Sabbath School Lesson 10: Repentance and Forgiveness

 Growing in a Relationship With God

Lesson 10 

Repentance and Forgiveness 

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Built on a Rock

 

Built on the Rock

At the close of the The Gospel of Matthew Sermon on the Mount, Jesus leaves His listeners with a powerful challenge. In Matthew 7:24–29, He compares two builders—one wise and one foolish. Both men hear His words, but only one obeys them.

The wise man built his house on the rock. When the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds beat against the house, it stood firm because its foundation was secure. The foolish man, however, built on sand. He may have worked hard and built something that looked strong on the outside, but when the storm came, everything collapsed.

Jesus makes it clear that the difference was not hearing His teachings. Both builders heard the same words. The difference was obedience. One applied the truth; the other ignored it.

This is the final challenge Jesus gives after teaching about anger, forgiveness, prayer, purity, love for enemies, generosity, judging others, and true righteousness. Hearing truth is not enough. Agreeing with truth is not enough. Even admiring Jesus’ teachings is not enough. A life built on Christ must actually obey Him.

Storms will come to every life. Trials, temptations, disappointments, suffering, and uncertainty are unavoidable. The question is not whether storms will come, but what foundation we are standing on when they arrive. A foundation built on feelings, culture, popularity, wealth, or self-reliance will eventually crumble. Only a life rooted in Jesus Christ and His Word can endure.

Jesus also taught with authority unlike the religious leaders of His day. The crowds recognized that His words carried truth and power because He was not merely sharing opinions—He was revealing the very heart of God. His message demanded a response.

Today, Christ still calls us to build wisely. Every decision, habit, and priority is like laying another brick in the foundation of our lives. When we trust His Word, obey Him faithfully, and remain close to Him daily, we build on the Rock that cannot be shaken.

Prayer:
Father, help me not only to hear Your Word but to obey it. Build my life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ so that when trials come, my faith will remain strong. Teach me to trust You, follow You faithfully, and live according to Your truth each day. Amen.

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Knowing About Jesus or Knowing Jesus?

 

Knowing About Jesus or Knowing Jesus?

In the The Gospel of Matthew Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes a sobering statement: not everyone who calls Him “Lord” truly belongs to Him. Some people know the right words, attend church, study the Bible, and even appear religious on the outside, yet their hearts remain distant from God. Jesus teaches that a real relationship with Him is shown through obedience, surrender, and a transformed life.

Knowledge of God is important. Scripture repeatedly calls us to learn truth and reject deception. But knowledge alone is not enough. A person can know Bible verses without allowing those verses to shape their character. They can understand doctrine without developing love, humility, forgiveness, or faithfulness. God never intended truth to remain only in our minds; He wants it to change our hearts and direct our lives.

Jesus is not looking for empty religion or outward performance. He desires a genuine relationship. When we truly know Him, our choices begin to change. We grow more compassionate, more obedient, more honest, and more dependent on Him. Our walk with God becomes more than information—it becomes transformation.

The warning in Matthew 7:21 is also an invitation. Christ invites us to move beyond merely knowing about Him and into daily fellowship with Him. The goal of Christianity is not simply to collect biblical facts but to become people who love God deeply and reflect His character in the world around us.

Today is a good time to ask: Has my knowledge of God changed the way I live? Am I growing closer to Jesus, or am I only familiar with Him? True faith is not just heard with the ears; it is lived with the heart.

Prayer:
Lord, help me not to settle for knowing about You while remaining distant from You. Let Your truth transform my heart, my actions, and my relationships. Teach me to walk closely with You each day and to do Your will with sincerity and love. Amen.

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 Sabbath School

Growing in a Relationship with God 

Sin, the Gospel, and the Law 

Lesson 9 - Friday Further Thought 

 

When Sin Becomes Normal

Modern culture often treats sin as outdated, harmless, or even something to celebrate. What God calls wrong is frequently renamed as “self-expression,” “freedom,” or “living your truth.” Pride, greed, lust, dishonesty, hatred, and rebellion against God are no longer viewed as dangers to the soul but as normal parts of life. The Bible warned this would happen: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

Many people today do not deny sin exists because they have carefully studied Scripture and rejected it. Often, they deny sin because culture has slowly reshaped their thinking. Movies, music, social media, politics, entertainment, and even education constantly push the message that morality is personal and truth is flexible. But God’s Word does not change with culture. Sin is still sin, even when society applauds it.

The Bible defines sin clearly: “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is not merely a mistake or weakness; it is rebellion against God’s holy character. Left unchecked, sin hardens the heart and separates people from Him (Isaiah 59:2).

How Popular Culture Views Sin

1. Sin Is Treated as Entertainment

Television, music, and online content often glorify immorality, violence, revenge, sexual impurity, drunkenness, greed, and pride. What once shocked society is now marketed as normal.

