Archived-Sabbath School Lessons DAILY STUDY

THURSDAYTHURSDAYMay 1


Sing of the Final Restoration (Acts 3:19-21)

The marvelous healing of the demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, rather than bringing shouts of Hallelujahs from the Pharisees, brought instead a charge: "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons" (Matt. 12:24, NIV). Thus was Jesus prompted to give an instructive explanation of the meaning of what was happening: "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God," He said, dismissing the Pharisees' inference, "then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (vs. 28).

The statement is important, since in the teaching of the Gospels, the kingdom of God is not only a present reality (as evident most directly in the above statement), but also a future reality (see Matt. 26:29; Luke 23:42; John 18:36).

What this means is that the works of Christ also look forward to the final restoration. When Jesus applied the pivotal prophecy of Isaiah to Himself during the reading of the scrolls in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18, 19), He was proclaiming much more than would happen within the brief three and a half years of His own earthly ministry. "The year of the Lord's favor," harking back, as it does to the ancient Jubilee, was an announcement of the inauguration of the kingdom of God, beginning with the coming of the Messiah, and reaching all the way down to the final consummation, when all prisoners will have been set free, all sight restored, all oppression removed, and when joy will pervade the entire cosmos.

What do the following passages teach about the relationship between Jesus' ministry and the final restoration? (Mark 5:35-42, Luke 7:11-15, John 11:38-44, Acts 3:19-21).



The most powerful sign of the reign of sin is death. And the restoration of life by Jesus during His ministry pointed forward to that final day when death will be no more. "I am the Living One," says the resurrected Christ in John's apocalyptic vision, "I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever . . ! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Rev. 1:18, NIV). Those whom Jesus restored to life during His ministry all succumbed to death again. But Jesus looked beyond that, to the final restoration, when "the trumpet will sound, [and] the dead will be raised imperishable" (1 Cor. 15:52, NIV).

Thursday

Sign of the Final Restoration

Matthew 12:24 NIV 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

Matthew 12:24 NKJV 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Matthew 12:28 NKJV 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 26:29 NKJV 29 "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Luke 23:42 NKJV 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

John 18:36 NKJV 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Luke 4:18-19 NKJV 18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

Mark 5:35-42 NKJV 35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."

Mark 5:40-42 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

Luke 7:11-15 NKJV 11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

John 11:38-44 NKJV 38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 "And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

Acts 3:19-21 NKJV 19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Revelation 1:18 NIV 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation 1:18 NKJV 18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

FRIDAYFRIDAYMay 2


Further Study:

Examine the following statement. How does it relate to the overall lesson for this week? Do you see areas of tension? Or does it make the same general point in a different way? Here it is: "The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus' miracles, but it would be a mistake to place our emphasis there. For one thing, Jesus did not himself emphasize them; almost all of them were performed quietly, apart from the crowd, and as demonstrations of the power of faith. We get a better perspective on Jesus' activities if we place the emphasis where one of his disciples did. Once, in addressing a group, Peter found it necessary to epitomize Jesus' life, and said, 'He went about doing good.' Moving easily and without affectation among ordinary people and social misfits, healing them, counseling them, Jesus went about doing good. He did so with such single-minded effectiveness, that those who were with him constantly found their estimate of him modulating to a new key. They found themselves thinking that if divine goodness were to manifest itself in human form, this is how it would behave."—Huston Smith, The Illustrated World's Religions, p. 210.





Discussion Questions:
Ellen G. White said that "the great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening." She spoke of a vigorous, worldwide thrust as the end approaches, and said that "miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers" (The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612).

How do you see this prophecy coming to pass?

How do you visualize your own participation in it?

What role does your local church have in all this?

What things can we do to prepare for this time?

Suppose someone appeared who did many amazing miracles, as did Jesus, miracles that testified to what was clearly supernatural. How could, should, you respond?


Bring to class your answer to Monday's question about modern miracles, and discuss your answers and the reasons for them.


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Don't forget to post your comments and questions.


