Ooha's Fervent Faith

FRIDAY

May 15

Further Study:

The book Seventh-day Adventists will almost automatically refer to when asked about the atoning work of Christ is Ellen G. White's The Desire of Ages. Chapters 78 and 79 (pp. 741-768) are particularly relevant in the context of this week's study. Note the statement on page 751: "As Jesus, crucified with the thieves, was placed 'in the midst,' so His cross was placed in the midst of a world lying in sin. And the words of pardon spoken to the penitent thief kindled a light that will shine to the earth's remotest bounds."

Discussion Questions:

Some people are offended by the idea that God demanded the life of His Son as a "payment" for the sins of humankind. That, though, is one of the images used by the Bible, so we must take it for what it says. What should the image tell us about the seriousness of sin and how costly our redemption was? If there is one doctrine many contemporary people object to, it is the atonement. Many do not accept the idea that our problem should be solved by an intervention from the "outside." Should not each person accept responsibility for what he or she has done? How do you explain the need for divine intervention to such people? Also, ask these people about the problem of death. How is that problem going to be solved if not by divine intervention? Those who are saved by grace must also show grace to those around them. How do we as individuals show that our lives are embedded in grace? How does a church model this divine grace? Why is the "subjective" side of the Cross so important, as well? That is, how should the realization of Christ's death for us change us? What should it teach us about forgiveness, about humility, about patience, about love for the unlovable? What are some concrete and practical ways we can reveal the reality of what the Cross means to us?

Summary:

Theologians have developed many theories about the atonement. Most are deficient or at least one-sided. They may be compared with pictures taken from different sides of the Himalayas. They all show the mountains but do not provide a complete picture. The miracle of grace must not be reduced to a formula to which we give intellectual assent. It is the ground of our faith. Christ died for us so that we can have eternal life. Without Him we are lost. With Him as our Savior our future is secure.

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		I N S I D E Story
		Ooha's Fervent Faith by Y. S. METHUSELAH Eight-year-old Ooha looked longingly out the door of her grandmother's small house in the village of Venkatapuram, in southeastern India. She scanned the empty plot of land across the road and then closed her eyes in prayer. Ooha, like the other new believers in her village, has a wish. No, it's more than a wish; it's a passion. She wants to worship God in a church, a real church. When Adventist lay workers held evangelistic meetings in Ooha's village, hundreds of people attended. And when they were invited to follow Jesus, many left their other gods and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Their faith is fervent, and their determination to be true to God's commandments is strong. Every Sabbath and often during the week they gather in homes to worship and pray, for they, like many congregations throughout India, have no church in which to worship. The church members are farmers. They don't earn a lot. But they give what they can to buy bricks for the church that one day will stand in the empty lot. Progress is slow, and others in their village—mostly non-Christians—urge the new believers to find a stronger god, for their God must not be very powerful if He cannot provide a temple in which to worship Him. The believers understand how their neighbors think, but it stings to hear the words, "Your God must not be strong." Ooha hears the words too. She has no money to add to the church's building fund, but she is doing her part. Ever since the missionaries told them about Jesus, Ooha has prayed for a church. Every Sabbath she fasts and prays for the church that she is sure God will provide. She refuses to miss a single Sabbath, and she plans to continue fasting and praying until the church becomes a reality and is dedicated. So on Sabbath, while other children run after morning worship, ()oh fasts and prays that God will provide a way for them to have a church in which to worship and bring their friends to meet God. Your mission offerings have helped lead thousands of people in India to the Savior. Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings have helped build hundreds of churches there, as well. Thank you for sharing so that others may meet Jesus. OOHA (left). Y. S. METHUSELAH is director of the Northwest Andhra Region in southeastern India.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org