CONFIDENCE

Key Text: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:13–21, NIV)

The Student Will:

Know: Realize that we can be sure of salvation, answered prayer, protection, belonging to God, and knowing Jesus.
Feel: Nurture a sense of trust and belonging.
Do: Live a positive Christian life without being presumptuous.

Lesson Outline:

Know: Unchangeable Certainties

1. John lists five claims that begin with “we know”: we know that salvation is ours, that our prayers are heard, that we have protection, that we belong to God, and that we know Jesus. How we can strengthen our confidence in each of these areas?

Recognizing the spiritual benefits or advantages of having those five essential ‘we knows’ sustains our faith in Jesus and strengthen our conviction to those claims that they are absolutely true. By remembering the times when your prayers were answered, when you were kept from being vulnerable to dangers you’ve met, when you’ve felt that God was very close to you and He blessed you abundantly will enable you keep up that confidence. “This knowledge must not merely head knowledge but knowledge that leads us to a close connection with God.”[1]

“It’s important to have self-confidence. It’s even more important to have spiritual self-confidence. Spiritual confidence is the unique and palpable sense of absolute conviction that cannot be affected by external or internal fluctuations. It’s being absolutely sure. It’s knowing, before you know, that you know. It’s the highest gift and blessing that comes only from the deepest insight into the true nature of things. It can also be the most precious jewel that is freely transmitted from the awakened heart and mind of a true spiritual master to any and all who would receive it. Absolute conviction destroys existential doubt and frees the human soul.”[2]

2. John expresses eternal life as a present reality (1 John 5:13). What is the difference between this reality and “once saved always saved”?

“Some folk have taken this ‘confidence’ of salvation and turned it into an “unconditional guarantee,” the idea of “once saved, always saved.” If this were true, what would stop us from forgetting all about God and living an immoral and unethical life—one that would, according to the Bible, bar us from heaven (Gal. 5:21, Rev. 21:8)? After all, it’s hard enough, even knowing that we can fall away from God, to keep ourselves. pure. Imagine if we thought it didn’t matter at all how we lived! The Bible teaches that there is assurance of salvation, but this certainty can be lost through our own choices. We need to hold on to the crown of life by keeping ourselves daily surrendered to the Lord in obedience and in repentance and faith. We must, always, watch and pray, for Satan is seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).”[3]

“Those who are teaching this doctrine today [the doctrine that "by 'believing' we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word"] have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient; that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner's credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfils the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claims that Christ came to save sinners, and that he has saved them. 'I am saved,' they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?--No; for the garments of Christ's righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity.”[4]

Feel: Nurturing Our Relationship with God

3. Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers for earthly blessings. How do these occasions help us to nurture our faith?

“When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ ‘gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.’ Gal. 1:4. And ‘this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.’ 1 John 5:14, 15. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:9.”[5]

“If the life of the sick can glorify Him, we pray that they may live; nevertheless, not as we will but as He will. Our faith can be just as firm, and more reliable, by committing the desire to the all-wise God, and, without feverish anxiety, in perfect confidence, trusting all to Him. We have the promise. We know that He hears us if we ask according to His will. Our petitions must not take the form of a command, but of intercession for Him to do the things we desire of Him.”[6]

4. John constantly focuses on the positive. How can we foster a similar attitude?

Let me convert Brian Tracey super attitude in business into something spiritual (in close parenthesis)

Four Steps to a Super Attitude[7]

1. Focus On The Future (heaven)
2. Focus On The Solution (Jesus)
3. Look For The Good (Obedience to His Commandments)
4. Look For The Valuable Lesson(The Fall of Man and the Cross)

“We should cherish love and gratitude, we should look unto Jesus and become transformed into His image. The result of this will be increased confidence, hope, patience, and courage. We shall be drinking of the water of life of which Christ spoke to the woman of Samaria. . . . This water represents the life of Christ, and every soul must have it by coming into living connection with God. Then blessed, humble, grateful confidence will be an abiding principle in the soul. Unbelieving fear will be swept away before living faith.”[8]