Your brother in Christ,
Doc

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MISSIONS


I N S I D E I N S I D E Story

Thrown Into the River: Part 1
by SUNIL BIKAS TRIPURA


I am from the hills of Bangladesh. From my childhood I was devoted to several gods. I attended festivals, offered gifts to the gods to whom I prayed, and went on pilgrimages, all to receive the blessings of the gods.

On one religious pilgrimage I was dismayed to find the priests asking pilgrims for money to forgive their sins. I could not believe it when I heard them say that the more a poor pilgrim gave, the more surely their sins would be forgiven. Can I buy forgiveness with money? I wondered. If so, then the rich can be forgiven. But what about the poor?

I climbed the mountain to the holy place, but when I reached the top, I found drunken priests and pilgrims. Some declared themselves gods in their own right and asked other pilgrims for money to be forgiven.

I knew that these priests and pilgrims were violating the holy writings-and on temple grounds! I thought about it and realized that one god I worshiped had committed at least three of the five forbidden sins. How could a human be expected to stay pure if a god cannot? I wondered who could save me if not these gods.

I began to question my faith. Is my god the true god? Or is there another God, more powerful, more perfect, One who can overcome sin and take us to heaven? As I pondered these questions, I determined to start searching for the answers.

One day I met a man who said he is a Christian, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. When I asked him about sin and forgiveness, he told me that everyone is a sinner, and that Jesus is the only Savior. Only Jesus lived a perfect life, and only Jesus can save us from sin.

I asked the man for a Bible and started reading it. I compared Jesus with my god and discovered that Jesus truly is the only righteous being, the true Savior. I surrendered my life to Jesus, trusting Him to save me.

But my aunt and uncle, who were my guardians, were angry that I had forsaken their gods. They forbade me to touch the food or to drink from their' cups, saying it would make them unfit for use. But even worse persecution was to follow.

(continued next week)
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SUNIL BIKAS TRIPURA has completed his religion degree in Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College and is working among his tribal group in Bangladesh.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Missions
Web site: www.adventistmission.org

Friday----------- May 2

Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 611-612

The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel's message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel. {GC 611.1}

The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the "former rain" was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the "latter rain" will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3. "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain." Joel 2:23. "In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh." "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:17, 21. {GC 611.2}

The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the (p. 612) former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are "the times of refreshing" to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus." Acts 3:19, 20. {GC 611.3}

Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand. {GC 612.1}

The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side. {GC 612.2}
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Your brother in Christ,
Docv

Centeral Study Hour. Enjoy Sabbath School live from Sacramento Centeral Seventh-day Adventist Church. Song service will be followed by the presentation of this week's lesson: The Wonder of His Works. Click the link below to join in.
http://www.amazingfacts.org/Televis...2-2008/7/The-Wonder-of-His-Works/Default.aspx

You will also want to enjoy this presentation of the Everlasting Gospel by Pastor Doug Batchelor titled; Who Do you Think You Are?
http://www.amazingfacts.org/Televis...-2004/7/Who-Do-You-Think-You-Are/Default.aspx

Have a wonderful Sabbath!

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

LESSONL6/////*May 3 - 9



The Challenge of His
Sayings



SABBATH AFTERNOON


Read for This Week's Study: Matt. 5:48; 18:21, 22; 19:3-12; Luke 12:32-34; John 19:25-27.


Memory Text: "No one ever spoke the way this man does" (John 7:46, NIV).


Some of Jesus' sayings present a whole host of values radically at odds with what often is viewed as normal. We are, He says, to turn the other cheek; that is, we are not to resist evil. Of course, almost everyone assumes that evil should be resisted, often by every means possible. And to love those who are our enemies? Are enemies not to be hated? It is friends and families we are to love, right? Not according to Jesus.

It gets even more confusing. According to Jesus, it is the outcasts, the harlots, and others like them who will enter the kingdom of God before so many of the so-called righteous. How can that be?

Jesus says that the blessed ones are the ones who weep, who are merciful, who are pure in heart. We thought the blessed ones were the rich, the powerful, those who have good looks and plenty of friends, right?

