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Friday 28 March 2014

The Life, Death and Ressurection of Christ--Fundamental Belief #9

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Fundamental Belief #9--Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ

In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (Read verses here.  John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)


The Story:


Saved From Death
Gareth was excited.  He was going to Florida with several of his friends for a two week vacation.  It would be great because this was no ordinary holiday he and his friends had planned.  They had contacted a skydiving school and made arrangements for skydiving lessons.  Just imagine, jumping out of an airplane, thousands of feet above the ground, and falling to earth at tremendous speeds, but just in time pulling the ripcord on the parachute, continuing the jump by floating to earth.  What a thrilling two weeks this was going to be.   Gareth and his friends had never done anything like this before but they were used to rough sports.  Gareth loved the thrill of white water rafting and he was also a rugby player and took pleasure in the excitement of that rough and tumble game.  Skydiving would be one more sport he and his friends could enjoy. 

Saying good-bye to family, Gareth and his friends boarded a jet that would take them from Briton to their vacation destination of Florida.  Bright and early on a lovely June day the friends made their way to the air field where they met their instructor, Michael.  He was much older than the young people–almost old enough to be their father.  Michael had made thousands of jumps and was not only an experienced skydiver but was a good teacher with excellent recommendations. 

Michael showed them the parachute they would be wearing, explaining how there were actually two parachutes together–a large main parachute that would take them safely to earth and a smaller emergency parachute which was provided just in case something went wrong with the main chute.  He instructed them how to strap the parachute harness to their bodies so it would not slip off in midair.  He also told them, because this would be their first jump, they would not jump alone.  Michael would be strapped to each of his students as their turn came.  He would show them how to manoeuver their bodies so they wouldn’t spin or fall head-first or get tangled in the parachute cords.  He would safely steer them to ground and tell them when to pull the ripcord so the parachute would open in plenty of time so they could finish the jump, floating to earth, slowed down with the resistance of the air against the wide open parachute. 

With thumping heart, fear and excitement mixed together, Gareth made his way to the small plane that would take him almost 4 kilometres (almost 2 ½ miles) above the earth for his first jump.  As they flew higher and higher everything on earth became smaller and smaller until the air field and the surrounding buildings and vehicles looked like a toy village.  When they reached the right altitude Michael motioned for Gareth to come and he strapped the two of them together, putting Gareth in the front.  When the door of the plane was opened, the wind rushed in, slapping them in the face, teasing them to come and jump into the wide open space of the sky.  Michael nodded at Gareth as a signal that it was time to jump from the plane.  Gareth nodded back, barely able to breath with the fear and excitement he felt.  And with that out of the plane they jumped. 

Suddenly Gareth felt so light and free.  Although they were hurtling to ground at a tremendous speed he felt as if he was floating.  The wind was in his face, his arms and legs were spread out as if he were sprawled in bed on his stomach.  Oh, this was wonderful.  This was exhilarating.  This was like nothing he had ever done before.  It was only seconds but it felt like forever.  Suddenly Michael, his instructor, motioned for him to pull the ripcord so the parachute would open.  They were getting closer and closer to the ground and the parachute must be opened so they could finish the jump and land safely.  Gareth pulled the ripcord but something didn’t seem right.  They hadn’t slowed down.  Frantically, he reached for the second emergency ripcord and pulled with all his might and still they were speeding to the ever nearing ground.  Both parachutes failed to open and Gareth, paralysed with fear, knew certain death lay only seconds away.  But then something amazing happened as the ground was rushing up to meet the young man and his instructor.  Michael who was behind and strapped on top of Gareth, wrapped his arms and legs around his student, twisted and rolled over and hit the ground first with Gareth falling on top of him. 

Pain reached and tore into every part of Gareth’s body and then nothing.  Floating in and out of consciousness, Gareth was rushed by ambulance to the hospital where it was found his spine had been fractured and his leg was broken, but miraculously he was not paralysed.  Several weeks later Gareth was able to go home. 