Do: Positive but Not Presumptuous

5. Our choices are the only way that we can lose our assurance of salvation. List ways of being sure you are making the right choices.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105, NIV)

God’s Word is the Christian’s guide for making godly, successful choices in life. Before you make your decisions, compare your desires to what the scriptures say and ask yourself the following questions

Below are some questions needs to consider before making decisions to be assured that you can make a right choice.[9]

1. Would you be able to ask God to bless it? (Proverbs 10:22).
2. Could you thank Him for it? (Col. 3:17).
3. Would it be to God’s Glory? (1 Cor. 10:31).
4. Would it be of the world? (1John 2:15).
5. Would it be a stumbling block to others? (1 Cor. 8:9).
6. Would it be a weight or hindrance? (Hebrews 12:1).
7. Would it please God or man? (Col. 3:23).
8. How would the Devil react? (1 Peter 5:8-9).
9. What would the consequences be? (Gal. 6:7).
10. Would it edify you? (1 Cor. 10:23).
11. Would it serve the right master? (Matt. 6:24).
12. Would His indwelling presence agree with it? (John 16:13); (Gal. 5:16).
13. Would you want to be doing this when Jesus Returns? (Matt. 24:44).
14. Would it promote love? (Rom. 13:8, 10).
15. Have you sought the Lord about it? (Prov. 3:6); (Prov. 19:21).
16. Have you sought Godly counsel or advice? (Prov. 11:14); (Psa. 1:1).

“God will not remove the task of decision-making from human beings. Men and women must do their part, while God does His. God encourages people with sufficient light to make right choices always providing, when asked, the wisdom to make the right choice and the power to act. When correct decisions are made, God has His special way of endorsing those decisions.”[10]


Summary: John lists five areas in which we can have confidence in God. The only thing that can take away our salvation is our own negative choices.

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[1] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 122.
[2] Andrew Cohen, http://www.www.care2.com
[3] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 116.
[4] Signs of the Times, February 25, 1897.
[5] Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 266.
[6] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 149.
[7] Brian Tracey, http://www.1000ventures.com/.
[8] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 226.
[9] Dale A. Robbins, www.victorious.org info@victorious.org
[10] Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, The prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, (Nampa, Idaho: PPPA, 1998), p. 186

BELIEVING IN THE SON OF GOD

Key Text: Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:5)

The Student Will:

Know: Recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through Him we can gain the victory.
Feel: Secure in the knowledge that we can be victorious.
Do: Share the good news of victory through Jesus with others.

Lesson Outline:

Know: Jesus Is the Messiah

1. In 1 John 5:6 John refers to Jesus’ coming by “water and blood,” that is, Jesus’ baptism and subsequent death on the cross. Reflect on the events around these two topics. How did they confirm to people at the time that Jesus was the Messiah? What do they say to us today?

These important events in the life of Jesus were confirmed to people during His time through testimonies of the Father and the Holy Spirit.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[1]

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"[2]

John says that if we are willing to accept the witness of humans, how much more so the witness of God Himself? Indeed, often we take at face value what people tell us, whether in print or television media, even if we have no good grounds for believing what we hear. How much more should we accept God’s own witness and believe in Jesus as portrayed in the New Testament! God is reliable and true. If we do not accept His testimony, we claim that God is a liar, a serious accusation indeed.[3]

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.[4]


As far as God is concerned, it is major heresy to deny that Jesus Christ is the Anointed One sent from heaven who by dying on the Cross, came to save us from our sins. The consequence of not believing in Jesus is death. On the other hand, faith in the Son of God and reliance on what He has done for us on the cross bring eternal life. It is the Cross that crosses the gulf between eternal death and eternal life, and it is the only bridge across the chasm.[5]

2. Describe the different facets of Jesus—His humanity, His divinity, the historic Jesus, and the revolutionary Jesus. How do these pictures compare with how Jesus described Himself?

