Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

As last week’s lesson illustrated, the Gospel of John begins with Jesus Christ, the Word, in His eternal existence before Creation. But in that same prologue, John the Baptist appears as a witness to Jesus. Some Jews in Jesus’ time expected two messiahs, one priestly and the other royal. John clearly teaches that John the Baptist did not claim to be one of these messiahs but, rather, was a witness to the one true Messiah. Read John 1:19–23. How did John the Baptist explain his ministry and mission? The religious leaders sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was. With Messianic expectations high in Judea, it was important for John the Baptist to clarify his relationship to those expectations. He was not the Light, but he was sent from God to bear witness to the Light and to prepare for the coming of the Messiah (John 1:6–8). That’s why he answered them as plainly as he could, saying: “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20). Also, John baptized with water, but Christ would baptize with the Spirit (John 1:26, 33). John was not worthy to loosen Jesus’ sandal strap (John 1:27). Christ was preferred before John because He was before John (John 1:30). Jesus was the Son of God, and John merely pointed to Him (John 1:34). Read Isaiah 40:1–5 and John 1:23. How does John use these verses? In the days of rutted and rock-filled roads, servants were sometimes sent ahead of the king to level the surfaces of roadways and to take out sharp turns so as to smooth the way of the king. So, in fulfillment of prophecy, John came in order to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus. In what way should we, as Seventh-day Adventists, do the same kind of ministry as did John the Baptist? What are the parallels?

Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘God With Us,’ ” pp. 19–26, in The Desire of Ages. “The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. This was no robbery of God [Prov. 8:22–27 quoted]. “There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was One with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light unapproachable and incomprehensible.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1126. “Jesus has said, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.’ John 12:32. Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul. . . . Whenever they [people] make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 26, 27. Discussion Questions: Why would John start out talking about Jesus in His role as Creator? What does this tell us about the importance of Creation in all theology? Why, then, is it important that we have a correct understanding of Creation, as revealed in Scripture? Dwell more on the question asked at the end of Sunday’s study. What happens to the cross if, instead of the eternal God dying on it, a created being did? What do we lose if Jesus were anything but the eternal God?

A Living SacrificeRead Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6; Romans 12:1-2; and 1 Corinthians 11:1. What is Paul saying in these passages?Paul has already expressed a surprisingly ambivalent view toward whether he lives or dies in service to Christ (Phil. 1:20-23). Now he suggests the very real possibility of "being poured out as a drink offering" (Phil. 2:17, NKJV). This imagery is based on the ancient practice of libations, which involved pouring out a liquid (such as oil, wine, or water) as an offering to God (see, for example, Gen. 35:14, Exod. 29:40, 2 Sam. 23:15-17). The apparent "waste" of a valuable liquid in an act of devotion may remind us of Mary's act of anointing Jesus' head and feet with the "very costly oil of spikenard" (Mark 14:3-9, NKJV; John 12:3, NKJV). While not a drink offering per se, it clearly represented an enormous sacrifice that fittingly illustrated the infinite sacrifice of Christ for our salvation.Should Paul be executed for his work of spreading the gospel, he would rejoice because his life was being "poured out" as an offering to God. Because libations in the Hebrew Bible generally do not stand alone but accompany a sacrifice (see Num. 15:1-10, Num. 28:1-15), Paul would consider the giving of his life as the fitting complement to the "sacrifice and service" of believers in Philippi, who, through faith, have chosen to devote their lives to God as a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1).The early Christians, including those in Philippi (Phil. 1:27-29), were active in sharing their faith. They went spreading the gospel from house to house (Acts 5:42). They opened their homes for the study of the Scriptures (Acts 12:12; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 1, 2), and were able to give reasons from the Scriptures for what they believed (Acts 17:11, Acts 18:26, 1 Pet. 3:15). Our Adventist pioneers did the same. Rather than relying on pastors to spread the message to their neighbors, they shared their faith, gave Bible studies, and prepared people so they would be ready for baptism when the minister returned.In short, at great personal sacrifice to themselves, that is, as a "living sacrifice," they worked to spread the gospel. Should we do any less?Reflect on what it would mean for your life to be a "living sacrifice." How much do you sacrifice for the kingdom of God, and what does your answer tell you about yourself?