But what became of Michael?  Michael died that day.  He took Gareth’s place and was killed instantly from the impact of hitting the ground.  He had taken the brunt of the blow as the two hit the ground together.  His actions that day saved Gareth’s life.   He knew Gareth would certainly die if he hit the ground first so he made a wonderful decision that saved the young man’s life.  He would take Gareth's place.  He would die to save another person. 

You know, boys and girls, Jesus did that for us.  But He did so much more. He died to save not just one other person but everyone who ever lived on this earth.  He knew we faced certain death and he stepped in to take our place, to be a substitute for each one of us. 

When God created Adam and Eve they were supposed to live forever, eating from the Tree of Life that was in the Garden of Eden.  Their children and all the people who would eventually be born were supposed to live forever.  You and I were supposed to live forever.  But all that changed the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed.  Just as God said, Adam and Eve grew old and did die and so did their children and their children’s children and their children’s children’s children.  That would have been everyone’s end– be born, live and die– with no hope of any other future.  The wonderful life Jesus had planned for everyone was ruined.  The people He had created and loved so much would not live.  This would have been unbearably sad if there had not been a plan to save the ones He loved. 

When Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus came to them and told them about a wonderful plan that had been made even before they had been created. Because Jesus was their Creator, He was the only One who could come to their rescue.   Jesus would come and die just as if He had sinned.  Pure and sinless Jesus would die for everyone.  And that’s exactly what He did. 

When Jesus came to this earth he came as a tiny, new-born baby, but little babies grow up and so did baby Jesus.  He became a boy and then a teenager and finally a man. All through His life he was kind and gentle, obedient and loving.  Even though He became human He did not sin.  Satan tried everything to make Jesus sin but he failed.   If Jesus had sinned even once He would not be able to be our Substitute and save anyone.  Jesus was on a rescue mission to this world and Satan would not stop Him. He was the only One who could rescue His people.   

Jesus’ life on earth was not easy.  He often lived and slept outdoors.  Even when he helped people by healing them or teaching about God’s love, some people were angry.  They were so angry they arrested Jesus, beat him and told lies about Him and finally Jesus was taken by soldiers and nailed to a cross where He died.  He died like someone who had done terrible, wicked things.  Jesus, Who had never sinned, Who was pure and holy, died for the bad things I have done, for the bad things you have done and for the bad things anyone will ever do or did.  He took my place and your place.  He became our Substitute.  When God looks at us and sees our sins, Jesus will say, “I died for him/her.  My blood covers all those sins.”   Because Jesus died for us we will not have to die forever.

Satan was furious and tried to keep Jesus in the grave so His death would be forever.   But Satan has no power over God.  Three days after Jesus died His Father called him out of the sleep of death and He came out of the grave with victory over death and Satan and sin.  Jesus reclaimed this earth from Satan. 

The whole universe can now understand what a wonderful gift Jesus has given to His poor, sinful people.  Jesus longs for everyone to accept this free gift of eternal life.  We will know how good and kind our Jesus is to forgive us and take our place.  Because He loves us so much we will love and obey Him.  We will change and become more like Jesus.   And when Jesus comes to take us to heaven, we will be waiting for Him.  People who died loving and waiting for Jesus to come will be awakened from their graves never to die again for Jesus died that “forever” death for each one of us.  We will bow and declare “this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Isaiah 25:9


Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for the wonderful free gift of eternal life.  You have given us the victory over Satan.  Amen.

The story of Gareth Griffiths and Michael Costello can be found on several news sites on the web.  This was my main source for details:  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-man-who-fell-to-earth-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale-1257796.html
 


The Bible Verse:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 (NKJV)


The Song:

Lord, I Lift Your Name On High
Lord, I lift Your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing Your praises.
I’m so glad You’re in my life,
I’m so glad You came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way, 
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
From the cross to the grave,
From the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high.