Yet, even those sayings were not the most challenging to come from the lips of Jesus. This lesson examines a few of Jesus' pronouncements that fall into the category of sayings, since they are not teachings in the strict sense of the term. What did Jesus mean by these sayings?

And how are we expected to apply them to our lives today?




*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 10.
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Don't forget to post your comments and questions.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

The Challenge of His Sayings
(Matthew 19 & 20)

The Wonder of Jesus: Lesson 6

[SIZE=-1]Copr. 2008, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. All scripture references are to the New International Version (NIV), copr. 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society, unless otherwise noted. Quotations from the NIV are used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=-1]Introduction: Do you ever wish that God would sit down with you and explain exactly what He thinks you should and should not do? No need to be in doubt. Now you can know! I've had those thoughts many times. Sometimes Jesus' teachings are confusing. On the other hand, I know myself well enough that sometimes I like a little ambiguity. That way I can do what I want and still hold on to my self-deception that I'm doing God's will. This week we look at some sayings of Jesus that, if we understand them correctly, challenge us to a very high level of obedience and a very high level of trust. Let's dive into our lesson and learn more!

1. Divorce
   1. Read Matthew 19:3. Why do you think this is a test for Jesus? Wouldn't it be natural for Him to say, "Of course, you can't divorce your wife for any reason!" (There were two schools of thought among the Pharisees. The liberal school of Hillel taught that a man might divorce his wife for trivial reasons: such as burning breakfast. The conservative school of Shammai thought you could only divorce your wife for immodest or indecent conduct.)
   2. Read Matthew 19:4-6. Did Jesus endorse either of the two prevailing views among the Jewish leaders? (Jesus says that the model is marriage for life.)
   3. Read Matthew 19:7. Did Moses, being lead by God, allow divorce? (Read Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This is the source of the two schools of Jewish thought. Logically, the "indecent" conduct would be something less than pre-marriage fornication or adultery, because death, not divorce, was the penalty for fornication or adultery. Deuteronomy 22:13-22.)
   4. Read Matthew 19:8. Moses is not off on an adventure of his own. He wrote under the inspiration of God. How does Jesus explain the difference between what He (God) is saying directly and what God said through Moses? (He says God accommodated the sinful hearts of the people. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says that Moses' regulation was "a protection of wives from men's caprice, not an authorization for husbands to divorce at will.")
      1. Let's stop and consider this a moment. Are the rules against sin subject to being bent? Will a righteous God compromise on sin?
      2. If hardness of heart is an excuse, are those who are hardhearted today excused?
   5. Read Matthew 19:9. What does Jesus say about divorce apart from "marital unfaithfulness?" ("Sexual immorality" is the way this Greek word is often translated.) (Jesus says it is adultery!)
      1. As we have seen, the penalty for adultery was death. It is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). Jesus confirms casual divorce is a major moral problem. Isn't sin, sin for all times? Why was divorce "okay" in Moses time and not "okay" in Jesus time?(What I see in this is grace. Jesus does not equivocate on the standard, the ideal. But God showed grace to His people.)
         1. I'm sure some of you are saying, "Wait a minute! What about grace to the women who were divorced for trivial reasons?" (In Jewish culture only men could divorce. God shows grace to sinners. These women were not sinners in this context. God's ideal was that they not be divorced by their husbands.)
   6. Read Matthew 19:10. How would you summarize the disciples reaction? (They were shocked. If the rules are going to be that strict, it is best not marry.)
      1. What does this tell you about the state of marriage in those days?
   7. Read Matthew 19:11-12. What you think this means? To which "word" is Jesus referring?
      1. Is Jesus teaching that those who cannot accept His strict teachings on divorce are released from them?
