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.

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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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Key Thought: In seeking to fulfill the Christian mission, we should look to the church as an organized community of believers. By working in a community of faith, we can bless those around us.

1. Have a volunteer read I Peter 2:11,12..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does Peter say about the witnessing power of good works?
3. Personal Application: When we do good things for others, are we making sure that it is tied in with presenting the good news to others of salvation? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “There are many people, groups, and organizations set up to relieve need here and in the world. What unique resources and abilities can the SDA Church bring to this effort?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 2:19.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What does Paul mean when he calls the church community the “household” of God?
3. Personal Application: Have you experienced a time when you felt encouraged and supported by your church community? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does your church even exist? What is its purpose and function? Is your church living up to its role of existence?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 10:23-25.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How do we provoke one another unto love and good works?
3. Personal Application: When was the last time you ever counseled someone in the church about their actions or behavior? Is that something you choose not to do, or hasn’t there been a need? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why is it important to go to church? Can’t we worship God out in nature on a camping trip or sitting home watching 3ABN? And why do we have to warn each other in church? Isn’t that being judgmental and Pharisitical?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Exodus 32:11-14.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does this tell us about how we should deal with the erring around us? Should we plead for the sinners in our midst?
3. Personal Application: Who do you pray for every week? Do you pray for fellow church members? Church leaders? For someone to help? For someone to witness to? What is our purpose? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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As a community of servants we are to be watchful of what is happening around us:
Hymn 597, “Ye Servants of the Lord”. We are then to be faithful to our mandate to
“Go, Preach My Gospel”, Hymn 378, as instructed in our Sabbath afternoon introduction to this week’s lesson study.

Being in a role as a representative of God, an ambassador, or an agent, we will
“Work, for the Night Is Coming”, Hymn 375, and request that Jesus ever with us stay in
Hymn 591, “In Our Work and in Our Play”.

Monday’s study encourages us as servants in
Hymn 256, “Ye Servants of God” your Master proclaim’, in our actions and our service to others. Moses proved faithful to God in his choice (on Monday). We are to encourage each other with Hymn 602, “O Brother, Be Faithful”.

Reaching souls (Tuesday) is done in many ways as shown in these hymns:

Hymn 357, “Come, Labor On”,
Hymn 572, “Give of Your Best to the Master”
Hymn 575, “Let Your Heart Be Broken”,
Hymn 363, “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”, and
Hymn 580, “This Little Light of Mine”.

As is sung in
Hymn 109, “Marvelous Grace”, let us have this grace in our church (Wednesday).

‘Working for the Lord can be difficult and discouraging’ says Thursday’s study time, but there is the positive aspect in
Hymn 582, “Working, O Christ, With Thee”. In our hymnbook, right next door is a prayer-hymn of encouragement,
Hymn 581, “When the Church of Jesus”. With our different and complimentary roles we play, we are all then able to
“Give of Your Best to the Master”, Hymn 572.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(1)

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The standard definition of the remnant people identified in Bible prophecy is found in Revelation 12:17: those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (NKJV, see also Rev. 14:12). In the Bible’s story, these features mark out God’s people in the later stages of earth’s history. But, also in the Bible stories, we can find examples of how such a remnant acts and particularly how such people serve others.

The example of Moses in this regard is daunting. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What is the comparison between Moses in this story and the remnant described in Revelation 12:17?

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

In His anger at the people of Israel, God was threatening to destroy them and transfer the promises given to Abraham—that his descendants would become a great nation—to Moses and his family (see Exod. 32:10).

But Moses didn’t want that. Instead, Moses has the boldness to argue with God, suggesting that for the Lord to act as He is threatening to act will make Him look bad (see Exod. 32:11-13). But then Moses goes further and puts himself on the line to urge his case with God.

Moses had been struggling to lead these people through the wilderness. They had been complaining and bickering almost from the moment he led them to freedom. And yet, Moses says to God, If you are not able to forgive them, “then blot me out of the book you have written” (Exod. 32:32, NIV). Moses offers to give up eternity to save those with whom he has shared his journey.

What a powerful example of self-sacrificing intercession in behalf of those who don’t deserve it! And what a powerful symbol of the entire plan of salvation!

“As Moses interceded for Israel, his timidity was lost in his deep interest and love for those for whom he had, in the hands of God, been the means of doing so much. The Lord listened to his pleadings, and granted his unselfish prayer. God had proved His servant; He had tested his faithfulness and his love for that erring, ungrateful people, and nobly had Moses endured the trial. His interest in Israel sprang from no selfish motive. The prosperity of God’s chosen people was dearer to him than personal honor, dearer than the privilege of becoming the father of a mighty nation. God was pleased with his faithfulness, his simplicity of heart, and his integrity, and He committed to him, as a faithful shepherd, the great charge of leading Israel to the Promised Land”. – Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 319.

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