Lessons From the Epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
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Sabbath, December 19, 2026Lesson 12
A Truly Distinct People MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Suggested Readings:
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 296–307;
Ibid., vol. 5, pp. 591–603.
“The Lord desires His followers to exercise great care in dealing with one another. They are to lift up, to restore, to heal. But there is to be in the church no neglect of proper discipline. The members are to regard themselves as pupils in a school, learning how to form characters worthy of their high calling.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 264.
1. PURE INSIDE AND OUT Sun, Dec 13
a. What shows the depth of God’s call to purity? 1 Thessalonians 5:22.“Do nothing among strangers, in the street, on the cars, in the home, that would have the least appearance of evil.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 491.“Let your conduct be such that you will leave the impression upon every soul with whom you associate that a pure and holy atmosphere surrounds you. One vain word, one trifling laugh, may balance a soul in the wrong direction. Terrible are the consequences of not having a constant connection with God.“Abstain from all evil. Common sins, however insignificant they may be regarded, will impair your moral sense, and extinguish the inward impression of the Spirit of God. The character of the thoughts leaves its imprint upon the soul, and all low conversation pollutes the mind. All evil works ruin to those who commit it. God may and will forgive the repenting sinner, but though forgiven, the soul is marred; the power of the elevated thought possible to the unimpaired mind is destroyed. Through all time the soul bears the scars. Then let us seek for that faith which works by love and purifies the heart, that we may represent the character of Christ to the world.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 195.
2. SANCTIFICATION THROUGH CHRIST Mon, Dec 14
a. Describe God’s plan for our daily existence and how it is made possible. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24.“Christians are bidden to present their bodies, ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.’ In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental strength unfits man for the service of his Creator. And will God be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer? Said Christ: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.’ Those who do love God with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of their life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will. They will not, by the indulgence of appetite or passion, enfeeble or defile the offering which they present to their heavenly Father.”—The Great Controversy, p. 473.“The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification to God of body, soul, and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with God. Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great changes can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws of God and bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul. Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves wholly to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that we are not dealing with impossibilities.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 32.b. What qualities reveal a genuine depth of fellowship among believers? 1 Thessalonians 5:26–28; 1 John 1:7.“The holy salutation mentioned in the gospel of Jesus Christ by the apostle Paul should ever be considered in its true character. It is a holy kiss. It should be regarded as a sign of fellowship to Christian friends when parting, and when meeting again after a separation of weeks or months. In 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Paul says: ‘Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.’ In the same chapter he says: ‘Abstain from all appearance of evil.’ There can be no appearance of evil when the holy kiss is given at a proper time and place.”—Early Writings, p. 117. [Author’s italics.]
3. CHRIST TO BE REVEALED Tue, Dec 15
a. What supportive encouragement does Paul use to open his second epistle to the believers at Thessalonica? 2 Thessalonians 1:1–5.“[Paul] expressed his confidence in [the Thessalonians’] integrity, and his gratitude that their faith was strong, and that their love abounded for one another and for the cause of their Master. He told them that he presented them to other churches as an example of the patient, persevering faith that bravely withstands persecution and tribulation.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 264.b. If persecuted as the Thessalonians were, why can we all be encouraged by the hope that was presented to them? 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7.“[2 Thessalonians 1:1–6 quoted.] Here we see the interest of these churches for one another. The persecution they endured drew all hearts together and bound them together. They were scattered abroad. The errors and superstitious faith and doctrines of the Jewish nation so bitterly opposed to Christ left the little flock as sheep without a shepherd. But the seed was being sown. Christ was lifted up as the One crucified among them, and efforts were constantly made to alleviate the poverty and oppression of the brethren because of their faith.”—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 12, Letter 28, 1897.c. Why should the soon return of Christ deeply impress the hearts of us all? 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Psalm 50:3, 4.“[2 Thessalonians 1:8 quoted.] These momentous events are nigh at hand, yet many who profess to believe the truth are asleep. They will surely be numbered with the unfaithful servant who saith in his heart, ‘My Lord delayeth His coming,’ if they remain in their present position of friendship with the world. It is only to those who are waiting in hope and faith that Christ will appear, without sin unto salvation. Many have the theory of the truth who know not the power of godliness. If the word of God dwelt in the heart, it would control the life. Faith, purity, and conformity to the will of God would testify to its sanctifying power.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 15.
