Closer To Heaven
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Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr. Jiří Moskala, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.”
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/8-covenant-at-sinai-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/
View an in-depth discussion of Covenant at Sinai 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)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/8-covenant-at-sinai-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 20th of August 2025
The law of God reveals God’s character, who He is. As God is holy, righteous, and good, so also is His law. Paul confirms: “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12, ESV).
Image © Steve Creitz Goodsalt.com
In the Bible, the law of God is seen in a very positive light (Matthew 5:17-18; John 14:15; 1 Corinthians 7:19). One may create poems on the law (see Psalms 119:1-176), sing about the law (Psalms 19:1-14), and meditate on it day and night (Psalms 1:2, Joshua 1:8). The law helps keep one from evil and gives wisdom, understanding, health, prosperity, and peace (Deuteronomy 4:1-6; Proverbs 2:1-22; Proverbs 3:1-35).
God’s law is like a fence that creates a large free space for life and warns that—beyond a specific point—danger, problems, complications, and even death await (Genesis 2:16-17; James 2:12).
The law is also a signpost pointing to Jesus, who forgives our sins and changes our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 1:7-9). In this way, it leads us as a paidagogos, a custodian/guardian, to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
A mirror can reveal your defects, yes. But there is nothing in the mirror that can cure them. The mirror points to the problems but offers no solution to the problems. It’s the same with God’s law. Trying to be justified before God by keeping the law would be like staring at the mirror in hopes that, sooner or later, the mirror will make your defects go away.
Because salvation is by faith and not by works—including works of the law—some Christians claim that the law is done away with and that we no longer have to keep it. Of course, considering that the law itself is what defines sin—“I would not have known sin except through the law” (Romans 7:7, NKJV)—this claim is a gross misinterpretation of the relationship of the law to the gospel. The existence of the law is precisely why we need the gospel.
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How successful have you been in your attempts to obey God’s law? Well enough to base your salvation on it? If not, why do you need the gospel? |
(1)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-08-different-functions-of-gods-law/
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 19th of August 2025
Note that the Decalogue does not begin with the commands but with God’s gracious action for His people:
“ ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery’ ” (Exodus 20:2, NIV). The Lord first shows His grace by giving freedom and salvation to Israel, and only then does He reveal His will. These commandments were to be observed out of love and gratitude for what God did for them.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
God’s key summation word for the Decalogue is “love” (Romans 13:10). The greatest commandment is the commandment of love, which is expressed in two ways: love to God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and love to our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).
In the first four commandments, the Decalogue interprets what it means to love God; in the following six commandments, the law interprets what it means to love your neighbor. The Decalogue begins with honoring God above all (vertical love) and continues with respecting others (horizontal love):
Honoring and revering God by giving Him the first and the highest place in every situation of our life (the first commandment);
Honoring and preserving God’s unique position and not replacing Him by an idol in any form, either physical, symbolic, or spiritual. Our purest affections belong to the Lord (the second commandment);
Revering God’s name—His reputation and character (the third commandment);
Honoring His day of rest and worship—the Sabbath (the fourth commandment);
Respecting parents (the fifth commandment);
Respecting life (the sixth commandment);
Respecting marriage (the seventh commandment);
Respecting people’s property (the eighth commandment);
Respecting the reputation of others (the ninth commandment); and
Respecting self so that no selfish desires will mar our character (the tenth commandment).
As Jesus Himself said: “ ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’ ” (John 14:15, ESV; see also 1 John 4:20-21). Thus, true obedience is simply an expression of love and gratitude toward Jesus, a love expressed most powerfully in how we treat our neighbors.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-08-the-gift-of-the-decalogue/
Exodus points us to a wonderful conclusion with the Israelites being bound for the Promised Land, hence our theme hymn for the quarter being
We Are Bound For The Promised Land – Hymn 620.
“Obey My voice and keep My covenant” says part of our Memory Text, as does 
Trust And Obey – Hymn 590. This hymn pops up a couple of times during this week. Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to this weeks’ study concludes with Jesus’ statement: “ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden”, and this is found in
Hymn 285 – Jesus Calls Us.
On Sunday God is teaching the people many things, with this teaching continuing through the week. We, today, can ask God
Saviour, Teach Me – Hymn 193. The story continues showing us that
He Leadeth Me – Hymn 537 just as the people were faithfully lead through the wilderness away from Egypt through to the Promised Land.
The gift of love that God gives to us all is taught on Monday:
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, How Strong And True! “He is a God of love (1 John 4:16)” is the final sentence on this day.
There are many promises that God gives to the people as they travelled along. Are we, today, found
Standing On The Promises – Hymn 518 and still being able to
Trust And Obey – Hymn 590?
Friday finalizes our study stating “our salvation is found in Jesus”:
To The Name That Brings Salvation – Hymn 646.
Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.
To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/
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/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.
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.”
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/8-covenant-at-sinai-singing-with-inspiration/
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