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The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 11.What More Could I Have Done? | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

March 8, 2025 By admin

Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |

Lesson 11.What More Could I Have Done? |
God’s Love in the Cosmic Conflict |

In Lesson 11, we focus on the central question: What more could I have done? Despite Satan’s deceptions, God has shown in every respect that He is just and full of love. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s true nature has been fully revealed, and the enemy has been defeated. Yet human free will remains intact—each person must decide for themselves which side they will stand on. God’s plan of salvation demonstrates that He has done everything possible to save us without violating our will. The question now is: How will we respond to His love and His sacrifice?

Memory Text: John 18:37 – “Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice’. ”

Content:
11.1 Christ the Victor
Christ, the Triumphant King

Jesus Christ has won the final victory, even though the enemy still rages. The devil may be described as the deceiver, accuser, and illegitimate ruler of this world, but Christ confronts him with truth, righteousness, and love. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus exposed Satan’s deceptions and brought down his kingdom. Our daily trust in this victory is crucial—because the key lies in embracing Christ’s promises in our everyday lives. By following Him, we are already on the winning side and can overcome through Him.

11.2 The Just and the Justifier
Christ—the Righteous One and Justifier

On the cross, Jesus reveals both God’s perfect justice and His infinite love. While Satan accuses God of injustice, Christ refutes these lies through His sacrifice and grace. His death shows that God is not only just but also the One who justifies the guilty. In doing so, the enemy is fully unmasked, and his kingdom is destined to fail. Those who trust in Christ can be certain that God’s love endures even in suffering and trials. The victory of the cross assures us that goodness will ultimately triumph.

11.3 The Song of My Beloved
God’s Perfect Love and Justice

God has done everything to save humanity and pave the way to eternal life. The Song of the Vineyard demonstrates that He left nothing undone to care for His people and help them bear good fruit. Yet the free will of humanity often leads to rejection and unfaithfulness. On the cross, God ultimately revealed His love by becoming the sacrifice Himself to redeem us. When we look at the cross, we realize: God could not have done more—His love is complete. The question remains: How will we respond to this incomparable gift?

11.4 Christ’s Parable of the Vineyard
The Greatest Love—God’s Ultimate Sacrifice

In the Parable of the Vineyard, Jesus shows that God spared no effort in seeking to save humanity. He sent prophets, but they were rejected. Finally, He gave what was most precious—His own Son. Yet Jesus was also rejected and crucified. On the cross, God’s immeasurable love and His deep sorrow over sin were revealed. If there had been a better way, God would have chosen it—but only through the cross could justice and love be perfectly displayed. Our redemption cost God infinitely, but He paid the price out of love for us.

11.5 The Vindication of God’s Name
God’s Name Will Be Vindicated

In the end, God will be proven completely just and loving. His work in the plan of salvation will show, beyond any doubt, that He has always been fair and merciful. Even now, He invites us to consider His nature and recognize that His judgments are righteous. In eternity, we will understand why He acted as He did, and we will acknowledge His wisdom and justice. Every creature will confess that Jesus is Lord, and God’s name will be fully vindicated. His love and faithfulness are unshakable—now and forever.

11.6 Summary
God’s Perfect Love and Justice

God has done everything to save humanity and reveal the truth about His character. Through Jesus Christ, He has defeated the enemy, affirmed His righteousness, and demonstrated His infinite love on the cross. The cosmic conflict could not be ended by force but by the complete revelation of God’s character. Despite all rejection, He even gave His own Son to redeem the world. In the end, every knee will bow and acknowledge that God’s ways are just and good. The question remains: How will we respond to His incomparable offer of love and grace?

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-god-of-love-and-justice-lesson-11-what-more-could-i-have-done-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 10.Rules of Engagement | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

March 1, 2025 By admin

Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |

Lesson 10.Rules of Engagement |
God’s Rules of the Game in the Cosmic Conflict |

The great battle between good and evil is not a chaotic power struggle but follows certain rules that reflect God’s justice and love. God does not force anyone to worship Him; rather, He always acts in harmony with His principles. Even angels and heavenly powers are subject to these established boundaries, as clearly shown in Daniel 10 and Job. Satan is temporarily granted power, but it is not unlimited—God’s plan ultimately leads to the triumph of good. Faith and prayer play a crucial role, enabling divine intervention without violating the rules of the conflict. This lesson helps us better understand God’s actions within the tension between love, freedom, and justice.