~Words and Music by Rick Founds



Picture Credits

Nativity: http://www.vastkid.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/xmas-coloring-pages-baby-jesus-nativity-scene.gif

Jesus and Child: http://www.raisingourkids.com/coloring-pages/printable/bible/free/027-jesus-coloring-pages-print.gif

Jesus with Cross:  http://www.honkingdonkey.com/holiday-coloring-pages/easter-coloring-pages/09-easter-bible-coloring/easter-bible-pics/easter-bible-coloring-105.gif

Jesus and Mary at Tomb: http://www.newcoloring.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/easter-coloring-pages-jesus.gif

Jesus Ascension: http://img.oncoloring.com/the-ascension-of-jesus-in_4b8fa5169f082-p.gif

Friday 21 March 2014

The Great Controversy--Fundamental Belief #8

Art by Clyde Provonsha, Illustration © Review and Herald Publ. Assoc.

Fundamental Belief #8--The Great Controversy

All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Find verses here: Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)

Along with the Bible verses above you may find Patriarchs and Prophets and The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White a good reference for this story.  

Why Was Sin Permitted 
The Flood   
The Controversy Ended 

 
The Story:


The Great War
Everyday I see stories on the news about wars and battles.  You can read about them and see them in newspapers, television and on computers.  Wars are terrible and cause such destruction and loss of life. Will wars ever end?  The Bible tells about the first war.  It has been going on for thousands of years and when it ends all wars will come to an end. 

A long time ago before this world was created there was a bright and shining angel named Lucifer.  He was the most beautiful and wisest of all the angels and God made him the highest angel in heaven.  All the other angels loved Lucifer and listened to his words and carried out his commands.  As time went on Lucifer began to feel as if God did not give him the power he should have.  Little by little Lucifer began to question, in his mind, why God did not consider him equal with Jesus.  But Lucifer could never be equal to Jesus because Jesus had created Lucifer and all the other angels in heaven.  They were to be God’s messengers and helpers.  They could never be God or equal to God.

Lucifer was jealous of Jesus and started to talk against Him to the angels, telling them God was unfair, telling them they would have a better heaven if God’s laws were changed.  Many angels listened and believed Lucifer but many more remained loyal to God.  

The Bible tells us there was a war in heaven.  Jesus and His angels fought against Lucifer and the angels who followed Him.  Lucifer and his followers could not stay in heaven.  God threw them out of heaven and they came to earth.  Lucifer, who was once a shining angel in heaven,  became Satan the evil angel who does not want anyone to love Jesus. 

When Adam and Eve were created and lived in the Garden of Eden, Satan was waiting for them.  The only place he could go was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Because God loved Adam and Eve He told them not to go near the tree because He knew Satan was at war and wanted Adam and Eve as his prisoners.   Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lies about God and the Great War that started in heaven continued on this earth. Since that time people have been choosing to follow God or Satan.

After Adam and Eve sinned the people on earth became very wicked. There were only a handful of people who followed and believed God.  God looked at his once-lovely earth and was very sad.  He would destroy this earth and everything in it with a flood of water because it was so very bad.  But he would save His people.  Noah and his family loved God and God gave them a way of escape. They were saved in a big boat along with some of the animals.  

Even after the flood, the Great War went on.  Satan successfully tempted people who did not stay close to Jesus.  Hundreds of years passed by until the time was right for Jesus to come to this earth as a little baby.  Satan was furious and tried to kill baby Jesus but God’s angels protected Him.  Satan knew if Jesus grew up and died for our sins, as He promised, he, Satan, would loose the Great War.   


Jesus did die on the cross for our sins.  We do not have to die the "forever" death because of this but Satan, our enemy, still continues fighting. The world is now very wicked again. People blame God for the horrible things that happen: for wars and death, for famine and flooding, even for bad weather.  They say God is not loving and kind.  They say God is just a made-up story.  Sometimes it seems as if Satan is winning but Jesus won the Great War when He died on the cross. The victory is His!  God loves us so much He promised to save us if we are willing to believe in Him.  He promised to give us power and strength over Satan.  The Holy Spirit and the holy angels are ready to come to our aid as soon as we call out for help.  We are not alone in the battle against Satan.

