Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

Last Things: Jesus and the Saved Sabbath School Teacher Larry Evans December 22, 2012 Introduction According to Mayan prophecies, Friday was to have been the end of the world.  For some it was.  Life is fragile and while we don’t have the statistics we know some woke-up for the last time yesterday and never lived to see the sun set.  The problem with false prophecies, and specifically with those that predict the end of the world, is that they numb the sensitivities for the “real thing.”  So much so that the gospel according to Luke, Jesus raises a critical question:  “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” In other words, there is certainty that Christ will come but there is uncertainty in the faith of man.  Today much attention is focused on the false prophecy of Mayan predictions, on the horrible massacre of little children that took place in Connecticut and the doom of the approaching fiscal cliff....

“The Law and the Gospel” [Patterns of Grace] December 8, 2012 Sabbath School Class Larry R Evans Introduction “There is an old story about a navy warship that was heading through the fog one night when a distant, faint light appeared directly in their heading.  As they continued, it got brighter and the captain walked to the helm to assess the situation.  Abut that time a voice came over the radio and said, ‘Attention. Calling the vessel traveling eighteen knots on a 220 heading, adjust your course thirty degrees, immediately.’ The captain got on the radio and responded, ‘This is the vessel on the 220 heading.  You adjust your course thirty degrees.’ ‘Negative, Captain.  You adjust,’ came the reply. ‘I am an admiral in the United Sates navy.’ Said the commander. ‘Who am I speaking to?’ ‘I am an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard.’ ‘Then, I suggest you adjust your course.’ ‘No, sir. I suggest that you adjust y...

Getting Beyond Church Rites & Rituals Class Teacher Larry R Evans December 1, 2012 Reflections to Begin Our Study “And when God saves his people, he not only rescues them from the oppressor but he saves them for himself.  ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians.’ He said ‘and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself’ (Exodus 19:4).   This is the theme already mentioned that ‘salvation’ and ‘covenant’ belong together.  Similarly the ‘new song’ of praise to Christ in heaven declares: ‘thou was slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God’ (Revelation 5:9)”  -- John Stott in Christian Mission in the Modern World. Over and over God wishes to remind us through the symbols of faith and trust that He works to bring us to Himself.  The symbolical services of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, foot washing and baptism all emphasize redemption, commitment and restoration.  Each represents God’s desire to...