Tag / Uniting Heaven and Earth the Churches of Philippi amd Colossae

by In Light Of The Cross

Through Jesus, we Can Fulfill Our Destiny

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NKJV

Paul felt the destiny of his life was to share the Gospel, even if it meant facing constant persecution and even death. 

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:22-24 NLT 

Thankfully Paul’s life was preserved until he accomplished everything Jesus wanted him to accomplish.

Satan is constantly trying to attack those who share the Gospel, just as he constantly tried to attack Jesus Himself. It started with Herod trying to kill Jesus as a baby, and even His own church trying to throw Him off a cliff, as well as trying to stone Him to death. But there was no way Jesus or Paul could die until they accomplished their destiny for living. 

Likewise, even if our lives are cut short, we can be certain Jesus will not let that happen until He has accomplished His purpose for our lives. Here is a remarkable account of Ellen Harmon, a young girl, no more than eighteen years old. She is on a steamboat leaving Portland Maine that has just run into a very dangerous storm. While many were fearful for their lives, this young girl, when asked by an older woman why she was not afraid like everyone else, could answer with assurance:

“I told her I had made Christ my refuge, and if my work was done, I might as well lie in the bottom of the ocean as in any other place; but if my work was not done, all the waters of the ocean could not drown me. My trust was in God, that he would bring us safe to land if it was for his glory.” Ellen White, Life Sketches, p. 241

God did indeed have a work for Ellen to do. Ellen later married James White, an Adventist pioneer, and the rest is history. God also has a purpose for each of us. Our goal in this world should not necessarily be to live a long life, but to live a faithful life. As long as we have the assurance young Ellen had, that we are in God’s care and doing God’s work, the longevity of our life is not consequential, and we shall be prepared to walk away from this world either by death or the Second Coming at any time, satisfied we have accomplished our purpose and destiny as followers of Christ. 

Each has his own experience, peculiar in its character and circumstances, to accomplish a certain work. God has a work, a purpose, in the life of each of us. Every act, however small, has its place in our life experience. – Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, Page 311

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

3: Life and Death-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, 17 January 2026.

Central Theme: Life is short, and it is vital to make the greatest possible impact for God’s kingdom within the years God grants us.

Read in Class: Philippians 1:19-20. Compare with Galatians 4:19.

Study: What seems to be Paul’s expectation as to the outcome of his trial? What does he consider even more important than being acquitted? What did Paul want to see accomplished in the people he won to Christ?

Apply: Look at how you live and how you treat people, especially people who don’t treat you nicely. What kind of witness for Jesus do you present?

Share: Your friend says, “Isn’t making sure we have eternal life the whole purpose of accepting Jesus as our savior? So why would Paul not care if he lived or died so long as Christ is magnified? Is there more to the cross and salvation other than just making sure we get eternal life?”

Read in Class: Philippians 1:21-22 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

Study: What is the basis of the spiritual war we wage, and what are our weapons? How do we understand Paul’s point, especially in the context of the great controversy?

Apply: In what ways, right now, are you experiencing the reality of the great controversy? How can you draw comfort and strength from knowing that Christ has won the victory for us already?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean, ‘To me to live is Christ and to die is gain?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:23-24.

Study: What does Paul mean when he says that “to depart, and be with Christ” is “far better”?

Apply: Knowing that our days in the flesh here on earth are numbered, how can we make the best use of our time to share the Gospel, especially those of us who are working full-time jobs or are in school full-time?

Share: Your friend says that Philippians 1:23-24 proves that we go straight to heaven the moment we die. What do you tell your friend? For a hint, see what Paul says later in Philippians 3:10-11.

Read in Class: Philippians 1:27-30 and John 17:17-19.

Study: What do both Jesus and Paul say is indispensable for unity in the church? How does our unity and “striving together for the faith of the gospel” relate to fearlessness?

Apply: What hope, what comfort, should we, as Christians, have amid our suffering?

Share: Your friend says she has noticed that people in the church who work together to spread the Gospel don’t seem to bicker, complain, or gossip as much as those who aren’t working in the church to spread the Gospel. Do you agree with your friend? How do you respond to your friend?

Mission: Can you think of someone who works a full-time job or goes to school full-time, and still makes good use of their time sharing the Gospel? Can you reach out to them this week and encourage and affirm their ministry? Maybe even pray with them that God will continue blessing their ministry?

by In Light Of The Cross

Are You Willing to be Imprisoned for Jesus?

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But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, Philippians 1:12 NKJV

While no one wants to go to prison, especially if falsely accused of a crime they did not commit, would it be worth it to you to be falsely accused and sentenced to jail if you could lead just one person there to eternal salvation? 

In Philippians, Paul says that his imprisonment actually helped spread the Gospel and encouraged others to be bold in spreading it. Acts 16 also mentions Paul and Silas being imprisoned in Philippi. They were singing songs of praise while the other prisoners were listening. If you were wrongfully imprisoned, would you be singing songs and praising God? I hope so, because something extraordinary happened. An earthquake opened up the prison. Instead of running for it, Paul and Silas ministered to the correctional officer and led him to salvation. You can read this fantastic story in Acts 16:25-34. 

