Sabbath School Lesson 6: Confidence Only in Christ

 Uniting Heaven and Earth

Christ in Philippians and Colossians

Lesson 6

Confidence Only in Christ

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

Did Jesus Lose any of His Divinity, Like Omnipresence?

Did Jesus Lose His Divine Abilities When He Became Human?

Among some Christians, including many within Seventh-day Adventism, there is a tendency to assume that when Jesus became a man, He necessarily surrendered certain divine attributes—especially His ability to be everywhere at once. The reasoning often follows a simple logic: because humans are limited by space and time, Jesus must have accepted those same limitations fully and permanently. Yet when we examine Scripture closely, this conclusion does not seem to hold up biblically, nor does it align well with the broader testimony of Christ’s life, ministry, and resurrection.

The Bible presents Jesus not as a diminished God, but as God revealed in a new way. John writes plainly, “The Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14). Scripture does not say the Word ceased to be God, or that His divine nature was stripped away. Rather, divinity was clothed in humanity. Paul echoes this when he says, “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). All the fullness leaves little room for the idea that essential divine attributes were lost.

If anything, the biblical record suggests that Jesus’ divine power was not reduced, but expressed in ways that transcended ordinary human experience. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly displays qualities that cannot be explained by humanity alone. He walks on water (Matt. 14:25), calms storms with a word (Mark 4:39), knows the thoughts of others (Luke 5:22), and raises the dead (John 11:43–44). After His resurrection, these unhuman qualities become even more striking. He appears suddenly in locked rooms (John 20:19), vanishes from sight at will (Luke 24:31), and ascends visibly into heaven (Acts 1:9). These are not the actions of someone who has lost divine capacity.

The argument that Jesus could not be omnipresent during His earthly life often rests more on philosophical assumptions than on explicit biblical teaching. Jesus Himself hints at a divine presence that exceeds physical location. He tells His disciples, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Later, He promises, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). These statements make little sense if His presence is strictly limited to a single physical location, even during His incarnate ministry.

Furthermore, Jesus speaks of a unique unity with the Father that defies reduction. “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). He also declares, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). If Jesus had laid aside essential aspects of divinity—such as omnipresence or omniscience—then these claims would be misleading at best. A being who is partially divine is not fully God. Such a figure would resemble a demigod, something Scripture never presents Jesus to be.

This point matters deeply because Christian faith hinges on who Jesus truly is. If Christ is not fully God, then His authority, His atonement, and His ability to save are all compromised. Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Malachi reminds us that God does not change (Mal. 3:6). The incarnation was not God becoming less, but God drawing nearer.

It is also worth remembering that Scripture teaches transformation is part of God’s plan for humanity as well. We will not always remain as we are now. Paul writes that our present bodies are perishable, but we will be raised imperishable (1 Cor. 15:42–44). John says, “It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). If humanity itself is destined for glorification beyond our current limitations, it should not be difficult to accept that Christ’s humanity was uniquely united with divine power rather than confined by it.

Tradition, even well-meaning tradition, must always be weighed against Scripture. Jesus warned repeatedly about elevating human reasoning above God’s Word (Mark 7:7–9). What “men say” may sound logical, but logic divorced from Scripture quickly becomes speculation. The Bible never states that Jesus lost His omnipresence, omniscience, or divine authority when He became human. That idea is read into the text, not drawn from it.

In the end, God has given us minds to think, reason, and discern. Faith is not opposed to reason, but true reason must be anchored in what God has revealed. When we reason through Scripture carefully, the conclusion that makes the most sense—biblically and logically—is that Jesus did not cease to be fully God at any point. He was, and remains, God with us. And what we believe about Him should not only be faithful to Scripture, but also make common sense in light of it.

Timothy: A "True Son" in the Faith

Timothy

Timothy stands as one of the most important and relatable figures in the New Testament—a young believer shaped by faith, mentored by the apostle Paul, and entrusted with significant responsibility in the early church. His life offers a window into how God works through sincere faith, steady growth, and faithful service rather than dramatic beginnings or personal prominence.