Satan knows his time is short so he is trying very hard to take as many prisoners with him as he can.  When Jesus comes again, with all the holy angels, the last battle will be fought. Satan will be destroyed along with all the evil angels and anyone who followed him.  Satan and sin will be defeated and everything will be made new again.  Sin will never again enter this world.  Everyone will know Satan was wrong and that God is loving and his laws are just and fair. We will be with Jesus and live forever in a wonderful, sinless world that He will re-create for us.

The Great War is ended. There is no more sin or sinners. Everything, our world and the whole universe, is clean from sin. Joy fills the world.  There is no disagreement. From Jesus, who created everything and everyone, comes life and light and gladness– it is throughout the reaches of never-ending space.  From the tiniest unseen speck to the biggest planet in the universes, all things that move or stay still, in their great beauty and perfect joy, shout out that God is love! 
Paraphrased from the book, The Great Controversy, p. 678

Prayer: Dear Jesus, we are on Your side.  We are waiting for this Great War to end so we can be with you forever.  We thank You for the power and strength You have given us over Satan.  Amen.



The Bible Verse:

There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back.  But the dragon wasn’t strong enough. He and his angels lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down to the earth, and his angels with him. The dragon is that old serpent called the devil, or Satan. He leads the whole world down the wrong path. “...The devil has come down to you.  He is very angry. He knows his time is short.”  Revelation 12:7-9, 12


The Song:

The children may enjoy standing and marching on the chorus of Onward Christian Soldiers.

Onward, Christian Soldiers
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

~Words by Sabine Baring-Gould
#612 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnnal


The Colouring Sheet: There are two sheets that can be photocopied back to front and folded down the middle to make a little four-page booklet.



 This is the back page.                               This is the front page.


This is the middle.


Armour of God:  http://waycoolbibleschool.com/art/01-armorofgod/POSTER.gif

Adam and Eve:   http://www.biblekids.eu/anticotestamento/Adam_%20and_%20Eve/Adam_%20and_%20Eve_coloring/adam_%20and_%20eve_7.gif

Noah’s Ark:  http://www.bible-printables.com/Coloring-Pages/Old-Testament/old-test-story-pics/10-OT-003-noah.gif

Second Coming:  http://www.sermons4kids.com/ready_for_his_return_abda.gif

Angel:  http://cdn-5.howtodrawit.com/img/coloring-angel2.jpg

Friday 14 March 2014

The Nature of Man--Fundamental Belief #7




Fundamental Belief #7--The Nature of Man

Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Find verses here. Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)

This story is based on Genesis 3.  As the story is quite long feel free to shorten the Cookie story.  

The Story:



The Forbidden Cookies
Mom was going shopping with Grandma so Janie and Thomas would have a babysitter come to watch them while she was gone.  Because mom wouldn't be home until almost supper time she left a platter of cut-up fruit in the refrigerator for Janie and Thomas to snack on when they got hungry.  Mom knew the fruit would be good to nibble on while the children were waiting for mom to get home and prepare the supper.  Before mom left in the car to pick up Grandma, she reminded the children about the fruit.  She told them they could eat all the fruit they wanted but they must not touch the cookies that were on the bottom shelf of the fridge.  They were for the church potluck on Sabbath.  Janie and Thomas promised mom they wouldn't touch the cookies and waved good-bye as she left the house.

The children spent a pleasant afternoon with their babysitter, Julie, playing outside in the warm sunshine. But as the afternoon wore on and suppertime was fast approaching, the children began to feel a little hungry.  Julie suggested they run inside and get a snack of fruit that mom had prepared for them.  Opening the refrigerator door Janie spied the cookies piled high on a platter covered with plastic wrap.  Oh, they looked good but they were for the Sabbath potluck at church and she had promised mom she wouldn't eat them.  Reluctantly, she reached for the plate of fruit and sat down at the table with Thomas and ate a little of the pineapple mom had lovingly cut up for her.  But her mind was not on the fruit--all she could think about was that big platter of cookies in the fridge.  Slowly she slid from her chair, walked to the fridge, opened the door and stared in at the cookies.  Her thoughts were going round and round in her head.   If she undid one end of the plastic wrap she could take a couple of cookies and no one would even know there were any missing.  She knew she would be disobeying mom if she took the cookies but then she thought, "How would mom know?  Why hadn't mom left them a couple of the cookies for a snack? Why was she so mean?"