His Divinity:[6]

a. He has divine attributes (Matt. 28: 18; John 17: 2; Col. 2: 3).
b. He has divine powers and prerogatives (John 1: 3; Col. 1: 17; Matt. 25: 31, 32).
c. His divine names (Matt. 1: 23; Matt. 1:1; Matt. 3: 3).
d. His divinity was acknowledged (John 1:1, 14; John 20: 28; Rom. 9: 5).
e. His personal testimony (John 8: 58; John 10: 30, John 20: 17).
f. His equality with God assumed (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13: 14; John 14: 19).
g. He is worship as God (Matt. 28: 17; Heb. 1: 6; Phil. 2: 10: 11)

His humanity:[7]

a. His human birth (Gal 4: 4; Phil. 2:7, 8; Matt. 1: 1).
b. His human development (Luke 2: 40, 52; Heb. 5: 8)
c. He was called a man (John 1: 30; Rom. 5: 5; 1 Cor. 15: 21).
d. His human characteristics (Heb. 2: 9; Heb. 2; 14, 17; Matt. 9: 36).
e. The extent of his identification with human nature:
1. He was in the likeness of the sinful flesh”(Isa 42: 1; Rom. 8: 3).
2. He was the second Adam (1 cor. 15: 45, 47; Heb. 5: 2).
3. His experience with temptations (Heb 4: 15; Heb 2: 180).
f. The was sinless (Heb. 4: 15; 2 cor. 5: 21).

The historic Jesus:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” [8]

Few will dispute that a man named Jesus lived 2,000 years ago and that He was a great teacher who impacted the world from His time onward. But He has always been a controversial figure. He made a claim that was breathtaking in its audacity—that He was the very Son of God, the long-prophesied Messiah! Yet the religious authorities in Jerusalem rejected Him, hated Him and eventually succeeded in having Him put to death. Likewise, the local Roman civil authorities also saw Him as a threat and became complicit in His execution. The religions of His day, both Judaism and paganism, opposed the growth of His teachings and used unlawful and violent means to try to destroy the Church He founded. The government of Rome also came to vigorously persecute the followers of this Jewish teacher from Galilee.[9]

Roman historians, Jewish historians, the finding of the Gnostic materials at Nag Hammadi and now the finding of Caiaphas' burial cave, establishes an historic fact that Jesus lived and died in a time and a place described in the New Testament. Some of the evidence supporting these writings surfaced nearly 2000 years later, adding a strong rule of evidence toward their historic accuracy.[10]

Revolutionary Jesus: (Matt. 5: 21, 22; 5: 27, 28; 5: 38-42)

Jesus was a revolutionary teacher. His ideas shocked and frightened the people of His day. He would probably do the same to us today were He here in person. The sad truth is that the teachings of Jesus are just as revolutionary today as they were when He was here, but we have overlooked their importance. Or, we have failed to make application of them to our lives.[11]

The most impressive thing about the teaching of Jesus is not that He taught them but that He appears to have lived them. From the accounts that we have, His entire life was one of humility, self-giving and love that sought not its own.[12]

Jesus could have flashed beams of light on the darkness of mystery of science, but He would not spare a moment from teaching the knowledge of the science of salvation. His time, His knowledge, His faculties, His life itself, were appreciated on y as the means of working out salvation of the souls of men.[13]

How did Jesus describe himself?

a. Jesus often speaks of God as His Father in a way that implies a relationship unique to Himself. He also claims that the only way humans can approach God is through Himself (John 14: 6).
b. Jesus claims that He and only He has come from heaven, from God Himself. John 3: 13; 6: 46).
c. Jesus claims nothing less than total unity with God. (John 10: 30).
d. Jesus says that belief in Him is an essential prerequisite for receiving eternal life. Not only this, those who believe in Him will be raised from the dead by Jesus Christ Himself. (John 6: 40).
e. Jesus claims that He is the judge of all men (John 5: 22).
f. Jesus claims to have the power to give life to the dead (John : 21)
g. Jesus claims that He is important to life as bread or light (John 6: 35; John 8: 12)
h. Jesus also use metaphors to describe Himself
1. “I am the bread of life” (John6: 35, 48)
2. “I am the light of the world” (John 8: 12)
3. “I am the door” (John 10: 7, 9)
4. “I am the good shepherd” (John 10: 11, 14)
5. “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11: 25)
6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14: 6)
7. “I am the true vine” (John 15: 1, 5)

