View this lesson in a browser and print a "take-away" weekly copy. CLICK HERE (see link below)
Further Study:
Discussion Questions:
| FRIDAY | August 20 |
| Read Ellen G. White, “The Perfect Law,” pp. 212–215; “A Divine Sin Bearer,” pp. 308–310, in Selected Messages, book 1; “Healing of the Soul,” pp. 84, 85; “The Importance of Seeking True Knowledge,” pp. 452–454, in The Ministry of Healing; “Christ’s Victory as Complete as Adam’s Failure,” p. 323, in My Life Today. “There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God, and at peace with Him through the merits of Christ, while he continues in sin.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 213. “Paul desires his brethren to see that the great glory of a sin-pardoning Saviour gave significance to the entire Jewish economy. He desired them to see also that when Christ came to the world, and died as man's sacrifice, type met antitype. “After Christ died on the cross as a sin offering the ceremonial law could have no force. Yet it was connected with the moral law, and was glorious. The whole bore the stamp of divinity, and expressed the holiness, justice, and righteousness of God. And if the ministration of the dispensation to be done away was glorious, how much more must the reality be glorious, when Christ was revealed, giving His life-giving, sanctifying, Spirit to all who believe.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1095. |
 Who do you think the man of Romans 7 is? Paul, before or after conversion? Or is this chapter talking about something else entirely? What justification do you have for your answer? In class discuss the answers given.  How do we explain the fact that even baptized, born-again Christians struggle with sin? Shouldn’t we automatically overcome everything? Or will we always be sinning? Or is the answer somewhere in between?  What potential dangers arise from the view that, as Christians, we will always be sinning, always be falling, always be violating God’s law, no matter what? On the other hand, what potential dangers arise from the view that as Christians we must overcome every wrong thing in our lives, every wrong thought, every wrong tendency—no matter what, or else we are not saved?  In the end, regardless of whatever position folk take on the man of Romans 7, what promises can we take from Romans 7 for ourselves that will help us understand what it means to be followers of Jesus? |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| New Life, New Hope by RICHARD LACROIX I was in and out of prison so many times, most often for drug-related crimes. I even gave my life to Jesus and was baptized there. When I was released, I was full of hope for a new life, but I couldn't find work and became discouraged. I ended up back in prison again. I was released again, and early on Sabbath morning a man shook me awake saying, "Brother Barker [the prison ministries leader] sent me to fetch you to church—now!" I got up and went to church with him. This man took me to a Seventh-day Adventist church founded by the prison ministries team. It was the grand opening day, and what a joyful day it was! I returned home filled with joy, only to face reality. I was an addict, and I had no strength of my own to quit. I had bought drugs with money that church members gave me for food! I couldn't face these people. I was lost in drugs. But one day God said to me, "Do you want this? Or do you want a better life?" I asked God to do whatever it took to clean me up. So when I was arrested and sent to prison again, I actually thanked the judge. The day after I arrived in prison I told cellmates that I didn't want to see any drugs or know of any drugs. Not even cigarettes. I went to the church in prison, where Brother Barker led out. We studied and prayed together, and I recommitted myself to Christ. I asked forgiveness for all the wrong things I had done and prayed for my family and friends I had wronged. Although I was in prison, I was free! God strengthened me with His Word, and I began working with others who were bound by chains of sin and addiction. Every day I committed myself to God, for I knew I couldn't do it alone. When I was discharged I went to the New Hope Prison Ministries Adventist Church and found a welcome from others who knew the struggles I faced. The church members helped me find a job and get settled into a new life. The devil still pressures me with temptations and distractions, but God sustains me. I asked for deliverance from drugs, and God gave me so much more. He's given me a new life, new work, and new joy. Your mission offerings help fund the prison ministries program in Trinidad. And that program helped me find victory in Jesus. Thank you. Richard LaCroix is an elder and singing evangelist in the New Hope Prison Ministry Church in Bataria, Trinidad. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
No comments:
Post a Comment