The Undercover Adventist

 Luke 15:11–32 and Genesis 3:9–10 share a powerful picture of what sin does to us—and what God does in response. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve sinned against God and immediately became ashamed and afraid. When they heard God walking in the garden, they hid themselves. God then called out, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9). The question was not because God did not know where they were. It was the loving call of a God who wanted them to come out of hiding and return to Him. Jesus tells a similar story in Luke 15 through the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son deliberately leaves his father, takes his inheritance, and wastes it in a life of sin. Eventually, he finds himself broken, hungry, and far from home. Like Adam and Eve, he experiences the consequences of separation from the one who loves him. But then he comes to his senses and decides to return to his father. The most beautiful part of the story is what happens when he returns. The father does not stand at the door waiting t...

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” — Genesis 3:8, NKJV Shame is a powerful emotion. When we have done something wrong, our first instinct is often not to run toward God but to run away from Him. We may avoid prayer, stop reading the Bible, feel unworthy to worship, or convince ourselves that God is disappointed with us and would rather not hear from us. But there is something important we need to understand: sin makes us want to hide from the very One who can save us. The story of Adam and Eve is the first example of this. Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve had nothing to hide. Genesis tells us that they were both naked and were not ashamed. They lived in perfect fellowship with God. There was no guilt, no fear, no embarrassment, and no separation. Then came the temptation. God had clearly told them not to eat from the tree ...

  Seeing the Creator’s Love in a World Still Marked by His Handiwork Thousands of years have passed since sin entered the world. We have never experienced Eden as Adam and Eve did—without death, suffering, fear, or separation from God. Yet even in our fallen world, creation still gives us glimpses of the beauty and order God originally intended. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Every sunrise, mountain, ocean, star-filled sky, and living creature points beyond itself to a Creator. Nature may be damaged by sin, but it still carries evidence of His handiwork. Jesus also pointed His listeners to creation. He said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow” (Matthew 6:28). The flowers do not worry about tomorrow, yet God provides for them. Jesus used something as ordinary as a flower to remind us that our heavenly Father cares for us even more. Romans 1:20 tells us that “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, be...

  When Church Tradition Gets in the Way of God's Calling The Seventh-day Adventist Church has spent years debating the question of whether women should be ordained to the gospel ministry. It is a debate that has produced strong opinions on both sides. But perhaps we need to step back from the arguments, the policies, and the church politics and ask a much simpler question: What does the Bible tell us about the way God uses women? Before we get too caught up in the word ordination , we should remember what ordination actually is. Ordination does not give someone the Holy Spirit. It does not create spiritual gifts. It does not make a person capable of preaching the gospel. It does not make someone more valuable in God's eyes. And it certainly does not create God's calling. At its most basic level, ordination is the church's public recognition and setting apart of someone for ministry. The certificate is produced by people. The calling comes from God. That distinction matt...

  Sabbath School The Gift of Prophecy  The Creator Speaks Lesson 1 - Friday Further Thought  Ellen White: From Fear to Faith Ellen Harmon experienced serious physical and emotional struggles after a childhood accident. As a young Christian, she became deeply afraid of God and believed she was unworthy of salvation. Her understanding began to change through dreams, Bible study, and conversations with Methodist preacher Levi Stockman, who helped her understand God's grace and love. She came to see God not as a harsh ruler, but as a loving and compassionate Father. Her understanding of death and the rejection of an eternally burning hell also helped reshape her view of God's character. This experience led Ellen White to develop a deep love for Jesus and devote the rest of her life to serving Him. For the Adventist Church, this story emphasizes that God's character of love should remain at the center of its message . Ellen White's own experience illustrates how a clearer un...

  Sabbath School The Gift of Prophecy  The Creator Speaks Lesson 1 - Thursday God Still Speaks Sin changed humanity’s relationship with God. In Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed open fellowship with their Creator. They could hear His voice and walk with Him. But after sin entered the world, fear, shame, and separation entered with it. Yet God did not stop communicating with humanity. He continued to speak. Hebrews 1:1–2 tells us that God spoke in different ways through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son. Throughout Scripture, God used prophets, visions, dreams, His written Word, and creation itself to reveal His character and His will. Romans 1:19–20 reminds us that even creation gives evidence of God's power and divine nature. Numbers 12:6 shows that God sometimes communicated through visions and dreams. Second Timothy 3:16–17 tells us that Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correcting, and training us in righteousness. God...

  Sabbath School The Gift of Prophecy  The Creator Speaks Lesson 1 - Wednesday When Sin Changes Our Relationship With God Sin changed humanity in many painful ways. Genesis 3:14–24 describes some of those consequences: suffering, broken relationships, hardship, death, and separation from Eden. But one of the greatest changes was the way sin affected our communication and fellowship with God. Before sin, Adam and Eve enjoyed an open and beautiful relationship with their Creator. They had nothing to hide. But after they sinned, everything changed. Genesis 3:8 says that when they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden, “Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.” Notice what sin produced. Instead of running toward God, they ran away from Him. Instead of enjoying His presence, they were afraid. Sin brought guilt, shame, fear, and a desire to hide. Exodus 19 gives us another picture of how sin affected humanity’s approach to God. When God des...