Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “God With Us”, pages 19-26, The Desire of Ages ; “Saved to Serve”, pages 95-107, in The Ministry of Healing. “God claims the whole earth as His vineyard. Though now in the hands of the usurper, it belongs to God. By redemption no less than by creation it is His. For the world Christ’s sacrifice … Continue reading –>
The transforming invitation and appeal of the gospel “to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Rev. 14:6, NIV) has continued throughout Christian history. However, Revelation describes a renewed proclamation of this message—the good news about Jesus and all that entails—at the end of time. Read Revelation 14:6-7. How is the common understanding of the gospel—most commonly summarized by John … Continue reading –>
By His ministry and His teaching, Jesus urged a radical inclusiveness. All who sought His attention with honest motives—whether women with bad reputations, tax collectors, lepers, Samaritans, Roman centurions, religious leaders, or children—He welcomed with genuine warmth and care. As the early church was to discover in transformative ways, this included the offer of the … Continue reading –>
The memory verse give us our first hymn: “Marvelous Grace”, Hymn 109, ending with “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”, Hymn 523. The introduction goes on speaking of grace, in “Amazing Grace”, Hymn 108. Sunday’s study is found in Hymn 78, “For God So Loved Us”, and Hymn 341, “To God Be the Glory”. … Continue reading –>
Earning our salvation? Do you ever encounter Christians who honestly believe that we earn our way to heaven? If that is not your belief, how do you explain the importance of obeying God’s commands if we want to join Him in heaven? Our lesson guide places the text from Ephesians (2:8-10) at the top of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God’s love in the life and sacrifice of Jesus offers us forgiveness, life, and hope. This gospel moves us to serve others especially those in need. September 7, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Romans 8:20-23. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
Summarize Ephesians 2:8-10 in your own words. What do these verses tell us about the relationship between grace and good works? The Bible tells us that among other things, we were created to worship God and to serve others. Only in our imagination can we try to understand what these acts would be like in a … Continue reading –>
The intermingled stories of salvation and the great controversy call us to acknowledge a truth about life that is foundational for our understanding of our world and ourselves, and that is: we and our world are fallen, broken, and sinful. Our world is not what it was created to be, and though we still bear … Continue reading –>
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world … ” (NIV)—and the original Greek word is kosmos, meaning “the world as a created, organized entity”. – The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 929. This verse is about salvation for humanity, but the plan of salvation has implications for the whole of creation too. Read Romans … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 8:20-23; John 3:16-17; Matt. 9:36; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 3:16-17; Rev. 14:6-7. Memory Text: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared … Continue reading –>
Three weeks ago I was writing about how our community service centers provide practical ways for us to worship God, and serve the community. Currently, I have a group Bible study with several of our friends in the Homosassa Florida community, while they wait to get their food at the Homosassa Seventh-day Adventist Church’s food … Continue reading –>
Finnish Father’s Forgiveness By Sakari Vehkavuori Finland was mired in a bloody civil war in 1918. The Reds, mainly comprised of the working class, were locked in conflict with the Whites, mostly from the middle and upper classes. My great-grandfather Viktor Ståhlberg pleaded with his son, my great-uncle Väinö Ståhlberg, not to join the White … Continue reading –>