Timothy first appears in the book of Acts during Paul’s second missionary journey. He was from Lystra, a city in Asia Minor, and was the son of a Jewish mother named Eunice and a Greek father. Scripture makes no mention of his father’s faith, suggesting that Timothy was raised in a mixed religious household. What stands out immediately, however, is the spiritual influence of his mother and grandmother, Lois. Paul later affirms that Timothy’s faith was nurtured from childhood through their instruction in the Scriptures, laying a foundation that would shape his entire life and ministry.

By the time Paul met Timothy, he already had a good reputation among the believers in Lystra and Iconium. This indicates that Timothy’s faith was not merely inherited but lived out in a way that others could see and respect. Recognizing his potential, Paul invited Timothy to join him in missionary work. This marked a turning point in Timothy’s life, as he left his home to travel extensively with Paul, Silas, and later others, spreading the gospel across the Roman world.

Timothy quickly became one of Paul’s closest and most trusted companions. Paul referred to him not just as a coworker but as a spiritual son, a term that reflects both deep affection and intentional mentorship. Timothy was present for many significant moments in Paul’s ministry, including work in Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. Paul often sent Timothy as his representative to churches facing challenges, a responsibility that required wisdom, humility, and courage—especially for someone relatively young.

Despite his faithful service, Timothy appears to have struggled at times with timidity, physical weakness, or self-doubt. Paul’s letters to him reveal encouragements to be bold, to persevere, and to rely on God’s strength rather than his own. Far from diminishing Timothy’s character, these struggles make him more relatable and emphasize the grace of God at work in him. Paul urged Timothy not to let anyone despise him for his youth but to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. This counsel underscores that Timothy’s authority did not rest on age or force of personality but on godly character.

Timothy’s most prominent leadership role was in Ephesus, a major city and a center of both commerce and false teaching. Paul left Timothy there to help establish sound doctrine, correct error, and organize church leadership. The pastoral letters of 1 and 2 Timothy offer a glimpse into the weight of this responsibility. Timothy was charged with guarding the truth of the gospel, teaching faithfully, appointing qualified leaders, and enduring hardship for the sake of Christ. These letters reveal a man growing into maturity, learning to shepherd others while remaining rooted in Scripture and prayer.

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is especially poignant, as it was written near the end of Paul’s life. In it, Paul reflects on his own faithfulness and urges Timothy to carry the torch forward. The tone is deeply personal, blending exhortation with affection. Paul reminds Timothy of his spiritual heritage, his calling, and the power of God at work within him. This final appeal highlights Timothy’s role as part of the next generation of Christian leadership, entrusted with preserving and proclaiming the gospel.

The New Testament offers only brief glimpses of Timothy beyond Paul’s letters. He is mentioned as a co-sender of several epistles, including those to the Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, indicating his continued involvement in ministry. The book of Hebrews also mentions Timothy’s release from imprisonment, suggesting that he, like Paul, suffered for his faith.

Timothy’s life illustrates the quiet strength of faithfulness over time. He was not an apostle, a miracle worker, or a dramatic convert, yet his influence on the early church was profound. Through patient discipleship, steady obedience, and perseverance in the face of fear and hardship, Timothy became a pillar of the Christian movement. His story reminds believers that God often works through willing hearts shaped by Scripture, guided by wise mentors, and committed to serving Christ wherever they are called.

Little by Little: When the World Shapes the Church

 Uniting Heaven and Earth

Christ in Philippians and Colossians 

Lesson 5 - Friday Further Thought 

Little by Little

Rarely does spiritual compromise happen all at once. More often, it comes quietly—little by little—as God’s people yield to worldly demands and begin to conform to worldly customs rather than to the will of God. This may include redefining truth to avoid offense, adopting cultural values that prize comfort, success, or popularity above faithfulness, or allowing entertainment, technology, and busyness to crowd out prayer and Scripture. What once would have unsettled the conscience slowly becomes normalized, not because God has changed, but because our sensitivity to His voice has dulled.

