Okay, definition first: Loophole – “an ambiguity, omission, etc, as in a law, by which one can avoid a penalty or responsibility”1 Probably, most of us don’t think about loopholes very often. If we think of them at all, it’s in the context of rich people trying to get out of paying taxes or a … Continue reading –>
Teresa was well known in her community in western Bulgaria as a witch. She worked magic, casting spells and removing spells. She told people’s fortunes and predicted their future. People respected her for the power she had. Teresa’s little granddaughter, Sara, came to visit. How Teresa loved her! On Sabbath Sara asked her grandmother to … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Sabbath, p. 281-289, in The Desire of Ages. Wherefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. These words are full of instruction and comfort. . . . It [the Sabbath] points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He who created … Continue reading –>
And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 We need the Sabbath. I am not primarily talking about a period of down time from our busy lives, although the Sabbath affords that. Our need of the Sabbath is deeper than mere rest. We need … Continue reading –>
Many Christians keep Sunday instead of the Sabbath, offering a host of reasons, the main one being the resurrection of Christ. Besides the minor detail that nothing in the New Testament, including the passages on the resurrection, teaches that Sunday is to replace Sabbath, the New Testament shows that Christ intended for His Sabbath to … Continue reading –>
The Gospels mention numerous miraculous healings that Jesus carried out on the Sabbath day. It is interesting to note that, in most cases, the healing came by Jesus’ initiative, as if He purposely wanted to heal on the Sabbath, though He could have done it any other day. Jesus was trying to make a point: … Continue reading –>
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Christ made the Sabbath as a time for mental, physical, and spiritual refreshing. [Lesson Plan for The Sabbath September 8, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 12:10-12. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What is the principle that we … Continue reading –>
What does Luke 4:16 tell us about Jesus’ attitude toward the Sabbath? Why is this so important for us today? See John 14:15, 1 Pet. 2:21. The word Luke used in verse 16, custom, comes from a Greek word related to habits constant in time and practice. In other words, Jesus regularly attended synagogue every … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 12:1-2. What is going on here? Why would the Pharisees consider this action as not lawful ? Deuteronomy 23:25 states: When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain (NKJV). The problem, therefore, was … Continue reading –>
