And behold, a pea plant flourished in the garden and brought forth a beautiful pod with three peas in it. In the fullness of time, the wind blew and the pea pod fell to the ground and split open, spilling the peas onto the dirt. The first pea, looking around, saw the dark damp earth … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, “Our Example,” pp. 17-28, in The Ministry of Healing; “Levi-Matthew,” pp. 272-280, in The Desire of Ages. The church’s mission is to the world, not only unto itself. It was organized for service to others. A church of another faith community has a sign at the end of the driveway, just before … Continue reading –>
No question, the world needs what we have been given in Christ. It’s nothing in us, ourselves, that makes what we have so important. Rather, it is only by virtue of what we have received from Christ that gives us our imperative to reach others. And it’s precisely because we have been given so much … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: We have a mission to reach out to non-believers and mingle with others desiring their good. Jesus Mingled With People – August 6, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:3-7. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. In leaving the ninety-nine … Continue reading –>
A speaker asked a group to tell how many “non-Adventist friends” they had. One man in the back of the room stood up and triumphantly proclaimed, “I’m proud to say none!” That man might have meant well, but his words said a lot about what kind of light to the world he was. As we … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Jesus Mingled With People” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath … Continue reading –>
He saw something no one else saw. In those despised by society, He saw royalty – Sons and daughters of God. Though far away from Him, they were loved, cherished and not forgotten. He heard something that no one else heard. He heard the heart cries of publicans and sinners when no one cared enough to … Continue reading –>
Too often in church conversations, we quote Bible verses and Spirit of Prophecy quotations, but we share little about the practical application of those passages in everyday Christian life. By contrast last year’s excellent article by Lars Justinen, “Hot Lunch and Syrian Refugees,” is worth reading as a practical application of what this set of lessons is all about. Not all of … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 9:10-13. What crucial message should we as individuals take away from Jesus’ response to His critics? Read Hos. 6:6. Jesus is reclining at the dinner table, where He is fellowshiping and eating with what this society would deem “undesirables.” What kind of people does your culture deem “undesirables”? Interrupted by the Pharisees’ question of … Continue reading –>
1. Christ’s Method Alone. Were you touched by the story of the dying man who grasped the hand of a Christian, convinced it was the hand of Jesus? What can you and I do to reach out to people so effectively that they will see Jesus in us? What did Jesus do before inviting people … Continue reading –>
Jesus tells three parables in Luke 15:1-32, in direct response to the accusation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2, NIV). Read the following passages and note the essence of Jesus’ answer to these accusations. Luke 15:3-7 Luke 15:8-10 Luke 15:11-24 Each parable begins … Continue reading –>
Ellen G. White, in an often-quoted paragraph, summarizes what Jesus did in order to reach out and bring the people to salvation.(See also Matt. 9:35-36.) “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 … Continue reading –>