Light in a Dark WorldIn Philippians 2:14, Paul urges the Philippians to "do all things without complaining and disputing" (NKJV). The challenges to church unity are so serious that it cannot be maintained without significant effort on our part. Unity within the church is a byproduct of our union with Christ and obedience to His Word. And it's vital to our witness, as Paul proceeds to point out, calling us to "shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15).On a moonless night, away from the glare of cities and street lights, more stars are visible, and they seem to shine much more brightly. It's the contrast that makes the difference. The blacker the sky, the more clearly the stars stand out. It's the same with our witness. The greater the moral darkness around us, the starker the contrast between the lives of God's true followers and that of worldlings. How important it is, then, not to let the artificial lights of worldly ideas, pressures, and practices cause our witness to fade into the background or to disappear entirely.Read Philippians 2:15-16. How does Paul describe what we, as children of God, are to be and to do?"Blameless" means "faultless, without reproach." It is used especially of Job and his blameless character (see Job 1:1, 8, NKJV; Job 2:3, NKJV; see also Job 11:4; Job 33:9). The Greek word translated "harmless" literally means "unmixed, pure." Jesus, in view of the vicious attacks that His witnesses are likely to face, encourages us to be "harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). Paul similarly urges us to be "simple concerning evil" (Rom. 16:19, NKJV). Our modern media channels are not known for pure, uplifting, and inspiring content. In times like these, David's practice is a great rule for us today: "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes" (Ps. 101:3).We should never fear being different--our faith should increasingly set us apart. The goal is to "shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15). The only way to do that is to reject conformity to this world (Rom. 12:2) by "holding fast the word of life" (Phil. 2:16, NKJV). Our choices determine whether we have lived with "the day of Christ" in view or have "run in vain" (Phil. 2:16, NKJV; compare 1 Cor. 9:24-27).If there are areas of your life that you would consider "worldly" (and there probably are), how can you be cleansed from them?

Happy Birthday, City of São Paulo ୧⍤⃝💐🥳🎉🎂We Work Out What God Works InHaving just presented Jesus as the perfect example of humility and obedience to God's will, Paul now turns to the Philippians themselves. He affirms their obedience to the Lord after they received the gospel message (see Acts 16:13-15, 32, 33) and urges them to continue in that obedience.Having presented the example of Christ's life and the cross as the way of salvation, Paul now focuses more directly on how this all works in practice.Read Philippians 2:12-13. What does Paul mean by saying, "Work out your own salvation"? How would you describe the relation between faith and works?In these two verses, Paul does not present a different gospel from what he outlines in Romans and in his other epistles. We can be sure his message here agrees with the gospel of justification by faith, which he also preached in Philippi and other places. But it's also important to consider all the Bible says on a given topic, especially on the topic of salvation, which can be so misunderstood.Read Romans 3:23-24; Romans 5:8; and Ephesians 2:8-10. What do these passages teach about salvation?Without question, salvation is God's work, and we can take absolutely no credit for it ourselves. Even faith itself is a gift, encouraged through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our own works cannot save us; however, through the new birth, God re-creates us spiritually, enabling us to do good works. God's Spirit works in us, empowering our will to choose the right, to resist temptation, and to make right choices.Thus, we work out what God works in, "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). Does that mean we should be afraid of God's judgment on our often feeble efforts to obey? Of course not. This phrase refers to sensing God's presence (see Ps. 2:11) and our need to obey Him.In what ways have you experienced Christ working in you? How, though, does your fallen nature fight against what God is doing in you, and how can you resist that pull?

Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: Phil. 2:12-30; Rom. 3:23-24; Rom. 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:6; 1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:21, 13; Luke 7:2Memory Text: "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15, NKJV).God told the Hebrews to obey because that obedience "is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'" (Deut. 4:6, NKJV).Centuries later Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12, NKJV). He has also said, " 'You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden' " (Matt. 5:14, NKJV). How can we be that light? Only through a close connection with Jesus, "the true light that gives light to everyone" (John 1:9, NIV). As Philippians 2 says, God "has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:9-11, NKJV).The light and power of heaven is available to all of us who have surrendered our lives to Jesus. But too often either we expect God to do it all or our own ideas and plans get in the way. That's why Paul's words to the Philippians are so relevant today.* Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 31.