      2. Or, is Jesus teaching that only those who can follow the rules should get married?(If you look at the context, Jesus is saying the second - don't get married if you cannot follow the rules. The disciples just got through saying "It is better not to marry." Jesus then goes through a list of reasons why a person might choose or be forced to refrain from marriage.)
      3. Is there a logical application of Jesus' statements to the argument that homosexuals are born that way and therefore homosexual marriage is a natural right? (Yes, although the logic is not perfect. Jesus says that some were born with barriers to marriage, some were made that way by others, and some make that decision to please God. There are a number of reasons, some involuntary, why some people should not marry.)
2. Money
   1. Let's turn to another difficult subject. Read Matthew 19:16-17. So much for righteousness by faith! Do you think that Jesus meant what He said?
   2. Read Matthew 19:18-19. What is odd about this list of commandments? (It lists only five of the Ten Commandments and throws in an extra "summary" commandment.)
      1. What is left out? (All of the Ten Commandments that have to do with our obligations to God.)
   3. Read Matthew 19:20-22. Do you think that this man would have gone to heaven if he had sold all he had? Would he then have become "perfect?"
      1. Where does Jesus find this "command" to become perfect through yard sales? (This summarizes the missing Ten Commandments about our obligations to God. This young man relied on his wealth for his safety and his reputation. Jesus invites him to simply rely upon God.)
      2. How about you? On who or what do you rely?
   4. Read Matthew 19:23-25. The disciples are having a hard day. They find out they are supposed to be married for life and money is a bad thing. Why were the disciples astonished about Jesus' statements about wealth? (Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12 and Ecclesiastes 10:19. The disciples knew their Bible, wealth was a blessing from God! It was the answer to everything. Jesus was contradicting their understanding of wealth.)
      1. If wealth is a blessing from God, why is it difficult for a rich man to enter heaven? Should we not expect that all who enter heaven will be rich because that reflects the blessings of God? (I think this is a very long discourse on salvation. We are not saved by keeping the commandments. Obeying God does bring blessings and wealth. But what brings salvation is trust and reliance on God. Wealth is a temptation, because it inspires us to trust it instead of God. Why? As King Solomon pointed out, "money is the answer for everything." Just don't make it your answer!)
   5. Read Matthew 19:27. Peter says, "Lord, we passed that test!" "What do we get?" What do we get for reliance on God? (Read Matthew 19:28-29. Jesus responds you get heaven, thrones, glory and a 100 fold increase on your investment!)
   6. Read Matthew 19:30. What does this mean? Does it mean that the man who had wealth, and appeared to be first on this earth, would now be last?
3. Work
   1. Let's move on to the next story. Read Matthew 20:1-2, 9-15. Is Jesus now advocating unfair wages?
   2. Read Matthew 20:16. What is the punch line to this story?
      1. Have we seen this point before? (Yes. Matthew 19:30.)
         1. If so, how does it apply here? Why does mere failure to get up early mean you get rewarded? What about "early birds" and "worms?"
   3. Let's review these last two stories:
      1. Did the rich man think that he could get to heaven by doing something? (Yes. Matthew 19:16 "What ... must I do....")
      2. Jesus showed him that he couldn't do enough.
      3. Did the disciples think that they could get to heaven by what they did? (Yes. Matthew 19:27: We have done everything, what is our reward?)
      4. What does the parable of the laborers tell us about the relationship between our work and our reward? (There is no relationship!)
      5. What did all the workers do in common? (Agreed to work when asked.)
      6. Does this shed light on God's historic teaching on marriage? (God's ideal is plain: Marriage for life, no divorce. But, a life-long marriage does not get you into heaven.)
   4. What does get you into heaven?(Your response to Jesus' invitation to come. Repent and come. Heaven is Jesus' gift.)
   5. What does it take to accept this gift? (This is the meaning to the "first shall be last" statement. The rich ruler was used to being "better" because of his money. The workers were used to getting paid more because of their diligence. This is not the operating system for the Kingdom of God. The less you trust yourself, the more you are likely to trust God.)
   6. Friend, will you accept the challenge of trusting God? Will you strive for the ideal of holiness in your life?
4. Next week: The Puzzle of His Conduct.

