Lessons From the Epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
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Sabbath, December 5, 2026Lesson 10
Preparing to See Christ MEMORY VERSE: “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” (1 Thessalonians 4:4).
Suggested Readings:
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 480–489;
Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 257–274.
“Sanctification is a progressive work; it is not attained to in an hour or a day, and then maintained without any special effort on our part.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 472.
1. UNSATISFYING SPLENDOR Sun, Nov 29
a. Even amid the highest levels of artistic culture, how did Paul reveal the emptiness of life without Christ—and his longing for fellowship with faithful brethren? Acts 17:16, 17, 32, 33; 1 Thessalonians 3:1–4.“The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom. Here Paul did not meet with an ignorant, credulous populace, as at Lystra, but with a people famous for their intelligence and culture. Everywhere statues of their gods and of the deified heroes of history and poetry met the eye. . . .“As Paul looked upon the beauty and grandeur surrounding him, and saw the city wholly given to idolatry, his spirit was stirred with jealousy for God, whom he saw dishonored on every side, and his heart was drawn out in pity for the people of Athens, who, notwithstanding their intellectual culture, were ignorant of the true God. . . .“As he saw the magnificence of Athens he realized its seductive power over lovers of art and science, and his mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him.“In this great city, where God was not worshiped, Paul was oppressed by a feeling of solitude, and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow laborers. So far as human friendship was concerned, he felt himself to be utterly alone. In his epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings in the words, ‘Left at Athens alone.’ ”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 233, 234.
2. A WAY OF LIFE Mon, Nov 30
a. In his letter to the Thessalonians, what again reveals Paul’s tremendous love and dedication to the believers? 1 Thessalonians 3:5–10.“[Timothy and Silas] brought [Paul] ‘good tidings’ of the ‘faith and charity’ of those who had accepted the truth during the first visit of the gospel messengers to Thessalonica. Paul’s heart went out in tender sympathy toward these believers, who, in the midst of trial and adversity, had remained true to God.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 255.b. Describe the glorious aim of God for His church, and explain how it operates in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13; 4:1–3 (first half).“In his anxiety that the believers at Thessalonica should walk in the fear of God, the apostle pleaded with them to reveal practical godliness in the daily life.”—Ibid., p. 262.“God would have His children realize that in order to glorify Him their affection must be given to those who most need it. . . . No selfishness, in look, word, or deed, is to be manifested when dealing with those of like precious faith, . . . whether they be high or low, rich or poor. The love that gives kind words to only a few, while others are treated with coldness and indifference, is not love, but selfishness. It will not in any way work for the good of souls or the glory of God. Our love . . . is not to be sealed up for special ones, to the neglect of others. Break the bottle, and the fragrance will fill the house. . . .“To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks. These cost those who give them nothing, but they leave behind a fragrance that surrounds the soul. Their effect can never be estimated. Not only are they a blessing to the receiver, but to the giver; for they react upon him. Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is dispensed to others.”—Our High Calling, p. 231.“Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul is surrendered to God. The will, and even the thoughts, are brought into subjection to the will of Christ. The love of Jesus fills the soul, and is constantly going out in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad the hearts of others.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 6, p. 1076.
3. PURE IN A CORRUPT AGE Tue, Dec 1
a. Name one specific sin of which Paul saw the need to warn the Thessalonians, a sin alarmingly common today as well. 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5.“Not all who profess to keep the commandments of God possess their bodies in sanctification and honor. The most solemn message ever committed to mortals has been entrusted to this people, and they can have a powerful influence if they will be sanctified by it. They profess to be standing upon the elevated platform of eternal truth, keeping all of God’s commandments; therefore, if they indulge in sin, if they commit fornication and adultery, their crime is of tenfold greater magnitude than is that of the classes I have named, who do not acknowledge the law of God as binding upon them. In a peculiar sense do those who profess to keep God’s law dishonor Him and reproach the truth by transgressing its precepts.“It was the prevalence of this very sin, fornication, among ancient Israel, which brought upon them the signal manifestation of God’s displeasure. His judgments then followed close upon their heinous sin; thousands fell, and their polluted bodies were left in the wilderness. . . .“Seventh-day Adventists, above all other people in the world, should be patterns of piety, holy in heart and in conversation.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 450, 451.“Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to cause their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things as it would be to turn the course of Niagara and send its waters pouring up the falls.”—Ibid., p. 346.b. What is the next admonition Paul gives the flock? 1 Thessalonians 4:6, 7.“When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 210.
4. LESSONS THEN AND NOW Wed, Dec 2
a. What encouragement did Paul have for the flock? 1 Thessalonians 4:8–10.“One of the strongest evidences of true conversion is love to God and man. Those who accept Jesus as their Redeemer have a deep, sincere love for others of like precious faith. Thus it was with the believers at Thessalonica.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 262.b. What life lesson is helpful to all? 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12; Proverbs 13:4.“Young men, go forth into the places to which you are directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Work with your hands, that you may be self-supporting, and as you have opportunity proclaim the message of warning.”—Medical Ministry, p. 321.c. What Bible doctrine vital in Thessalonica is relevant again after centuries of darkness and confusion? 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15; Psalm 6:5; 13:3.“The Thessalonians had eagerly grasped the idea that Christ was coming to change the faithful who were alive, and to take them to Himself. They had carefully guarded the lives of their friends, lest they should die and lose the blessing which they looked forward to receiving at the coming of their Lord. But one after another their loved ones had been taken from them, and with anguish the Thessalonians had looked for the last time upon the faces of their dead, hardly daring to hope to meet them in a future life.“As Paul’s epistle was opened and read, great joy and consolation was brought to the church by the words revealing the true state of the dead. Paul showed that those living when Christ should come would not go to meet their Lord in advance of those who had fallen asleep in Jesus.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 258.“Serious errors were . . . introduced into the Christian faith. Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.”—The Great Controversy, p. 58.
5. WAKING THE DEAD Thu, Dec 3
a. Describe the awesome scene soon to occur when Christ returns in the clouds of glory. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; Revelation 20:4–6.“All heaven will be emptied of the angels, while the waiting saints will be looking for [Jesus] and gazing into heaven, as were the men of Galilee when He ascended from the Mount of Olivet. Then only those who are holy, those who have followed fully the meek Pattern, will with rapturous joy exclaim as they behold Him, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.’ And they will be changed ‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump’—that trump which wakes the sleeping saints, and calls them forth from their dusty beds, clothed with glorious immortality.”—Early Writings, p. 110.“The vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God. The command will come from the Life-giver, ‘Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead’ (Isaiah 26:19).“The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name. By the power of the Saviour that dwelt in them while living and because they were partakers of the divine nature, they are brought forth from the dead. . . .“What a glorious morning will the resurrection morning be! What a wonderful scene will open when Christ shall come to be admired of them that believe! All who were partakers with Christ in His humiliation and sufferings will be partakers with Him in His glory. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead every believing saint who falls asleep in Jesus will come forth from his prison house in triumph. The resurrected saint will proclaim, ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55).”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 271, 272.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Dec 4
1. Like Athens, what places today reveal the limitations of earthly splendor?2. Why is charitable love so essential in daily life?3. What reality needs to be taught in today’s licentious age?4. Why is it important to understand the true state of the dead?5. List the steps that occur at the return of Christ.