Much more recently, the Christian Post, among other Christian news agencies, has shared the testimony of a Chinese woman known as Sister Tong. Chinese officials arrested her for having an underground church in her home. After serving her 6-month sentence, instead of complaining, she was beaming with joy about the women’s ministry she had begun right there in prison. Like Paul, being in prison helped sister Tong spread the Gospel and has inspired others in countries where Christianity is illegal to be bolder in spreading it as well. 

When you consider that Jesus left heaven to come to this cold, dark world to live and die to save others eternally, is there any place that is too cold or dark for you to go and save others? Jesus did not complain about coming to this cold, dark world to live and die, but came willingly. See John 10:17-18. Likewise, Paul and Silas were not protesting or pleading their innocence while in prison. They were praising the Lord. What a testimony to the warden and other prisoners! And more recently, instead of complaining about the terrible living conditions in a Chinese prison, Sister Tong beams with joy over being able to lead several women prisoners to Jesus and salvation. 

Paul, Silas, and Sister Tong not only endured prison and persecution to save others eternally, but did so joyfully. Is there any place you are unwilling to go joyfully to lead others to eternal salvation? 

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

2: Reasons for Thanksgiving and Prayer-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, Sabbath, 10 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll consider Paul’s opening words of thanksgiving and prayer in Philippians and Colossians, which may enrich and strengthen our own prayer life.

Read in Class: Philippians 1:3-8. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What is Paul thankful for? What reassurances does he give the Philippians, and why is that important?

Apply: How do you understand the promise that God will finish the “good work in you” (Phil. 1:6)? What does that mean? Will this work ever end before the Second Coming?

Share: Who are some people in your life that you thank God for, and why?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:9-11. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the focus of Paul’s prayer, and what big requests does he make? What does it tell you about prayer?

Apply: Whatever else we do, how can our love “abound still more and more” (Phil. 1:9, NKJV)? Why is that so important for the Christian life? (See also 1 Cor. 13:1-8.)

Share: Your friend says that she tries to be sincere and not offend others, but the people she works with are too sensitive and easily offended. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:12-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude, despite the circumstances he found himself in?

Apply: What lesson have you learned from experiences that, though unquestionably bad, also brought about some benefits? Even in cases in which a benefit might not be apparent, how can we learn to trust God regardless?

Share: Your friend asks, “What selfish motivations could possibly drive someone to share the gospel, and how should we respond to them?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:3-12. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What three things does Paul thank God for? What specific requests do you find in Paul’s prayer?

Apply: In Colossians 1:5, Paul writes about “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” What is your understanding of that hope, and why does it apply to you personally, even though you are truly unworthy?

Share: If someone were to ask you, “How do you know that God is leading you in one direction or another?” how would you answer–and why?

Mission: Can you reach out to someone this week who is going through a tough time and offer encouragement?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Paul in Chains-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, 3 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll look at the circumstances that Paul faced. He saw a larger purpose for what happened to him, and perhaps we can learn from him when we, as we inevitably do, face our own trials.

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, and 2 Corinthians 6:3-7.

Study: How was Paul able to endure the trials that he faced? What seemed to be the focus of his entire life?

Apply: What spiritual resources were available to Paul to help him endure his trials? What resources do you use to endure your trials?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean in 2 Corinthians 6:4 to commend yourself as a minister of God? What does that mean? Is this just talking about paid ministers?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Acts 9:10-16. Ask the class what is happening in this passage.

Study: How does this help us to understand some of Paul’s trials? How may it help us to understand some of our own?

Apply: Not only was Paul persecuted for his faith, but he also had persecuted others for their faith. When we are being mistreated, does it ever open our eyes to how we may have mistreated others? What lessons can we learn from our own suffering?

Share: Can you share a trial that you endured that helped you see and experience the goodness of God in a way you never had before?

Read in Class: Philemon 1:15-16, Colossians 4:9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What course did Paul urge Philemon to take with Onesimus?

Apply: How do you stay focused on your calling in the Lord when others disrespect you and treat you less than a brother or sister?

Share: Your friend notes that in Daniel 5:13, the king is condescending toward Daniel, even after all Daniel had done, when he simply refers to him as a captive slave. Yet Daniel seemed to just shrug it off. Still, your friend asks you why God allows his people to be so disrespected. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:1-2, 12-18. Ask the class to summarize these passages.

Study: How is the church in Philippi described in these passages, and what was their concern for Paul? During Paul’s persecution, what was the overarching purpose that enabled him to endure?

Apply: What was Paul focused on that helped him to rejoice even while enduring persecution? How should this allow us to focus and even rejoice when we are being persecuted?

Share: What trials were you able to endure once you saw the larger purpose behind your trials? How did seeing the larger purpose help Jesus to endure what He suffered for us on the cross? See Isaiah 53:3-11, and Hebrews 12:2-3.