Scenario:
A teenager spends hours consuming social media content that mocks purity, encourages selfishness, and glorifies rebellion against parents and God. Over time, the teenager begins to believe biblical values are restrictive and embarrassing.

The Bible warns:
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

“Set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Psalm 101:3).

2. Sin Is Redefined as Personal Freedom

Culture says, “If it feels right to you, do it.” But feelings are not a reliable guide for truth.

Scenario:
A coworker says, “Nobody should tell me how to live. As long as I’m happy, it’s fine.” Yet happiness without God often leads people deeper into emptiness, addiction, broken relationships, and spiritual confusion.

Scripture says:
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

3. Sin Is Excused Instead of Repented Of

Instead of confessing wrongdoing, people often blame society, parents, trauma, stress, or other people. While pain and hardship are real, God still calls people to repentance.

Scenario:
A person lashes out in anger regularly but says, “That’s just how I am.” Rather than seeking God’s transforming power, the behavior becomes justified.

But Scripture says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

4. Sin Is Celebrated Publicly

Things once done secretly are now proudly displayed. Romans 1 describes people not only practicing sin but encouraging others to join them.

Scenario:
A Christian student is pressured to openly support beliefs or behaviors that contradict Scripture. Refusing may lead to criticism or exclusion.

Romans 12:2 says:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

How Should the Church Respond?

1. The Church Must Speak Truth Clearly

The church should never water down Scripture to gain acceptance. Love without truth becomes compromise, but truth without love becomes harshness. Jesus showed both grace and truth (John 1:14).

2 Timothy 4:2–3 says:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

The church must lovingly call sin what God calls sin.

2. The Church Must Offer Hope, Not Just Condemnation

Every believer was once lost in sin. Christians should not act self-righteous or superior. The gospel is good news because Jesus saves sinners.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 lists many serious sins and then says:
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified.”

The church should be a place where broken people can find forgiveness, healing, accountability, and transformation through Christ.

3. The Church Must Live Differently

The strongest witness is a transformed life. If the church looks exactly like the world, its message loses power.

Matthew 5:14 says:
“Ye are the light of the world.”

Christians should model purity, honesty, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and faithfulness in everyday life.

4. The Church Must Protect the Next Generation

Children and teenagers are constantly discipled by culture. Parents and churches cannot remain passive.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says God’s truth should be taught diligently to children throughout daily life.

This means:

• Teaching biblical truth clearly
• Monitoring media influences wisely
• Encouraging healthy Christian friendships
• Modeling genuine faith at home

5. The Church Must Remember the Gospel

The answer to sin is not mere behavior modification. People need new hearts. Only Jesus can truly change a person.

Romans 5:8 says:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The cross reminds us that sin is serious enough that Jesus had to die for it, yet God’s love is great enough to offer forgiveness to all who repent and believe.

Final Thought

Culture constantly changes, but God’s truth remains the same. Christians are not called to hate sinners or isolate themselves from the world. Jesus ate with sinners, loved sinners, and died for sinners—but He never approved of sin. The church must do the same: stand firmly on truth while extending mercy and hope through Christ.

A church that ignores sin cannot help people. But a church centered on Jesus can lead people from darkness into life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We live in a world that often rejects Your truth and celebrates what dishonors You. Help us not to be shaped by culture more than by Your Word. Give us wisdom to recognize sin clearly, courage to stand for truth, and compassion to love people the way Jesus did. Protect our hearts, our homes, and our churches from compromise. Teach us to speak truth with humility and grace. Forgive us where we have allowed sin to grow comfortable in our lives. Transform us through Your Spirit and help us reflect the character of Christ in everything we do. May our churches shine as lights in a dark world and lead many people to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Amen.

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Faith The Obeys

 

Faith and Obedience 

Many Christians struggle with two dangers: ignoring God’s law or trying to earn salvation by keeping it. The Bible points us to a better way. In Romans 3:28 and Galatians 2:16, Paul clearly teaches that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. Salvation is God’s gift, not something we achieve through perfect behavior.

Romans 4:13–16 explains that God’s promises come through faith so that salvation may rest on grace. If eternal life depended on flawless obedience, no one could stand before God. But Jesus took our place. Galatians 3:13 says Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us on the cross. Because of His sacrifice, believers no longer obey out of fear of condemnation, but out of love and gratitude.

Paul also wrote in Philippians 3:9 that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through our own efforts. This changes how we view obedience. We do not keep God’s law to earn acceptance; we keep it because we already belong to Him. Legalism says, “Obey so God will love you.” The gospel says, “God loves you through Christ, therefore obey Him.”

When faith is at the center, the law becomes a guide instead of a burden. God’s commandments show us His character and teach us how to live in love toward Him and others. Obedience is not a way to buy salvation—it is the fruit of a transformed heart.

The closer we walk with Jesus, the more we will desire to obey Him, not to prove ourselves worthy, but because His grace is changing us from the inside out.

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