Ellen Chat Conversation

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 14, titled “Shall Not God Avenge His Own?” is a commentary on the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, found in Luke 18:1-8. The chapter explains that Jesus told this parable to teach that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint," particularly in the context of the trials His followers would face before His second coming (COL 164). The key points of the chapter are: * **The Story:** The parable features a widow who persistently pleads with an unjust judge for justice against her adversary. The judge, who "feared not God, neither regarded man," ignores her for a time. However, he eventually gives in, not out of a sense of justice, but because he says, "because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me" (COL 164.2). * **The Contrast:** Christ draws a sharp contrast between the selfish, unjust judge and a righteous God. If an unjust judge would grant a request simply to be rid of the petitioner, how much more will a loving and compassionate God answer the prayers of His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Unlike the judge who felt no pity, God considers the appeals of the needy "with infinite compassion" (COL 165.1). * **The Promise of Vindication:** The central message is one of assurance. Jesus asks rhetorically, "And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?" He then provides a definitive answer: "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily" (COL 177.2). * **Application for Believers:** The parable encourages believers to be persistent in prayer, even when facing injustice and persecution. It teaches that followers of Christ should not resort to force to deliver themselves but should commit their case to God, just as Christ did (COL 171.2). It is a message of hope, assuring them that God hears their cries and will bring justice and deliverance.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 15, titled “This Man Receiveth Sinners,” is a commentary on the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, found in Luke 15:1-10. The chapter's title is taken from the scornful accusation the Pharisees made against Jesus: “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (COL 185). The chapter explains that this very accusation was, in fact, the secret of His mission. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Context:** The chapter begins by describing how the publicans and sinners gathered to hear Jesus, which prompted the Pharisees and scribes to complain. They intended their words as a criticism, but Jesus embraced the title as the definition of His work. * **Christ's Compassion:** The chapter emphasizes that Jesus's interest in sinners was not casual but deeply compassionate. It states, "their very misery and sin made them only the more the objects of His compassion. The farther they had wandered from Him, the more earnest the longing and the greater the sacrifice for their rescue" (COL 186.2). While the Pharisees offered only "scorn and condemnation," Christ welcomed them as lost children of God who were "not forgotten by the Father's heart" (COL 186.2). * **The Parables' Meaning:** The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin are presented as illustrations of God's love for the erring. Just as a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost, and a woman sweeps her house to find one lost coin, so God's love is actively searching for every lost soul. The joy of finding what was lost illustrates the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. * **A Call to Action:** The chapter extends this principle to believers. Christ asks us to partner with Him in the work of saving humanity. The message is that sin is the greatest of all evils, and it is our duty to "pity and help the sinner" rather than looking down on them with contempt (DA 504.3).

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 16, titled “Lost, and Is Found,” is a detailed exploration of the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32. This chapter builds on the themes of the previous two parables (the lost sheep and the lost coin) to provide the most profound illustration of God's love for the sinner. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Two Sons:** The parable presents two sons, each representing a different class of people. The younger son, who leaves home and wastes his inheritance, represents those who openly turn away from God and fall into sin. The elder son, who stays home and serves his father, represents the self-righteous, like the Pharisees, who are outwardly obedient but have a critical and unforgiving spirit. * **The Younger Son's Journey:** The younger son's journey into a "far country" symbolizes a sinner's separation from God. His squandering of his inheritance and subsequent poverty and degradation illustrate the emptiness and misery that result from a life of sin. His decision to return to his father, even as a hired servant, represents true repentance—a realization of his lost condition and a desire to be restored. * **The Father's Unconditional Love:** The most powerful lesson of the chapter is the depiction of the father. He doesn't wait for his son to arrive but, "when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." This