In their time with Jesus, the disciples saw many remarkable things, although few of them can compare with the events described in Matthew 14:13-33, Mark 6:30-52, and John 6:1-21. Jesus used five small loaves of bread and two fish to feed more than 5,000 people. Again, what must have been going on in their minds … Continue reading –>
One of the grand moments in the story of Jesus occurred in a dialogue with Peter. Jesus just had been dealing with some of the scribes and Pharisees who had been challenging Him to give them a sign, something to prove who He was (see Matt. 16:1-4). Then, later, alone with the disciples, Jesus talked … Continue reading –>
When we first meet Peter, he is a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 4:18, Mark 1:16, and Luke 5:1-11). He had been working all night without catching a fish. But then he and his companions obeyed Jesus’ command to return to the lake and to try again. How astonished Peter and the others … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 5:1-11; Matt. 16:13-17; Matt. 14:22-33; Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:54-62; Gal. 2:9, Galatians 2:11-14. Memory Text: “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and … Continue reading –>
Read selections of Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, especially the October section “Ready for the Spirit.” We can summarize the activity of the Holy Spirit by saying that the Holy Spirit works harmoniously together with God the Father and God the Son to accomplish our salvation. The Holy Spirit awakens us from our … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 5:4-5; Romans 15:13; and 1 Corinthians 13:13. How are love and hope related to each other? How is the Holy Spirit instrumental in giving us love and hope? The Holy Spirit is the One who has poured out the love of God within our hearts. He connects us to God and makes God’s … Continue reading –>
Read 1 John 5:12-13; Romans 8:15-17; and 2 Corinthians 5:5. Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, why can we have the assurance of eternal life? What is the basis for this assurance? The Holy Spirit is the One who leads sinners to Jesus. Jesus’ substitutionary death has reconciled us with God. Jesus’ forgiveness … Continue reading –>
Read John 16:8, John 16:11. What judgment is Jesus referring to? Why is this judgment good news? There remains one last great conviction that is part of the work of the Spirit: the conviction about judgment. Here is where much of our preaching on this passage seems to go in a wrong and harmful direction. … Continue reading –>
John 16:8 said that the Holy Spirit will convict the world, not just of sin but also of righteousness. In other words, the world, which does not know what sin really is, does not know what true righteousness is, either. Unconverted people imagine that external morality will suffice. They desire not the righteousness of God … Continue reading –>
Read John 16:8-9. What crucial work does the Holy Spirit do for us, and why is this so important? Jesus has called the Holy Spirit the paraclete, a word rich in meaning and that conveys the idea of helper, advocate, and comforter. The Holy Spirit does not enter into this important work of conviction as … Continue reading –>
