Join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and his wife Nancy, as they continue to explore Chapter 23 of “The Great Controversy” by Adventist pioneer, Ellen G. White entitled, What is the Sanctuary? 

Did you know that by studying the earthly sanctuary, we can understand what is taking place in the heavenly sanctuary right now? In this episode, learn about what is currently taking place in the heavenly sanctuary and discover Christ’s significant role as our High Priest. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Sanctuary message.

Want to know more?

For a detailed look at what the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes about the Sanctuary, visit https://www.adventist.org/christs-ministry-in-the-heavenly-sanctuary/. 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-23-part-2-what-is-the-sanctuary-pastor-ted-wilson/

Lesson 7 illuminates the theme of God’s goodness as depicted in various Psalms of the Bible. The Psalms serve as a rich source to recognize and understand God’s goodness in different facets.

In Psalm 103, God’s goodness is portrayed as comprehensive and immeasurable. He blesses His people with numerous blessings and remembers their weaknesses to meet them with compassion. People are called to praise God for His goodness and to remember His benefits.

In Psalm 113 and 123, both the majesty and the grace of God are praised. His throne is above the heavens, yet He graciously stoops down to the needy and the weak. People are encouraged to remember God’s majesty and goodness and to praise Him for it.

Psalm 130 addresses the weight of sin and the hope of forgiveness through God. Despite our sins and our lostness, the Psalmist calls out to God for forgiveness and relies on His infinite grace.

In summary, the lesson illustrates how God’s goodness is depicted in various Psalms of the Bible. It encourages remembering God’s goodness, praising Him for it, and trusting in His forgiveness and mercy. Ultimately, it invites daily reflection and growth in faith by rejoicing in God’s boundless goodness.

The connection between the depicted aspects of God’s goodness and our daily life in faith is profound and meaningful. Here are some points on how this connection could manifest:

1. Gratitude and Praise: By consciously remembering God’s goodness and reflecting on its extent, we can be grateful and praise God. This gratitude can help change our perspective in everyday life and consider our challenges in a larger context.

2. Trust and Hope: Knowing that God’s goodness is boundless and extends beyond all limits can give us trust and hope, even in difficult times. We can trust that God will never leave us and always surrounds us with His grace and love.

3. Remembrance of God’s Faithfulness: By remembering God’s goodness, we can also hold onto His faithfulness to His people and His promises. This remembrance can help us remain steadfast in faith, even when faced with doubts or uncertainties.

4. Following and Serving: God’s goodness also motivates us to extend it to others and express it in our own lives. We can strive to practice kindness and mercy in our relationships and community by showing others love, forgiveness, and support.

5. Strengthening of Faith: Regularly reflecting on God’s goodness and His love for us can strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually. By consciously remembering God’s goodness, we can enter deeper into a relationship with Him and develop a more intimate connection with our Creator.

Overall, the recognition and acknowledgment of God’s goodness have a transformative power that can positively influence our daily life in faith by giving us hope, comfort, strengthening, and inspiration.

2.How can the forgiveness of our sins by God be reconciled with the concept of God’s judgment of sin?

The forgiveness of our sins by God and the concept of God’s judgment of sin are two important aspects of divine action that may appear contradictory at first glance but can actually be reconciled:

1.God’s Love and Mercy: The forgiveness of our sins is an expression of God’s love and mercy. God is willing to forgive us and provide us with the opportunity for repentance because He loves us and desires what is best for us. This mercy is demonstrated in His desire to free us from the burden of sin and bring us into a close relationship with Him.

2.God’s Justice and Holiness: God’s judgment of sin is an expression of His justice and holiness. As a holy and just God, He cannot ignore or simply overlook sin. His justice demands that sin be punished, and His judgment of sin is an expression of this divine justice.

However, these two aspects can be reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the punishment for our sins and provided us with the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. In this way, God demonstrates both His love and mercy and His justice and holiness. Jesus bore our punishment so that we could be freed from our sins, and at the same time, God upheld His justice by punishing sin.

Overall, the forgiveness of our sins by God and His judgment of sin demonstrate the various aspects of His nature and character that are in perfect harmony with each other.

3.How do the expressions of God’s goodness in the New Testament relate to those in the Psalms (Eph 2:4–5; 1 Tim 1:16; Titus 3:5; Heb 4:16)?

The expressions of God’s goodness in the New Testament find a clear parallel to the statements in the Psalms, particularly concerning God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Here are some examples from the New Testament that correspond to the Psalms:

1.Ephesians 2:4–5: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” This reminds us of the many Psalms that speak of God’s mercy and love, such as Psalm 103, which emphasizes God’s mercy, or Psalm 136, which repeatedly emphasizes that God’s goodness endures forever.

2. 1 Timothy 1:16: “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” Here we see God’s grace that Paul experienced firsthand. This echoes Psalms like Psalm 51, where David pleads for God’s grace and forgiveness, or Psalm 103, which speaks of God’s infinite grace.

3.Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Again, God’s mercy is emphasized here as the foundation of our salvation. This is reminiscent of Psalms like Psalm 136, which praises the immeasurable grace of God.

4.Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This encourages us to approach God with confidence, who grants us His mercy and grace. Similarly, the Psalms emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s mercy and grace, such as Psalm 62, which says, “God alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”

Overall, these New Testament verses demonstrate how the expressions of God’s goodness found in the Psalms continue to resonate within the context of the Christian faith, emphasizing the enduring nature of God’s mercy and grace

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-7-6-summary/

7.5 Forget Not All His Benefits

Read Psalm 103. How is God’s goodness portrayed here?

