Further Thought:

 “Whenever God’s people, in any period of the world, have cheerfully and willingly carried out His plan in systematic benevolence [tithing] and in gifts and offerings, they have realized the standing promise that prosperity should attend all their labors just in proportion as they obeyed His requirements.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

When they acknowledged the claims of God and complied with His requirements, honoring Him with their substance, their barns were filled with plenty. But when they robbed God in tithes and in offerings they were made to realize that they were not only robbing Him but themselves, for He limited His blessings to them just in proportion as they limited their offerings to Him.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 395.

The Bible is very clear that we are saved through faith alone, a gift of God’s grace. Our obedience to God’s commands is a response to God’s grace; it doesn’t earn it (after all, if it were earned, it wouldn’t be grace: see Romans 4:1-4).

Indeed, when we look at God’s bilateral covenant with us, we can see both our blessings and our responsibilities. By our responses to what God offers to us, we establish our relationship with Him and, to a great degree, determine our own destiny. Obedience — the service and allegiance of love — is the true sign of discipleship. Instead of releasing us from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render the obedience that God asks from us.

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

Amen!(0)

The post Friday: Further Thought ~ God’s Covenants With Us appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/friday-further-thought-gods-covenants-with-us/

It was said of Jesus that “the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). Most of the people in the large crowds who followed and listened to Jesus were members of this class, the common people. They were the ones who were fed on the mountainside, and who heard the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said to them, basically, I know you are concerned about providing for your families. You worry about the food and drink that you will need daily and the clothing that you need for warmth and protection. But here is what I propose . . .

Read Matthew 6:25-33. What was promised here, and what were the people to do in order to receive those promises?

Many of the promises of God  have elements of a bilateral covenant. That is, in order to receive the blessing, we need to do our part as well.

Read Isaiah 26:3. What are we asked to do in order to have the peace of God?

Read 1 John 1:9. What will Jesus do if we confess our sins?

Read 2 Chronicles 7:14. What are the “ifs” and “thens” of God’s proposal here?

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

All these verses and many others deal with the important fact that although God is sovereign, although God is our Creator and Sustainer, and although salvation is a gift of grace and unmerited on our part, we still have a part to play in the great controversy drama here on earth. Using the sacred gift of free will, free choice, we must choose to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obey what God calls us to do. Though God offers us blessings and life, we can choose cursing and death instead. No wonder God says, “[T]herefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV).

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Thursday: Seek Ye First appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-seek-ye-first/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, G. Edward Reid, as they provide additional insights into this Quarter’s Sabbath School lessons, “Managing for the Master, Till He Comes”
iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/E1qYS_N8dPw” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen>

Amen!(0)

The post 2 God’s Covenants with Us – It is Written – Discussions with the Author appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-gods-covenants-with-us-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

You can view an in-depth discussion of God’s Covenants with Us in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ire1DJZc8YU&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Amen!(0)

The post 2 God’s Covenants with us – Hope SS Video Discussion appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-gods-covenants-with-us-hope-ss-video-discussion/

MANAGING FOR THE MASTER Till He Comes will show us that 
God Is Working His Purpose Out – Hymn 225 in all our we do and say. May we be encouraged by this hymn for this quarter and that 
In Our Work And In Our Play – Hymn 591 we will work until Jesus comes. Hence, a choice of theme hymns for this quarter.

Our Memory Text this week encourages us to 
Trust and Obey – Hymn 590.

 On Sunday, I find that 
God Is My Strong Salvation – Hymn 339 helps to 
Fight The Good Fight – Hymn 613 as I try (with God’s abundant help) to keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-8) because 
Faith Is The Victory – Hymn 608.

Moses encourages with his writings on “God’s faithful dealings with Israel”: 
Hymn 100 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness. The Children of Israel needed to keep 
Standing On The Promises – Hymn 518 as was written on Monday.

The “demonstration of our faith in Him” shows in 
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517, 
If You But Trust In God To Guide You – Hymn 510. To “Honor The Lord” (Tuesday’s title), with  
A Diligent And Grateful Heart – Hymn 639 I will be able to sing 
Give Of Your Best To The Master – Hymn 572.

“Seek Ye First” (Thursday) is reiterated in 
Hymn 224 – Seek Ye First The Kingdom. The day’s study continues with the statement “in order to receive the blessing, we need to do our part, as well” which gives rise to my favourite saying: I do my best, and God does the rest.

The final statement of our study this week reminds us that “it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ”: 
Hymn 533 – O For a Faith that will not shrink.

Today, and every day, we look forward to Jesus coming again. Oh, what a day that will be 
When We All Get To Heaven – Hymn 633 because 
That Glorious Day Is Coming – Hymn 209.

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.”

Amen!(0)

The post 2 God’s Covenants with Us – Singing with Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-gods-covenants-with-us-singing-with-inspiration/