Image © Pacific Press

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 7:11–19; Hebrews 8:10–12; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:1–6; Exodus 24:1–8; Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Memory Text: “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6, ESV).

By living a perfect life, and then by dying in our place, Jesus mediated a new, better covenant between us and God. Through His death, Jesus canceled the penalty of death that our trespasses demanded and made possible the new covenant.

This truth is explained in Hebrews 10:5-10, which identifies Jesus as having manifested the perfect obedience required by the covenant. It references Psalm 40, referring to Messiah’s desire to render to God total obedience: “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:7-8, ESV). “In the original context this phrase [‘to do your will’] described moral obedience to the will of God. The author of Hebrews uses the phrase to show that the sacrifice of Christ fulfilled the will of God in providing an acceptable atonement, which the animal sacrifices had not provided.” — The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 460.

For Paul, this psalm acquired special significance with the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus embodied the obedience of the new covenant. He is our example. We have been saved, not only because of His death but also because of His perfect obedience.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 19.

Sunday–>

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Support for the mission activities of the Seventh-day Adventist church has always been part of the Sabbath School program. This video is Mission Spotlight for this week.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbtYnw886wA&w=560&h=315]

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-february-12/

Sugar Shock

By Andrew McChesney

Oung, a sugar factory worker in Laos, was baptized, but he lost interest in Jesus after about three years.

The pastor visited him at home with an invitation to return to church to worship on Sabbath.

Image © Pacific Press

“Yes, I will come,” Oung promised.

But he didn’t.

When the pastor returned to invite him again, Oung explained that he had missed church services because a friend had stopped by his house unexpectedly.

“I’ll come next Sabbath,” he said.

But he didn’t.

When the pastor returned again, Oung explained that his bicycle had broken down.

The pastor visited many times, and Oung always had an excuse. Church members prayed, and the pastor kept inviting him. But Oung seemed to drift farther away from Jesus.

After some time, he started to drink and cause problems at home. Many times, he beat his elder sister, leaving bruises on her face, arms, and legs. His sister, a faithful church member, finally had to move out of the house, leaving him with his wife and children.

The sister came to church with tears in her eyes. She loved her younger brother. “Please don’t stop praying for Oung,” she said.

One day, while Oung was working at the sugar factory, he climbed a steel ladder to fetch sugar from a giant steel container.

The activity was a normal part of his job. But on this day, an electric wire connected to the steel container malfunctioned. As he reached out his hands to grasp the top edge of the container, a shock of electricity coursed through his hands and body.

The electric current welded him to the container. He couldn’t remove his hands from the edge. At that moment, he thought of his family, his children, and his wife.

Then he remembered God.

“God, please help me!” he prayed.

Suddenly, the electric current stopped, and he fell down to the floor.

Only one thought filled his mind: “God has given me a new life to live again.” He should have been dead, but he was alive. His left hand was burned badly in the incident, but otherwise he was fine.

Villagers couldn’t believe that he was still alive.

Oung told his wife that he planned to recommit his life to Jesus.

“I must go back to church for God has given me a new life,” he said. “I must be a witness for Him because I should have died but I am alive. I must go back to Him.”

Thank you for your Sabbath School mission offerings that help spread the gospel to people in Laos and other countries of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, which will receive this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org

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Further Thought:

Read Ellen G. White,  “John the Beloved,” pages 539-545, in The Acts of the Apostles; “Judas,” pages 716-722, in The Desire of Ages.

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.” — Ellen G. White,  Steps to Christ, p. 43.

“John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ he did become meek and lowly. Self was hid in Jesus. Above all his companions, John yielded himself to the power of that wondrous life. …

It was John’s deep love for Christ which led him always to desire to be close by His side. The Saviour loved all the Twelve, but John’s was the most receptive spirit. He was younger than the others, and with more of the child’s confiding trust he opened his heart to Jesus. Thus he came more into sympathy with Christ, and through him the Saviour’s deepest spiritual teaching was communicated to the people. …

The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master.” — Ellen G. White,  The Acts of the Apostles, pages 544, 545.

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

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This video is produced by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team.

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