Sunday: The Universality of the Gospel
Read Revelation 14:6, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19. What is the similar theme found in these texts? How do these texts together help us understand how important outreach and witness are to our purpose as a church?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
In a sense, one can say that the first angel’s message is the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) now given in the context of the last days. It is, indeed, “present truth”.
Notice that all three texts place an emphasis on outreach to all the world, to “all the nations”, and to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people”. In other words, this message is universal in scope. Every person needs to hear it.
Read Galatians 3:22. What does this text say that helps us understand why all the world needs to hear the gospel?
The universality of sin explains the universality of our mission and calling. “Every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” has done wrong, has violated God’s law, and has been “confined under sin”. Adam’s fall in Eden has impacted every human being; no nation or tribe or people has been immune. We all face the immediate consequences of sin, and unless a remedy was provided, we all would face the ultimate consequence: eternal death.
That remedy, of course, has been provided: the life, death, resurrection, and heavenly sanctuary ministry of Jesus, who is the only solution to the sin problem. Everyone needs to know the great hope of what God has offered them in Jesus Christ. This is why Seventh-day Adventists have gone throughout all the world, seeking to bring the message of Jesus to those who have not yet heard it.
| Why is spreading the gospel message to others so spiritually beneficial for those doing it? That is, why is reaching out to others one of the best ways to be prepared for the coming of Jesus? |
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The consistency of the scripture is ALL should come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
This gospel
Everlasting gospel
Must be given as a witness to all nations,kindred, tongue and people
He calls each star by it's name.
Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without his knowledge.
Every single hair in my body is numbered.
He calls Adam by name.
He calls me and you by our name.
Oh, how He loves us.
Oh, how he loves the world
How it must hurt him to see the death of a sinner.
Inspire of the evil in this world, He remains steadfast in his love.
What an awesome God we serve.
Although we've to deal with internal issues in the church, our work as a church is not to settle marriages, organise picnic and potlucks, conduct funeral services. In my place (Northern Nigeria), churches fight over who to conduct a funeral service. Our purpose as a church, as clearly outline in Scripture Revelation 14:6, Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19 is to preach the everlasting gospel. Top in the agenda of every church board should be evangelism. Let's learn from the Apostles in Acts 6:2 "... It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables."
It is unfortunate that your churches are fighting over who is to conduct funeral services but can I suggest that it is in this environment where the Gospel must be preached. Evangelism does not exist in isolation and should be part of everything we do.
I have recently become aware of how the early church worked. They worked essentially with "home churches" where people came together and ate together and studied the word together. How often do we see the phrase used in Acts, "they break bread" (or similar). This was not the communion service they were talking about. It was eating a meal together. The idea that we have to have a big crowd and preach the gospel to a big public gathering is not something that happened a lot in the early church. When we design our evenaglism around our every day actvities it gives us a chance to live the Gospel rather than just preach it verbally.
Work on that funeral situation in your church. There is a real need for evangelism there.
What is this gospel, the everlasting Gospel?
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus. John 1:14. Luke 1:23
He came to love, heal and forgive.
Luke 5:32. Matthew 20:38
He lived and died to buy my pardon.
Mark 15:37. Mark 8:31.
God looked upon humanity, not as vile and worthless; He looked upon it in Christ, saw it as it might become through redeeming love. He collected all the riches of the universe, and laid them down in order to buy the pearl. And Jesus, having found it, resets it in His own diadem. “For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land.” Zechariah 9:16. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Malachi 3:17. Christ Object Lessons, p.118.
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives. Matthew 28:6. Mark 16:6. Luke 24:3. John 20:8.
In my reading more light has come to me. The everlasting gospel is the addition of the 1st angels message to the gospel message as depicted above. What is the 1st angel doing and what we should be telling others? Warning to turn to God before it is to late, because Christ is coming soon. We are to seek people who need the Lord, and not wait for them to come to us. Most of this is accomplished by personal contact. There are souls out there thirsting for the word of God. Give them the love of God 1st(the gospel message). Then the Sabbath, health, etc. will fall into place with the work of the Holy Spirit. Now if you don,t posses the everlasting gospel, how can you share it? Well that is true, but I have heard it said that you can still share the love of God while you are still in the process of fully owning the gospel.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Therefore all need to hear the everlasting gospel of the salvation of grace by Jesus Christ for those who will believe! To become part of Christ's ministry of salvation is cathartic! It fulfills the Law of Love, that we love God and love one another. The ministry of spreading the gospel elevates the human condition to the spiritual heights intended by God.
It is so critical that we go out and preach, teach the word of God to all tongues, nation and kindred, because it also help us spiritual, the question could be how do we grow?? The answer may be the experience that you come across when you see others be converted by the Holy Spirit of God, after sharing the word you will start to appreciate the scriptures,that is Isaiah 55:11 which reads "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." You will truely see God in action, changing people's lives, nevertheless you learn as people out there ask you questions concerning the word. What a joy we may found in living and taking the Great Commission serious, but above all let's pray for the spirit of God to lead and inspire us. Amen
In addition" The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to "give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater". Isaiah 55:10. So no man is to live unto himself. The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the Salvation of other souls. There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. {COL 67}. As I was address the question at the end of today's lesson