Friday: Further Thought - The Preeminence of Christ

Daily Lesson for Friday 20th of February 2026
Further Thought

“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”—C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York, Collier Books, 1952), p. 41.

“The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight.

“The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be ‘the express image of His person.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 614.

“Christ is the pre-existent, self-existent Son of God. . . . In speaking of his pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. . . .

“He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. . . . He is the eternal, self-existent Son.”—Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 615.

Discussion Questions

Dwell more on the question of the eternal deity of Jesus. Think through the implications of the entire plan of salvation and the meaning of the sacrifice at the cross if Jesus had been anything other than the eternal God, One who had never been created but had always, from eternity past, existed. Why is that teaching so important? In class, talk about what it would mean if, in fact, Jesus were not eternal but, in some fashion, had been created. Again, what is lost in that kind of thinking?
When we think about Jesus, the gospel, and the plan of salvation, why must we keep the concept of the entire universe’s involvement and interest in what Jesus has done here as part of our thinking? What must have gone on in their minds when they saw their Creator, their eternal Creator, on the cross? It’s one thing for us to be awed by it, but the unfallen universe knew Him in His eternal glory. What must have gone through their minds as they witnessed the One whom they had worshiped in heaven die on the cross?
What would you say to someone who does not believe that the Father and the Son have always coexisted? Why is this such an important truth? How would you explain that there has never been a time when the Father was without the Son, except at the cross, when there was a temporary “sundering of the divine powers”? (See Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 924.)

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This week’s lesson: The Preeminence of Christ, have brought to our knowledge again, how the pre-existent Christ became the image of God, first born over all creation, Head of the body which is the church, the beginning and the initiator of all things and the One qualified by His death on the cross to reconcile all humanity to God.

Christ’s reconciliation efforts have not ended, right now in the Most Holy place of the Heavenly sanctuary He is daily holding out His nail pierced hands as a symbol of grace on behalf of you and me.

While there is still time let’s make good use of this opportunity knowing that one day King Jesus will leave the sanctuary, reconciliation will end and judgement will ensue.

The closing of probation beckons.

Revelation 22:10-17
10. And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
12. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
15. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
17. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

An invitation to be reconciled to our Creator while there is still time.

The King is coming very soon!!!!!

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Comments

Friday: Further Thought – The Preeminence of Christ — 12 Comments

Maurice Ashton on February 19, 2026 at 3:10 pm said:

It is probably just a coincidence that this week I have been reading the history of one of the most turbulent periods in Seventh-day Adventist history. Two separate fires destroyed the Hospital and the Printing Press in 1902 and in 1907 the split between John Harvey Kellogg and church leadership came to a head. And Kellogg was disfellowshipped. Many see this as a theological issue over the nature of Christ and the Godhead. The issues go much deeper than that. There was a fair bit of animosity between Daniels, the GC President, Prescott, the GC Vice President and Editor of the Review and Herald, and Kellogg, essentially the head and owner of the Hospital.

The point that I want to make is that the theology did not happen in a vacuum. It occurred within a framework of organisations, powerful men, vested interests, and local community interaction. The church survived but it was also an enormous loss. People lost their faith. We should be careful not to paint a picture of a glorious survival and vindication of one side over the other.

We still argue about the nature of Christ, the use of certain words to describe the nature of the Godhead, and we are often good atquoting texts that support our positions. I am reminded that the best evidence of Christ being central to our beliefs and that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives is that we demonstrate the character of Jesus in our lives. Our sin is that all too often we regard purity of doctrine as the goal rather than a living relationship with Jesus that is shared with others.

Ellen White wrote:

We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” Primary source – a letter written from Australia in 1892

Sometimes we only look at the successes, we also need to learn from our failures.

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- Jephthah Erondu on February 19, 2026 at 6:08 pm said:
  
  This week’s lesson: The Preeminence of Christ, have brought to our knowledge again, how the pre-existent Christ became the image of God, first born over all creation, Head of the body which is the church, the beginning and the initiator of all things and the One qualified by His death on the cross to reconcile all humanity to God.
  
  Christ’s reconciliation efforts have not ended, right now in the Most Holy place of the Heavenly sanctuary He is daily holding out His nail pierced hands as a symbol of grace on behalf of you and me.
  
  While there is still time let’s make good use of this opportunity knowing that one day King Jesus will leave the sanctuary, reconciliation will end and judgement will ensue.
  
  The closing of probation beckons.
  
  Revelation 22:10-17
  10. And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
  11. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
  12. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
  13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
  14. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
  15. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
  16. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
  17. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
  
  An invitation to be reconciled to our Creator while there is still time.
  
  The King is coming very soon!!!!!
  
  Reply ↓
- Douglas Nyambweke on February 20, 2026 at 11:57 am said:
  
  Faith is not measured by flawless doctrine or uninterrupted success, but by how we live the character of Jesus in our daily actions ,showing that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.Our failures are as important as our victories—they teach humility, reliance on God and guide us toward growth. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us navigate the future with wisdom and courage.
  