Further Thought: "All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more."--Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 740."When we are receiving a training, as did Moses in the school of Christ, what shall we learn?--to become puffed up?--to have an exalted opinion of ourselves?--No, indeed. The more we learn in this school, the more we shall advance in meekness and lowliness of mind. We are not to feel that we have learned everything worth knowing. We should put to the best use the talents God has given us, that when we are changed from mortality to immortality, we shall not leave behind that which we have attained, but may take it with us to the other side. Throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, Christ and His work of redemption will be the theme of our study."--Ellen G. White, Manuscript 36, 1885.Discussion Questions:What are ways that you have experienced for yourself the reality of God's love? In class, talk about the different ways you have come to know and experience His love.What exactly does it mean that Jesus came "in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7)? Compare Romans 8:3. Discuss these passages in light of each other.What challenges to unity does the church in your area face? Whatever the issues, why would a willingness to b

The Mystery of GodlinessA popular verse in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 8:2: "If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know" (NKJV). There is no subject about which we know everything. We can always learn something more about anything. How much more true is that of eternal realities connected with the Godhead and the Incarnation? Paul frequently refers to Christ's amazing condescension in becoming a human being. It's a subject that even eternity will be inadequate to exhaust.Read Romans 8:3, Hebrews 2:14-18, and Hebrews 4:15. What characterized Jesus' condescension and His taking of human nature?How was it possible for the eternal Son of God, through the operation of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 1:35), to become a divine-human being in Mary's womb? It boggles the mind how the infinite and eternal could suddenly become a finite human being subject to death. That is the heart of what Paul calls "the mystery of godliness" (1 Tim. 3:16).In the beautiful hymn of Philippians 2, Paul here elaborates on this condescension more fully in some respects than anywhere else in Scripture."Being in the form of God" (Phil. 2:6). The word morphē (form) refers to His divine nature, that Jesus was equal to the Father (compare John 1:1)."Emptied Himself" (Phil. 2:7, NASB). The mysterious nature of Jesus emptying Himself of His divine prerogatives--so that He could become truly human and tempted as we are--is astonishing."He humbled himself" (Phil. 2:8). In taking human nature, Jesus moved from universal supremacy to utter servanthood, the opposite of Lucifer's aim."Death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). There was no more ignominious way to die than the way Jesus chose, having planned it with the Father in the "counsel of peace" (Zech. 6:13), illustrating it beforehand through Moses lifting up the serpent (Num. 21:9, John 3:14), and thus becoming "sin for us ... that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21).How can, and should, focusing on what Jesus did for us at the cross--seeing the cross as our example of surrender and humility--make us more humble, as well as more submissive to God?

The Mind of ChristMuhammad Ali once said, "I am the greatest." In August 1963, six months before winning the world heavyweight boxing championship, he even released a record album titled "I Am the Greatest." Ali, no doubt, was a great athlete, but he was not an example to follow if one wants the mind of Christ.In contrast, Jesus was perfectly sinless. Though He was tempted "in all points ... as we are" (Heb. 4:15), He never sinned, not even by a thought. Nevertheless, Hebrews 5:8 indicates, "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (NKJV). Jesus' submission to the Father's will was always perfect. There was never a moment He refused to submit, though no doubt many times it was not easy.Read Philippians 2:5-8, what some consider the most powerful and beautiful texts in Scripture. What is Paul saying to us here? What are the implications of these words? Most important, how do we apply to our own lives the principle expressed here?Jesus, who is equal with God, who is God, not only took upon Himself human flesh but became a "bondservant" (doulou, a servant, a slave) and then offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins! In another place, Paul says that He became "a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). God, our Creator, died on the cross in order to be our Redeemer as well, and that required Him to become a curse for us.How do we begin to wrap our minds around what this is saying? Even more so, how do we do what the texts tell us to do, and that is to have the same kind of willingness to humble oneself and to sacrifice oneself for the good of others?In another place, Jesus said: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt. 23:11-12, NKJV). This, in many ways, reflects what Paul was telling us, in Philippians 2:5-8, to do as well.In more powerfully graphic terms, Paul was saying here what he said earlier about not doing anything "through selfish ambition or conceit" (Phil. 2:3, NKJV).How should we respond to what Christ has done for us, as depicted in Philippians 2:5-8? What response could possibly be "adequate" or worthy of what Christ has done for us, perhaps other than to fall on our knees and worship? Why is it so wrong to think that our works can add to what Christ has already done for us?