4. A CLEAR-CUT DISTINCTION Wed, Dec 16
a. Explain the doom of two types of people. 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9.“Excuse not your defects because others are wrong. In the day of God you will not dare to plead as an excuse for your neglect to form a character for heaven, that others did not manifest devotion and spirituality. The same lack which you discovered in others was in yourself. And the fact that others were sinners makes your sins nonetheless grievous. Both they and you, if you continue in your present state of unfitness, will be separated from Christ, and will with Satan and his angels be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.“The Lord made ample provision for you, that if you would seek Him, and follow the light He would give you, you should not fall by the way. The word of God was given to you as a lamp to your feet, a light to your path. If you stumble, it will be because you have not consulted your guide, the word of God, and made that precious word the rule of your life. God has not given you as a pattern the life of any human being, however good and apparently blameless his life may be. If you do as others do, and act as others act, you will at last be left outside the Holy City, with a vast multitude who have done just as you have done, followed a pattern the Lord did not leave them, and who are lost just as you will be lost.“That which others have done, or may do in the future, will not lessen your responsibility or guilt. A pattern has been given you, a faultless life characterized by self-denial and disinterested benevolence. If you turn from this correct, this perfect pattern, and take an incorrect one, which has been clearly represented in the word of God as one that you should shun, your course of action will receive its merited reward; your life will be a failure.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 396.b. What refreshing contrast is to exist, and why? 2 Thessalonians 1:10.“The resurrection and ascension of our Lord is a sure evidence of the triumph of the saints of God over death and the grave, and a pledge that heaven is open to those who wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Jesus ascended to the Father as a representative of the human race, and God will bring those who reflect His image to behold and share with Him His glory.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 286.
5. TIME FOR FAITHFUL ACTION Thu, Dec 17
a. Describe the wonderful outcome of God’s church. 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12.b. As prophetic scenes fulfill, of what are we assured? 2 Thessalonians 2:1–7.“There is one pointed out in prophecy as the man of sin. He is the representative of Satan. Taking the suggestions of Satan concerning the law of God, which is as unchangeable as His throne, this man of sin comes in and represents to the world that he has changed that law, and that the first day of the week instead of the seventh is now the Sabbath. Professing infallibility, he claims the right to change the law of God to suit his own purposes. . . .“But Christ declared that not one jot or tittle of the law should fail until heaven and earth should pass away. The very work that He came to do was to exalt that law, and show to the created worlds and to heaven that God is just, and that His law need not be changed. But here is Satan’s right-hand man ready to carry on the work that Satan commenced in heaven, that of trying to amend the law of God. . . .“The man of sin has exalted himself against God, sitting in the temple of God, and showing himself to be God. He has trampled underfoot God’s great memorial of creation, established to commemorate His work; and in its stead he has presented to the world a common working day. . . .“But though every member of the human family should accept this child of the Papacy, in no case would this invalidate the holy Sabbath of Jehovah. Those who accept the false sabbath exalt the man of sin, and assail the government of God. But the man of sin cannot annul what God has declared shall stand fast forever. The work now to be done in our world is to exalt the law of the Lord, and call the attention of the people to it. The time has come when the truth is to be proclaimed against falsehood and error.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 910.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Dec 18
1. In a practical sense, how can I abstain from all appearance of evil?2. According to 1 John 1:7, what is the basis of genuine fellowship?3. What reality about the power of our God can inspire awe in our hearts?4. Why must I avoid becoming dismayed over the shortcomings of others?5. How can I help people understand the reality of God’s true Sabbath?