Friday: Further Thought – God’s Call to Mission
Daily Lesson for Friday 20th of October 2023
Read Ellen G. White, “The Great Commission,” pp. 25–34, and “A Seeker for Truth,” pp. 131–142, in The Acts of the Apostles.
“Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He bequeathed to the world the treasures of eternal life.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
You have been witnesses of My life of sacrifice in behalf of the world, He said to them. You have seen My labors for Israel. And although My people would not come to Me that they might have life, although priests and rulers have done unto Me as they listed, although they have rejected Me, they shall have still another opportunity of accepting the Son of God. You have seen that all who come to Me confessing their sins, I freely receive. Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to both Jews and Gentiles—to Israel, first, and then to all nations, tongues, and peoples. All who believe are to be gathered into one church.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 27, 28.
The Great Commission is clear: “ ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’ ” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV). Therefore, it is definitely about going to others, especially other nations.
“The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 28.
“There are in our world many who are nearer the kingdom of God than we suppose. In this dark world of sin the Lord has many precious jewels, to whom He will guide His messengers. Everywhere there are those who will take their stand for Christ. Many will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage, and will become faithful light bearers. . . . Convinced that Peter’s course was in direct fulfillment of the plan of God, and that their prejudices and exclusiveness were utterly contrary to the spirit of the gospel, they glorified God, saying, ‘Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.’ Thus, without controversy, prejudice was broken down, the exclusiveness established by the custom of ages was abandoned, and the way was opened for the gospel to be proclaimed to the Gentiles.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 140–142.
Discussion Questions
- How would you define the word mission as you apply it to your own life?
- In what ways could you, daily, express mission in your attitude and behavior? How can you be more mission minded in your daily tasks?
- How important is it that we examine our hearts and seek power from above to be purged from prejudice against those unlike us?
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In Peter's homily to Cornelius's family and friends, he said:
He reminds us that Jesus' ministry was largely filled with doing good for others. Even Jesus' sermons were less about theology and more about how we should treat one another. When people came to him asking what they had to do to be saved, he admonished them to help the poor, and then follow him.
It is easy to gain the perception that the Seventh-day Adventist mission is largely about teaching people a set of true doctrines so that they can be baptised into the church. A cynic might add, "so that they can pay their tithe into the church treasury." Could it be that our mission to others should be described as, "They went about doing good and helping those who faced demons"?
I start off each day as follows:
1. I pray the "Our Father" prayer as taught by King Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 KJV, word for word without deviation and focussing on each and every word, taking a new breath when I start each of the 5 verses. I bow down as a Muslim does in a mosque when I pray this prayer.
2. At the end of the prayer, I say these 2 words to Him: "Thank You"
3. I read the daily recommended reading from my Holy Bible KJV one-year reading plan (I start Acts tomorrow).
4. I read a daily devotional that my daughter bought me (In Touch with God - Nina Smit, Christian Art Publishers). My daughter is a Hindu by the way, but is more in alignment with King Jesus than I am.
5. I lastly record, in my journal, the name of every new person that I came into contact with the previous day & shared King Jesus with them in some way or the other.
At the end of the day, just before I sleep, I say these 2 words to Him : "Thank you", then close my eyes and repeat 🙂
Simple, Dimple.
How sweet. I appreciate your honesty and openness. Blessings.
I will define the word mission as in my life as purpose, because we are saved unto good works
It is most important that we seek power from above regarding those who are unlike us
because we are guided to love our enemies and to do good to them that hate us and despitefully use us.
The comments from Wednesday and Thursday remind me of a poem by Edgar A. Guest that l read and learnt in childhood. Here is the first verse of the poem ‘I'd Rather See A Sermon’
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
Everyone has a mission in life. If it is accepted or not, it exists. Whatever my profession may be, I have a mission in it. Just by being alive, the mission is there.
I believe in the literal meaning of mission, so I'm here writing this text. To me, everything I do is related to my mission, and I can't separate my mission from my life. How about you?
When I read the last question in today's lesson, I paused, took a deep breath, and asked the Holy Spirit for the power to be honest with myself. It is only the Holy Spirit the could give me the power to be a true Christian. The question I am alluding to is, "How important is it that we examine our hearts and seek power from above to be purged from prejudice against those unlike us?" Lord, help me!
Thank you for the comments Brothers and Sisters
I find the Great Commission to be difficult. When I was a new christian I thought it was about sound doctrine and as a result witnessing became settling out doctrinal disputes and making sure others had their "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed like me. "Truth" as "Knowledge" was my God and Savior. I did not mean any harm but I shutter today to remember things I have said to others.
I was brought one day to the story of the Woman caught in adultery and I could not escape the thought of what would I do? With my understanding of scripture I realized that I would have pointed out the missed details of the law and required that we kill both the man and the woman. I was cut by the realization that this is not was Jesus did and as how could I be a representative of Him if I was going to do things differently than He did. The Great Commission is about saving people not defending right doctrine. It involves the love and grace of God shown to others. This was something that at the time I did not understand. I am not saying that doctrine does not have its place but doctrine and the law are meant to keep people safe. Doctrine and the law cannot heal a broken heart or set the captive free unless it is guided by the Holy Spirit to point to Jesus. If it is not guided by the Spirit it can be destructive.
The hard part for me about the Great Commission is seeing and understanding how the Holy Spirit is directing and not what my own desires are directing me to do. In John 3:10 Jesus when speaking to Nicodemus about the moving of the Holy Spirit points out that even though he is a teacher in Israel he does not understand the Holy Spirit.
In the old testament the children of Israel were to follow God and show to them by a pillar of fire at night and a could by day. There were times that God was moving and there were times that God was standing still. In the New Testament the disciples were sent out to minister at the direction of Jesus and often needed instruction and correction on how to minister. After Jesus gave the great commission and left earth He instructed his disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
God was glorifed through sending Jesus and by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross(John 12:28-33). In Isaiah 61:1 we find the glorius ministry of Jesus laid out which Jesus Himself points us to in Luke 4:18-19.
Just one chapter earlier in Isaiah 60:1 we find that the "glory of the Lord has risen upon you" but the end of verse 2 and verse 3 have often caught my eye..."His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your rising." I can't help but think that while the Great Commission is to "go teach" there is also a portion of the commission that when the light of the goodness of God can be seen in us it will draw people to hear. "The goodness of God leads to repentance..."Romans 2:4.
I desire to have the goodness of God shine out to those around me so that the wounded and oppressed can be healed by the Savior. I do not want to cause more pain and distance others from God by following my own thoughts and desires.
God loves you Jodi. Know this to be true.
What matters is the intention of your heart. It is in the right place. Know that children of God do (unintentionally) hurt people.
Keep on the repentance path as you are now, it will bring you into the kingdom of heaven eventually (Matthew 5:3 KJV).
May God shower you with His free gift of The Holy Spirit 🙏
Jodi - I greatly appreciat your sharing your thoughts and your desire to be a blessing to others by letting the "goodness of God" shine out to those around you. Perline shared a similar desire in that she mentioned that 'mission in her life means to her to be the purpose of her life, because we are "saved unto good works' - Eph.2:10.
I also consider 'mission' to be the life which we live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There is no start or end to living 'mission'. We are a new creation - behold all things are new.
'Misson' is not an act, it cannot be seprated from the believer and followre of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; he/she is the definition of 'mission'. Mission in this understanding reflects the purpose of the life the believer lives when guided by the Holy Spirit.