Sunday: The Prophets Foretold
Ancient prophets foretold the conversion of non-Jewish people (Gentiles) to a scripturally based faith. Heathen deities, pagan worship, and destructive lifestyles would be toppled by uncompromising submission to, and faith in, Jehovah. Israel’s enemies would stream into Jerusalem begging for admission, thirsting for spiritual knowledge. Israel’s commission was to broadcast God’s universal invitation to the surrounding nations.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Unfortunately, Israel’s missionary passion was derailed by earthly concerns. The grand vision was buried beneath complacency. Christ’s coming resurrected that vision, at least for some.
Read Isaiah 56:6-8; Micah 4:1-2; Jonah 3:7-10; 4:1. What do these verses teach about universal outreach, and about how limited some in Israel were in understanding it?
Israel was to be the light of the nations. Seeing the wonderful advantages that the Israelites had, heathen nations would inquire about the Israelites’ monotheistic faith, and thus many of them would be converted to the true God.
Unfortunately, that’s not how things generally turned out, as Israel became so inwardly focused that it lost sight of its larger purpose and, often, the God who had offered them so much.
Modern Christians face a similar challenge. Will they sacrificially invest in furthering the gospel, or will they become inwardly focused, forgetting their larger purpose? It’s an easier trap to fall into than we realize.
“In the name of the Lord let us lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the results of work abroad.
And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us:
Advance. Enter new territory. Lift up the standard in every land.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Our watchword is to be: Onward, ever onward. The angels of God will go before us to prepare the way. Our burden for the
-Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 28, 29.regions beyond
can never be laid down until the whole earth shall be lightened with the glory of the Lord.
(15)
Often, I find it difficult to discuss God's word to people. It's easier to discuss politics, football, terrorism, work and other things that rarely support the spreading of the gospel. May God help me do His work for it is my duty and yours also
The good thing about it is you are able to socialize with friends.That is the playfield.....Start it like this...For example you are discussing on politics....You chip in comment :"We are really living in the last days,Its high time this has to end....Jesus only can turn this mess when He comes (Them you have to put some points on the second coming and how to get prepared for it)
Its sad to see the devil has been able to shift our focus on spreading the word onto material and our personal gains. We always confess to be Christians but neglects the duties and responsibilities that come with it.
This is a wake up call to all of us;Pastors to all church members.
Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. {Desire of Ages 638.2}
Don’t you love it to know that God isn’t some arbitrary being who requires some facts be understood, some ritual be enacted, some word be spoken before a person can be saved?
God has blessed the Seventh Day Adventist Church with great insight into the future. Lets share this profound message with others either by our literature distribution, or financial support, or whatever God impresses on your heart. But most of all pray for those we associate with and especially our children and spouse. 9T107 "God will do the work if we furnish Him the instruments''.
I believe that if we are sincere, keep to talking to Him,and takes to read the word of God, the holy spirit will empower us to share Gods word to others.
Flowers:
-A chosen generation,a royal priesthood a holy nation,a peculiar people.God created you and me and by His mercy we are chosen into His church.
Some of the peculiar /unique doctrines God has taught us:
1-Keeping all the commandments and the God ordained Sabbath .
2-Prophecy...The testimony of Jesus i.e The Spirit of Prophecy.
3-Sanctuary message -Justification,Sanctification.Righteousness by Faith or Justification by faith.The role of Trusting and Obeying in the light of Grace.The proper balance of Faith and works.
4-The state of the dead...The dead know nothing.The life we live before we die is that which will determine the fine outcome in Judgment.Thus we can not minister unto the dead but those having the breath of life.Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.....so we can say....that which has no breath can't repent,can't confess sin,can't believe and receive Jesus and can not be baptized.So let us reach out to that someone before they die.
5-The three angels message:Only God is worthy our Worship ,He only can Create not only out of matter But can create in us hearts anew.No god can change a sinful person unto a born again.A threat to Babylon.....When we really practice what we preach the strongholds of Babylon will fall.
The seventh day is called to identify the beast....the hub of false worship...We are to tell the world that satan establishef the papacy and that satan has his mark
.....the counterfeit day of worship....Sunday.
We stand tall in Christ too in the Health message,Dress reform and in the Stewardship of Time,TalentTreasure
good deeds to our fellow men its a very powerfull sermorn remember what paul said only let your manner of life be worth this gospel. may God help us to lead a life which is not self centered
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This lesson is quite timely,especially in these times, when leaders as well as the laity are more interested on infrastructural development than they are with soul winning. Souls are indeed perishing and we are comfortable.
The devil has shifted our attention from spreading the gospel to discussing politics, sports, terrorism, and watching of television to occupy our time that we dont have time even to teach our children the word of God. in Nigeria now, every discussion is centred on politics. may the Lord help us to be able to use the time we have to spread the word of God.
In our lesson study are our eyes and ears open for Gods message to us as His people? We are one and all CALLED to be missionaries wherever we find ourselves. Whether in words or conduct we must always be ready to give answer to our faith. Listen to this; "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, ...." Isaiah 52:7 "The prophet heard the voice of God calling His church (us,me) to her (my) appointed work, that the way might be prepared for the ushering in of His everlasting Kingdom. The message was unmistakably plain: 'Arise shine; for thy light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. . . . ." PK 374 We might blame Israel, but do we(I) understand our(my) mission. I speak for myself as well as for my church. Am I awake to my calling as an Isrealite of today?
We can overcome the frailties the Israelites had by taking to heart Christ words, "For he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:21. Have faith my friends, God loves you. Think on these things and the former will become as rubish. "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3.
Maybe we do the truth, but we don,t believe yet. Oh yes we believe in God, do we believe also what He can do for us? He has the power to make us ambassador,s for Him.