illustrates God's tender, pitying love. He joyfully welcomes the repentant sinner back, not as a servant, but as a son, restoring him fully with the best robe, a ring, and shoes, and celebrating with a feast. * **The Elder Son's Reaction:** The elder son's anger at his brother's return highlights the sin of self-righteousness. He cannot understand his father's grace and sees the celebration as an injustice. His attitude mirrors that of the Pharisees, who condemned Jesus for welcoming sinners. He is just as lost as his brother, but lost in his own pride and lack of compassion. * **The Central Message:** The climax of the parable and the chapter is the father's plea to the elder son, which contains the chapter's title: "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was **lost, and is found**" (COL 198). The chapter teaches that God's love extends to both the outcast and the self-righteous, and His greatest joy is in the restoration of any soul that was lost.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 17, titled “Spare It This Year Also,” is an exposition of the parable of the barren fig tree, found in Luke 13:6-9. The chapter uses this parable to illustrate God's longsuffering, His desire for repentance, and the consequences of failing to bear spiritual fruit. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Parable's Story:** A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard that produced no fruit for three years. He commanded his vinedresser to cut it down, asking, "Why cumbereth it the ground?" The vinedresser, however, pleaded for more time, saying, "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." * **Symbolism of the Fig Tree:** The chapter explains that the fig tree in the Lord's vineyard primarily represented the Jewish nation. They had been given immense spiritual advantages and blessings ("planted in His vineyard") but had failed to produce the fruits of righteousness and holiness. The parable was a warning to them of impending judgment if they did not repent. * **Christ as the Vinedresser:** The vinedresser who intercedes for the tree represents Christ. His plea, "Spare it this year also," symbolizes His compassionate intercession for sinners. He pleads for more time for humanity, offering His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit ("dig about it, and dung it") to help them bear fruit. * **A Universal Application:** While the parable had a specific application to the Jewish nation, the chapter extends its lesson to all people in all ages. The barren tree represents any individual who receives God's blessings—life, health, opportunities, and the truths of the gospel—but fails to develop a Christlike character and live a life of service. * **The Warning of Judgment:** The parable is a message of both mercy and warning. It shows that God's patience is not limitless. While He is merciful and gives every opportunity for repentance, a time will come when those who persistently refuse His grace will be "cut down." The question, "Why cumbereth it the ground?" is a solemn one, implying that a fruitless life is not only useless but also takes up space that a fruitful one could occupy. The chapter is a call to self-examination, urging readers to consider whether they are bearing fruit for God's kingdom.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 18, titled “Go into the Highways and Hedges,” is a commentary on the parable of the great supper, found in Luke 14:1, 12-24. The chapter explains God's expansive and inclusive invitation to the gospel, contrasting it with the exclusivity of the Jewish leaders at the time. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Context:** The chapter begins with Jesus attending a feast at the house of a Pharisee. He uses the occasion to teach a lesson about the kingdom of God through a parable. The Jews believed that the blessings of eternal life were reserved for them alone, and they looked down on the Gentiles. * **The Parable's Story:** A man prepared a great supper and invited many guests. However, when the time came, the invited guests all began to make excuses—one had bought land, another had bought oxen, and another had just married. Angered by their rejection, the host commanded his servant to "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind." When there was still room, he gave a second command: "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." * **The Symbolism:** * **The Rejected Invitation:** The guests who were first invited and made excuses represented the Jewish nation. They were given the first call to the gospel feast but were too preoccupied with worldly and selfish interests to accept it (COL 219). * **The Second Invitation:** The call to the "streets and lanes" represented the invitation being extended to the publicans and sinners, those who were considered outcasts by the religious leaders but were still within the Jewish community. * **The Final Invitation:** The command to go to the "highways and hedges" symbolized the gospel being taken to the Gentiles and the entire world, outside the "pale of Judaism" (COL 226.1). It represents a universal call to all people, especially the poor, the lowly, and those who feel far from God. * **A Call to Action for the Church:** The central message is a commission for all believers. The command, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in," is Christ's instruction for His followers to take the gospel to the whole world (COL 229.1). This work involves reaching out to those near and far, including the most "sunken in the lowest depths of sin" (MH 164.3). The "compelling" power is not force, but the power of God's love and kindness demonstrated through His messengers.