At the beginning of the book of Job, God points to Job and his faithfulness to Him as a demonstration of the goodness of God’s ways and His dealings with fallen humanity (see Job 1:8). It is remarkable that God allows His reputation to hang on how His people live their lives on this earth. But Paul expanded this faith God has in some of His “saints” to include the community of the church: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 3:10, NIV).

Read Ephesians 2:19. What do you think is included in the idea of describing the church community as the “household” of God? How should this description influence how the organized church operates?

Grace

In any community or organization, how that entity treats its members reflects the foundational values of the group. As the household of God, the body of Christ and the community of the Spirit, the church has the highest of callings to live out and live up to: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Cor. 14:33, NIV).

The values of justice, grace, and love—as demonstrated in God’s justice, grace, and love—should govern all that happens within the church. From local church communities to the worldwide church organization, these principles should guide church leaders in how they lead, make decisions, and care for the “least of these” among the church community. They should also guide how we resolve the disputes that arise from time to time among members. If we can’t treat those among us with fairness and dignity, how are we going to do that with others, as well?

Where the church organization employs people, it should be a generous employer, valuing people before any other consideration and working against unfair treatment of members. Churches should be safe places, with all church members doing what they can to protect the vulnerable. And, as we see in the early church, members of the church community should be especially prepared to give to support those of their church “family” who are suffering or in need.

Jesus gave this as a command, saying that not only would this transform the community of faith, it would also demonstrate the reality of their faith to those looking on: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35, NIV).

Amen!(0)

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Church discussions sometimes seem to get stuck on the apparent need to choose between a focus on social work or gospel work, either charity or witnessing, either justice or evangelism. But when we better understand each of these concepts and observe the ministry of Jesus, the difference breaks down, and we realize that preaching the gospel and working to help others are closely linked.

The Bread of Live

In one of Ellen White’s best-known statements, she explained it like this: “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’. …

The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice”. – Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.

As we have seen, these two kingdom actions—justice and evangelism—were closely entwined, not only in Jesus’ ministry but in Jesus’ first commission to His disciples: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matt. 10:7-8, NIV). In short, one of the best ways to reach others with our message is to minister to their needs.

Read 1 Peter 2:12 and Philippians 2:15. What do Peter and Paul say about the witnessing power of good works done by God’s people?

With a broader understanding of God’s good news, evangelism does not make sense in the absence of a passion for people. Verses like 1 John 3:16-18 and James 2:16 emphasize the contradiction in preaching the gospel without living it out. At its best, evangelism—bringing the good news of hope, rescue, repentance, transformation, and God’s all-embracing love—is an expression of justice.

Both evangelism and the desire for justice spring from recognizing God’s love for lost, broken, and hurt people—a love that also grows in our hearts under the influence of God in our lives. We don’t choose one action or another; instead, we work with God in working with people, meeting their real needs, and using whatever resources God has entrusted us with.

Amen!(0)

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1. More than a place to meet. Is the church more than a group of people who come to the church building once a week to study God’s word? What are some limitations of a church bound up entirely in meeting the needs of worshipers for a meeting place to present a weekly program of interest to those attending? In 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 we read that serving others as Jesus did is key to meeting His requirements. What are some of the needs of people around us and how can we help meet those needs as a community of believers?
2. Agents of change. The church’s first responsibility, according to  the early Christian church leader Paul, is to offer spiritual, physical, and even emotional support from God’s abundant supply to those in need around us. How involved is your  church in providing this level of support to those who have not yet chosen to sign up with your church organization? In general, do people like to change or think about changing their church affiliation? Out of consideration for a reluctance by non-members to join even in a small way with your local church, are there still ways you can reach out to others and welcome them to join your efforts to serve God in your neighborhood?
3. A servant remnant.  Consider Moses and his dealings with the people of Israel and then reflect on this: Would you give up  your opportunity to be granted full salvation if the  church members you are serving are refusing to listen to any and all appeals to follow Jesus? How did Moses deal with the failure of God’s people in the wilderness to pay attention to God’s warnings and counsel?  What did Moses desire more than anything from God’s people in the wilderness? Which of the following  methods of persuasion need to be followed more carefully in your local church to help develop a stronger body of workers in Christ: preaching, teaching, sharing examples of faith, faithfulness in following God first and always. 
4. Reaching souls. Does it ever occur to us in our local churches that our work to meet the needs of the sick and infirm among us or our efforts to reach out into the community  to support those in need…that these efforts are key to our doing God’s work for His kingdom?  Or are we satisfied with the work we  and our church is  doing to reach people who need a clearer understanding of what Jesus wants from all of us? What are the essential ingredients in reaching souls? “Evangelism,” your lesson author states, “does not make sense in the absence of a passion for people.”  Talk about this with fellow believers.
5. Grace within the church.  Not only the witness of old-time faith believer Job but also the example of you and me in our local church demonstrate to the world around us that  God is bestowing grace on His followers in  the church. Do you see evidence of that happening in your local church? Share some examples you’ve observed of God’s grace in your church group. God’s grace, justice, and love “should govern all that happens within the church,”  our lesson author notes. Do you see any unfilled needs or any unnoticed opportunities for sharing grace and generous loving care by church members or acquaintances? What will you do about meeting those needs?
6. Encourage each other.  Instead of ending this quarter’s series of lessons with a sweeping apology for all that you might have done for others, why not set specific goals to reach out to others with words of encouragement and care? We all know how impressed we can be when we see a group of fellow believers united in sharing God’s love for others. Starting now, let’s focus on encouraging rather criticizing, on helping others rather than finding fault, and on lifting up the word of God rather than proclaiming what we think God’s will is for us this week and in the weeks and months to come. God bless you.

Amen!(2)

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