew 4:8-10, Deuteronomy 34:1-4, and Revelation 21:10. What is the significance of the “exceeding high mountain” that Satan took … [Click to read more …]
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Victory in the Wilderness” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath … [Click to read more …]
The first temptation parallels the Exodus but had its roots in the Fall. By placing a priority on faithfulness to God, instead of giving in to appetite, Jesus recovered the ground that Adam lost at the tree of knowledge. However, to completely bridge the gap from where the human race had descended since the time … [Click to read more …]
Read Matthew 4:1-3. What is happening, and why? How do we see the great controversy being played out here? “When Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted, He was led by the Spirit of God. He did not invite temptation. He went to the wilderness to be alone, to contemplate His mission and … [Click to read more …]
The appearance of John the Baptist must have sent ripples of excitement throughout the region. Here was someone who looked like the prophet Elijah (Matt. 3:4, 2 Kings 1:8). He was the first prophetic voice the people had heard in 400 years. God had never been silent for so long before. Now He was speaking … [Click to read more …]