By this time Thomas had come to the fridge to see what his big sister was doing.  Janie looked at Thomas and said, "I'm going to take out two cookies.  One for you and one for me.  No one will know because I'll tuck the plastic wrap back in place. Mom should have left us some.  The people at church don't need all these cookies."

"But we promised Mommy we wouldn't touch the cookies," Thomas almost whispered, "and Julie might catch us eating them."

"No she won't.  She's busy out in the yard, putting the toys away. Here take this and eat it quick!"  Janie snapped, as she handed Thomas one of the forbidden cookies.  

Oh, those cookies were so good, full of chocolate and caramel.  Janie thought it may have been the best cookie she'd ever eaten.  Thomas watched Janie and took a little bite from his cookie and then another and another.  Yes, these cookies were wonderful.  

In moments the cookies were gone, fingers were licked and crumbs wiped away.  Janie looked at Thomas.  He didn't look too happy and she didn't feel too good herself.  The sweetness of the cookie lingered in her mouth, a reminder of her broken promise.  The memory of the cookie left a very unpleasant feeling in the pit of her stomach--not a tummy ache but more of a heart ache.  By now she could barely look at Thomas and his downcast eyes told her of his sorry condition as well.  

It wasn't long before both children heard mom's car come up the driveway.  With burning cheeks, Janie headed toward her bedroom unable to face her mother.  Thomas, taking a cue from his big sister, scurried off to his bedroom as well leaving the bewildered Julie wondering what had happened in the few minutes she had been cleaning the yard.  

Mom jumped out of the car and hurried to the house.  She knew her children would be hungry so she had bought a pizza on the way home so they could have a quick but special supper together.  Mom called out, "I'm home.  Supper will be ready in about five minutes.  Come and help set the table."  

Janie and Thomas came slowly to the kitchen, barely looking at mom, lest she could read in their eyes what they had done.  Mom was busy making a salad to go along with the pizza and did not notice anything amiss with the children until they sat down to eat.  Usually Janie and Thomas loved pizza but tonight they just picked at the meal.  

"Aren't you hungry?" mom asked the two children, who barely nodded an answer. "I thought you'd enjoy a pizza."

"Yes, we like pizza, I guess we ate too much fruit," said Janie.   Now she had lied and felt even worse.  

"Oh, well, perhaps you'll enjoy a surprise dessert," said mom as she walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the platter of potluck cookies.  "I was keeping these for church on Sabbath, but I'm going to let you have a sneak preview,"  she said laughing.  "I think you'll like them because they're full of chocolate and caramel."

Mom laid the big platter in the centre of the table and nodded to the children to take a cookie but neither child raised a hand to take one.  Puzzled, mom looked at her children and noticed tears in Janie's eyes.  "What's wrong?"  mom asked.

Janie burst out crying, "Oh, mom I'm so sorry!  You shouldn’t have left the cookies in the fridge."

Thomas who was crying by now, pointed at his sister, “She made me eat a cookie.”

And with that, there were more tears as mom untangled the story of the cookies and both children confessed to their wrong-doing.   Janie told mom all that had happened that afternoon and how she and Thomas had sneaked a cookie and tried to make it look like they hadn't.  Both children were now really sorry for what they had done and asked mom to forgive them.  Mom was sad her children had disobeyed but she forgave them because she loved them. 