NOTE: The gospel of John present the reader with extraordinary claims as to who Jesus is, it demands a decision of the reader. It is he who believes in Jesus who already has eternal life. The reader that doesn’t believe is already damned. Jesus is said to be more important than bread, water, or life itself. The gospel demands that if we believe in Jesus, we believe His extraordinary claims. The gospel urgently demands that we make a decision about whether we believe in Jesus.[14]

Feel: Victory Is Secure

3. Jesus’ victory assures us of victory. How does this irrefutable truth make you feel?

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.[15]

The conqueror par excellence is Jesus Christ. Because He has won the victory, His followers are able to overcome too. To some extent, they already have the victory, His victory in their behalf. The over comers receive wonderful promises from God that we no longer have to be slaves to sin but that in Jesus and in the new life we have in Him, we serve the Lord, not Satan, our old master.[16]

4. Share how looking at life through the filter of the Cross gives you courage in your everyday life.

“Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Savior’s love, and when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain.”[17]

Do: Sharing With Others

5. John used the images of water and blood. What images can you think of that would help people understand Jesus’ sacrifice better?

The sacrificial lamb is the most widely used imagery in the Bible that explains the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and how it accomplished God’s prerogative of saving the fallen humanity. With this imagery come different “concepts which explain what have been accomplished by His death.”[18]

a. The concept of Sacrifice, Offering Substitute (Eph 5: 2; Heb. 9: 26)
b. The concept of Ransom (Matt. 20: 28; Mark 10: 45)
c. The concept of Propitiation or Expiation (Hebrews 2: 17; 9: 5)
d. The concept of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5: 19; Rom 5: 8-11)

6. Role-play ways of explaining Jesus’ divinity to a doubter.

a. The OT and NT parallel of God the Father and God the Son (Ex. 3: 14; John 8: 58)
b. Jesus Christ's Witnesses Claim that Jesus is God (John 1: 1; Rom. 15: 9)
c. Jesus Christ Claims to be God (Matt. 4: 7; John 8: 58)
d. Jesus' Miracles Testify that He is God (Matt. 8; 26; Matt. 9: 25)
e. Jesus Christ is Worshiped (Matt. 2: 2, 11; John 20: 28)

Summary: We can live a victorious Christian life and have the hope of eternal life, because Jesus lived and died to pay the price for our sins.

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[1] Matthew 3: 16, 17, NIV
[2] Matt. 27: 51-54, NIV
[3] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. pp. 106
[4] 1 John 5: 20
[5] Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 209, 210
[6] Seventh-day Adventist Believe, A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines (Maryland: PPPA, 2006), p. 50-51
[7] Ibid., p. 52-55
[8] Matt. 5: 16: 18
[9] http://www.gnmagazine.org/
[10] Harry V. Martin, Free America, 1995
[11] www.examiner.org
[12] The Illustrated World Religions, (New York: Harper Collins, 1986) p. 212
[13] Ellen G. White, Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 245
[14] Robert K. McIver, The Four Faces of Jesus. (Idaho: PPPA, 2000) p. 266,274, 276-277
[15] Romans 6: 1-6, NIV
[16] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. pp. 102)
[17] Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 209, 210
[18] Adult Bible Study Guide 2008: 2nd Quarter, Philippine Teachers Edition. p. 305-306

LOVING BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Key Text: And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” (1 John 4: 21)

The Student Will:

Know: Understand that God’s love compels us to love our brothers and sisters.
Feel: Experience freedom from doubt and guilt, which can damage our relationships.
Do: Put God’s love into practice in relationships within our spiritual family.

Lesson Outline:

Know: A Loveless Life Is Not an Option

1. The saying goes, “Love makes the world go round,” but a glance at the news headlines shows a distinct lack of love. How does this stack up with the transforming love of God?

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him? In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. [1]

When we respond to God with love, we also love our brothers and sisters. We can have assurance of God’s mercy in judgment if we know we genuinely love our brothers and sisters. In loving God and loving our brothers and sisters, we are fulfilling God’s commandments. This love results in confidence in our relationship with God and no fear of judgment. [2]

2. The Cross is a filter that helps put things in the right perspective. How does it help us understand the nature of God’s love and help us to return that love?

Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ and became the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the Savior of the world. Only through Him and what He did for us can the love of God be understood in a deeper sense. That is, only as we understand what happened at the cross and how Christ bore in Himself the punishment for our sins can we come to love God as we should.[3]

3. Define “love” by using biblical examples to show what it is and what it is not.

Jesus laid down His life for us. The Father sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice. He sent Him to be the Savior of the world. This is the deepest meaning of love. Love means to do whatever is necessary to help others, even if it includes self-sacrifice. Hence, what a contrast to what Cain did to his brother. Love also means to forgive and to forget the past. In Jesus’ case, it meant complete self-denial for the good of others. But love is not a mere spectacle to be observed. It must have an impact on others’ lives. The best definition of love is the character and work of the Godhead as revealed in the plan of salvation, with Jesus giving Himself for us. Christian love has its source in the love of God. To abide in love means to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. There is no love in the biblical sense that ultimately does not come from God. [4]

Therefore, love is not hatred, it is not selfishness, it is not indifference, and it is not insensitivity to the need of others.

Feel: Freedom to Love

4. If we experience and are filled with God’s love, how will this be demonstrated in our relationships?

John is not content to theorize about love. He lets us know that God wants us to put love into practice. Therefore he states that hate is incompatible with a loving attitude, and it is even a form of murder. He says, too, that we should not love with words alone but with actions. A church member is in need. Others have the means to help him or her but do not do anything other than say some nice things to that person. That’s not enough. God not only informed us that He loves us, He sent His Son to die in our place. People who love much do much, because real love is active.[5]


5. Hate and negative feelings can limit our capacity to love. How can we deal with them?

How important to remember that God is greater than we are, greater than our guilt, greater than our hearts. How crucial that we realize, day by day, that our hope of salvation must rest on Jesus and His work in our behalf. Only by leaning on Him, on His merits and not on our own, can we have confidence and assurance. Confidence is emphasized several times in 1 John. John wants believers to be confident when they approach God in prayer, confident before the reality of Christ’s coming, and confident about the divine judgment. God means well for us, His children. Being grounded in His love drives away all fear.[6]

By genuinely loving our brother we may know that we are children of the truth, or of God. This knowledge will enable us to stand confidently in the presence of God, for even though our heart condemns us, since we are still sinners, we know that God is greater than our heart, His knowledge and understanding far surpass our own, and He is able to perceive our sincerity and to allow for the mistakes into which we fall.[7]

Do: Practical Love

6. What difference would it make to our church if every member showed true love in the home and in the church? What can you do to contribute to making this a reality?

You should get rid of your cold, frozen formality as soon as possible. You need to cultivate feelings of tenderness and friendliness in your everyday life. You should exhibit true courtesy and Christian politeness. The heart that really loves Jesus loves those for whom He died. Just as truly as the needle points to the pole, so will the true follower of Christ, with a spirit of earnest labor, seek to save souls for whom Christ has given His life. Working for the salvation of sinners will keep the love of Christ warm in the heart and will give that love a proper growth and development. [8]

Summary: The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s love for sinners. We have a responsibility to show that love to others.

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1 1 John 4: 16, 17
2. Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. pp. 97
3. Ibid.; pp 90
4. Ibid.; pp 92
5. Ibid; pp 96
6. Ibid.; pp 94
7. The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, pp 656
8. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 46

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF GOD

Key Text: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1 John 3:1, KJV)

The Student Will:

Know: Understand that we are God’s children and are called to be like Him.
Feel: Be enveloped in God’s love.
Do: Respond to God’s love by resisting the temptation to sin.

LESSON OUTLINE:

Know: We Are Called to Be Like Our Father

1. How do you understand the concept of being like the Lord “when we shall see Him” How does the idea of children being like their earthly parents help deepen our understanding of this concept?