Memory Text: 1.John 3,8 – “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Content:
10.1 An Angel Delayed
The Invisible Battle: God’s Power and the Limits of Coercion

The account in Daniel 10 shows that, within the cosmic conflict, there are certain limits even for God’s angels. Though God is all-powerful, He does not always intervene directly or immediately but allows spiritual forces to contend with each other. This underscores that God acts according to principles based on love and freedom rather than coercion. The struggle of the angel Gabriel with the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” demonstrates that evil powers attempt to hinder God’s plans, yet they ultimately cannot prevail. These “rules of the game” in the conflict remind us that divine power is exercised with wisdom and patience. We also learn that our prayers and faith play a part in this invisible battle.

10.2 The Dragon of Revelation
The Limited Triumph of Evil

Revelation depicts Satan as a dragon who tries to undermine God’s rule and deceive the world. He grants authority to an earthly power to persecute God’s people and claim worship for itself. Yet even though his power appears immense, it is not unlimited—God sets clear temporal and spiritual boundaries for him. Satan knows he has only a short time before his final downfall is sealed. These prophecies remind us that evil may triumph for a while, but God’s righteous kingdom will ultimately prevail. The promise of Revelation 21:4 gives us hope: suffering will end, and God’s kingdom of peace will endure forever.

10.3 The Case of Job
A Battle for Trust and Justice

The story of Job provides profound insights into the dynamics of the great conflict. Satan questions Job’s integrity, claiming that his reverence for God stems only from divine protection. God then permits Job to be tested but sets clear boundaries that Satan cannot cross. This episode shows that there are rules of the game in the cosmic conflict that uphold God’s principles of love and justice. Despite his suffering, Job remains faithful to God, thus refuting Satan’s accusations. The heavenly courtroom scene makes it clear that the great conflict is fought not only on earth but also in heaven, with far-reaching consequences for the entire universe.

10.4 The (Temporary) Ruler of This World
The Limited Power of Evil

In the New Testament, Satan is called the “ruler of this world,” but his dominion is neither absolute nor permanent. God allows him to operate only within certain rules of the game, which limit both Satan’s actions and God’s own intervention. These restrictions safeguard human free will and ensure that God’s government is based on justice and love, not coercion. Christ came to break Satan’s power and destroy his dominion—a victory sealed by His death and resurrection. Nevertheless, evil remains for a time, until God ultimately eradicates it. The knowledge that Satan’s rule is only temporary offers hope for a future free from suffering and injustice.

10.5 Limits and Rules
God’s Justice in the Cosmic Conflict

The great conflict is not merely a struggle for power but a dispute over God’s character, His justice, and His sovereignty. Instead of immediately eradicating evil, God allows a fair presentation of evidence so the truth can be revealed. These “rules of the game” set limits within which both God and Satan must operate, preserving free will and divine principles. Faith and prayer seem to play a role in how and when God intervenes, though they are not the only factors. Despite the existing boundaries, evil will ultimately be defeated, and God’s kingdom of love will stand forever. The promise of a new world without suffering assures us that God’s plan is perfectly just and worthy of our trust.

10.6 Summary
Rules of the Game in the Cosmic Conflict

The great conflict between God and Satan follows specific rules of the game that limit both the workings of evil and God’s intervention. God does not act arbitrarily but remains true to His principles of love and justice. Satan may temporarily hold power in this world, yet his reign is constrained and will ultimately end. The story of Job and biblical prophecies show that God does not eliminate evil by mere force, but through a just demonstration of evidence. Faith, prayer, and the rules of the cosmic conflict influence when and how God intervenes. Despite the present suffering, the Bible assures us that God’s kingdom of peace and love will finally triumph.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-god-of-love-and-justice-lesson-10-rules-of-engagement-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 9.The Cosmic Conflict | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

February 22, 2025 By admin

Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |

Lesson 9.The Cosmic Conflict |
Origin, Nature, and Hope |

The cosmic conflict is an invisible but real battle between good and evil, which began in heaven and now affects all humanity. This lesson highlights how Satan, through pride and rebellion against God, sowed doubt about God’s character. The conflict revolves around trust, worship, and the question of whether God’s rule is just and loving. Despite Satan’s deceptions, the Bible reveals God’s patience and His plan to ultimately overcome evil. We are invited to trust God’s truth and remain steadfast in this spiritual battle.

