The lesson begins with the consideration of God’s mission to turn towards His fallen creation and redeem it. It highlights how humanity fell from its original perfection due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The question “Where are you?” in Genesis 3:9–15 symbolizes God’s search for His fallen creation and emphasizes His missionary nature. This question expresses God’s longing to find, save, and be with us despite our sins.

The lesson also underscores God’s missionary nature to connect with people and be with them, as expressed in the promises to Abraham and his descendants. The stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses show how God always desired to be with His people.

The significance of the Old Testament sanctuary as a symbol of God’s presence is illuminated. The question of how we experience God’s presence in our own lives prompts personal reflection.

The incarnation of Christ in the New Testament is considered the culmination of God’s mission. The announcement of Jesus’ birth and John 1:14–18 illustrate how Jesus brings God’s love and mission into the world by being “God with us.”

The text emphasizes how the life and ministry of Jesus are the ultimate revelation of God. John 3:16 shows the interconnection between God’s love and mission, as God loved the world so much that He sent His Son. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 provides assurance as Jesus promises to always be with us as we engage in God’s mission.

The lesson concludes with the consideration of Jesus’ promise in John 14:1–3 and the end-time message of the Bible. The Book of Revelation shows that God’s desire to be with people will be fulfilled in the new earth, marking the culmination of His mission.

The weekly challenges encourage a conscious engagement with God’s mission, opening the heart to His work, and deeper involvement in His mission. The “Challenge Plus” encourages a focus on mission in our immediate surroundings and praying for people.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-1-gods-mission-to-us-part-1-1-6-summary/

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– This week, Pastor Ted Wilson continues the discussion on Chapter 22 of The Great Controversy, titled “Prophecies Fulfilled,” in which early Advent believers eagerly awaited Christ’s soon return and shared this amazing news with others. But again, they were destined for disappointment. Christ did not come on October 22, 1844, as they expected. Yet even this tremendous disappointment was foretold in Scripture. –

A large group who had professed belief renounced their faith, never to return. Like Jonah, they blamed God and would rather die than live. There were some, though, who did not fully understand why Jesus had not come but did not give up their faith. They were sure that the prophecies were correct. They believed God’s Word and knew it was within those sacred pages where the answer would be found.

To learn more about “Prophecies Fulfilled” and how it relates to our present experience, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/ and join us next week for more.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-22-part-2-prophecies-fulfilled-pastor-ted-wilson/

“The God who returns to us” illustrates the connection between Jesus’ promise in John 14:1–3 and the end-time message of the Bible. In these verses, Jesus tells His disciples that He will come back to take them to Himself so that they can be with Him. This promise is of great significance as it points to the return of Jesus in the end times when He will gather His followers to Himself.

The Book of Revelation confirms this promise by showing that God’s desire to be with humanity will be fulfilled in the new earth. There, God will dwell with people, and they will be His people, and He Himself, God with them, will be their God (Revelation 21:3). This marks the culmination of the divine mission aimed at restoring and maintaining the communion between God and His creation for eternity.

Redemption and God’s work will be complete in this context. The redeemed will live in the presence of God and enjoy His boundless grace and presence. This will be a sublime privilege and the fulfillment of God’s mission.

The weekly challenges encourage us to consciously engage with God’s mission, open our hearts to His work, and become more involved in His mission. The challenge to pray daily for the mission and the people around us is a practical way to actively participate in God’s work and carry the love and mission of Jesus into the world.

The “Challenge Plus,” which encourages us to learn the names and situations of people in our surroundings and pray for them, demonstrates how, as Christians, we can contribute to continuing God’s mission of love and salvation. It reminds us that mission is not only happening in distant lands but also in our immediate vicinity as we carry people in our prayers and hearts.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-1-gods-mission-to-us-part-1-1-5-the-god-who-will-come-back-for-us/