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[SIZE=-1]Your brother in Christ,
Doc
[/SIZE]

SUNDAYSUNDAYMay 4


About Marriage and Abstinence

Some of Jesus' hardest sayings deal with the question of marriage and divorce. Read the following passage. Matt. 19:3-12

What things are clear?

What things are not so easy to understand?

Even with what is not clear, what is the essential message that Jesus is giving here?



There is much to chew on in the Pharisees' question. Note, for example, the male-oriented nature of the question: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"(vs. 3, NIV). Of course, the answer is no, and Jesus makes that clear (vss. 4-6). But the questioners' real motive emerges as we come to verse 7: "Why then . . . did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Going beyond Moses, Jesus tightens the terms for a marital split, coming down hard on those men with a yen for ditching wives. On one condition only, He says: marital infidelity. Any other grounds would constitute adultery (vss. 8, 9). Shocked, the disciples jump into the discussion: "It is better not to marry," (vs. 10, NIV) they state.

Their response provides the impetus for one of the most difficult statements to come from the lips of Jesus.

Read again Matthew 19:11, 12.

Who are those that cannot accept Jesus' tough line?



Does Jesus mean to exempt them? Who are included in "only those to whom it has been given"(vs. 11, NIV)?Are these a special group of morally (sexually) gifted people? What are we to make of Jesus' eunuch reference? How are the three categories of eunuch to be explained, and how do they apply to us? Jesus' most puzzling line comes at the end: "The one who can accept this should accept it" (vs. 12, NIV). Is this a Divine concession for people too weak to comply with the high standard He outlined? And if a concession, does it apply to the whole discourse about divorce?

As is sometimes the case, there are things in the Bible that are hard to understand (2 Pet. 3:16).

Why is it so important not to get hung up on those things, but rather to focus on and live out what we do understand?


_______________________________________
Don't forget to post your comments and questions.


Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Sunday

About Marriage and Abstinence

Matthew 19:3-12 NKJV 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 "For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Matthew 19:3 NIV 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

Matthew 19:3 NKJV 3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

Matthew 19:4-6 NKJV 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Matthew 19:7 NKJV 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?"

Matthew 19:8-9 NKJV 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Matthew 19:10 NIV 10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

Matthew 19:10 NKJV 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."

Matthew 19:11-12 NKJV 11 But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 "For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Matthew 19:11-12 NIV 11 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

2 Peter 3:16 NKJV 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

MONDAYMONDAYMay 5


About Forgiveness (Matt. 18:21, 22)

Jesus, we saw in an earlier lesson, is the embodiment of forgiveness. We return to the subject in this lesson, however, to grapple with the issue as to whether Jesus' statements about forgiveness (in the above passage, for example) are as simple as we sometimes make them out to be.

Reflect on Matthew 18:21, 22.

What kind of offenses does Jesus have in mind here?

How do we apply Jesus' words in cases of repeated sexual or physical abuse, such as within the home? Did Jesus have very egregious offenses in mind, such as when someone kills a pregnant woman, opens up her womb, and steals her unborn baby (as happened in Melvern, Kansas, in December 2004)?

Could it be that Jesus, speaking to ordinary people about ordinary offenses, mistakes, and hurts that we experience in our normal interaction with one another, gives a command that does not envision the more complex and sinister cases of human criminality?

What do you think?




Known in the media as Girl X, she came to a Chicago court in a wheelchair. Raising her head and making eye movements to communicate, the 13-year-old testified "about the attack in 1997 that left her severely disabled. She was the third witness in the trial of Patrick Sykes, 29, who is accused of raping her, beating her and pouring roach killer down her throat in the attack"—Mike Robinson, Associated Press, Washington Post, March 24, 2001, p. A22.

Is Jesus asking the victims of heinous acts to forgive not only the first occurrence but also the seventh? And is He saying that God will never forgive those who find themselves unable to absolve the demons in human flesh that commit them? The point here is not that we should not forgive. Rather, it is whether we do not misapply the gracious counsel of the Lord when we press it into the service of the kind of ghastly, mind-numbing atrocities listed above.

