Read 1 Corinthians 12:7 and Ephesians 4:11-16. Why does God impart spiritual gifts to each believer? What are the purposes of those gifts? Spiritual gifts serve several purposes. God gives them to nurture and strengthen His church to accomplish His ministry. They are designed to develop a unified church ready to accomplish His mission in the world. The … Continue reading –>
The title for the quarter immediately brings to mind Hymn 499 – What A Friend We Have in Jesus. The Sabbath afternoon introduction shows us that God is calling each of us: Hymn 287 – Softly and Tenderly, Hymn 361 – Hark! ‘Tis the Shepherd’s Voice I Hear and Hymn 359 – Hark! The Voice of … Continue reading –>
According to 1 Corinthians 12:11, 1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 4:7-8; and James 1:17, God is the originator of all gifts, and “every perfect gift” comes from Him. Thus, we can rest assured that He will impart to us the very gifts of the Holy Spirit that are best suited to our personalities, and He will best use our skills … Continue reading –>
Have you ever considered how different from each other the disciples were? Their backgrounds, personalities, temperaments, and gifts greatly varied. But this was not a liability for the church. It was a strength. Matthew, a tax collector, was precise, exact, and accurate. In contrast, Peter often spoke quickly, and was enthusiastic and impulsive, but he … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Cor. 12:12; Matt. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; Matt. 25:14-30. Memory Text: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NKJV). God calls us to witness for Him (Acts 1:8, Isa. 43:10). Witnessing is not a special spiritual gift that only … Continue reading –>
Their mission was simple – find Jesus and ask him a straightforward question. The expected answer would either be yes or no. The reason for this simple question was more complicated. The imprisoned John the Baptist was a believer in Christ. Yet, through the insinuations of others and his misconceptions about the Messiah’s role, doubts … Continue reading –>
Four Dreams in a Row By Andrew Mcchesney The first dream occurred after Abraham Keita got up at 3 a.m. for customary prayers on his prayer mat in Bufa, a village in Guinea in West Africa. “I am more than 40 and I don’t have a wife or children or work or money”, Abraham prayed. … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Gift of the Spirit”, pages 47-56, in The Acts of the Apostles; “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, pages 667-672, in The Desire of Ages. The Holy Spirit cooperates with the Father and the Son in the redemptive process. In all of our witnessing activities, we are joining Him in His work … Continue reading –>
A careful study of the book of Acts reveals God through His Spirit working miracles in human lives. Acts is a case study on the gospel’s triumphing over cultural biases, transforming lifelong, deeply ingrained habits, and teaching all humanity Christ’s grace and truth. The Holy Spirit meets people where they are, but He does not … Continue reading –>
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV … Continue reading –>
This Video is prepared by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team. As you watch this week’s Sabbath school video, reflect on your own experiences in witnessing to others, praying with others, and ministering to the needs of others? How have these experiences impacted your own faith and walk with the Lord? Week 5_ Spirit-Empowered Witnessing_ … Continue reading –>
The Word of God was at the very heart of the witness of the New Testament church. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost drew largely from the Old Testament to prove that Christ was the Messiah. Stephen’s dying testimony reviewed Israel’s history in the Old Testament. Peter referred to the “word which God sent … Continue reading –>
