Sabbath School Program at 10:30 am

[Burnt Mills Sabbath School]

 

Dear Sabbath School Member,

 

Happy Sabbath !   We wish you and yours an abundance of God's Sabbath blessings !

 

Our Sabbath School Program at 10:30 am on July 10, 2010 gives you a small glimpse of the pageantry and beauty of God’s people meeting in business sessions and worship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. over the last two weeks.  We apologize that our program last Sabbath could not be presented due to technical difficulties.  The program this Sabbath is all that was planned for last Sabbath and more !  Thanks to Adventist News Network for the use of their pictures and resources.  Thanks again to Brenda Philips for coordinating this program.  We hope it is a blessing to you. 

 

We hope our study of the book of Romans: “Redemption in Romans” – uncovering the great foundational doctrine of justification by faith will strengthen our faith and understanding of God’s redemptive plan for man’s salvation.  Here below is an introductory thought for Lesson 2.  We hope you will have studied the entire lesson and it is our prayer that this would create thought and conversation and action in your Sabbath School classes.  Please feel free to print and share.

 

 

Jew and Gentile | July 10, 2010 | Adapted from Contemporary Comments

 

 

Matthew 19:17 -   Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

 

Acts 15:1-29

 

Galatians 1:1-12

 

Hebrews 8:6 - But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.

 

Revelations 12:17 - Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

 

 

“Last Monday America celebrated its freedom. In this great country we have many freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom to worship how we choose, freedom to live wherever we want, freedom to vote, and freedom to bear arms—just to name a few.

 

Many of the people who celebrated Independence Day were born into this country. But there were countless others who chose to come here. And it took great effort for them to become American citizens. They couldn’t just choose to come across the boarder and start a new life here. There were requirements they had to meet. According to the Immigration Law Center, L.L.C., this is what it takes to become a U.S. citizen:

 

1. Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident ("green card" holder);

 

2. Have resided continuously in the United States, having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for five years immediately preceding the date you filed your application for naturalization, or

 

3. Have, after having been removed from conditional permanent resident status, based upon your marriage to a U.S. citizen, having resided in the United States for one year after the date the condition was removed;

 

4. Have resided continuously in the United States at all times after your application to the time and date of your admission for citizenship;

 

5. Have, during all periods of time referred to above, been and still are a person of good moral character;

 

6.  Have no outstanding deportation or removal order and no pending deportation or removal proceeding;

 

7.  Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand simple words and phrases in English;

 

8.  Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government;

 

9.  Are attached to, and can support, the principles of the U.S. Constitution and can swear allegiance to the United States.

 

Also, applicants are required to take a literacy test to assess their knowledge of the English language. And they are required to take a test of their knowledge of U.S. history and government. If they fail the tests, they are given a second chance to take them within 90 days. But if they fail a second time, they may be prohibited from re-applying for one year.

 

Some believe that we make it too hard for aliens to become citizens. Others feel that we don’t make it hard enough. But there needs to be some kind of process that allows only those who truly want to become citizens, and who acquire a fair bit of knowledge about this great country of ours.

 

The early Christian church faced similar issues. The first converts were all Jews who had strong beliefs about circumcision and Jewish festivals. But the New Testament doesn’t give any indication that they were asked to give up these practices in order to become Christians. Yet questions arose when the Gentiles wanted to join this movement. Questions such as: Should they be required to be circumcised? Should they be required to keep all Jewish laws, even though they were Gentiles?

 

Then there were the laws carried over from the Old Testament: the moral law, the ceremonial law, the civil law, the statutes and judgments, and the health laws. As Christianity expanded, so did the thinking of its members. They came to realize that “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). They finally understood what we still need to understand today: that salvation doesn’t come through observing rituals and obeying laws, but through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This was the “better promises” recorded in Hebrews 8:6—the promise of salvation through His righteousness alone.”

 

God bless you as you prayerfully study and prepare to share your thoughts and insights in class this sabbath. 

 

Regards,

 

Joseph Pakkianathan

Burnt Mills Sabbath School