You can view an in-depth discussion of “Turning Hearts in the End Time” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Alongside Gabriel’s prediction (Luke 1:17) and Jesus’ confirmation of him as the predicted Elijah (Matt. 11:14; Matt. 17:12-13), the Gospel writers affirm that John the Baptist was the “messenger” who would prepare the way of the Lord (Matt. 11:10, Mark 1:2, Luke 7:27; compare Mal. 3:1).

Note the main aspects of John’s message. In what way was his message one of “heart-turning”? Matt. 3:2, Matt. 3:8; Matt. 14:4; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, Luke 3:8-9, Luke 3:11, Luke 3:13-14.

Turning Hearts at the Jordan

Like a farmer who plows hard ground to prepare it to receive seed, John denounced sin and urged sinners to repent. Human nature is such that, without selfexamination, without an awareness of one’s true condition, no need is felt for something better. His message turned people toward the holiness of God’s requirements and their need of His perfect righteousness. Genuine repentance is always marked by humility and looking to God for help to change one’s behavior. By exposing the shallow, selfcentered hypocrisy of those who claimed Abraham as their father, he sought to open the deeper meaning of the faith of their fathers.

How did the message of John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus? John 1:35-37, John 3:27-30.

John had been shown that Jesus was the Lamb of God. When he introduced Jesus this way (John 1:29, John 1:36), he literally turned people to the Lord. Andrew and another of John’s disciples, John, the Gospel writer who wrote the account of that day, left the Baptist’s side and became Jesus’ disciple. Not only does the Elijah message point to the need for repentance; it identifies the One who saves from sin, generates excitement about Him, and introduces people to Him.

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Read 1 Kings 18:20-45. Write out on the lines below what essentially this whole episode is about. Though the context is totally different, how can the principles seen in this story apply to family life?

At Mount Carmel

On Mount Carmel, Elijah longed for covenant renewal on the part of his nation, a turning back to the faith of their fathers that would bring healing to their lives, their homes, and their land.

The hour of the evening sacrifice. After the heathen priests’ failure with their sacrifice, Elijah took his turn. He was deliberate. The time of day drew attention to God’s redemptive plan revealed in the sanctuary service (compare Exod. 29:41). The invitation “Come near to me” (1 Kings 18:30, NKJV) reminds us of the Savior welcoming sinners (compare Matt. 11:28). Parents who are pained at the waywardness of a child can be assured that God loves him or her as truly as He loved the Israelites. God works unceasingly to draw wayward ones to Him.

Elijah’s focus on Jehovah’s altar finds its equivalent in our time when Jesus and His saving grace are uplifted in families. Family worship is an opportunity to talk to Him in prayer, to speak of Him to one another, to receive anew His free gift of salvation, and to give our hearts time to reflect on His teachings.

The response Elijah requested would signal that God had taken them back to Himself. First Kings 18:37 says, that “this people may know … You have turned their hearts back to You again” (NKJV). We cannot turn our hearts to God; we can only respond to His grace, and that He freely gives.

The all-consuming fire fell, not upon the guilty but upon the sacrifice, pointing forward to Jesus, who was made “sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21, NKJV). Confession and praise burst from the people’s lips. Because they did not respond to God’s call, the false priests were executed. Then refreshing rains ended the curse upon the land.