Memory Text: Genesis 3,15 – “ ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel’ ”

Content:
9.1 An Enemy Has Done This
An Enemy Has Sown Evil – God’s Patience in the Cosmic Conflict

The parable of the weeds among the wheat clearly shows that evil does not come from God but is the work of an enemy—the devil. In a world originally created good by God, Satan sowed discord and suffering. God’s decision not to immediately eliminate evil demonstrates His patience and desire to avoid harming the righteous. Prematurely uprooting the “weeds” could endanger the “wheat,” representing people still on their way to the truth. However, this patience does not mean tolerating evil but shows that God will judge justly in His time. For us, this means staying vigilant while approaching others with mercy and patience.

9.2 The Origin of the Controversy on Earth
The Origin of Evil – A Conflict Over Trust and Truth

God created the world as “very good” (Genesis 1:31), but evil entered through the serpent’s deception, twisting God’s Word and sowing doubt. The cosmic conflict began with the question of whom to believe—God or the enemy’s temptation. Eve’s choice shows how distrust leads to sin and separation from God. Yet, amid this fall, God gives hope: the promised “seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15)—a reference to the Messiah—will ultimately triumph over evil. This conflict reminds us how vital trust in God is and that He has a plan of salvation.

9.3 The Origin of the Controversy in Heaven
The Fall of Lucifer – Pride as the Source of the Heavenly Conflict

The cosmic conflict did not begin on Earth but in heaven, when Lucifer, a perfect and beautiful angel, became proud and sought to exalt himself above God. Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 describe how this once-honored cherub fell through self-exaltation and envy. His moral freedom allowed him to choose rebellion, explaining the origin of evil. Lucifer’s pride turned admiration into rebellion, sowing distrust against God. Yet this story shows that love and freedom are inseparable—without free will, true love isn’t possible. God permits the conflict to dispel doubts throughout the universe and reveal His justice.

9.4 If You Worship Me
The Battle for Worship – Jesus’ Victory Over Temptation and Deception

The cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan becomes particularly clear in the wilderness. Satan tried to manipulate Jesus’ hunger, trust, and worship, but Jesus resisted every temptation through God’s Word. The third temptation reveals Satan’s true goal: he desires the worship due to God alone. Jesus’ resolute response shows that true worship belongs only to the Creator. This battle affects us too—we face daily temptations pulling us away from God. Like Jesus, we can stand firm using Scripture as a weapon in spiritual warfare. Being aware of this unseen conflict helps us remain vigilant and strong in faith.

9.5 The Nature of the Cosmic Conflict
A Battle for Trust – God’s Truth Against Satan’s Lies

The cosmic conflict is not a battle of power but of character and truth. Satan questions God’s love and justice, spreading lies to sow mistrust. Jesus calls him the “father of lies” (John 8:44), whose strategy is deception and slander. God, in contrast, responds not with force but by revealing His just character through truth and love. The conflict revolves around whom creation trusts—Satan’s accusations or God’s self-revelation in Christ. Ultimately, God’s patience exposes Satan’s deceptions and reveals the goodness of His law and character to the entire universe.

9.6 Summary
The Cosmic Conflict – A Battle Over Truth, Trust, and Worship

Lesson nine explores the cosmic conflict between God and Satan, which began in heaven and expanded to Earth. Satan questioned God’s character and sowed doubt about His love and justice. The fall in Eden and Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness show how this conflict centers on trust, worship, and obedience. While Satan operates through deception and lies, God reveals His truth through patience, love, and justice. Ultimately, God’s character is fully vindicated, and evil is defeated. This lesson encourages us to hold firmly to God’s Word and trust Him in this spiritual battle.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-god-of-love-and-justice-lesson-9-the-cosmic-conflict-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 8.Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

February 15, 2025 By admin

Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |

Lesson 8.Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence |
Free Will, Love, and God’s Work in the World |

The question of God’s sovereignty and human free will is central to understanding love, suffering, and divine providence. If God is all-powerful, why does He allow evil to exist? The Bible shows that God’s will is not always fulfilled because He grants humanity true freedom—a freedom that allows for both love and rejection. At the same time, despite human choices, God continues to work in history to accomplish His good plan. In Christ, He has already achieved victory, and in the end, His ideal will shall be fully realized. This lesson invites us to understand God’s actions and trust Him despite all challenges.

