Closer To Heaven
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You can view an in-depth discussion of Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face; in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:
With thanks to
Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/4-seeing-the-goldsmiths-face-hopess-video-discussion/
A song goes like this: “I am a rock, I am an island.” Have you ever felt like that — wanting to stand alone? You may even have heard people say, “Well, my walk with God is a private affair. It’s not something I want to talk about.”
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he describes the church as a body. Jesus is the head, and His people make up the rest. If you look at Ephesians 4:13, you will notice the ultimate purpose of living in such a community — it is to experience “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (NIV). And for that we need each other!
It certainly is possible to be a Christian all alone. Indeed, like for many people through the centuries who have been ridiculed or persecuted, standing alone is often unavoidable. It is a powerful witness to the power of God that men and women do not buckle under the pressures that surround them. However, while this is true, Paul is wanting to emphasize a critical truth: ultimately, we experience and reveal the fullness of Christ when we are working together in fellowship with each other.
| It’s easy to be nice when you are by yourself or with strangers, but it is much harder being nice to people you either know really well or don’t like. This means that when we still show these people grace and kindness, we provide an irresistible witness to the truth about God. |
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-character-and-community/
Yesterday we looked at the importance of character for those waiting for the Second Coming. Today we will look more specifically at the importance of character for those who are alive at the second coming of Jesus.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Daniel is told that just before Jesus comes, there will be a time of distress unequaled at any other time of history. In Daniel 12:3, Daniel 12:10, we’re given a depiction of the righteous and the wicked during this time. Notice how the wicked “shall do wickedly” (Daniel 12:10, NKJV) in contrast to the righteous, who in verse 3 shine brightly, perhaps because they have been “purified, made spotless and refined” (Daniel 12:10, NIV) during this “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (Daniel 12:1, NKJV). In contrast, too, the wicked do not understand, but the righteous are “wise” and do understand.
Understand what? Math, science, higher criticism? Proverbs says that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV). Perhaps, in this context, the “wise” are wise because they have an understanding of these final events, the time of trouble, as it unfolds. They are not taken by surprise; from their study of the Word, they know it’s coming. And most important, they know enough to allow this time of trouble to purify and refine them; the wicked, on the other hand, are just made more obstinate in their rebellion and thus continue in their wickedness.
The crucial point is that here we are given a depiction of a people who have been through a refining and purifying process.
| Though we’ve looked at these verses in the context of the very last days, what principles do we see here that can help us now to understand better what the purifying and refining process is all about, even for us today? |
(1)The post Wednesday: “The Wise” appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
This week’s lesson, Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face, gives us an opportunity to discuss one of the most challenging, misunderstood, feared, ignored, denied, and refuted words in the Christian vocabulary. Tune into this week’s discussion to learn what it is.
(2)The post Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face – Hit the Mark Sabbath School appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/seeing-the-goldsmiths-face-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/
Jesus was in Jerusalem, about to die. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ last teaching hour before Passover is spent telling His disciples parables, including the ones about the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats. These stories are related to the way we should live as we wait for Jesus to come. Thus their relevancy to today — with the signs of Jesus’ soon return all around us — has never been more significant.
Image © Justinen Creative Goodsalt.com
In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-12), many commentators point out that the oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Ellen G. White agrees, but also says that this oil is a symbol for character and that it is something no one can acquire for us.
Read the parable. In what ways does the meaning of the story change, depending on whether you see oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit or for the possession of character? What are the implications of this story for you if the oil represents the Holy Spirit, or a Christlike character?
Holy Spirit:
Character:
Notice that the king separates the sheep and the goats based on their works, their character. Though Jesus is not teaching salvation by works here, we can see how important character development is in the plan of salvation and how those who are truly saved by Christ will reflect that salvation through their lives and characters.
| It has been said that “character is what a person is in the dark.” What sort of person are you when no one is looking? What does the answer tell you about changes that you need to make? |
(0)The post Tuesday: Jesus’ Last Words appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
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