In Psalm 103, God’s goodness is depicted in various ways. Firstly, blessings bestowed upon His people are enumerated, such as healing, redemption, mercy, and grace (Psalm 103:2-5). These blessings are considered expressions of God’s loving kindness, which He bestows upon His people to enable them to live flourishing lives (Psalm 103:2-6).

Furthermore, it is emphasized that God’s goodness is based on His gracious nature and His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel (Psalm 103:7-18). God remembers the weakness and transience of humankind and has compassion on His people (Psalm 103:13-17). This goodness of God is depicted as immeasurably great and can only be compared to the vast expanses of the heavens (Psalm 103:11-16).

How should people respond to God’s loving kindness? Firstly, they should bless the Lord and praise Him for His kind attributes (Psalm 103:1-2). Blessing is understood here as an act of gratitude and praise to God for the blessings He bestows upon His people. Additionally, they should remember all His benefits and His covenant, responding to God with love and obedience (Psalm 103:2, 18-22). Remembering God’s faithfulness and goodness is an essential part of the relationship between God and His people, strengthening trust and love for Him.

In light of this portrayal of God’s goodness, it is important to regularly remember the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus for us. Reflecting on the great sacrifice Jesus made for us strengthens our trust in Him, deepens our love, and fills us more with His Spirit. It reminds us that we must learn repentance and humility at the foot of the cross to be saved and to live in a loving relationship with God.

Psalm 103 portrays God’s goodness and mercy in the numerous blessings He bestows upon His people. These blessings are expressions of His gracious nature and His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. People are urged to bless God and to remember His benefits and covenant, much like how God remembers humanity’s weakness and His covenant with His people. This remembrance of God’s goodness is intended to lead people to return to Him in gratitude and obedience. Ellen White emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the life of Jesus, especially His sacrifice on the cross, to strengthen and receive trust, love, and the spirit of Christ.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-7-5-forget-not-all-his-benefits/

7.4 Praise to the Majestic and Merciful God

Read Psalm 113 and 123. What two different aspects of God’s nature are depicted in these Psalms?

Psalm 113 and 123 depict two different aspects of God’s nature: His exaltation and His grace.

1. Exaltation of God: Psalm 113 emphasizes God’s exaltation and His superior position above all that exists. His name is praised, and His throne stands high above the nations and the heavens themselves. The statement “Who is like the LORD our God” attests to the uniqueness and superiority of God over all other powers. This exaltation of God is illustrated by His transcendence – He dwells in unreachable heights, yet He lovingly looks down on the needy and the poor.

2. Grace of God: Even though God reigns in His exaltation high above the heavens, Psalm 113 shows that His grace and mercy are not separate from His exalted position. He stoops down to turn His attention to the needy and the poor, and His generous hand is not hidden. This grace of God is expressed in His willingness to engage with the world and to save the oppressed. Despite His majesty and superiority, God is a gracious Creator and Sustainer who cares for and loves His servants.

Overall, Psalm 113 and 123 show that worship is motivated not only by the exaltation of God but also by His goodness and grace. The greatness and mercy of God find their perfect manifestation in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to uplift humanity. Therefore, we have every reason to praise and worship God for His marvelous deeds, especially for the gift of redemption through Christ on the cross.

Reflect on the cross and what happened there for you personally. What has Jesus saved you from? Why is it very important to keep the cross in mind continually?

The cross is a central and meaningful aspect of my faith. It is the place where Jesus Christ gave His life for me and for all humanity to redeem us from the power of sin and death.

Jesus has saved me from eternal judgment and separation from God caused by my sin. He has saved me from a life without hope and purpose, instead giving me forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new life in communion with God.

It is important to keep the cross in mind continually because it:

1. Reminds us of God’s love: The cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love for us. It shows us that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us so that we may be saved through His death. The cross reminds us that we are loved, valuable, and accepted by God, regardless of our mistakes and weaknesses.

2. Reminds us of the importance of forgiveness: At the cross, Jesus bore the sin of the world and offered us forgiveness. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, but also that this forgiveness is possible through faith in Jesus Christ. The cross calls us to live a life of forgiveness and grace, both towards others and ourselves.

3. Reminds us of the hope of eternal life: The cross is not the end but the beginning. Jesus rose from the dead and gave us the hope of eternal life. By keeping the cross in mind, we remember that death is not the final word and that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have eternal life with God.

In summary, it is important to keep the cross in mind continually to recognize and appreciate God’s love, the importance of forgiveness, and the hope of eternal life. It reminds us of the heart of our faith and that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Psalms 113 and 123 reveal various aspects of God’s nature that influence our daily lives and faith. They emphasize both the exaltation and the grace of God. The exaltation of God is depicted through His greatness and the lofty position of His throne, while His grace is expressed in His merciful willingness to engage with the world and save the needy. These Psalms remind us that despite His transcendent height in the heavens, God still takes part in our lives and cares for the needs of those who call upon Him. Ultimately, they motivate us to worship and praise God not only for His glory but also for His goodness, as most clearly exemplified in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to uplift and save us.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-7-4-praise-to-the-majestic-and-merciful-god/