Matthew ends his Gospel account with some of the most reassuring words Jesus spoke: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). What should that mean to us, in practical terms, in our own lives, in our own struggles, failures, and disappointments, and even when we feel that God … Continue reading –>
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount in the early days of His ministry. It was revolutionary. For starters, He told ordinary people that they were valued and blessed in the eyes of God (Matt. 5:3-12) and that they were salt (Matt. 5:13) and light (Matt. 5:14-16)-two highly prized commodities. He spoke of the importance … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Jesus’ Teaching on the Great Controversy” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the … Continue reading –>
“I will give you rest.” How does the “great controversy” play out in your life? Do you ever feel tired of the fight and even tempted to give up as you continue to confront the evil one with his big bag of temptations? What is “great” about the controversy between Christ and Satan? “Great” as in wondrous … Continue reading –>
The issue of where we stand in the cosmic struggle that unfolds around us is made very personal in the parable of the man building a house on the rock. Read Matthew 7:21-27. What is so frightening about this parable? What comes to mind when you imagine this story? Where is the rock and where … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The great controversy is fought out on the day to day choices we make. But we don’t have to face our struggles alone; we can find rest in Jesus. Jesus’ Teachings February 6- 12, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 13:18-23. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what … Continue reading –>
The great controversy theme is implicit in Jesus’ parable of the sower. The listing of four types of responses to the gospel message indicates that there are more than just “good” and “bad” people in the world. Life is more complex than that, and so we need to be careful how we approach those who … Continue reading –>
“‘Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’” (Matt. 11:29, NKJV). How does taking His “yoke” bring rest to our souls? This offer points to a personal dimension amid the much larger one of Jesus’ mission to free … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 11:29; Rom. 4:1-6; Matt. 13:3-8, Matt. 13:18-23; Matt. 7:21-27; James 2:17; Matt. 7:1-5. Memory Text: “‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). When we think of the great-controversy theme, we tend to think of it in grand, … Continue reading –>
Though one can find writers through the centuries touching on the theme of the great controversy, and though some evangelicals today are looking at the idea more closely-no one has a deeply developed great- controversy worldview as does the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A literal, physical, moral, and spiritual conflict between Christ and Satan is, indeed, … Continue reading –>
“I’m so happy that I didn’t sneeze.” Martin Luther King, Jr. On September 20, 1958, as he sat signing autographs for his book, Martin Luther King Jr was stabbed and nearly killed. He was whisked to the hospital with the blade of the knife still stuck in his chest. It would take a delicate and … Continue reading –>
In Matthew’s version, while the first temptation focused on appetite and the second on manipulating God, the third was a direct challenge to Christ Himself, to His kingship and to His ultimate mission on earth. Read Matthew 4:8-10, Deuteronomy 34:1-4, and Revelation 21:10. What is the significance of the “exceeding high mountain” that Satan took … Continue reading –>
