The Undercover Adventist

  Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Spiritual Gifts Lesson 6 - Wednesday   The Gift of Tongues: A Gift for Mission Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 26, 27 and 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30 The early church in Corinth was blessed with many spiritual gifts, but these gifts were sometimes misunderstood and misused. Among the gifts that caused confusion was the gift of tongues. Some believers placed too much importance on speaking in tongues, viewing it as a sign of greater spirituality. Paul addressed this issue by teaching that every spiritual gift must serve a greater purpose: building up the church and helping others come closer to God. Paul’s instruction concerning tongues was clear: the gift was valuable, but it needed to be used properly. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul explains that speaking in tongues should not be done simply for personal benefit or public display. If someone speaks in another language that others do not understand, there must be interpreta...

  Uniting Heaven and Earth Christ in Philippians and Colossians  Lesson 3 - Wednesday Stand Fast in Unity Read Philippians 1:27; compare John 17:17–19 Paul’s appeal to the Philippian church is both urgent and practical: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27, NKJV). For Paul, unity is not a vague feeling of togetherness or mere organizational harmony. It is a shared posture—standing firm—rooted in a common allegiance to the gospel and expressed in cooperative effort for its advance. The language Paul uses is vivid. “Standing fast” suggests stability under pressure, like soldiers holding their ground or athletes refusing to quit the contest. Unity, then, is essential for endurance. A divided church cannot stand long in a hostile world. Yet Paul is careful to anchor this unity not in personality, culture, or preference, but in “one spirit” and “one mind” focu...

  "When Excuses Sound Reasonable: Trusting God’s Call" Text: Exodus 3:11–4:17 Have you ever felt unqualified for something important—something bigger than you? Maybe you were asked to lead, to speak up, to take on a role you didn’t feel ready for. Most of us have. And in those moments, we often offer what seem like perfectly reasonable excuses. Moses did the same. In fact, his objections to God’s call are so familiar, so human, that we might be tempted to sympathize with him completely. But the story of Moses shows us something powerful: God is not interested in how qualified we feel. He’s interested in what He can do through us—if we trust Him. Reasonable Excuses, Divine Response Let’s look at Moses' objections in Exodus 3–4: “Who am I?” (Ex. 3:11) Moses begins with a deep sense of inadequacy. He’s a shepherd, not a diplomat. He tried to help his people once and failed. God’s reply? “I will be with you.” God doesn’t boost Moses’ ego; He shifts the focus....

  "The Lord Who Will Not Be Ignored" Text: Exodus 4:18–31 The Strange Passage Let’s be honest—Exodus 4:18–31 is one of the strangest, most jarring passages in the Old Testament. One moment, Moses is on his way to obey God’s call, and the next, God seeks to kill him. Then Zipporah, Moses' wife, steps in and circumcises their son, touching Moses with the foreskin and saying, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” What’s going on here? We might be tempted to skip past passages like this—but we must remember that every word of Scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). So today, we will walk through this story, consider its background, and find its message for us today. The Journey Begins (vv. 18–20): Obedience with Loose Ends Moses finally agrees to obey God’s call. He asks Jethro for permission to return to Egypt, loads his family on a donkey, and heads out. Outwardly, everything seems in order. But there’s a major unresolved issue : Moses has not ...

  “In the World, But Not of It” Scripture Readings: John 15:19 – “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 17:14–16 – “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world... They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” James 1:27 – “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” We live in a world filled with distraction, distortion, and deception—but also with souls who desperately need Jesus. We are called to walk a narrow road. On one side is compromise with the world; on the other is isolation from the mission field. The challenge is this: How do we reach a lost world without losing ourselves in it? Chosen but Not Removed Jesus was clear: “I chos...

"Blessed to Be a Blessing: The Global Vision of Psalm 67" Psalm 67 Video:   Psalm 67 is a short, seven-verse hymn that serves as a prayer for God's blessing, not only upon Israel but upon all nations. It begins with a plea for God's grace and favor, echoing the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26 ("May God be gracious to us and bless us..."). The psalmist then expresses a desire that God's ways and salvation be known throughout the world, leading to global praise. The central verse (v. 4) highlights joy and justice as reasons for nations to worship God. The psalm ends by affirming that God's blessing will result in worldwide reverence. Structure: The psalm follows a chiastic structure (A-B-C-B'-A'): A (v.1): Prayer for blessing. B (v.2-3): Desire for global knowledge and praise of God. C (v.4): Central theme of God’s just rule over the nations. B' (v.5): Repetition of desire for global praise. A' (v.6-7): Ble...

  “Still Fields to Harvest: Hope and Mission in the Last Days” Scripture Reading: Revelation 14:6-12 “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” — Revelation 14:6 (NKJV) A Global Message, Yet Unfinished Work Brothers and sisters, we live in a time unlike any other. The gospel is being proclaimed around the world. The Three Angels’ Messages have echoed across continents. Through satellites, literature, digital platforms, missionaries, and personal witness, the message is reaching hearts in places we never thought possible. And yet... there are still unreached people. Entire communities. Isolated tribes. Even cities in “reached” nations where hearts remain untouched, unaware, or unconvinced. We may ask, How is it possible? Hasn’t the work been done? Didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the wor...

