Jesus and His disciples healed people and then turned their minds to eternal issues. (See Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 20.) Evangelist Mark Finley reminds us that not to introduce God to people is spiritual malpractice. Jesus’ method of evangelism was to touch people at their points of greatest need. This is … Continue reading –>
We ought to set our course by the stars, not the lights of every passing ship. -Omar N Bradley Jesus does not call us to follow other Christians. He calls us to follow Him. I was seven years old, lying awake in the middle of the night, thinking about how Jesus died for me. I … Continue reading –>
Sometimes a church will have community service outreach programs in areas of health, family, personal finance, conflict management, et cetera, and might ask: What is the bridge to bring them to the “Follow Me” stage? We rather should ask, Who is the bridge? Answer: You are! “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 19:10, Mark 1:17, Luke 9:2, and Revelation 14:6-7. What is one key point that all these texts have in common? That is, what are they telling us to do? For years a Seventh-day Adventist congregation prayed, “Lord, please draw the people in our community to our church and to You”-as if our church … Continue reading –>
Read John 10:1-5, John 10:16. How do these texts illustrate the importance of why we, as Jesus’ representatives, must form positive and loving relationships with people in our communities as we seek to lead them to Jesus? How can we help them learn to hear His voice? The whisper of a friend is more powerful … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 10:1-5, John 10:16; Luke 9:2; Rev. 14:6-7; Luke 19:1-10; Acts 26:11-27; Rev. 3:20. Memory Text: “ ‘But they [the sheep] will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice’ ” (John 10:5, NIV). In A.D. 362 Roman … Continue reading –>
Read Mark 5:18-20; Luke 8:38-39; Acts 5:12-16. Read Ellen G. White, “Our Example,” pp. 17-28, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Grace of Courtesy,” pp. 236-240, in Selected Messages, book 3 (especially pp. 238, 239); “Blessing the Children,” pp. 511-517, in The Desire of Ages; “Relieve the Oppressed,” p. 242, in My Life Today. There … Continue reading –>
Back in the ’80s I was invited to preach in a church in Northern Oklahoma. I arrived in time for Sabbath school, and heard the Sabbath School superintendent talking about how everyone should be friendly, and if we have guests, invite them home for lunch. I thought how nice! After my sermon, as I was greeting people … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God has called us to play our part in mingling, showing sympathy, and ministering to needs in an attitude of love. Jesus Won Their Confidence – September 3, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 3:1-5. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text … Continue reading –>
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” – Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. For many years … Continue reading –>
There’s no question that we, as a people, have been blessed with so much light from the Lord. This light isn’t just in theology, such as understanding the Cross, the sanctuary, the state of the dead, the Sabbath, and the great controversy, which are great blessings in and of themselves. When we think about the … Continue reading –>
Winning Confidence. [Lesson 10 for September 3] What type of confidence winning do you see most? (1) a Spirit-led first step to making friends for Jesus; (2) A Satan-driven attempt to feel good following his ways. Wait a minute. Can winning someone’s confidence be bad as well as good? Explain. Can churches and belief systems exist … Continue reading –>