Because we are adopted into God’s family, we are no longer aliens, orphans, or strangers left to wander in sin’s hopeless desert. Rather, God has drawn His circle of love around us, and we have become the privileged heirs of His covenantal promise. Hence, “we are children of God” (1 John 3:2, NKJV). That’s our present privilege now. The world may not understand it. The community around us that is alien to the revelation of Christ may not fathom it. But we are sure of it. What’s more, there is a future attached to the present privilege. We do not know fully what that future will be like, but “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (SDA Bible Study Guide, Learning Cycle)

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalms 17: 15)

2. Satan wanted to be like God; Adam and Eve wanted to be like God. How does this ambition differ from the promise that we will be like God when we see Him?

”Satan wanted to be like God in power and may have craved the adoration of all created beings. However, it seems that he was not interested in being like God in character. His desire to be like God in power did not deepen his relationship with God but, to the contrary, has disrupted and ruined it. Although Christians will be like God, they do not desire to take God’s place. They want to be like Him in loving others, in selfless service, in exhibiting purity of thought and righteousness of action. They respect the basic difference between Creator and creature and do not want to do away with it. For them the issue is love, not power.” (SDA Bible Study Guide, August 10, 2009)

Feel: Enveloped in a Blanket of Love

3. What synonyms does the word lavished bring to mind? How do you feel when you realize that this describes how God loves you?

Lavish is defined as: 1. To expend or give in great amounts or without limit; 2. To give or bestow in abundance; 3. Shower (http://dictionary.reference.com/)

“The Father adopts all the children of the Son. The Son indeed calls them, and makes them his brethren; and thereby he confers upon them the power and dignity of the sons of God. It is wonderful condescending love of the eternal Father, that such as we should be made and called his sons—we who by nature are heirs of sin, and guilt, and the curse of God—we who by practice are children of corruption, disobedience, and ingratitude! Strange, that the holy God is not ashamed to be called our Father, and to call us his sons!” (Matthew Henry Commentary -Online)

4. Sometimes we get impatient waiting for our promised inheritance in heaven. How can we nurture a spirit of patience and joy?

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth? Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21: 34-36, KJV)

“That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1: 5-8).

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 6-15, KJV)

Do: Resisting and Rejoicing

5. How does the Cross provide the antidote for our inadequacies?

Men can never be successful in removing sin in their lives. “Every effort to achieve a righteous life trough one’s own strength is doomed. Christ said that everyone who has sinned is a slave of sin. Only divine power can emancipate us from this slavery. But Christ has assured us “If the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed”” John 15: 4, 5 (SDA Fundamental Beliefs pp. 102, (2005))

Christ atoning sacrifice at Calvary marked the turning point in the relationship between God and humanity. Thought there is a record of people’s sins, as a result of the reconciliation God does not count their sins against them (2 Cor. 5: 19). This does not men God dismisses punishment or that sin no longer arouses His wrath. Rather, it means that God has found a way to grant pardon to repentant sinners while still upholding the justice of His eternal law. For a loving God to maintain His justice and righteousness, the atoning g death of Jesus Christ became “a moral and legal necessity”. God’s justice requires to be carried to judgment. God must therefore execute judgment on sin and thus on the sinner. In this execution, the Son of God took our place, the sinner’s place according to God’s will. The atonement was necessary because man stood under the righteous wrath of God. Therefore, the cross is the demonstration of both God’s mercy and justice. (SDA Fundamental Beliefs Boise Idaho: PPPA 2005 pp 126, 127)

“Christ death was the only way possible for humans to be saved and have the promise of eternal life. To miss that is to miss the point of the entire gospel.” (SDA Bible Study Guide, August 12, 2009)

6. Why is no cost too high that enables you to put sin out of your life?

“The issue of sin must be clear to everyone. It cannot be taken lightly. The followers of Christ cannot play with sin. They cannot continuously sin. They may fall in sin here and there, but they have separated from sin and o not practice a life of sin. They are not dominated by sin. Tough sin is real, Christian shave no choice but to put it away from their lives, no matter the cost.” (SDA Bible Study Guide, August 12, 2009)

“Through His death, Christ broke the dominion of sin, terminated the spiritual captivity, removed the condemnation and curse of the law and made eternal life available to all repentant sinners.” (SDA Fundamental Beliefs, Boise Idaho: PPPA 2005 pp 109)

“Through the power of Christ saving grace, they may walk as Christ walked, daily enjoying the things that please God (John 8: 29). Fallen humanity’s hope is to accept God’s invitation to enter into Hs covenant of grace. Through faith in Jesus Christ we can experience this relationship that assures our adoption as children of God and heirs with Christ to His kingdom.” (SDA Fundamental Beliefs, Boise Idaho: PPPA 2005 pp 109)

Summary: God lavishes His love on us, calling us to be His children and offering us the victory over sin.

