Runaway Train II

June 18, 2024 Study Guides

Sermon Study Guide

“Runaway Train II: Standing for Truth and Conscience in a Crisis”

Main Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:15; Revelation 13; Proverbs 3:5-10; John 15:15; Revelation 10-11; Great Controversy (quotations)

How to Use This Study Guide

Personal Bible Study: Use the guide to deepen your understanding of faith, conscience, and the challenges facing believers in times of crisis.
Small Group Discussion: Engage with your church friends or study group by exploring the teaching points and questions together.
Sabbath School Classes: Use the sessions as a framework for class lessons on religious liberty, truth, and faithfulness in difficult times.
Family Worship: Share the passages and reflect as a family on standing firm in faith and the importance of conscience.

Throughout the guide, you will see icons indicating the focus of each section: 📖 for Scripture Focus, 💭 for Teaching Points, ❓ for Discussion Questions, and ✍️ for Personal Application.

Session 1: The Crisis of Trust and Religious Liberty [2 Corinthians 6:15]

Opening Scripture: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Trust is paramount in times of crisis. The speaker shares criteria for deciding whom to trust: Has this person lied before? Have they harmed me? Would they be punished for speaking differently? What have they risked to speak their truth? These criteria led him to trust only Jesus Christ absolutely, emphasizing that in a world where truth is often treated as relative, absolute truth is found only in Him.
The pandemic exposed challenges in religious liberty. Official church statements during the crisis, particularly the October 2021 reaffirmation statement, declared that religious liberty claims were not appropriate to oppose government or employer mandates related to health measures like vaccinations, effectively overriding individual conscience worldwide.
This position contradicted the General Conference’s own policy that religious liberty is the “primordial human right” and that conscience is to be respected. The statement effectively stripped members of their right to act according to the Holy Spirit’s convictions, causing suffering, economic loss, and disillusionment among Adventists globally.
The leadership’s decision appeared influenced by protecting large financial interests, such as the multi-billion dollar Adventist health care system, raising questions about priorities when spiritual freedom is at stake.

❓ Discussion Questions:

How do the criteria for trust shared by the speaker challenge your own approach to discerning truth?
What are the dangers when church leadership overrides individual conscience, especially in matters of faith and health?
How do you think financial or institutional interests might affect decisions in religious organizations?
Have you experienced tension between obeying government laws and following your conscience? How did you respond?

✍️ Personal Application:

Reflect on your own criteria for trusting authorities or leaders. Are you discerning truth biblically?
Pray for wisdom and courage to stand for your conscience even when pressured.
Consider how you can support or encourage others who face conscience conflicts in your community.

Session 2: The Influence of Ecumenism and the Role of Church Leaders [John 15:15]

Opening Scripture: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The speaker introduces Dr. Ganoune Diop, the General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PAL) director, as a key figure in the church’s pandemic response. Dr. Diop’s background includes ecumenical involvement with groups promoting Christian unity, including the Global Christian Forum, which fosters cooperation between Catholics and Protestants aiming for reconciliation.
While ecumenism seeks unity, the speaker reminds us that Adventists are called to call people out of Babylon, not to merge indistinctly with other systems. The involvement of church leadership in promoting reunification with the papacy is seen as troubling given biblical warnings against the papal system as Antichrist.
During the pandemic, the church’s leadership followed the example of the papacy and other Christian denominations that supported vaccine mandates and rejected religious exemption claims — a move seen as trampling on conscience and siding with worldly powers rather than protecting individual liberty and biblical truth.
This situation reflects a deeper spiritual battle, where church leaders may be compromising truth and conscience in favor of political, financial, and ecumenical agendas.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What are the biblical warnings about unity with apostate religious powers? How should Adventists approach ecumenism?
How does the role of a church leader differ from that of government or worldly leaders when it comes to conscience and truth?
How can church members hold leaders accountable while maintaining respect and prayer for them?
What practical steps can be taken to safeguard individual conscience within a church structure?

✍️ Personal Application:

Pray for church leaders to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to prioritize conscience and truth over worldly pressures.
Reflect on your own role in supporting or challenging church leadership to uphold biblical principles.
Seek understanding of the biblical stance on unity and separation, and how to balance love for fellow believers with faithfulness to God’s truth.

