[Thought questions for The Law and the Gospel December 5, 2012]
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1. The law and the gospel. Do the words “law” and “gospel” seem somewhat contradictory? Why? Does the concept of “love” belong to both the law and the gospel? Under all circumstances? Under any circumstances? When you’re in love, deeply in love, with someone, how hard is it to do something that person wants you to do? Do you appreciate the freedom God has [...]
In the final question of yesterday’s lesson, we looked at both Exodus 20:11-12 and Deuteronomy 5:15.
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What we see here is the Sabbath pointing us toward two ideas: Creation and Redemption, two concepts that are very powerfully linked in the Bible. God is not only our Creator, He is also our Redeemer; and both these important spiritual truths are brought home to us every week, every seventh day, as we rest on the Sabbath, “according to the commandment” (Luke [...]
As we saw in Monday’s lesson, many Christians still believe in the binding nature of God’s law.
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Again, as long as one accepts the reality of sin, it’s hard to see how anyone could believe anything else.
Yet, as we know so well, the whole issue of the Christian obligation to the law suddenly gets very murky when the question of obedience to the fourth commandment arises, particularly in regard to the seventh-day itself. In fact, [...]
Key Thought : God’s entire moral law reveals our sin and need of a Savior. The law and the gospel are inseparable.
[Teaching plan for The Law and the Gospel December 3, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read I John 2:3,4.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to know God? How does keeping His commandments help us to know Him better?
C. Personal Application: Does anyone actually [...]
Though many understand that the Ten Commandments remain binding in the lives of Christians, the role that they play in the plan of salvation can get confusing.
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If we’re not saved by the keeping of the law, then what is its purpose?
How do the following texts help us to understand the role of the law in the lives of those who are saved by grace?
Rom. 3:19-20
Ps. 119:5-6
Rom. 7:7
The law was never designed to be a means [...]
Most Christians claim that the Ten Commandments are God’s universal moral code.
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This view is seen, for instance, in various legal battles in the United States, in which Christians have sought to have the Ten Commandments posted in various public places, especially public schools. Years ago, Alabama was involved in a legal battle involving a state judge who refused to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from a courtroom, despite orders from a higher [...]
The word torah is a commonly used Hebrew word in the Old Testament and is often translated as law.
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The New Testament uses the Greek, nomos, (law) to translate torah. Torah means ‘direction’ or ‘guidance’. Because the Bible is a record of God’s relationship with humans, law in the Bible generally refers to all of God’s instructions to His people. Because God Himself is good and righteous, and guides and instructs His people in goodness and righteousness, we rightly assume that His law [...]
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps. 19:7-8; Exod. 23:1-9; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 3:19-20;Exod. 20:11-12; Deut. 5:15.
Memory Text: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4, NKJV).
Key Thought: God’s entire moral law is what reveals our sin and, thus, our need for a Savior. The law and the gospel are, therefore, inseparable.
The law and character of God are central [...]
Read The Ministerial Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, chapters 15-18, in Seventh-day Adventists Believe.
“Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both parents and children count the cost.” – Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 93.
“The Passover pointed [...]
I was a troublemaker in my village in India.
My father had introduced me to alcohol when I was 9 years old, and it became an overpowering habit. I quit school and stole money to buy liquor. My family, my health, and my friends all suffered because of me.
I began spitting up blood. Frightened, I stopped drinking until the blood-spitting ended. Then I started drinking again. I was 23 years old and married. Our lives were miserable because of my addiction. [...]