Mind Implant or Mind Surgery?An increasing number of companies around the world are working on technology that combines the processing power of computers with the human brain. In other words, by hooking up minds to computers, scientists hope to impact our thoughts through the computers. Although implant use with the human brain may promise positive results, which include helping to manage epilepsy, depression, and Parkinson's disease, more sinister uses are not difficult to imagine. Mind control cannot be far away.In some ways, it's already here. Our mind is like a computer, only far superior. The constant information flow to which we are daily exposed "programs" our mind, conditions our thoughts, and guides our actions. When we immerse ourselves in media, the worldly way people think stamps its impression on our minds, and we begin thinking the same way. It's as if other people's minds were implanted or melded into ours.We are, like Jesus, to be "spiritually minded" (Rom. 8:6). "No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God," which Paul contrasts with "the spirit of the world" (1 Cor. 2:11-12, NKJV). Who is our teacher? And what are we learning?Read Philippians 2:5. What do you think it means to have the "mind" of Christ?Ultimately, we can change our mind, but we can't change our heart; only God can. The Holy Spirit needs to perform heart surgery on us, wielding the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17), the "living and powerful" Word of God, "piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12, NKJV). Only through the Holy Spirit can we really know ourselves because, by nature, our own heart deceives us (Jer. 17:9). The Hebrew word for "deceitful" ('aqov) refers to bumpy ground that trips us up; by extension, it means thoughts that are tortuous, twisted, and crooked. We must be transformed by the "renewing" of our mind in order that we may "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2, NKJV).Why is it so important that we follow what Paul tells us here: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8, NKJV)?

The Source of UnityThink more about Paul's emphasis on unity in Philippians 2:2, saying essentially the same thing in four different ways. Note also his focus on the mind, thoughts, and feelings. While the religious leaders tended to emphasize outward behavior, Jesus focused on our thoughts and feelings. For instance, the rich young ruler claimed to have always kept the law. Yet, by telling him to sell all he had, give to the poor, and follow Him, Jesus tested his attachment to worldly things. He also said it's what comes from the heart (or mind) that defiles a person: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:19, NKJV), and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34, NKJV).Read Philippians 2:3-4. What practical steps does Paul urge to have unity in the church?Paul's words provide a picture of humility: lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves, looking out for the interests of others and not merely our own. Easier said than done, right? But these are principles important to keep in mind in all our interactions. Often in conversation there is the tendency to concentrate on our reply to whatever is being said, rather than focused on listening in order to understand what the other person is saying and trying to see the issue from their point of view. Often strife arises from simple misunderstandings that could be avoided simply by active listening. We may not agree, but listening and seeking to understand the other person's viewpoint is the first step for fostering healthy communication and trust.Paul speaks of the unity "[produced by] the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3, AMPC), which creates "the peace that joins us together" (Eph. 4:3, EXB). If there is strife in the church, the Holy Spirit can calm the waters and bring us into unity, creating harmony. In the same chapter, Paul speaks of "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph. 4:13, NKJV). The two are related. Having the same faith, the same understanding of Scripture that springs from knowing Christ and His teachings, is vital for unity to prevail among us.What kind of death to self would lead us to where we, indeed, esteem others better than ourselves? How can we learn to do that? How different would our relationships be if we all lived like that?