As you think about the questions above, do not forget Jesus' words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34, NIV).

If Jesus is asking God to forgive those who crucified Him (who were included in them?

The Roman soldiers? Caiphas? Pilate? Herod? The chief priests and scribes?), should we not forgive everything? Bring your thoughts to class on Sabbath.


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Don't forget to post your comments and questions.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Monday

About Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Luke 23:34 NIV 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:34 NKJV 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

TUESDAYTUESDAYMay 6


About Wealth and Giving (Luke 12:32-34)

To the rich young ruler who came to Him, Jesus said: "Sell everything you have and give to the poor" (Luke 18:22, NIV). Our explanation of this radical command usually has been that Jesus' stipulation was specific to this young man, based on a prophetic insight into the ruler's need. Here Jesus put His finger on the one big obstacle between the ruler and salvation: money. But does He not give that same directive to everyone?
In Luke 12:33 Jesus seems to apply to everyone with means the same injunction He gave the rich young ruler: "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted" (NIV).

How should we understand this saying?

Was Jesus advocating a redistribution of wealth for all Christians in all times and places?

What practical problems would arise if we literally carried out His injunction?

Take any given community, in which all Christians have sold all their property and given the proceeds to the poor, what now is the economic status of those Christians?

How do they support themselves and their own families?

And how do they now get the means to carry forward the rest of Jesus' mission-to take the Gospel to new frontiers, for example?



Three considerations may be helpful here. One is to note what actually happened during the course of Jesus' own ministry: His little group seemed to have had funds on hand-Judas kept them (John 12:6, 13:29). A second is to take a careful look at what happened in the early church, among those Christians closest to the life setting of Jesus' statement (in Acts 4:32-37 we witness what appeared to be an orderly, voluntary process as they sought to follow Jesus' injunction). A third consideration is to examine what happened in the early church beyond the book of Acts (in the letters of Paul, John, Peter, etc. we see no wholesale selling of property).

When you take all these things, as well as the whole Bible (which does not condemn wealth, per se), into consideration, what do you think was Christ's point?

How does Luke 12:34 catch the essence of His message?


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Don't forget to pose your commemts and suggestions.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Tuesday

About Wealth and Giving

Luke 18:22 NIV 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 18:22 NKJV 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Luke 12:33 NIV 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Luke 12:33 NKJV 33 "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

John 12:6 NKJV 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

John 13:29 NKJV 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.

Acts 4:32-37 NKJV 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Luke 12:34 NKJV 34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

WEDNESDAYWEDNESDAYMay 7


About Perfection (Matt. 5:48)


For many people, one of Jesus' most puzzling statements comes in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48, NIV). Across the centuries, conscientious Christians have struggled to reach the standard to which they thought Jesus Christ was pointing, a state of complete victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Some have flagellated and beaten themselves; some have gone on pilgrimages; others have sought it through stringent keeping of the law. The goal is altogether worthy in every case. But is that what Jesus was calling for in Matthew 5?

Compare the following pairs of scriptures. Notice how they inform and balance each other:


Matt. 10:34-39 and Luke 14:26, 27

Matt. 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13

Matt. 5:48 and Luke 6:32-36

The seemingly harsh language of Jesus in Luke 14 is mollified by its parallel in Matthew 10, which gives us, we think, a better grasp of what Jesus was trying to say. And whereas the Matthew 7 passage on prayer has Jesus promising us, upon the asking of "good gifts" (vs. 11, RSV) ("good things", KJV)(which can inadvertently focus the mind on the material), Luke has Jesus pledging, instead, "the Holy Spirit" (Luke 11:13, NIV)—a considerable shift in perspective.