  Blessed to Be a Blessing: The Witness of God’s People Text: Psalm 67; Revelation 14:6–12 Psalm 67 is a hymn of praise, radiant with hope and overflowing with the desire that "Your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations" (Psalm 67:2). It is a missionary psalm, and more than that, a global prayer. It reveals God's heart not just for Israel, but for all peoples. It is deeply connected to the covenantal promise to Abraham—that through his seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). But Psalm 67 does more than echo a promise; it calls God’s people to live in such a way that the nations come to know God. When we turn to Revelation 14:6–12, we see this mission fulfilled and sharpened in a time of judgment. Together, these passages show us what it means to be God’s people—blessed, not for comfort, but for purpose. God Blesses His People for the Sake of the World (Psalm 67:1–2) "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make h...

  "Undone, Yet Sent" – Isaiah 6:6–8 Scripture: Isaiah 6:6–8 (ESV) "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.' And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" When Isaiah saw the Lord—high and lifted up—his response wasn’t praise or joy. It was terror. “Woe is me,” he cried, “for I am undone.” He was not being dramatic. In the presence of perfect holiness, the reality of sin hits hard. It strips us, exposes us, unravels us. Isaiah, a prophet and a righteous man by all human standards, realized the depth of his sin, and he knew the truth: the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But here's the turning point: God did not leave Isaiah in his ruin. Instead, He acted. He ...

  “A Message Between Thunder and Mission” Scripture Reading: Revelation 10:1–11 In Revelation 10, John is drawn into a mysterious vision—a moment of pause between the judgments of the seventh trumpet. He sees a mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed in a cloud, with a rainbow upon his head, his face like the sun, and feet like pillars of fire. In his hand is a little scroll, open. This passage has long been viewed by Adventists as symbolic of the rise of a prophetic movement. But let us approach the text with reverence, care, and spiritual curiosity, seeking the insights it offers for our time. The Angel and the Authority of the Message The angel described here bears striking similarities to Christ Himself—his appearance radiates divine authority and glory. However, whether it is Christ or a representative, the message is clear: this is a message of heaven-sent origin . The scroll is open , unlike the sealed scroll of Revelation 5. This suggests a revealed message , one t...

  “Called to Be a Blessing” Brothers and sisters, today we reflect on the beginning of a journey that has shaped the history of redemption. In Genesis 12:1–9, we meet Abram—later known as Abraham—called by God to leave his land, his people, and his family for a promise not yet seen. And in Deuteronomy 4:5–9, we hear God's words to Abraham's descendants, a nation now formed, reminding them of who they are and how they must live in the light of that same call.  The Call of Abraham: Genesis 12:1–9 “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1) Why did God call Abram? Not because Abram was mighty, powerful, or already righteous. The Bible doesn't record anything particularly special about Abram before this moment—what makes him significant is that God chose him and Abram responded in faith . God called Abram to: Separate him from the idolatry of his homeland (Ur and Haran were steeped in idol worship). Cre...

  In the Gospel of John, the apostle illustrates how Jesus, the Son, engages in actions that reveal the Father. Jesus clarifies the identity of the Father and demonstrates His connection to our world. Jesus served as the Father’s representative on earth, embodying the Father’s will in human form. He expressed that in everything He did, His aim was to fulfill the Father’s desires rather than His own. Jesus mentioned that He was sent by the Father to complete His mission—the salvation of humankind—and that the Father Himself testified to His work (John 5:36–38). Jesus declared that the Father sent Him to be the sole way for humanity to reach the Father (John 6:40, 44). The Father desires for everyone to experience the eternal life that is found in Jesus, who assures that He will raise them up during the resurrection. Several texts from the Gospel of John emphasize the close and intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, characterized by unity, love, and mutual indwelling. Je...

  In John 1:19–23, John the Baptist explains his ministry and mission when questioned by the Jewish leaders. Here’s a summary of how he responds. He denied being the Christ (John 1:19-20). When the Jewish priests and Levites from Jerusalem ask John who he is, he immediately denies being the Christ (Messiah). He knows that people are curious about whether he is the long-awaited savior, but he clarifies that he is not. John the Baptist also denies being Elijah or "the Prophet" (John 1:21). The leaders then ask him if he is Elijah or "the Prophet" (a reference to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15 about a prophet like Moses). John denies both identities. Although in a spiritual sense, he fulfills the role of Elijah by preparing the way for the Lord (as Jesus would later say in Matthew 11:14), John himself makes it clear he is not literally Elijah returned to earth. John affirmed his true role (John 1:22-23). Finally, they ask him directly who he is so they can report ba...