Daily Lesson for Wednesday 4th of December 2024

Again and again in John’s Gospel, truth is connected to Jesus, to His Father, and to the Holy Spirit. Truth is connected with Jesus, the Word (logos), and with light—in contrast to darkness (John 1:1-14, John 3:19-21). And, too, falsehood is connected with the devil and sin (John 8:44-46). Consequently, truth in John is not simply a matter of facts and figures. It does involve such things, but more than this, the idea of truth contains a moral aspect of faithfulness to God and to His will.

Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com

“There are many who are crying out for the living God, longing for the divine presence. Philosophical theories or literary essays, however brilliant, cannot satisfy the heart. The assertions and inventions of men are of no value. Let the word of God speak to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 40.

Think about what it means for Jesus to be the Truth. Jesus is the logos, the Word who was with God from the beginning and who was the Creator of all things created (John 1:1-4). One with the Father from eternity to eternity, Jesus has the characteristics of the Father, and thus is also the “I AM.” His being is not subject to anyone or anything else. Nothing that exists, including knowledge, exists apart from Him. And everything that does exist, that was created, was created only by Jesus and exists only in Him, as well. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17, NKJV).

Jesus is not simply the embodiment of the truth; He is the Truth. Truth is not a concept or a construct. It is a Person!

The Truth, Jesus Christ, can be likened to the sun that lights up the world (John 8:12). It is parallel to what C. S. Lewis stated about Christianity: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”—“Is Theology Poetry?” (n. p.: Samizdat University Press, 2014), p. 15, originally presented in 1944.

It is by Jesus, the Truth, that we are able to interpret the world around us rightly.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-10-i-am-the-truth/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and one of this quarter’s authors, Dr. Thomas R. Shepherd, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson, “The Beginning of the Gospel.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

View an in-depth discussion of The Way, The Truth, and the life 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.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 3rd of December 2024

Thomas’s query seems logical enough. If you do not know where someone is going, how can you know the way to follow that person? Jesus upends the query by indicating that He Himself is the way. The way to what? The way to the Father. In the Prologue (John 1:1-18), the intimate connection between the Word (logos), Jesus Christ, and the Father is emphasized.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

John 1:18 says that the only begotten (better translated here as unique) God is the One who has made the Father known. To make known in this text is the Greek verb exēgeomai, meaning to explain, interpret, exposit. We get the word exegesis from this. It means to bring out the meaning. Thus, Jesus Christ is the link to the Father, the One who explains or interprets the Father to a fallen world. Consequently, He is the way or path to the Father. Without Him, we are limited in our understanding.

Philip asked to see the Father, something no sinful human can do and live (compare with Exodus 33:17-23; Exodus 34:1-9, John 1:18). Jesus reproves the lack of understanding and points out that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). Consequently, it is clear that Jesus is the pathway to God. Without Him, the pathway grows dark and uncertain. He is the light that illuminates the way to God.

Jesus ties together three terms: way, truth, and life. The term way is used only in John 1:23 regarding John the Baptist’s preparing the way for Jesus, and it is used here in John 14:6. But truth and life are major themes in the Gospel. Our study on Wednesday and Thursday will emphasize the concept of truth, a crucial topic, especially in a world where the very idea of “truth” is called into question.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-10-i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/

John has written what is possibly the most well-known Bible verse in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son” which has had many say Lord, I
Have Made Thy Word My Choice – Hymn 273 and 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272. John writes of many people who turned to Jesus in this quarter’s studies. Here are two hymns from which to choose for your theme hymn this quarter.

 With the beautiful example, the “unbelievable act of humility” Jesus gave to his disciples, and to us in the Upper Room, we may sing of this in 
Hymn 397 – An Upper Room along with 
Hymn 401 – In Imitation, Lord Of Thee and 
Hymn 406 – Love Consecrated The Humblest Act. Sunday continues and shows that Jesus’ titles of Teacher and Lord express authority and power, which we find in 
Hymn 229 – All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name and 
Hymn 415 – Christ The Lord All Power Possessing

 Oh, what joy to know that Jesus stated categorically that He would certainly come again – Monday:
Hymn 200 – The Lord Is Coming,
Hymn 201 – Christ Is Coming,
Hymn 209 – That Glorious Day Is Coming,
Hymn 213 – Jesus Is Coming Again,
Hymn 375 – Work, For The Night Is Coming,
Hymn 438 – You Will See Your Lord A-coming, and
Hymn 454 – Don’t You See My Jesus Coming.

 We are to hold fast to the Truth (Wednesday): 
Hymn 203 – This Is The Threefold Truth. “Truth contains a moral aspect of faithfulness to God and to His Will” which we find in 
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful.

“Jesus and His disciples pointed to Scripture again and again” (Thursday) so we can sing clearly 
Hymn 272 – Give Me The Bible which will help us to see that 
Christ Is The World’s Light – Hymn 234.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless many 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.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-singing-with-inspiration/