WALKING IN THE LIGHT: Rejecting the Antichrist

LESSON 6: August 1 - 7, 2009

Key Text: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1–6)

The Student Will:

Know: Understand what it means to abide in Christ and be aware of antichrists.
Feel: Experience urgency and a need to rely on Christ’s strength.
Do: Be on his or her guard against the power of antichrist.

Know: Recognizing Antichrists

1. The Bible is the authoritative objective standard for all doctrine and teaching. How can we be sure that we interpret it correctly?

“The antidote to the messages of the antichrists is God’s Word as communicated by the Holy Spirit. It is the objective standard by which doctrines can be evaluated. True believers rely on the Holy Spirit as He manifests Himself in Scripture. The Bible has to be the final authority on all our teachings. The moment believers start to doubt the authority of the Bible, its reliability, and its inspiration, they start opening themselves up to all sorts of delusions and errors.” (Bible Study Guide, August 5, 2009)

2. What is the difference between admitting that there are things that we do not understand and doubting the validity of the Bible?

”O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

"Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" (Job 11:7, 8)

“Many, especially those who are young in the Christian life, are at times troubled with the suggestions of skepticism. There are in the Bible many things which they cannot explain, or even understand, and Satan employs these to shake their faith in the Scriptures as a revelation from God. They ask, "How shall I know the right way? If the Bible is indeed the word of God, how can I be freed from these doubts and perplexities?" God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existences, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.” (Steps to Christ, 105)

“We can so far comprehend His dealings with us, and the motives by which He is actuated, that we may discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. We can understand as much of His purposes as it is for our good to know; and beyond this we must still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love.” (Steps to Christ, 106)

3. John stresses the concept of abiding in Him. What does this mean to us as Christians today?

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Here is a giving by Christ and on our part an acceptance of the promise, a conscious finding, a sense of relief from all perplexing doubt. Simple enough is it not?--Thus it appears. But the promise is large and far-reaching. It implies much. It means deliverance from constant, perplexing uncertainty. The word "rest" is repeated. "I will give you rest." "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." …Giving up the life to Christ, means much more than many suppose. God calls for an entire surrender. We cannot receive the Holy Spirit until we break every yoke that binds us to our objectionable traits of character. These are the great hindrances to wearing Christ's yoke and learning of Him. There is no one who has not much to learn. All must be trained by Christ, when we fall upon the living Rock, our wrong traits of character are taken away as hindrances to perfection of character. When self dies, Christ lives in the human agent. Acquaintance with Christ, makes us long to abide in Him, and to have Him abide in us. (Ellen G. White, A sermon delivered in Newcastle, Australia, December 1898)

Feel: A Sense of Urgency

4. Nurturing a sense of alertness and urgency is important to meet the deceptions of the antichrists: how can we guard against complacency?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

“Jesus prayed that His disciples might be sanctified through the truth. Let no one think that he can permit himself to indulge in any sin, however secret it may be, for God requires truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part wisdom. You need not feel complacency because you are sure that your brethren do not know of your misdeeds. Does not One who is acquainted with your brethren know all about your life? Does not He read your heart as an open book? You cannot indulge in sin and still be a witness for the Lord, for in works you deny Him. Where is the holy boldness that should characterize your faith and prayers because you are not under condemnation before man or God? Where is your ringing testimony on the side of truth?” (Ellen G. White, Abstract of a sermon at Melbourne, Australia, December 19, 1891)