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 19, titled “The Measure of Forgiveness,” is a commentary on the parable of the unforgiving servant, found in Matthew 18:21-35. The chapter explores the nature of true forgiveness as it relates to God's forgiveness of us. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Context:** The chapter begins with Peter’s question to Jesus: “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” The rabbis taught that one should forgive a person three times, so Peter thought he was being exceptionally gracious by suggesting seven. * **Christ's Standard:** Jesus responds with a much higher standard: “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” This expression was not meant as a literal number but to teach that our forgiveness should be constant and without limit, just as God’s forgiveness is. * **The Parable's Story:** To illustrate this principle, Jesus tells a parable about a king and his servant. * A servant owes the king an impossibly large debt (ten thousand talents), which he cannot pay. He begs for mercy, and the king, moved with compassion, forgives the entire debt. * Immediately after, this same servant finds a fellow servant who owes him a very small amount (a hundred pence). He violently demands payment and, when the man cannot pay, has him thrown into prison. * When the king hears of this, he is furious. He rebukes the wicked servant, saying, "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" The king then delivers him to be punished until he can pay the original debt. * **The Central Message:** The parable teaches a profound lesson about the relationship between receiving and giving forgiveness. * The king represents God, and the massive, unpayable debt represents our sin against Him. God's forgiveness is a gift of pure grace that we could never earn. * The small debt represents the offenses that our fellow human beings commit against us. * The chapter emphasizes that when we refuse to forgive others, we show that we do not truly appreciate the magnitude of God's forgiveness toward us. By holding on to an unforgiving spirit, we cut ourselves off from His mercy. The "measure of forgiveness" is this: the boundless forgiveness we have received from God should be the measure of the forgiveness we extend to others.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 20, titled “Gain That Is Loss,” is an exposition of the parable of the rich fool, found in Luke 12:13-21. The chapter uses this parable to illustrate the folly of living for worldly possessions while neglecting spiritual wealth. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Context:** The parable was told after a man asked Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute, prompting Jesus to warn, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” * **The Parable's Story:** A rich man had such a large harvest that his barns could not hold it. Instead of thinking of God or the needs of others, his only thought was for himself. He decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his goods, after which he planned to tell his soul, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” * **The Divine Judgment:** That very night, God declared, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” The man had made ample provision for his earthly life but had made no provision for eternity. * **The Central Message:** The chapter explains that the man’s sin was not in his wealth, but in his selfishness. He lived as if there were no God, no heaven, and no future life. He claimed his possessions as his own, failing to recognize that he was merely a steward of God’s blessings. * **Gain That Is Loss:** The man’s worldly “gain” was an eternal “loss” because he failed to become “rich toward God.” He accumulated treasures on earth but had no treasure laid up in heaven. * **Rich Toward God:** To be rich toward God means to recognize that all we have comes from Him and to use our blessings for His glory and the good of others. True wealth is found in a Christlike character, faith, and love. The chapter is a powerful warning against materialism and a self-centered life. It teaches that a life focused solely on accumulating earthly possessions is ultimately empty and foolish in the sight of God.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 21, titled “A Great Gulf Fixed,” is a commentary on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31. The chapter teaches that our choices in this life determine our eternal destiny, and there is no second chance after death. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Parable's Story:** The parable contrasts two men: a rich man who lived in luxury and selfishness, and a poor, righteous beggar named Lazarus who suffered at his gate. After they both die, their positions are reversed. Lazarus is carried to "Abraham's bosom" (a place of comfort), while the rich man is in torment. * **The Decisive Nature of This Life:** The central message is that this life is the only time given to prepare for eternity. The chapter explains, "In this life men decide their eternal destiny. During probationary time the grace of God is offered to every soul. But if men waste their opportunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off from everlasting life" (COL 260). * **The "Great Gulf Fixed":** When the rich man, in his torment, asks for mercy and for Lazarus to be sent to warn his brothers, he is told that there is a "great gulf fixed" between the saved and the lost, which cannot be crossed. This gulf is not arbitrary; it is one that people fix themselves by their own choices and character developed on earth. * **No Second Probation:** The chapter makes it clear that there will be no "after-probation." The character formed during life remains unchanged by death. The rich man's plea to warn his family is denied because they already have the testimony of "Moses and the prophets" (the Scriptures). If they will not heed God's word, they would not be persuaded even if someone rose from the dead. The chapter is a solemn appeal to recognize that how we live today—how we use our resources and how we treat others—directly shapes our eternal future.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 22, titled “Saying and Doing,” is a commentary on the parable of the two sons, found in Matthew 21:28-31. The chapter teaches that a profession of faith is meaningless unless it is accompanied by genuine obedience. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Parable's Story:** A father asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. * The first son bluntly refuses, saying, "I will not," but afterward regrets his decision and goes to work. * The second son politely agrees, saying, "I go, sir," but never actually goes. * **The Symbolism of the Sons:** * **The First Son:** Represents those who may initially live in open disobedience and make no profession of religion (like the publicans and sinners), but who later repent and obey God's call. * **The Second Son:** Represents those who make a great show of piety and profess obedience (like the Pharisees and rulers) but whose lives do not match their words. They have the form of godliness but deny its power. * **The Central Message:** The chapter emphasizes Christ's teaching from the Sermon on the Mount: “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven” (COL 272.2). The test of sincerity is not in what we say, but in what we do. * **Application:** Jesus used this parable to rebuke the Jewish leaders who professed to be God's chosen people but rejected His message. In contrast, many publicans and sinners, who had made no such claims, repented and accepted the gospel. The chapter serves as a powerful lesson that true faith is demonstrated by a life of obedience, not merely by words of assent.

Based on the book *Christ's Object Lessons*, Chapter 23, titled “The Lord’s Vineyard,” is an exposition of the parable of the wicked husbandmen, found in Matthew 21:33-44. The chapter explains God's relationship with His people, the consequences of rejecting His messengers, and the transfer of spiritual privileges to those who will be faithful. The key points of the chapter are: * **The Parable's Story:** A householder plants a vineyard, equips it fully, and leases it to husbandmen (tenants) while he travels. When it is time for the harvest, he sends servants to collect his share of the fruit. The husbandmen, however, beat, stone, and kill the servants. After sending more servants who receive the same treatment, the owner finally sends his own son, believing they will respect him. Instead, the husbandmen kill the son to claim the inheritance for themselves. * **The Historical Symbolism:** The chapter applies this parable directly to the Jewish nation. * **The Householder:** Represents God. * **The Vineyard:** Represents the house of Israel, which God had "planted" and blessed with every spiritual advantage (COL 284). * **The Husbandmen:** Represent the Jewish religious leaders to whom the spiritual care of the nation was entrusted. * **The Servants:** Represent the prophets sent by God, who were repeatedly persecuted and killed. * **The Son:** Represents Jesus Christ, whom the leaders would cast out and slay. * **The Judgment:** Jesus asks the leaders, "When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?" They unknowingly condemn themselves by answering that he will destroy the wicked men and give the vineyard to others who will render the fruits. This symbolized that the kingdom of God would be taken from the unfaithful Jewish leaders and given to a people who would bear fruit—the Gentiles. * **Application to the Modern Church:** The chapter extends the lesson beyond ancient Israel to "The church in this generation" (COL 296). It serves as a warning that the church today has also been given great privileges and blessings, and God expects corresponding returns in the form of spiritual fruit. A failure to be faithful stewards will result in the forfeiture of these blessings. The parable is also a call to action, teaching that the Lord's vineyard is to be enlarged and extended throughout the world.