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1. Turning hearts in the end time. As we close our three-month consideration of preparing for the end time, does this week’s lesson puts the heavy burden of spreading the good news of salvation directly on us last-day Seventh-day Adventists? The last book of the Bible before the arrival of the baby Jesus makes a mighty promise to you and to me. Malachi the prophet paints a picture of families in peace in Malachi  4:5-6. What is that picture?  Talk about this in your class: Even as Bible-believing Christians, are we ready–and able–to use last-day events to encourage us that Jesus is coming very soon, and all He wants is our hearts fully dedicated to Him? Would you agree that sometimes it is easier to believe than to obey? Which comes first–a restored relationship with God or a restored relationship with our families?
2.  Family reunion.  The name of which prophet means “Jehovah is my God?” Why is that designation so revealing of our final assignment as God’s people on earth? In this lesson, we go back to the touching story of a woman in dire straits. How bad is her condition? After working miracle after miracle to provide sufficient food to keep the woman and her son alive, he dies. How does God construct yet another miracle, this one involving her precious son? Does God ever allow lives to be saved today to help bring mothers and pastors like Elijah into a close, redeeming relationship with Jesus? Share examples with the class. Have you ever known someone who seemed to accept every Bible teaching but even so goes through a passive, lukewarm Christian experience?   How can something so hollow and so destructive happen? What can we do to keep friends and fellow Christians from falling into a case of permanent lethargy? 
3. Turning hearts at the altar.  Mount Carmel with Elijah–what an experience this was! Try to imagine what it was like to be on one side or the other as the prophets of Baal stood in defiance against God’s true worshippers. Would you agree that the noisiest most rousing event you or I have ever witnessed is nothing compared with this display? What does this demonstration of power by evil worshippers reveal about the challenges you and I may encounter in our homes?  Does the comment in the lesson guide that we human beings cannot turn the tide and thus bring salvation to our hearts puzzle you? If not, why not? What assurance do we have in these troubled days from the record of what happened on that fateful day on Mount Carmel? Can you and I do anything to lead our families to a state of worship and redemption by studying, visualizing, and praying about the impact these days of this amazing Mount Carmel event? 
4. Turning hearts at the Jordan.  How is the Jordan River related to God’s call to obedience? In what way (or ways) is the Elijah message of such great importance to us last-day Christians looking forward to the coming Christ? How important was John’s picture of Jesus as the Lamb of God in preparing us for the coming of Christ? John had strong impressions about the evil of sin. What do you think John felt was especially wrong about sin?  How were John the beloved disciple and John the Baptist alike and how different? How would you welcome John the Baptist into your home? What would he find especially enjoyable there? What are some practical ways we can help make our homes glow like beacon lights because of the presence of the spirit of God within us? 
5. Turning hearts in the last days.  Only we–you and I who have made the commitment to follow Jesus in every possible way–can have the joy of participating in the final proclamation. How do we as Seventh-day Adventists see ourselves as people with the urgent message of John the Baptist in these troubling days? How can Christian families show their neighbors and other family members our special commitment to following Jesus every day of our lives? Do you ever dream of a massive pouring out of the Bible’s message of salvation just before Jesus comes to take us home? What role can your family play in this final proclamation? Have you done everything you can, everything God leads you to do, in order to awaken in the hearts of your children and other family members a deep longing to live with Jesus forever?  As we close these thirteen precious weeks considering what our families mean to God, let’s pray for guidance to lead our families by example and teaching to a close and harmonious life with Jesus.  

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“God Be Merciful to Me” (Hymn 297) a sinner and keep my heart turned to You, ready for Jesus to come very soon. May we 
“Lift Up the Trumpet and Loud Let It Ring” (Hymn 213) as often as is possible.

We continue to ask:
“O for a Heart to Praise My God!” (Hymn 323) so that we are 
“Near to the Heart of God” (Hymn 495). This will give us 
“A Diligent and Grateful Heart” (Hymn 639).

Elijah comes to us in:
Hymn 147 “Christ Upon the Mountain Peak” on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It is now that we request
“O for That Flame of Living Fire” (Hymn 264) that Elijah viewed on Mount Carmel.

On Tuesday, 1 Kings 18:30 “Come near to me….” is reflected in my singing:
Hymn 292, “Jesus, I Come” or 
Hymn 313/314, “Just as I Am”.

Our story of John the Baptist on Wednesday and Thursday is sung in:
Hymn 333, “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” and continues on into Thursday’s study.

May the Lord bless you with a wonderful Sabbath day.

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.”

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