How easy it was for the children to disobey even though they had promised not to eat the cookies.  You know boys and girls when God created this world and put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden everything was perfect.  There were no mean thoughts, no mean words, no lies or hurting each other.  The happy couple worked and played together in their lovely home.  When it was time to eat they could pick any kind of lovely fruit that grew there in that garden–beautiful, delicious fruit with no imperfections.  Adam never had to peel an apple or plum because it was bruised.  When Adam and Eve went for a hike they didn’t have to worry about poisonous plants or dangerous animals.  They didn’t have to wear heavy hiking boots to protect their feet.  There in their Garden home everything was as perfect as the day God had made it.

Every evening God visited Adam and Eve and they looked forward to His visit as the best time of day.  They loved their Creator and He loved them.  Can you imagine how wonderful that must have been.   Maybe Jesus would tell them the story of when the world was created.  Maybe He would show them the marvels of stars and planets.  This was also the time of day when they sang praises to God and worshipped Him.  What a wonderful family worship that was!

Adam and Eve were very happy in their Eden home.  God had given them the whole Garden to keep and enjoy but there was one special tree they were not to go near or touch.  Although they could eat freely from the Tree of Life and any other tree in the Garden, they were not to touch or eat from that special tree. It was in the middle of the Garden and it was called the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil".  God said if they touched or ate the fruit on that tree they would surely die.  It was their choice but it was not a hard thing to do.  Just stay away from the tree. Obey and live!

Adam and Eve did keep away from the tree until one terrible day Eve wandered away and came upon that forbidden tree.  Satan was there in the tree waiting for her.  He didn't look like Satan. He looked like a beautiful, colourful, shining snake.  The snake was talking and Eve was charmed by his voice and went nearer.  The snake offered her the beautiful fruit from the tree but Eve told him God said she would surely die if she ate the fruit.  The snake declared God was lying, that she would not surely die.  He told her God didn't want her to become wise, knowing "good" and "evil".  So Eve forgot about God who loved her and believed the serpent.  She reached out her hand, took the fruit and ate it. She brought some to Adam and he ate it too.  


Suddenly they knew "good" and "evil" and it was not wonderful and they were not wise.  They felt cold and naked and separated from their best Friend, God.  They were frightened and hid from God when he came to speak with them that evening.  Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake and they both blamed God. 
 

Because Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin had come to our world and the human race. Sin could not remain in that perfect place so God told Adam and Eve they would have to leave their beautiful home and live outside the Garden where it would be cold and hard to live. Thorns would grow and choke the plants. Animals would become wild and some would have to die so people could have clothing to wear.  Mother's would have lots of pain when babies were born.  People would do evil things instead of loving God and one another.  They would listen to Satan. What a sad, sad day that was!  

When Adam and Eve left the Garden they could never go back again.  An angel with a flaming sword guarded the entrance so they would not be able to eat from the Tree of Life. On that day they began to slowly die.  But worst of all they would never speak face to face with God again. 

But Jesus told them all was not lost--there was a plan.  Wonder of wonders, He, Jesus, would come and die in their place so one day everything would be new again.  He would die for everyone.  No one would have to be lost forever.  Satan would be conquered and destroyed and the “forever” death that Adam and Eve and their children deserved would be transferred to Jesus. 

Ever since Adam and Eve first sinned our world and the people in it have been different.  Thorns and thistles grow and choke out the good plants.  Many animals are wild and dangerous.  People think of themselves and don’t love God or each other.  Many people listen to Satan. Our loved ones and friends die and we must wait for Jesus to return so we can see them again.  But just as Jesus promised, He did die. He died for everyone.  His blood covers all our sins if we confess, or tell Him what we have done, and ask Him to forgive us.  Jesus has promised to give us the victory over our sins and change our lives from wanting to do bad things to living for Jesus.  And He promised to take us to heaven and make our world new again where we will once again live in joy and happiness and talk with Jesus face to face every day. 



Prayer:  Dear Jesus, we are forever grateful for your love and the gift of  eternal life.  Help us to listen to You.  Thank You for the victory over our naughty ways.  Amen.