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- John herscher on February 20, 2026 at 9:55 pm said:
  
  May I add that at every general conference session we have delegates from basically all Seventh-Day Adventist churches throughout the world who get together face to face and pray to God that the right decisions are made. Then every delegate has a vote yes or no on topics every 5 years. It is an awesome gathering. And yes our failures or even 49% successes are voted on, yes or no. So Gods Goodness, I want those to know who need to know is extended to the Seventh-day Adventist Church also. Cause we have grown in, and with Christ as our Superior, or Head if you will.
  
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Motanya Dan on February 19, 2026 at 6:07 pm said:

God’s love is not merely a story told, but a reality demonstrated through His actions toward humanity. It is not a fairy tale; it is a divine rescue mission written in sacrifice. God gave His most treasured possession—His one and only Son to die for sinners like me, who continually reject and even despise Him in both word and deed. The greatest challenge concerning my salvation is that it is a free gift, offered unconditionally by God, yet often rejected by foolish hearts like mine. Scripture repeatedly reveals how the deity of Christ has transformed and continues to transform lives. As we read in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

A heart wrenching truth remains: God gave His Son in the place of sinners. He endured a shameful and excruciating death on our behalf. Yet understanding the magnitude of the price paid has not always been easy. The Master Plan of redemption was accomplished through the shedding of blood and can only be understood in light of humanity’s fallen condition. Salvation makes sense when viewed against mankind’s original state after the fall: separated from God and enslaved by sin. Through Christ, salvation becomes a complete deliverance from the guilt, the power, and the pollution of sin. Its singular objective is the restoration of broken fellowship with God. As declared in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

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JC Zielak on February 20, 2026 at 6:13 am said:

Dismantling the deity of Christ denies the whole meaning and existence of God. Jesus represents the LOVE in person to the fallen planet. He is the beginning, the mean, and the end (although He Himself is not locked in time). Jesus is the best explanation of God’s character.

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Obeng-Akrofi Priscilla on February 20, 2026 at 8:29 am said:

I am amazed at Christ’s divinity and humanity that combined to produce our salvation. He is eternal and divine yet is able to condescend to our humanity and understand our fallen nature to save us.
The entire universe must have been in awe witnessing their commander’s love for His other children that led Him to endure such agony.
His

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Esther Pelletier on February 20, 2026 at 11:09 am said:

I recommend this Scripture-rich, Christ-exalting, 30 min. YouTube video that ties in with this week’s lesson:

“Who Was Jesus During Lucifer’s Rebellion? The Bible EXPOSED” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKr9BEArWE

Have a blessed Sabbath, everyone!

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Brigitte Humphery on February 20, 2026 at 2:19 pm said:

I believe:
Jesus Christ – the Anointed one, the Messiah – consecrated and anointed by God the Father to fulfill His divine mission – “to lead mankind back to know and worship their true God in Spirit and Truth” – John 4:24.

His Son – the Word of God – desired to come alive for the peoples of this world to ‘see’/experience the Image of our Creator God and Father; believing and following the right Path leading to everlasting life – Matt.11:28.

Now – all who believe Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, the Anointed One – manifested in Jesus of Nazareth, willing to follow the same Spirit embodied in His devine Message/Gospel by faith – can enter Rest/Salvation in Christ Jesus – Heb.4:1-15; Rev.14:13.

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John Herscher on February 20, 2026 at 11:41 pm said:

An answer to #3.
Look at a possible conversation.
“I know you Seventh-day Adventist do have a prophet and you are speaking through her” Yes, we do, let us check out Revelation 22:13. Ya know, God’s word gives God as the Alpha and the Omega and then explains what Alpha and Omega are right in the middle of the text without having to put the text in context with the text above and below, “I am the first and the last He says,” I see that is clear to me He was ever and is ever to be.
“Yes, John I understand”

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- John Herscher on February 22, 2026 at 6:15 am said:
  
  To expound John. Let me share this.
  
  Why is this truth so important? It is the foundation of our belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of the God head Individual’s. To understand:
  
  First: There is one God. The Father. Son , and Holy Spirit are a unity of coexistent Persons.
  
  Second: God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
  
  Third: God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged.
  
  Fourth: God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption.
  
  My friend’s you may benefit with this link to our beliefs.
  
  https://adventist.org/beliefs
  
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Rosamund W-Gibbons on February 21, 2026 at 3:49 am said:

So am I, O-A Priscilla.
The more I learn of the preeminent Christ, the more in awe I am of Him.

That the Supreme Creator condescended to a lowly life on Earth, in order to physically become our satisfying Savior … is the love story for study, throughout eternity.

Our Christ is most honorable. He can still be trusted to see us through the humanly-impassible circumstances of our lives. He is greatly to be praised!

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