5. Abiding in Christ is crucial for a victorious Christian life. How can we fully rely on Christ’s strength?

“An important lesson for every minister of Christ to learn is that of adapting his labors to the condition of those whom he seeks to benefit. Tenderness, patience, decision, and firmness are alike needful; but these are to be exercised with proper discrimination. To deal wisely with different classes of minds, under varied circumstances and conditions, is a work requiring wisdom and judgment enlightened and sanctified by the Spirit of God. In his letter to the Galatian believers Paul briefly reviewed the leading incidents connected with his own conversion and early Christian experience. By this means he sought to show that it was through a special manifestation of divine power that he had been led to see and grasp the great truths of the gospel. It was through instruction received from God Himself that Paul was led to warn and admonish the Galatians in so solemn and positive a manner. He wrote, not in hesitancy and doubt, but with the assurance of settled conviction and absolute knowledge. He clearly outlined the difference between being taught by man and receiving instruction direct from Christ. The apostle urged the Galatians to leave the false guides by whom they had been misled, and to return to the faith that had been accompanied by unmistakable evidences of divine approval. The men who had attempted to lead them from their belief in the gospel were hypocrites, unholy in heart and corrupt in life. Their religion was made up of a round of ceremonies, through the performance of which they expected to gain the favor of God. They had no desire for a gospel that called for obedience to the word, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. They felt that a religion based on such a doctrine, required too great a sacrifice and they clung to their errors, deceiving themselves and others.” (Acts of the Apostles, 386)

Do: Be Vigilant Against Deception

6. Name some of the antichrist deceptions that are prevalent today.

a. Miracles and wonders –“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders..” (2 Thess. 2: 3,9)
b. Deceitfulness of false christs –“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt. 24: 4, 5, 23,24)
c. Wiles false prophets –“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matt. 7: 15)
d. Fraudulent teachings of false teachers -Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20: 30)
e. Apostate church members –“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” (1 John 4: 5) There were people who had left the church and successfully proclaimed false doctrines

See also 2 Peter 2: 1-3; Mark13: 22

“Satan's enmity against Christ has been manifested against His followers. The same hatred of the principles of God's law, the same policy of deception, by which error is made to appear as truth, by which human laws are substituted for the law of God, and men are led to worship the creature rather than the Creator, may be traced in all the history of the past. Satan's efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception of the Creator, and thus to regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law, leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements; and his persecution of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs and reformers.” (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, Introduction)


7. Prevention is better than cure: what measures can we take against being deceived by false teachers and antichrists?

“Having exposed the deceptive ways of the antichrist, John speaks of two safeguards that would keep believers in the straight and narrow way. They are to abide in the Son and the Word (1 John 2:24) and to be anointed by the Holy Spirit (vs. 27). “(Bible Study Guide, Teachers’ Comment)

8. What steps can we take to limit the possibility of falling under the influence of false teachings and antichrists?

a. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.
b. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.
c. “When the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him.” Jeremiah 28:9.
d. “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” 1 John 4:2.

“There will be those who will claim to have visions. When God gives you clear evidence that the vision is from Him, you may accept it, but do not accept it on any other evidence; for people are going to be led more and more astray in foreign countries and in America.” (Ellen G. White, in Review and Herald, May 25, 1905)

”Sometimes it is a simple task to test the experience of one who professes to be a prophet of God. There are instances where the life of the individual is so out of harmony with Bible standards and doctrines that it is easy to decide that he is a false prophet. However, the purposes of Satan are not well served by false prophets who are brazen in their evil ways. The archdeceiver would seek to have them appear as genuine as possible. Therefore, the prophet must be placed under careful scrutiny in order to detect inconsistencies and errors. This is particularly true in the days preceding the Second Advent, for Christ issued a solemn warning concerning the matter. “For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24. The evidence God gives that a prophet's revelations are from Him is not some supernatural indication exhibited to each one who meets the prophet. The Bible has stated the procedure by which prophets are to be tested, so we should look for evidence that the professed spokesman for God meets the Scripture tests. Each individual should apply the tests to determine to his own satisfaction that the professed prophet is false or genuine.” (A Prophet Among You, 259)

Summary: Although almost two thousand years have passed since John’s warning, the dangers presented by antichrists are still with us. The only way we can live a victorious Christian life is by abiding in and having a right relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.