Memory Text: John 16,33 – “ ‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ ”

Content:
8.1 Our Sovereign God
God’s Will and Human Decisions

The idea that everything happens exactly as God wills raises deep theological problems—especially regarding suffering and evil in the world. However, the Bible shows that God’s will is not always fulfilled because humans often choose differently in their freedom. Psalm 81:12–15 and other passages illustrate that God desires a different fate for His people, yet despite His longing for obedience, they often follow their own paths. A theology that attributes everything directly to God’s will could make Him responsible for evil, contradicting His character of love and justice. Instead, the Bible reveals a God who grants humans freedom, even when their choices go against His ideal. This presents the challenge of reconciling God’s sovereignty with human free will.

8.2 Pantokrator
God’s Omnipotence and Human Freedom

God’s omnipotence does not mean that He forces everything to happen, but rather that He has the power to do everything that aligns with His nature and plan. The Bible shows that God intervenes and performs miracles, yet He still respects human free will. Although He desires to save all, not everyone chooses Him—an indication that His power does not override the free will of His creatures. This reveals a deeper dimension of His rule: a power not based on coercion but on love and justice. God’s omnipotence is thus demonstrated not only in His ability to act but also in His willingness to allow human choice. This is the true greatness of His reign—one that embraces both absolute power and self-restraint.

8.3 To Love God
Love Cannot Be Forced

God desires that all people love Him, but true love can only be given freely. If God were to force love, it would cease to be love and become mere compulsion. The Bible shows that God grants humans free will—to love Him or to turn away from Him—a freedom that comes with great responsibility and serious consequences. Since God has committed Himself to respecting free will, this also means that much happens that does not align with His desires. This highlights the weight of human choices and the serious responsibility that comes with true freedom. The way we use this freedom reveals whether we choose God’s love or turn away from Him.

8.4 God’s Ideal and Remedial Wills
God’s Plan: Freedom and Restoration

God does not predestine who will be saved or lost but plans the future while considering human free choices. His “ideal will” describes what He desires for the world—a life of love and fellowship with Him. Yet, since humans often choose differently, God works through His “healing will,” creating ways to save people and bring about good despite wrong choices. This perspective unites God’s sovereignty with human freedom, without Him forcefully controlling history. Romans 8:28 gives us hope: even in difficult times, God can turn everything for good. This truth shows that God’s plan is not dependent on our failures but is always directed toward healing and redemption.

8.5 Christ Has Overcome the World
Hope Despite Suffering: Christ Has Won

Jesus does not promise an easy life but warns that we will face trials in this world. However, He gives us a crucial hope: He has overcome the world (John 16:33). This means that evil and suffering do not have the final word—God’s ultimate plan is the restoration of His ideal will. While we live in a world shaped by free, often wrong choices, God still works and brings good out of difficult circumstances. Our trials are not a sign that God has abandoned us but a reminder that we are in the midst of a great cosmic battle. By holding on to Christ, we can be assured that His victory is also our victory.

8.6 Summary
God’s Sovereignty and Human Free Will

God is all-powerful, yet He does not force anyone to love Him or do His will—genuine love and obedience require freedom. While God has an ideal plan for the world, His providence takes into account human choices, even when they go against His will. Evil does not exist because God wills it but because His creatures have the freedom to reject Him. Still, God guides history through His “healing will” toward a good outcome and works for the good of His children even in difficult circumstances. In Christ, He has already triumphed over evil, and we can trust that His final plan of restoration will be fulfilled. Despite trials, we can live in the certainty that God will never abandon us but will bring everything to a good end.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-god-of-love-and-justice-lesson-8-free-will-love-and-divine-providence-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 6.God’s Love of Justice | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

