Daily Lesson for Thursday 12th of October 2023

This week’s lesson has intentionally discussed two crucial mission texts that emphasize the centrality of disciple-making in the Great Commission and the message of the eternal gospel. Interestingly, both texts have at least a common connecting point: the “where” of mission. They read: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV), “those who dwell on the earth—to _every nation, tribe, tongue, and people_” (Revelation 14:6, NKJV; emphasis added).

Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com

In other words, the gospel of Christ is to reach all classes, all nations, all tongues, and all peoples. The influence of the gospel is to unite the saved in one great brotherhood. We have only one model to imitate, and that is Christ. If we accept the truth as it is in Jesus, national prejudices and jealousies will be broken down, and the spirit of truth will blend our hearts into one.

When Jesus said, “ ‘You will be my witnesses’ ” (Acts 1:8, NRSV), He had three different geographical areas in mind:

Area 1: “ ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem.’ ” At that time, His disciples were very close to Jerusalem. So, Jesus was basically saying, “Begin to share your experience with God with people who are close to you.” Mission begins at home, with family, with neighbors, with friends. This is the initial place of mission.

Area 2: He then continues: “ ‘in all Judea and Samaria.’ ” Our mission also involves those who are in some ways close but at the same time distant from us. In this group are people who may speak the same language that we speak—people who have a similar culture but do not live or share the same reality that we do. This is our further place of mission.

Area 3: Beyond this, Christ says: “ ‘and to the end of the earth’ ” (NKJV). God’s mission calls us to reach individuals from all places, nations, people groups, languages, and ethnicities. This is our ultimate place of mission.

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The post Thursday: The World: The Arena of Mission appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/23d-02-the-world-the-arena-of-mission/

Join us for Lesson 2, God’s Mission to Us: Part 2

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The post ‘God’s Mission to Us: Part 2’ – Hit the Mark Sabbath School appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/gods-mission-to-us-part-2-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this week’s featured guest, Dr. Kleber Gonçalves, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson, “God’s Mission to Us, Part 2.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyb5m0Ybqqo?si=Poa-nGgnvBS0pI6G&w=560&h=315]

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The post 2: God’s Mission to Us: Part 2 – It is Written: Discussions with the Author appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-gods-mission-to-us-part-1-in-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

You can view an in-depth discussion of God’s Mission to us: Part 2 in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94N0NO9ic9I?si=LRlKGOOvAYOdWcsZ&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-gods-mission-to-us-pt-2-hopess-video-discussion/

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV

Many people ask, why the Seventh-day Adventist Church has people go though an entire series of Bible studies before baptism? It is because Jesus tells us to “teach them to observe all things I have commanded you.” This cannot be done in one or two sittings. So why did Philipp baptize the Ethiopian after just one Bible study? Keep in mind that the Ethiopian, as many people were in his time and place, was aware of the seventh-day Sabbath, clean and unclean foods, as well as other Bible standards. Even today there are people we may  be baptized sooner than others because of what they have already learned. I have had people come to my church who have been watching programs like It is Written for several years, and as I interview them I find they are already quite capable of explaining many doctrines from the Bible. That allows us to move on to other topics they may not be as familiar with.

Baptism is a major decision in one’s life – even greater than marriage or a career, as being a baptized disciple of Christ will have a major impact on who we marry and even on the way we perform our work or careers. Just like we do not want to rush into marriage without knowing what we are doing, or choose a career without being properly trained and informed about everything that career includes and demands, we need to have a clear understanding of what it means to be a baptized disciple. Jesus tells us right up front this not a decision to be made nonchalantly.

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Luke 14:25-28 NLT

Of course we do not know everything when are baptized. We will be learning throughout eternity, but those considering baptism should be taught enough from God’s Word so they can count the cost and have a thorough enough understanding of what it means to be a baptized disciple of Christ.

Ministers who labor in towns and cities to present the truth should not feel content, nor that their work is ended, until those who have accepted the theory of the truth realize indeed the effect of its sanctifying power, and are truly converted to God. God would be better pleased to have six truly converted to the truth as the result of their labors, than to have sixty make a nominal profession, and yet not be thoroughly converted. These ministers should devote less time to preaching sermons, and reserve a portion of their strength to visit and pray with those who are interested, giving them godly instruction, to the end that they may “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” – Ellen White, Evangelism, Pages 320. 

Over the years, as a lay person giving Bible studies and then as a Bible Worker and now as a pastor, my ultimate goal is not to see people get baptized. It is to see them enter the kingdom of heaven. As we all, lay members and clergy alike share the gospel and give personal and group Bible studies, our goal should be to  study with each person in such a way as to encourage them to not only be baptized, but to be in the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself warns that many will make a nominal profession without ever being saved into His kingdom.

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws. Matthew 7:21-23 NLT

We need to be faithful while studying with those seeking baptism, in teaching them as Jesus said, “to observe all things I have commanded you,” so we can see them reach the ultimate goal of being with Jesus in His kingdom.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14 NKJV

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/why-we-need-thorough-bible-study-before-baptism/