The same kind of synthesis takes place in respect to the final pair of texts. Where Matthew has Jesus saying: "Be ye therefore perfect," (Matt. 5:48), Luke reports His words as: "Be ye therefore merciful" (Luke 6:36), which, according to both contexts, comes closer to what Jesus meant. In Luke the context speaks about loving our enemies, and lending without expecting anything back. Doing things like that, Jesus says, makes us "sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (vs. 35, NIV). Then follows immediately the statement: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (vs. 36, NIV). In Matthew the situation is identical, the verse on being perfect preceded by talk of love to enemies, prayer for those who mistreat us, and about God sending rain equally on the righteous and the wicked. Jesus thus wanted to encourage us to be just like our heavenly Father, Who is kind to all and shows no partiality. That is what perfect in this context means. It is a high order, to be sure, but what higher ideal can a Christian strive for?
NOTES:

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Don't forget to post your comments and questions.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Wednesday

About Perfection

Matthew 5:48 NIV 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 NKJV 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 14:26-27 NKJV 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Luke 11:9-13 NKJV 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Matthew 5:48 NKJV 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:32-36 NKJV 32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luke 6:34-36 34 "And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Review Luke chapter chapter 14 and Matthew chapter 10

Matthew 7:11 NKJV 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:11 RSV 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11 KJV 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:13 NIV 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:13 NKJV 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Matthew 5:48 NKJV 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:36 NKJV 36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:35-36 NIV 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:35-36 NKJV 35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

THURSDAYTHURSDAYMay 8


About Family (John 19:25-27)


A young woman joined David Koresh's ill-fated group back in the 1990s, and was at the group's Waco, Texas compound when her mother passed away in Canada. As she prepared to leave for the funeral, the charismatic guru intercepted her plans. No need, he said, to expend time and funds for such mundane purposes; there are more important things to do on the compound. She never went.

Read the following sayings of Jesus: Matt. 10:34-37; 12:46-50; Luke 9:59-62; 12:49-53; 14:26.

How would you answer the charge that they tend to give aid and comfort to charismatics like Koresh (and others), who denigrate natural family ties and loyalties?



"This reconfiguration of family values—driving a wedge between earthly and heavenly, . . . becomes a major theme in Luke's gospel. . . . In addition to statements embracing all who keep God's word as true kinfolk (8:19-21; 11:27, 28),. . . Luke's Jesus lays down the shocking mandate to 'hate father and mother'—even to the point of leaving a dead father to bury himself!—as a condition for discipleship (9:57-62; 14:25)"—F. Scott Spencer, What Did Jesus Do? (Harrisburg, Pa.: Trinity Press International, 2003), p. 35.

Jesus' statements sound harsh to the modern ear, to be sure. But are they really so, when you understand what they mean? In the case of letting "the dead bury their own dead" (Luke 9:60, NIV) for example, had the father of the potential disciple actually died? Or was that person saying, in effect: "I will follow you after my father dies, and I have secured all the property"? And how should we understand Jesus' statement in Luke 14:26 that no one can be His disciple who "does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life" (NIV)? As pointed out in yesterday's lesson, the Matthew parallel throws light on Jesus' meaning here, by Jesus talking in the Matthew text about those who love father and mother and wife, etc. more than Him (see Matt. 10:37). "In the Bible, 'to hate,' often should be understood simply as . . . 'to love less'"—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 811. The idea Jesus was trying to get across was the importance of putting God first.

Thursday

About Family

Matthew 10:34-37 NKJV 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 12:46-50 NKJV 46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." 48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Luke 9:59-62 NKJV 59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." 61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 12:49-53 NKJV 49 "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 "For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 "Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Luke 14:26 NKJV 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Luke 8:19-21 NKJV 19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You." 21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."

Luke 11:27-28 NKJV 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!"

Luke 11:28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Luke 9:57-62 NKJV 57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." 61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 14:25 NKJV 25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,

Luke 9:60 NIV 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:60 NKJV 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

Luke 14:26 NIV 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-- yes, even his own life-- he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 NKJV 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 10:37 NKJV 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

FRIDAYFRIDAYMay 9

Further Study:

No question, some of Jesus' sayings are hard to understand, especially if taken in isolation. When, however, we view them in context, particularly with other corrective statements that balance them out, many of them become much easier to understand. Even then it becomes clear that following Jesus cannot be a halfway thing. Either we give ourselves to Him completely, regardless of the cost, or we do not give ourselves to Him at all.

