Closer To Heaven
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View an in-depth discussion of Standing for the Truth in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:
With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
(0)The post 4: Standing for the Truth – HopeSS Video Discussion appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/4-standing-for-the-truth-hopess-video-discussion/
“E se lo Spirito di colui che ha risuscitato Gesù dai morti abita in voi, colui che risuscitò Cristo dai morti vivificherà anche i vostri corpi mortali mediante il suo Spirito che abita in voi.” (Romani 8:11) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Silvia Vadi. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvvsMsdxvWw
As we continue our series on the names of God, the term ABBA or Father in the aramaic languages is our next course of study. Both Jesus and Paul refer to God as…Source: https://vimeo.com/937480918
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
Last Sabbath morning, I was having my own personal devotion time before meeting with God’s people. As always, my favorite devotional book is the Bible itself. I am not opposed to devotional books. It’s just that I love reading the Bible. I have been reading through the New Testament lately, and last Sabbath I came to Mark 15.
Photo by William Earnhardt
In Mark 15:1-5, I read how the justice system failed Jesus. Yet Jesus never opened His mouth to deliver Himself. Jesus knew, be it ever so wrong, that these things were supposed to take place. It has me wondering, if I should ever be wrongly imprisoned, would I be protesting or using my injustice as an opportunity to be a missionary to those in prison? Remember when we were studying Ephesians a while back in Sabbath School? Paul referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord instead of being a prisoner of Rome. Would you be willing to serve a life sentence in prison for a crime you did not commit if it led to just one other prisoner receiving eternal life?
In Mark 15:6-15 I read about how the people preferred the release of a hardened criminal over the loving and gentle Healer. Even today we see the basest of men exalted over those who are righteous and humble. And I am talking about the church as much as the world. When this sort of thing happens today, my friend calls it the Barabbas syndrome.
In Mark 15:16-20 I read about the soldiers mocking and making fun of Jesus. Why such humiliating treatment for the least deserving Person in the whole universe! When a man becomes president of the United States, they have a huge inauguration parade and inauguration ball to honor him. Instead, Jesus got stripped, beaten and mocked. People have gone to prison for doing lesser things to dogs and yet God allowed this happen to His Son! Why?
In Mark 15:21-37 I read about how Jesus experienced the death of the wicked on the cross. Jesus took the punishment for our sins and died the death that was ours. so we could have the reward of His righteousness and have the life that was His. He took the death we deserve so we could have the life He deserves. Jesus was treated the way we deserve so we may be treated as He deserves. While Jesus was going through all of this, the verbal abuse continued from those witnessing the crucifixion, those doing the crucifying, and even those being crucified with Him. Why would God allow His Son to suffer so much? Why would Jesus submit to such suffering? Then I read verse 39.
So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39 NKJV
Then I paused. Could it be that the way Jesus handled all of this persecution convinced the centurion that He was the Son of God? Satan meant to cast so much mockery and persecution on Jesus so as to convince the world that Jesus definitely was not the Son of God, and yet Jesus used the same evidence Satan provided to convince a witness that He was indeed the Son of God. Though Satan cast so much darkness upon the Savior, the centurion could still see the righteousness of Christ shining with the blazing glory of the noonday sun.
Years ago a Bible worker was in a home where he was answering Bible questions from a young college student. Her father kept making fun of the Bible worker’s answers and the Bible. The Bible worker was afraid the father’s mockery was going to make the daughter not believe the Bible worker or even the Bible. However, the Bible worker noticed the young woman was frustrated with her father and was doing her best to tune him out as she kept asking the Bible worker more questions. The Bible Worker noticed the young woman was not even paying any attention to her mocking father and kept talking to him like her father was not even there. She was hanging on to every word the Bible worker shared from the Bible. While the Bible worker was annoyed by the mocking father, he realized in the end, it was a very productive Bible study. A study he could have easily ruined had he retaliated against the father. Instead, the Holy Spirit took over the Bible worker and the entire Bible study. The young woman saw through all the darkness her father was spreading and saw the light of the Bible shining with the blazing glory of the noonday sun.
Of course we know more than just the centurion believed. One thief repented, and I am sure many others did as well that day. Since then, millions and millions have been saved and are being saved. Are you willing to suffer the way Jesus did if it will lead someone to be eternally saved?
(0)The post Saving Souls While Suffering appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/saving-souls-while-suffering/
4.2 Light Vanquishes the Darkness
The Triumph of Faith over Misconceptions and the Eternal Hope of the Faithful
Read Jude 3-4. What is the warning here, and how did it apply to the later Christian Church?
The warning in these verses pertains to false teachers and deceivers who infiltrate among the believers, distorting the true faith and teachings of the Gospel. They turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny Jesus Christ, our sole Master and Lord. In the context of later Christian church history, this warning applied to various developments:
Overall, the warning in Jude 3-4 reminds us to be vigilant and fight for our faith to preserve the purity and integrity of Christian doctrine. It calls on believers to resist false teachings and deceptions and to remain faithful to the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Read Revelation 2:10. What promise does God give to those who remain faithful to Him in the face of death?
In this verse, God promises the faithful believers in Smyrna the “crown of life” if they remain faithful despite persecution, suffering, and even death. This promise serves as encouragement and comfort for believers enduring severe trials and persecutions.
As you rightly noted, the “crown of life” contrasts with earthly honors and recognitions that people can receive. It is an eternal reward and reminder of faithfulness and steadfastness in belief, even under the most challenging circumstances.
The promise of the “crown of life” has encouraged and strengthened believers throughout the centuries, especially during times of persecution, suffering, and difficulties. It reminds believers that their faithfulness and endurance are not in vain and that an eternal reward awaits them with God.
For modern Christians, this promise of the “crown of life” remains relevant and inspiring. It reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, to remain faithful in our belief, and to stand firm against temptations and hardships in life, knowing that an eternal reward awaits us.
What encourages you in difficult times? What scares you? Which promises can you claim for these times?
In difficult times, many people find encouragement and comfort in promises and assurances from the Bible. Some frequently cited promises include:
Regarding fears, it can vary from person to person. Some fear uncertainty, rejection, loss, or physical dangers. In such moments, it can be helpful to remember and claim the promises and truths of the Bible in faith.
It is important to emphasize that the mentioned promises and Bible verses offer comfort and encouragement to many people in difficult times. However, it can also be beneficial to speak with a spiritual mentor, pastor, or counselor to discuss personal fears and challenges and receive support.
The connection between our daily life and our faith is profound and shapes how we cope with challenges, find hope, and navigate our life’s journey. Faith provides us with a foundation for hope, comfort, and guidance amidst uncertainties, difficulties, and suffering. In our daily lives, we can draw inspiration from the promises and teachings of the Bible to:
In daily life, our faith can also encourage us to actively pursue justice, love, and compassion by following God’s commandments and living out the Gospel in our lives. It reminds us to follow Jesus’ example by loving our neighbor, practicing forgiveness, and being humble and service-minded.
In summary, our faith plays a central role in our daily lives, providing us with direction, hope, comfort, and inspiration. It challenges us to be vigilant, stand up for truth, remain steadfast in belief, and reflect God’s love and care in our lives and the world around us.
Thought of the Day: The crown of life awaits those who remain steadfast in faith, even in the darkest hours.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-4-standing-for-the-truth-4-2-light-vanquishes-the-darkness/
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
