Sabbath: The Missionary Nature of God
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 1:26-28; Gen 2:15-17; 1 John 2:16; John 3:14-15; 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 5:13-14.
Memory Text:
(Isaiah 55:4 NIV).See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples
Our world is a mess, and as humans we are the big reason it is such a mess. And that’s because we are sinners, fallen creatures whose nature, at the core, is evil. However much we like to think of ourselves as advancing, as improving, the history of the past century isn’t too encouraging.
Image © Standard Publishing from GoodSalt.com
And here we are, not even a quarter of the way into this century, and things don’t look that bright from here either. If the past is precursor to the future, all we can expect, to quote a former British politician, is blood, toil, tears, and sweat.
All is not lost though. On the contrary, Jesus Christ has died for our sins, and through His death we have the promise of salvation, of restoration, of all things being made new. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away
(Rev. 21:1, NKJV).
We have not been left alone, abandoned in the infinite expanse of a cold and apparently uncaring cosmos to fend for ourselves. We could never do it; the forces arrayed against us are so much greater than we are. That’s why God had the plan of salvation in order to do for us what we could never do for ourselves.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 4.
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It is always best to keep in mind the mission of our Risen LORD, as the 2nd quarterly explicitly state "seeking that which is lost to save". Then we have to focus on the LORD's Strategy which is adapting the message to suit the current cultural setting of your area of influence which is the role of our gifts comes into play. Next is when we determine the type of ministry that provides the best platform for our gifts to thrive for the maximum benefit to the prospect or your client in Study. Once we get this right then the most important mission is meeting the needs of your prospect for the Kingdom of God at all times first of all physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Once we concentrate on this process the back door closes. We need to aim for one soul at a time and make sure you keep him/her at all times in the church. This should be our focus and let the house to house evangelism be taken up, it is the only way for true success that does not demand a budget. Here in Fiji the other churches are doing it as the Jehovah's Witness, Latter Day Saints have been doing for a century.
The only way to not be swayed and be distracted from our mission in this world of modern technology and social media is to never change the message and focus on the message that should remain unchanged though you adapt in its presentation. Focus on things in heaven (Colossi-ans 3:1-4) and not the hustle and bustle of the Devil's activities that has saturated our dailies and tellies. Uplift Christ and Kingdom of Heaven's glory awaiting us then we will see an influx of members never experience before.
In this generation there are missionaries or campaigners for atheism, secularism, prosperity theology, freedom from standards, ‘do as one please’ doctrines, and various alternatives to the straight testimony scripture. And they are often enraged by rejection (Psalm 2:1).
With so many missionaries competing for the attention and loyalty of the people those whom God has identified as the remnant ought to be mindful not to get caught trying to match the others with content and strategies. Checking the prevailing wind and making calculated adjustments in teaching has not served Jehovah’s cause well.
If it is felt that God’s message is not gaining traction among the masses there will be the temptation to try common tricks or to improve on what the scripture says, to make it more appealing. Prophecy helps us to combat that temptation; for the Bible has already stated that many will reject truth (2 Timothy 4:2-5). The most important thing is to remain true, not worry about rejection (1 Samuel 8:6, 7).
It becomes the faithful to take the Bible as it reads and present its plain statements to the people without fear, trusting the Holy Spirit to do what they cannot.