"Celibacy is not the ordinary, normal state, and it is a deception of the devil that, of itself, it can lead to a superior state of holiness than would otherwise be possible. Among the Jews celibacy was frowned upon or pitied, and it was practiced only by extreme ascetic groups such as the Essenes. . . . The Scripture record states specifically that Peter was married, and probably the other disciples were as well. . . . Jesus never recommended celibacy, either for Christians as a whole or for Christian leaders. It is not natural, and does not contribute to the development of a symmetrical character in the way that normal married life can. "The words of our Lord (in Matt. 19:12), if understood literally, would run counter to the whole tenor of Scripture. The idea of bodily mutilation is abhorrent. It seems proper to see this statement as analogous to Christ's declaration in Matthew 5:30 (about cutting off an offending limb)"—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 455, 456.



Discussion Questions: The above statement on celibacy seems to have a particular religious culture in mind. But in what ways might it, unintentionally, bring discouragement to ordinary Christians who are single or widowed, or who for other reasons find it appropriate to be celibate?

In what ways can we affirm people who have made that choice?

Bring your answers to Monday's final question to class, and discuss the question of whether forgiveness does or should have limits.



It is one thing to spout scriptures about how God has to come first, even before family; it is another, of course, to actually exercise the faith to do that. In most churches around the world, there probably will be people who have been alienated greatly by their families because of their faith. What about your own church?

Is there anyone there who has lost family because of their adherence to Jesus?

If so, how can you, as a church family, help make up the difference?


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Don't forget to post your comments and questions.
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Missions
I N S I D E i n s i d e Story

Thrown Into the River: Part 2
by SUNIL BIKAS TRIPURA

As a teen I gave up my belief in many gods and became a Christian, mostly by reading the Bible. But my decision angered many people. Friends forsook me, and the girl I hoped to marry left me to marry another. And when my grandfather died, the villagers refused to let me attend his funeral ceremony. Instead they grabbed me and threw me into the nearby river.

I had no Christian friends, no one to comfort or encourage me. I cried to Jesus, "Are You the true God? If so, where are You? I am persecuted. Have You no power to help me?" But I felt no answer to my prayer, so I stopped reading the Bible. I looked elsewhere for a god I could believe in, but other religions seemed full of confusion. Desperate, I picked up the Bible again and opened it at random. It opened to the book of Job. There I found courage.

I again met the man who had given me the Bible. I told him of my problem, and he encouraged me to be faithful. With his help I recommitted my life to God.

I wanted to continue my studies at the Adventist college in Bangladesh, but without my family's support it seemed impossible. I searched for work, but the only job I could find was at a cigarette factory. I had only 500 taka (about U.S. $8). It would not pay for even a week of school. Once more, discouragement set in.

I stopped at the church's headquarters and received encouragement not to give up on my dream to study. Encouraged, I asked God for 1,000 taka (U.S. $16) from my family, those who had turned from me when I became a Christian. That would be enough to at least enroll in school. I told my uncles about my need, and they gave me almost 3,000 taka, more than I had asked God for.

I enrolled in the school and supported myself by selling books. I want to become a pastor and work among my tribal people, only a few of whom are Christians. I have begun working among my people, and I see them listening and accepting God's message of love. So far 35 people attend the little Sabbath School in my village and some nearby villages. They have no church in which to worship, so my goal is to provide a simple house of worship for them.

God has called me to this task, and I will not turn back. I have seen how God has led me in the past, so I have confidence He will provide for me as I follow His leading. Your mission offerings help me in my work of leading people who have never heard the name of Jesus to the foot of the cross.
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SUNIL BIKAs TRIPURA has completed his religion degree in Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College and is working among his tribal group in Bangladesh.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission
Web site: www.adventistmission.org
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc

Friday

Matthew 19:12 NKJV 12 "For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Matthew 5:30 NKJV 30 "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
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Your brother in Christ,
Doc