Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “In the Footsteps of the Master”, pages 117-124, in Welfare Ministry; “Days of Ministry”, pages 29-50, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Temple Cleansed Again”, pages 589-600; “In Pilate’s Judgment Hall”, pages 723-740, in The Desire of Ages. “God has given in His word decisive evidence that He will punish the transgressors of His law. Those … Continue reading –>
That God is a God who sees and hears the cries of the poor and oppressed is comforting. That God is a God who, in Jesus, has experienced and endured the worst of our world’s inhumanity, oppression, and injustice is astounding. Despite all the compassion and goodness Jesus demonstrated in His life and ministry, His … Continue reading –>
When we read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels, we are often attracted to the gentle images of Jesus—His care for the sick and for children, His stories of searching for the lost, and His talk about the kingdom of God. This might be why other stories in which we see Him acting forcefully … Continue reading –>
While some folks say, things aren’t what they used to be, I say, yes, but they never were what they are now. I am a historian by nature. When I visited the Litchfield Congregational church, built in Connecticut in 1721, I tried to imagine all the sin-weary souls who had come to hear the Gospel … Continue reading –>
The Gospels are peppered with the stories of Jesus’ miracles, particularly those of healing. As Isaiah had prophesied, He healed the blind and released those who had been held captive by disease, sometimes after many years of suffering (see, for example, Mark 5:24-34, John 5:1-15). But He did more than this: He made the lame walk again; He … Continue reading –>
Jesus came to show us what God is like. For four thousand years, God had revealed Himself to His people through miracles, visions, prophets and many other ways. But as marvelous as God’s revelations were, even the leaders of God’s people too often seemed oblivious to the nature and character of God. They wanted to … Continue reading –>
The memory verse gives us two hymns: Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel” and Hymn 354, “Thy Love, O God”. Compassion for the poor and oppressed is voiced in Hymn 353, “Father, Help Your People” and Hymn 352, “This Is My Will”. Are we ready to go and help? Hymn 359, “Hark! The Voice of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Jesus demonstrated the work of the Prophets : good news for the poor, freedom for the oppressed, healing for the broken-hearted. August 17, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:16-21. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. Why do you think Jesus … Continue reading –>
Whether it was the prescribed reading for the day or whether Jesus intentionally found the relevant verses (Isa. 61:1-2) in the scroll He was given to read, it was no coincidence these verses were the text for His first public sermon. Neither is it a coincidence that the story of Jesus’ short sermon in Luke 4:16-21—“Today this scripture … Continue reading –>
Imagine the scene: Mary had received a message from the angel Gabriel just a few days earlier. He had told her that she was to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of the Most High. She has not yet told anyone but goes to visit Elizabeth, her older relative, who also is expecting a … Continue reading –>