The Bible Verse:

So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my  slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.  Romans 7:23-25 (Living Bible)

The Song:

For God So Loved Us   

For God so loved us, He sent the Saviour:
For God so loved us, and loves me too.
           
Chorus:
Love so unending! I’ll sing His praises,
God loves His children, loves even me.

He sent the Saviour, the blest Redeemer;
He sent the Saviour to set me free.

~Words by August D. Rische
#78 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal



The Colouring Page:




Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
http://www.budwining.net/2013/05/bible-coloring-pages-for-kids/bible-coloring-pages-for-kids-adam-and-eve

Adam and Eve driven out of the Garden
http://coloring.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/adam-and-eve-expelled.gif

The cross
http://jesuspictures-photos.blogspot.ca/2009_09_01_archive.html


Friday 7 March 2014

Creation--Fundamental Belief #6


Fundamental Belief #6--Creation

God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was ``very good,'' declaring the glory of God. (Read these verses here: Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)


The Story:


Object Lesson, Making Cookies

Objects Needed:

  • Bowl 
  • Spoon
  • Cookbook 
  • Picture(s) of creation, if available

Tell the children you need a volunteer to help make chocolate chip cookies.  Explain that you want him to make real cookies, not imaginary cookies.  Choose your helper and tell him to start by adding the butter and sugar to the bowl.  When the child asks where the ingredients are tell him he is going to make them by just speaking and saying what he wants and the ingredients should appear.  This should cause some confusion to the child and perhaps some laughter. 

Ask why he hasn’t started the cookies.  Urge him to talk the cookie ingredients and cookies into existence. After some talking and urging bring the discussion around to the creation of this world.

Did you know God made something by just talking?  Do you know what it was?  (Let the children answer.) The Bible tells us this:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
 

and:

The Lord spoke the command, and the world was made. The breath from his mouth created everything in the heavens. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. Psalm 33:6 (ERV) 

and:

For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. Psalm 33:9 (NLT) 


Do a short review of each day found in Genesis 1–Genesis 2:1, 2.  A picture(s) can be used if you can find something suitable.




1st day–Light, Day & Night
2nd day–Divided the waters below and above the earth.  This division gave us the sky and fresh air.
3rd day–Dry land and plants.
4th day–Sun, Moon and Stars
5th day–Sea Creatures and Birds
6th day–Land Animals and then He made People in His own image.  Adam was the only creation he did not speak into existence.
7th day–Rested and made the Sabbath blessed and holy.

Only God can make something from the power of his voice.  No one else can do that, just as no one can make cookies by just speaking or thinking them into a cookie jar. Only God could create this world from nothing by just speaking.


Jesus says in the Bible:


“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

That may be hard to understand and God knew we might not understand but the Bible says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways remember him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NIRV)

After doing this work God put aside His work and rested.  The Bible tells us:

God finished the work he was doing, so on the seventh day he rested from his work.  God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day. He made it special because on that day he rested from all the work he did while creating the world. Genesis 2:2, 3 (KJV) 


This day was a special day.  God said it was blessed and he made it holy.  Every Sabbath is a reminder that God made this earth in just six days.  

Aren’t you glad we serve such a powerful God?  He is more powerful than anyone in this world.  He is more powerful than Satan.  What a wonderful God!




The Song

God Spoke the Words

Sing to the tune of "For the Beauty of the Earth." Sing in an upbeat tempo.) 

God spoke the words and the world was made,
From nothing to something in just six days.
The light and the air and the land and the sea,
The sun and the moon and the stars for me.
The fish and the birds and the animals too,
And don’t forget he made me and you!

Six days had passed God said, “It is good.”
“Everything is very, very good.”
On the seventh day all creation will rest,
On the day that God had blest.
Sabbath is that holy day,
The day we love to sing and pray.

~Words by Lois Gill
(Sing to the tune of “For the Beauty of the Earth” music by Conrad Kocher, Hymn #565 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal)

 
The Colouring Sheet:


Coloring Sheet: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5ETRkL51fhMeWFDWXQyUDFrTWc/edit