Disunity in PhilippiRead Philippians 2:1-3. What factors seem to have led to disunity within the church? What does Paul suggest as a remedy?It must have been a tremendous disappointment for Paul to see the church that he established and loved so much racked with rivalry and consumed with contention. He uses very strong language to describe the problems. "Selfish ambition" translates a word (Greek, eritheia), used earlier in Philippians 1:17 (ESV) to refer to Paul's self-interested rivals in Rome bent on promoting themselves rather than advancing the cause of Christ."Selfish ambition" is among the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20, NKJV) and, as James indicates, "where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16, NKJV). The Greek word for "conceit" is used only here in the New Testament, but appears in extrabiblical literature in the sense of arrogance, hollow pride, and having an inflated sense of oneself. Paul uses a closely related word in admonishing the Galatians: "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Gal. 5:26, NKJV).Note the remedies Paul lists for these problems:Consolation in Christ. Paul will proceed to use Christ's own example as a powerful motivation.Comfort of love. Jesus reveals divine love and commands us to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12).Fellowship of the Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit creates a close Christian relationship like the one that pervaded the early church (Acts 2:42; compare 2 Cor. 13:14).Affection (or compassion). We see this divine quality frequently manifested in the life of Christ (see Matt. 9:36, Matt. 20:34, Mark 1:41) and described in the parables of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:20).Mercy. This quality, exemplified by Jesus, is to be seen also in the lives of His followers (Luke 6:36).Being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. What a picture! It is difficult to imagine how Paul could emphasize the importance of unity more strongly. As Paul will point out, the mind we are to have "was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).

Read for This Week's Study: Philippians 2:1-11, Jer. 17:9, Phil. 4:8, 1 Cor. 8:2, Rom. 8:3, Heb. 2:14-18Memory Text: "Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (Philippians 2:2, NKJV).Unity is strength. But knowing what is true is not the same as doing it. We all fail sometimes, despite our best efforts at unity. But that's not the same as deliberately undermining unity. No wonder, then, that as Paul continues writing to the Philippians, he wants them to be "of one accord, of one mind."Paul bases the necessity of unity on the teaching and example of Jesus. It's a theme that we find throughout the New Testament and especially in the epistles. The origin of disunity in the universe stemmed from the pride and thirst for position and power of a single angel in heaven, a sentiment that spread quickly, even within a perfect environment (see Isa. 14:12-14). It then gained a foothold in Eden through a similar discontent with the rules God had put in place and the desire for rising to a higher sphere than that which God had designed (Gen. 3:1-6).This week we'll look at the biblical basis for unity in the church, focusing especially on the amazing condescension of Jesus, the lessons we can gain from beholding Him, and how we can grow to be more like Him.* Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 24.

Further Thought: "From the rack, the stake, the dungeon, from dens and caves of the earth, there falls upon his ear the martyr's shout of triumph. He [the Savior] hears the witness of steadfast souls, who, though destitute, afflicted, tormented, yet bear fearless, solemn testimony for the faith, declaring, 'I know whom I have believed.' These, yielding up their lives for the faith, declare to the world that He in whom they have trusted is able to save to the uttermost."--Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 512."Never was there so great a diversity of faith in Christendom as at the present day. If the gifts [of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11-13)] were necessary to preserve the unity of the primitive church, how much more so to restore unity now! And that it is the purpose of God to restore the unity of the church in the last days, is abundantly evident from the prophecies. We are assured that the watchmen shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Also, that in the time of the end the wise shall understand. When this is fulfilled there will be unity of faith with all whom God accounts wise; for those that do in reality understand aright, must necessarily understand alike... From considerations like these, it is evident that the perfect state of the church here predicted is still in the future; consequently these gifts have not yet accomplished their purpose."--R. F. Cottrell, "Introduction," in Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 140.Discussion Questions:In light of the above quotation from R.F. Cottrell, what is necessary for the Holy Spirit to bring unity into God's church today? How important for church unity is the putting into practice of counsels given through the gift of prophecy?How would you explain the Bible teaching on death to a friend who believes that Paul and other Christians who have died are now "with Christ" in heaven?How do we understand the terrible reality of suffering in this world? Why is the great controversy motif so helpful in giving us some understanding of it all? Why though must we, in the end, ultimately look at Jesus on the cross as the fullest possible expression of the Father's love and learn to trust Him even in the worst of times?

