Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 5:27-32; Luke 13:1-5; Matt. 22:2-14; Zech. 3:1-5; John 8:30-31; Luke 14:25-27.
Memory Text: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:14-15, NKJV).
As the Israelites were being bitten by snakes in the desert, God instructed Moses to make a bronze one and place it on a pole so that whoever was [...]
God sent Allen and Kelley Fowler a dream to minister among the Navajo people of northern Arizona, U.S.A. They went as volunteers, praying that God would use them to reach the people they loved. They ministered to the Navajos living on the reservation and in the nearby town of Page in any way they could. When we saw a need, we prayed for a way to fill it, Kelley said.
The couple invited mission teams to help rebuild rundown hogans [...]
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Sinner’s Need of Christ, p. 17-22, in Steps to Christ; The Subject Presented in 1883, p. 350-354, in Selected Messages, book 1.
Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our [...]
Because of our sins, we deserve to die. But Christ took our place on the cross and paid the death penalty that, otherwise, rested on us. He, being innocent, took on our guilt and received our punishment so that we, being sinful, could be declared innocent. Through Him, instead of perishing we receive eternal life. John 3:15 makes this amazing promise to us. It says that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (NKJV), a promise [...]
When did we stop believing? When did we begin to take pride in declaring our doubts about our salvation?
I was in a Sabbath school class recently when, during a discussion about salvation, a long-time member raised a hand for comment. “We should never say that we’re saved!” A partial but oft-quoted Ellen White statement was the basis of the admonition to the class. Thus began a lively exchange about the assurance of salvation.
Rebuttal texts like the following were then quoted:
And they [...]
Many have seen the movies and read books to children about the knight in shining armor who comes and saves the damsel in distress. As we read we dream of someone caring for us the way the knight cares for the damsel. Would anyone ever pursue us with such desire?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
What if I told you, that someone is pursuing you with such desire and even more so? What if I told you that Genesis 3:15 was where [...]
Without Christ, we were slaves of sin, slaves to the evil impulses of our fallen human nature. We lived in a self-centered way, pleasing ourselves instead of living to the glory of God. The unavoidable result of this spiritual slavery was death, because the wages of sin is death.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
But Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives . . . , to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18, NKJV). These aren’t [...]
You can view a discussion of the current lesson 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 School Site. You might also want to bookmark the HopeSS Youtube channel.
Key Thought : As we review the gift of God’s grace through Christ, let us renew our faith in Jesus as our personal Savior.
[Lesson plan for Salvation July 21, 2014]
1. Have a volunteer read Luke 18:9-14.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What does this story teach us about our attitude toward God and toward His grace?
c. Personal Application: If God gave you what you deserved, what would [...]
John the Baptist described Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, NKJV). This image was easy for any Israelite familiar with the sacrifices offered in the temple and the sacred history recorded in the Old Testament to understand. Abraham had revealed his faith that God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering (NKJV); and the Lord did provide the animal to be sacrificed in place of Isaac (Gen. [...]