February 1, 2025 By admin

Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |

Lesson 6.God’s Love of Justice |
God’s Love of Justice – The Foundation of His Actions |

God is both perfect love and perfect justice. Throughout the Bible, it is clear that His love never compromises justice, and His justice is always infused with love. His nature is unchangeable, and He calls people to reflect these divine principles in their lives. While human justice is often flawed and driven by self-interest, God’s justice remains perfect and reliable. Even when it sometimes seems that God is “yielding,” it does not happen out of inconsistency but because He is in a genuine relationship with people. God’s love and justice are the foundation of His governance, and He invites us to hold on to them and live accordingly.

Memory Text: Jetemia 9:24 – “ ‘But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight’ says the Lord.”

Content:
6.1 Love and Justice
Two Inseparable Pillars of His Dominion

The Bible shows that love and justice are inseparably connected. True justice cannot exist without love, and true love requires justice. In God’s moral order, these two principles are perfectly united, in contrast to the often distorted human justice, which is marked by self-interest and corruption. The prophets repeatedly call for justice and warn against oppression and inequality. Therefore, God’s judgment is a hope for the suffering, as it brings punishment for the wicked and liberation for the oppressed. In a world full of injustice, we long for the day when God’s perfect justice is revealed in love.

6.2 God Is Entirely Good and Righteous
God is Perfect – in Justice, Faithfulness, and Love

God is not only just but the source of all justice and goodness. The Bible attests that He never does wrong but always acts according to truth and love. His justice is unwavering, in complete contrast to human injustice. While human rulers often abuse their power, God’s omnipotence is perfectly pure and just. His light knows no darkness, and His ways are always perfect. Even when we do not always understand why God allows evil in the world, we can trust that He always acts with wisdom and love, and His justice will ultimately triumph.

6.3 God’s Changeless Character
God’s Nature Remains Eternal – Faithful, Just, and Unchanging

God is unchanging in His nature, which means that His love, justice, and faithfulness never waver. While people change and circumstances are uncertain, God remains the rock of consistency. His promises stand firm, and His moral purity is eternal. Although He enters into a genuine relationship with us and responds to our behavior, His nature remains consistently good and just. The Bible repeatedly confirms that God cannot lie and that His promises are unbreakable (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17–18). In difficult times, we can hold on to His unchanging love, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

6.4 A Repenting God?
God’s Repentance – An Expression of His Mercy and Faithfulness

God does not repent in the human sense because He makes no mistakes or errs. Instead, biblical passages where God “relents” or “gives way” show that He is in a genuine relationship with us. His nature remains unchanged – He is always just, loving, and merciful – yet He responds to human repentance and intercession. When people change, God can adjust His actions without breaking His faithfulness or promises. This is not a sign of weakness but of divine patience and grace. God’s willingness to withhold judgment when people repent reveals His deep love and unwavering mercy.

6.5 Hold Fast to Love and Justice
Holding on to Love and Justice – God’s Way for Us

God is the source of all faithfulness, justice, and love, and He remains perfectly good in all His actions. He loves not only those who follow Him but also those who reject Him – a love that Jesus revealed in its deepest form on the cross. This perfect love requires justice because true mercy cannot exist without righteousness. The Bible urges us to actively live out love and justice (Hosea 12:7) and thus reflect God’s nature. Our trust in God’s justice gives us hope that one day all wrongs will be righted. Until then, we should promote love and justice in our surroundings, just as God exemplifies to us.

6.6 Summary
God’s Love for Justice – An Inseparable Divine Principle

God’s love and justice are inseparably connected – true justice can only exist in love, and true love requires justice. God is perfectly good and just, His nature remains unchanging, and He always acts in faithfulness and truth. Even when the Bible sometimes speaks of God “repenting” or “yielding,” it does not happen because of an error but because He is in a genuine relationship with people and responds to their repentance. God calls us to hold on to love and justice in our lives, for He Himself embodies these principles perfectly. In the end, His justice will be fully revealed, and He will judge all wrongdoing. Until then, we should reflect His nature by practicing love and advocating for justice.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-god-of-love-and-justice-lesson-6-gods-love-of-justice-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/