United and FearlessRead Philippians 1:27-30. How does our unity and "striving together for the faith of the gospel" relate to fearlessness?Satan's strategy is to divide and conquer. Disunity is deadly. Jesus said, "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark 3:25, NKJV). It's a simple principle that Satan is delighted for us to forget. Our unity helps enable us to fulfill our prophetic role as the remnant of Bible prophecy (Rev. 12:17), proclaiming the "everlasting gospel" to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6). Because unity is crucial to fulfill our mission to spread this God-given message, and Jesus' prayer in John 17 highlights "the truth" of God's Word as one of the most important keys for unity (John 17:17, 19), our message cannot be separated from our mission or our unity. All three stand or fall together. If one of these three keys is missing, we can't succeed. However, if we have all three in place, there is nothing to fear. We need not be "in any way terrified" by opposition (Phil. 1:28, NKJV). Satan is a defeated foe. Even if we should be put to death for our faith, nothing can harm us if we "become followers of what is good" (1 Pet. 3:13, NKJV). The devil is powerless to stop the onward march of God's truth.Read the following Bible passages and briefly summarize their common theme: Matthew 10:38, Acts 14:22, Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 3:12.Life itself in this fallen world is hard, even for the "best" of us. Job was a righteous man; the Bible says that he "was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1, NKJV). And yet, overnight, calamity struck him and his family. Who hasn't learned, either by personal experience or by seeing what happened to others, that life here is lived, it seems, on a precipice, and you never know when you will go over the edge? Suffering, to some degree, is the lot of us all. In the end, though, better to suffer for Christ's sake than for anything else.What hope, what comfort, should we, as Christians, have amid our suffering?

Stand Fast in UnityJesus' last prayer for His disciples was dominated by one key theme: unity. Jesus looked beyond the cross to reunion with His Father and reunion with us: "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me" (John 17:24, NKJV). Jesus prayed that the Father would keep His children so "that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11, NKJV). He also underscored the dire consequences of disunity--it becomes a reason for many not to believe. Twice in this brief prayer, Jesus emphasizes our oneness with Him and the Father is so "that the world may believe" and so "that the world may know that You have sent Me" (John 17:21, 23, NKJV).Read Philippians 1:27 and compare John 17:17-19. What do both Jesus and Paul say is indispensable for unity in the church?The Greek word in Philippians 1:27 translated "let your conduct be worthy" is politeuomai, which means "live as a citizen"--not of any earthly kingdom but as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount paints a beautiful picture of what it means to be children of the heavenly Father and members of His kingdom: poor in spirit, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, turning the other cheek, loving one's enemies, blessing those who curse us, doing good to those who hate us. In short, "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8).It's difficult to be upset or angry with someone like that, or is it? Sometimes we resent people who seem to be too good. We may even be tempted to cut them down to size or find a weak point to prove they're not as good as they seem, all so that we feel better about ourselves. Instead, why not see how much more loving we can be, how generous, how merciful, how humble?Ellen G. White spoke of those who "love the world and its gain better than they love God or the truth."--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 277.So often disunity in the church ultimately stems from pride. "As pride and worldly ambition have been cherished, the spirit of Christ has departed, and emulation, dissension, and strife have come in to distract and weaken the church."--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 240, 241.How crucial that we each learn the humility and meekness that Jesus modeled for us! What a different church we would have, wouldn't we?

To Die Is GainIn case you have not noticed, we are all, as believers especially, involved in the great controversy, which rages all around us and, indeed, in us as well. We all, in one way or another, experience the reality of this cosmic struggle, and we will until the day we die, whenever or however that happens.Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. What is the basis of the spiritual war we wage, and what are our weapons?The most deadly spiritual weapons are ideas, good and bad. Satan uses criticism, betrayal, embarrassment, fear, peer pressure, and a host of similar tools that Christians should never employ. We are, instead, to use love, mercy, peace, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, and self-control. Our most powerful weapon, judiciously used, is "the Word of God" wielded by the Spirit (Eph. 6:17, AMP), because only God can bring the truth home to a person's heart. We are merely the instrument that God uses to accomplish His purposes.Read Philippians 1:21-22. How do we understand Paul's point, especially in the context of the great controversy?Because the battle is spiritual, we're in a war of ideas and values. Yet, Christ has won the victory at the cross for us, and as long as we stay connected to Him, we can never be defeated, even if we are killed. Paul surrendered his life to whatever happened to him here on earth, however unjust, because he entrusted his life and his future to a higher court.As Christians, we should not fight so much for our rights as for what is right. It's not "might makes right," but "right makes might." Submission to God's will is honorable; in fact, it is the only way to be victorious in the war in which we find ourselves. Jesus, of course, is the quintessential example of submission to the will of God, as Paul will bring out in Philippians 2.In what ways, right now, are you experiencing the reality of the great controversy? How can you draw comfort and strength from knowing that Christ has won the victory for us already?