Session 3: The End-Time Significance of the Pandemic Crisis [Revelation 13; Great Controversy]

Opening Scripture: “And I stood on the sand of the sea. Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea… And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies… And he was granted power to continue for forty-two months.” (Revelation 13:1-5, paraphrased)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The speaker explains that the recent pandemic and related religious liberty challenges are a “dry run” or preview of the final crisis before Jesus’ return. Satan will appear as an “angel of light” performing signs and wonders, deceiving many, and seeking to enforce false worship.
Drawing from Ellen White’s Great Controversy, the speaker highlights that natural disasters and diseases will be blamed on those who keep God’s commandments — specifically, Sabbath keepers — who will be accused of causing the world’s calamities and environmental destruction.
The concept of “common good” will be used as a justification for coercion, lockdowns, and enforced worship on Sunday, aligning with the papal call for Sunday sacredness to protect the environment and promote unity.
Those who remain faithful to the seventh-day Sabbath will face severe persecution, as the global powers seek to control worship and conscience under the guise of protecting the planet and society.
The pandemic’s restrictions on religious liberty and conscience were a foretaste of this coming final test, highlighting the need for courage, unity, and steadfastness among God’s people.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What does the “angel of light” deception look like in today’s world? How can we discern it?
How do biblical prophecies about Sabbath keeping relate to current environmental and political pressures?
Why is the issue of conscience so central to end-time events?
How can we prepare ourselves and our families for the coming crisis of worship and conscience?

✍️ Personal Application:

Commit to studying the Great Controversy and Revelation to understand God’s end-time plan more deeply.
Pray for spiritual discernment to recognize falsehood disguised as truth or “common good.”
Discuss with your family how to stand firm in Sabbath observance and faithfulness amid societal pressure.

Session 4: The Call to Conscience and Church Membership [Proverbs 3:5-10; Revelation 10-11]

Opening Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Amid the pandemic’s turmoil, the speaker reminds believers that whether vaccinated or not, the key is acting according to conscience and faith. Good conscience choices are honored by God, and believers remain united as brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of medical decisions.
The church is called “the people of the book” with the end-time message to proclaim. Despite leadership failures, Adventism remains God’s movement with a mission to stand for truth and conscience.
The speaker urges members not to abandon the church or divert their tithes and offerings in frustration, because the work of pastors, teachers, and evangelists depends on the collective support of faithful members.
Individual members have power and voice in the church’s governance by communicating with their union presidents, who represent them at General Conference Executive Committees. Members are encouraged to respectfully request that the problematic 2021 reaffirmation statement be set aside to restore liberty of conscience.
Faithfulness requires courage, mutual love, and humility to forgive past wrongs and stand united despite differences, preparing for the final crisis when conscience will be tested as never before.

❓ Discussion Questions:

How can members maintain unity in the church despite differing opinions on health and conscience matters?
What role do individual members have in influencing church policies? How can you exercise that role?
Why is it important not to let disappointment lead to division or withdrawing support from the church?
How can mutual love and forgiveness be strengthened in your local congregation?

✍️ Personal Application:

Pray for a spirit of unity and forgiveness within your church family.
Write or call your union president to express your concerns and requests regarding conscience and church policies.
Commit to supporting the church’s mission through faithful tithes and offerings despite challenges.

Session 5: Living as Faithful Ambassadors of Truth [John 15:15; Proverbs 3:9-10]

Opening Scripture: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The speaker calls believers to be men and women whose conscience is as true as “the needle to the pole,” standing for the right even if “the heavens fall.” This means choosing faithfulness and truth over fear, compromise, or convenience.
True leadership in the church reflects this character—leaders who do not override conscience or bow to external pressures but stand firm on biblical principles regardless of personal cost.
Truth is not subjective or relative but absolute, found in Jesus Christ. Followers of Christ must be champions of truth and conscience, even when it leads to personal hardship or opposition.
The pandemic exposed weaknesses in leadership and membership, but it also provides an opportunity to repent, renew commitment, and prepare for the final test of faith.
The closing prayer emphasizes grace mingled with truth, love that builds up, and a united church that stands firm in the last days as faithful ambassadors of Jesus.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What does it mean in your daily life to have a conscience as true as a needle to the pole?
How can the church cultivate leaders who embody courage and faithfulness to God’s truth?
Why is it important to balance grace and truth in witness and fellowship?
How can you personally grow in standing firm on truth while loving others?

✍️ Personal Application:

Ask God to strengthen your courage to stand for truth and conscience no matter the cost.
Seek to practice grace and love in your interactions within your church and community.
Commit to ongoing study and prayer to deepen your understanding of biblical truth and your personal walk with Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your presence among us and for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us. We ask for courage to stand firm in the truth of Jesus Christ, the only absolute and eternal truth. Help us to honor You with our hearts, our minds, and our actions, especially in times of trial and division. Unite us in love and purpose, that we may be faithful ambassadors of Your kingdom. Heal the wounds caused by recent challenges, and restore liberty of conscience to Your people. May grace and truth mingle in our words and deeds, drawing many to the Savior. We pray for our leaders, that they may be guided by You and act with wisdom and courage. Keep us faithful until Jesus comes again. In His name we pray, Amen.