This gradual drift applies not only to individuals but also to the church as a whole. Churches can begin measuring success by numbers, influence, or approval rather than by faithfulness to Christ. In an effort to remain relevant, we may import the world’s methods, priorities, and assumptions into worship, leadership, and mission—sometimes without even realizing it. The danger is not always blatant sin, but subtle substitution: replacing dependence on the Spirit with dependence on strategy, or holiness with mere respectability.

At the same time, Scripture does not teach that everything in the world is evil. God’s creation, human creativity, culture, and progress can all be used for His glory. Jesus Himself ate with sinners, spoke the language of His culture, and lived fully among the people of His time. The problem arises when the world shapes us more than Christ does. Jesus prayed that His followers would be in the world but not of it—engaged without being absorbed, present without being conformed.

This calls for discernment, humility, and continual self-examination. Are our values being shaped by the gospel or by the surrounding culture? Are we bringing people to Christ, or subtly reshaping Christ to fit the world? Faithfulness is not found in withdrawal, nor in uncritical acceptance, but in daily surrender to Jesus, allowing Him to define who we are and how we live.

Prayer:

Lord, search our hearts and reveal where we have slowly conformed to the world rather than to You. Give us wisdom to discern what honors You and courage to let go of what does not. Help us to live faithfully in the world without being shaped by it, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do. Renew Your church, starting with us, and keep us anchored in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Epaphroditus: The Hidden Hero of Philippi

 Uniting Heaven and Earth

Christ in Philippians and Colossians 

Lesson 5 - Thursday

Hold Such Men in Esteem

Read Philippians 2:25–30

In Philippians 2:25–30, Paul pauses his theological teaching to shine a light on a faithful servant: Epaphroditus. Paul does not praise him casually or with vague compliments. Instead, he uses strong, deliberate language that reveals both Epaphroditus’s character and the kind of Christian life worthy of honor.

Paul calls Epaphroditus “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.” Each title carries weight. As a brother, Epaphroditus shared a deep spiritual bond with Paul—rooted not in convenience, but in Christ. As a fellow worker, he labored sacrificially for the gospel, not as a spectator, but as an active participant. As a fellow soldier, he accepted hardship and risk, understanding that gospel ministry involves spiritual battle and personal cost.

Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippian church to bring a gift to Paul and to minister to him during his imprisonment. What may have seemed like a simple assignment turned into something far more demanding. Paul tells us that Epaphroditus became gravely ill—so ill that he nearly died. Yet the most striking detail is not his sickness, but his concern. He was distressed, not because he suffered, but because the Philippians had heard of his illness and were worried about him. His heart was turned outward, even in weakness.

Paul makes it clear that Epaphroditus did not shrink back when things became costly. He “risked his life” to complete the work of Christ and to make up for the help the church could not personally give. This was not reckless bravery, but self-forgetful devotion. Epaphroditus valued faithfulness over comfort and obedience over safety.

There are other subtle details that deepen the picture. Paul speaks tenderly about him, acknowledging God’s mercy in sparing his life—and sparing Paul additional sorrow. This shows the deep relational bond between them. Epaphroditus was not merely useful; he was loved. Ministry for Paul was never just about tasks, but about people shaped by Christlike humility.

Because of all this, Paul urges the church to “receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such men in esteem.” Honor, in the Christian sense, is not reserved for the impressive, the powerful, or the visible. It is given to those who quietly pour themselves out for Christ and others. Epaphroditus did not seek recognition, yet Paul insists he deserves it.

To emulate Epaphroditus is to adopt his posture of life: willing service, deep concern for others, courage in suffering, and faithfulness even when no applause is guaranteed. Christians today are called to the same spirit—to see ministry not as a platform, but as an offering; not as a path to recognition, but as a response to Christ’s love. We honor people like Epaphroditus best when we follow their example.

Prayer

Lord God,
Thank You for the example of faithful servants like Epaphroditus. Teach us to value humility over recognition, faithfulness over comfort, and obedience over self-preservation. Shape our hearts to care deeply for others, even when it costs us something. Help us to honor those who quietly labor for Your kingdom and to become people worthy of such esteem ourselves—not for our glory, but for Yours. Strengthen us to serve Christ wholeheartedly, whatever the cost. In Jesus’ name, amen.