Being ConfidentRead Philippians 1:23-24. What does Paul mean when he says that "to depart, and be with Christ" is "far better"?This passage has been greatly misunderstood through the ages. In this week's passage for study, Paul dealt with the contrast between living and dying. The Christian lives for Christ and may even die for Him. In that sense it is "gain" because our witness is that much more powerful and persuasive (Phil. 1:21). No doubt a person believes when willing to die for that belief.But we must also recognize that the dead are really dead. They "know nothing." They rest in the grave till the resurrection (see Eccl. 9:5; John 5:28-29). That's why Jesus said of Lazarus, who had died, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (John 11:11).If, when people die, they go immediately to heaven, imagine how that would be for Lazarus. After four days of Lazarus frolicking in Paradise, an angel comes with the "bad" news: "Sorry, Lazarus, but Jesus is calling you back to earth. You can't stay here."When we follow error to its logical conclusion, we see how erroneous it is. Death is like a dreamless sleep from which Jesus will awaken His faithful followers at the Second Advent; then, together with the living saints, they will be caught up and taken to heaven to be with Jesus forever (see 1 Thess. 4:16-17).Paul's "departing" from the present life to be with Christ means to be with Him in suffering and dying (2 Tim. 4:6) in order to "attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:11, NKJV). Also, he was no doubt aware that he would close his eyes in death and that the very next thing he would know, in the twinkling of an eye, would be seeing Jesus, who would take him, with all God's people, to the place Jesus has prepared for all who love Him (John 14:3, 1 Cor. 2:9).Though willing to die for Christ, Paul knew it would be better for the Philippians if he would "remain in the flesh" (Phil. 1:24, NKJV). Interestingly, for the Christian, whether it is better to live for Christ or die for Him is not necessarily easy to answer. Paul was "hard-pressed between the two" (Phil. 1:23, NKJV), between staying alive or resting in the grave.Again, however much no one wants to die, have you ever thought about how the moment you die, the next thing you will know is the return of Christ? How might that thought help you understand Paul's thinking here?

"Christ Will Be Magnified"Read Philippians 1:19-20. What seems to be Paul's expectation as to the outcome of his trial? What does he consider even more important than being acquitted?Although Paul was no criminal, this was not the first time that he had been imprisoned, and he was no stranger to persecution. To the Corinthians, he detailed his sufferings up to that time: "in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 11:23-27, NKJV).But lest we think these sufferings were uppermost in his mind, Paul immediately adds, "besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28, NKJV).Read 1 Corinthians 4:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-11; Galatians 4:19; and Philemon 10. What relationship does Paul have with the churches he established and the people he won for Christ?Like Jesus, who spared nothing to save us, Paul was willing to "spend and be spent" for the sake of fellow believers (2 Cor. 12:15, NKJV). But, paradoxically, the more a person's actions resemble that of Jesus, the less they are loved or appreciated by some. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). But faithful Christians remain perhaps the most powerful way to glorify God and to reveal the truth of the gospel (compare Phil. 1:7). "Paul's patience and cheerfulness during his long and unjust imprisonment, his courage and faith, were a continual sermon."--Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 464.Look at how you live and how you treat people, especially people who don't treat you nicely. What kind of witness for Jesus do you present?

Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: Phil. 1:19-30, 1 Cor. 4:14-16, 2 Cor. 10:3-6, John 17:17-19, Micah 6:8, Acts 14:22Memory Text: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21, NKJV).Death, we're often told, is just part of life. That's a lie. Death is the opposite of life, the enemy of life. Death was no more built into life than wreckage was built into a car. Paul emphatically says that Christ died to "destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb. 2:14-15).Although ready to die for Christ, Paul was confident of his long-term fate. The most important thing for him in the meantime was, by his own life or death, to honor Christ and to preach the gospel to as many as possible. Perhaps that is one reason we have so many epistles bearing his name. Through his writings, he could reach many people and places, including places that he himself had never visited.Life is short, and it is vital to make the biggest impact possible for God's kingdom within the span of the years that God grants us. No small part of that impact has to do with our encouraging "the unity of the faith." As we shall see beginning this week, this theme was one important reason for Paul's writing to the Philippians.* Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 17.