This week, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses the second chapter of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, entitled "Persecution in the First Centuries." Christ's followers suffered humiliation, suffering, and persecution. They were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They were "falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities…As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 40). But despite this, the number of Christians increased. Since Satan wasn't succeeding in wiping them out through brutal persecution, he tried a more deceptive approach. "Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection, but they had no conviction of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart" (page 42). This is how compromise and corruption entered the church. "The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith." Pagan rituals and festivals became a part of the Church's practice. "The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated" (page 45). Though ridiculed for their faith, early Christians remained faithful to the teachings of Christ and His disciples. "Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God's professed people. There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining ground that, after all, these are not of vital importance. This degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false theories and fatal delusions, which the faithful in ages past imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ" (page 46). We are living in the end times. Our only safety is to build on the solid rock of God's Word. As such, let us ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we study the Bible, understand its teachings, accept them into our hearts, and share them to others. To learn more about persecution in the first centuries, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCKngWKenM
3: The Tithing Contract – HopeSS Video Discussion
You can view an in-depth discussion of God’s Covenants with Us in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLPhw5NUSA&w=560&h=315]
With thanks to
Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
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3: The Tithing Contract – It is Written – Discussions with the author
Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, G. Edward Reid, as they provide additional insights into this Quarter’s Sabbath School lessons, “Managing for the Master, Till He Comes”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAwA1MGJ-fc]
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Video Giornale Avventista – 21 gennaio 2023
La Chiesa avventista ucraina ringrazia per la solidarietà e gli aiuti ricevuti. Bibbie per l’Ucraina è il progetto della Chiesa nel Paese in guerra. La speranza è di donare un milione di copie. Villanova d’Asti attende a marzo il Weekend di “Incontro Matrimoniale Avventista”. Le iscrizioni sono aperte. Sono solo alcune delle notizie di oggi. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFtjNqX46kc
Illuminare ogni angolo della terra – La felicità del servizio
Mini devotional n. 3/1° trimestre 2023 – La felicità del servizio, della serie Illuminare ogni angolo della terra. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgY6MxIrMPo
Missioni dal mondo – 21 gennaio 2023
il bambino predicatore – La missione nella Divisione Africa Centro Orientale Missioni dal mondo 3° episodio – I trimestre 2023 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwbTrK1atXo
Adventist Journey – Boyd Stephens
[vimeo 790902227 w=640 h=360]
Boyd Stephens is an entrepreneur, IT company founder, and “community steward,” from Montgomery, Alabama. He is passionate about helping others and mentoring…Source: https://vimeo.com/790902227
Inside Story: Sabbath Test in Malawi
Sabbath Test in Malawi
By Sheron Ndhlovu
A college in Malawi created consternation among Seventh-day Adventist students by scheduling final exams on the seventh-day Sabbath.
Image © Pacific Press
Lucy was distressed. She and other Adventist students at the state-owned Karonga Teachers Training College had received scholarships to become teachers. But now their future seemed uncertain.
The Adventist students gathered to discuss their dilemma. The year was 2006. Malawi was facing a food shortage that had prompted the cash-strapped government to ask state colleges to reduce the 04ber of days that students were on campus. As a result, Lucy’s college had moved up final exams previously scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to Saturday.
The Adventists decided to ask the college to reconsider the day of the exams, and several went to the director’s office. Their appeal was rejected. Worsening matters, other students began to mock them over their beliefs.
Lucy watched in dismay as classmate after classmate bowed to the pressure and agreed to take the exams on Sabbath. But she and three others stood firm. They would honor the Lord of the Sabbath. They prayed and went to the director’s office to appeal for a second time.
At the office, Lucy felt shamed and insulted. She was reminded that she was privileged to have a state scholarship and told to study for the sake of her children, whom she was raising after her husband’s recent death. The humiliation did not change Lucy’s mind. She believed God would help.
The second appeal was rejected. Lucy and her three classmates kept on praying, and they asked the district pastor to pray. The pastor spoke with the president of the Adventist Church in Malawi, who, in turn, asked state authorities to intercede. Adventists faced Sabbath exams across Malawi.
Abruptly, the college rescinded its decision and returned the exams to their old schedule. The sudden change sowed confusion on campus, but all the students and faculty knew one thing: The prayers of four faithful Adventists had been answered in a powerful way. “God intervened,” said Lucy Nyirenda, who passed the exams and became a teacher. “He has promised that He will never forsake His own.”
Lucy loves to claim God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (NKJV).
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/inside-story-sabbath-test-in-malawi/
Friday: Further Thought ~ The Tithing Contract
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White’s most comprehensive tithe document in volume 9 of Testimonies for the Church, Pages 245-252. Study Section III of Counsels on Stewardship, Pages 65-107.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel between God and man would be kept open.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 474. This is an amazing statement. If we were all faithful tithers, God would bless us with funds to increase our offerings 1,000 percent.
“In the third chapter of Malachi is found the contract God has made with man. Here the Lord specifies the part He will act in bestowing His great gifts on those who will make a faithful return to Him in tithes and offerings.” — Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 17, 1901.
“All should remember that God’s claims upon us underlie every other claim. He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which He has made with man is that a tenth of his possessions shall be returned to God. The Lord graciously entrusts to His stewards His treasures, but of the tenth He says: This is Mine. Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 384.
Discussion Questions:
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Bible Prophecy reveals God’s plans for the future #CamiOetman #awr360
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✅ 2 The Second Coming of Jesus: The Bible Reveals COVID-19 is a Sign – https://youtu.be/tTk_bGfHVjE Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Dn7c1pBm4
