A hypocrite is somebody who play-acts, who wants to appear to be somebody who he or she is not. The term is used seven times in Matthew chapter 23 in a discourse in which Jesus publicly shames the scribes and Pharisees, the very center of Jewish religious leadership ( Matthew 23.13-14, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27, Matthew 23:29). … Continue reading –>
Israel must have felt restless and unhappy when they departed Sinai on their way to Canaan. More than one year had passed since they had left Egypt (Num: 1:1). They were ready to enter the Promised Land. They had been counted and organized. They had witnessed incredible displays of divine favor and clear signs of God’s … Continue reading –>
While Thursday’s section of this week’s lesson points out the importance of the law, most Christians seems to believe the Ten Commandments were done away with. One problem with that idea is that the Ten Commandments are summarized in two precepts – love God first and love others as yourself, which Jesus often referenced in … Continue reading –>
As we study this week’s Sabbath School lesson, about turning hearts in the end of time, I know many of us are praying for loved ones who have turned away. Sadly, many have been brought up in the Adventist church under legalistic and even abusive home and church situations. Because of this they have a … Continue reading –>
When I preach a sermon in English, which is the only language I can preach in, and I had three people translating it into Spanish, each one would translate it differently. To get the big picture you would not choose one translation and throw the rest away. You would put all three together to get … Continue reading –>
The last church addressed by Jesus was in Laodicea, a wealthy city situated on a major trade road. It was famous for its woolen manufacturing industry, its banks (which held a vast quantity of gold); and a medical school which produced eye salve. The prosperity of Laodicea filled its citizens with self-sufficiency. Around A.D. 60, … Continue reading –>
We have been avoiding discussing some issues within the church that are probably the reason why we are having this series of studies on unity in the first place. We have held back comments specifically on women’s ordination because we have seen discussions in other forums on this topic descend into very unchristian verbal battlegrounds. … Continue reading –>
The early Christian church did not build dedicated church buildings. They typically met in people’s homes or in public spaces, such as the temple forecourt. They often met in synagogues, because of their close connections with the Jews. The earliest known Christian church (second century), the Dura-Europos church in Syria was essentially a house church. … Continue reading –>
Seventh-day Adventists often prefer to think of the gospel in terms of the second coming, the investigative judgement, the mark of the beast, or the nature of Christ, rather than social responsibility. However, reading through Matthew and the other Gospels recently, I find that Jesus was just as concerned about how we treat one another … Continue reading –>
Why Speaking Out on Church-Related Sexual Abuse Is Actually Witnessing Recently I have had three conversations going – one on Facebook, two on text – that involve clergy sexual misconduct. Cindy . . . Chelsea . . . Kirsten . . . I’m so sorry. These women are hurt, frustrated, angry, and lost, and they feel they … Continue reading –>
