View an in-depth discussion of Sin, The Gospel, and the Law 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.
Closer To Heaven
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By admin
View an in-depth discussion of Sin, The Gospel, and the Law 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.
By admin
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 27th of May 2026
Jesus Himself explained very powerfully and succinctly what His relationship to the law was.
In a similar way to how parents’ boundaries for their child reveal what they value, God’s law tells us about His character and what is important to Him. God gave us His law to protect our relationship with Him and with one another, knowing that His law would guide every aspect of our lives as we grow in Him. After all, who hasn’t suffered the terrible consequences of what sin, a violation of the law, has caused to each of us?
Love for Jesus is at the very center of the law. Jesus said, “ ‘If you love me, you will obey my commandments’ ” (John 14:15, NET). When we genuinely love Jesus, we will be naturally compelled to keep His law. When we see His law clearly, we will feel compelled to love Jesus more. And, even more important, always keeping before our eyes a vision of the Cross and Christ’s substitutionary death for us is the best way to foster our love for God.
That’s why the gospel goes hand in hand with the law. That is, however much we believe in the law and in the importance of keeping it, we must always remember that in terms of our legal standing before God, the law only condemns. The law never forgives, never justifies, and never atones. On the contrary, it points out why we need to be forgiven, why we need to be justified, and why we need atonement. That’s why along with the law—even foundational to our understanding of the law—is the gospel, Christ’s death on our behalf, which does for us what the law can never do: justify us before God.
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Read the following verses: Romans 3:28, Romans 4:13-16, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:13, and Philippians 3:9. What do these verses teach us that can help us, as believers, to keep the law, without becoming legalistic? |
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Daily Lesson for Tuesday 26th of May 2026
Sin is a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4), and sin also is wrapped up in our natures (Psalms 51:5, Jeremiah 17:9). So, it’s the law that brings to light what sin really is. The law is like putting on a pair of glasses so we can clearly see what’s really around us, or using a mirror to see what we really look like. It brings clarity and conviction to our lives and our characters while at the same time telling us about God’s character and what’s important to Him.
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) were written by God’s own finger. Jesus echoed their importance: “ ‘ “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these’ ” (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV). He added: “ ‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matthew 22:40, NKJV).
God’s words to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and to us today (Hebrews 1:1-2) tell us that the law is all about relationships. God gave the law as a safeguard to protect our relationship with Him and with others. However, Satan has distorted the beauty of God’s law so that some see it as a burden. Legalism rather than love and freedom is often attached to the law, even though the Bible tells us, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3, NKJV).
On a scale of one to five, how precious is the Living Word (and the law, as a part of it) to me?
When I keep God’s law, is it restricting me or strengthening me? How can I better understand the law if I think it is restricting me?
What might happen if God’s law of love for Him and others was brought into the center of my life, my family, and my church? What might change in my life and my relationships?
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26b-09-the-law/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26b-09-the-law
By admin
Daily Lesson for Monday 25th of May 2026
There are many messages in the Bible that speak about our relationship with God and the barriers that prevent us from growing in Christ. Consider these words from Paul and Jesus:
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12, NKJV). Like Samson, self-reliance will bring you down.
“ ‘Do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do . . . , that they may have glory from men’ ” (Matthew 6:2, NKJV). Stop telling everyone how good you are! Be humble, as Jesus was humble.
“ ‘But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you’ ” (Matthew 5:28-29, NKJV). Do anything to remove the lust from your heart, because this is a barrier to your relationship with God.
“ ‘Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged’ ” (Matthew 7:1-2, NKJV). Stop being so critical and judgmental of others. God is the Judge, so let Him be so (1 Corinthians 4:5).
“ ‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you’ ” (Matthew 5:44, NKJV). Stop hating your enemies. When you feel negatively toward those who treat you badly, it instantly places a barrier in your relationship with God. Instead, start praying for your enemies and see how this changes not just your walk with God but also your relationship with others.
“ ‘But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment’ ” (Matthew 5:22, NKJV). Perhaps you’ve been justifying why you yell at those close to you. How is your anger impacting your relationship with God, not to mention those you’re angry at? These are just a few areas that make us stumble.
To cut off your hand or foot or to pluck out your eye because it’s causing you to sin is extreme. It was supposed to be. But this is how seriously Jesus sees sin and its impact in our lives. How seriously are you taking it?
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Growing in a Relationship With God has many wonderful steps in it. There are several beautiful hymns from which to choose as a theme due to all the changes that come along when we grow in our relationship with God. On page 31 we see that “the most powerful weapon is prayer” to help us through our growing times. Therefore, we will wish to sing
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Hymn 290 to keep learning every minute of the day in our journey. To help with this journey, Lord, 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272 to instruct even more with the Holy Spirit, encouraging along the way:
Hover O’er Me, Holy Spirit – Hymn 260.
Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
