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Lettre aux comités d’église de par le monde: existe-t-il une meilleure façon d’être une église?

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par Linda McCabe  |  3 avril 2025  | Il était une fois une église. (Je ne donnerai ni le nom ni le lieu, mais l’histoire est vraie. En fait, elle ressemble suffisamment à beaucoup d’autres histoires à travers le pays pour que vous ayez peu de chance de l’identifier.) Un jour, entre quarante et cinquante […] Source: https://atoday.org/lettre-aux-comites-deglise-de-par-le-monde-existe-t-il-une-meilleure-facon-detre-une-eglise/

To Church Boards Everywhere: Is there a better way to be a church?

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by Linda McCabe  |  27 March 2025 |   Once upon a time there was a church. (I won’t give the name or location, but the story is true. Anyway, it is similar enough to many other stories across the land that there is little danger of your identifying it.) Forty to fifty members in a […] Source: https://atoday.org/to-church-boards-everywhere-is-there-a-better-way-to-be-a-church/

So Why, Exactly, Should I Pay Attention to Your Sermon?

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by Rich Hannon  |  17 September 2024  | I’m getting old, and I’ve heard a lot of sermons in my life. But, quality aside, within the past few years it has occurred to me that they could be categorized based on their structure, not content. Sermons can roughly be divided into two forms: Leading with […] Source: https://atoday.org/so-why-exactly-should-i-pay-attention-to-your-sermon/

God’s Mission, My Mission – Lesson 13: The End of God’s Mission | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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Series GOD’S MISSION, MY MISSION with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 13: The End of God’s Mission |
Lesson 13, “The End of God’s Mission,” guides us through the book of Revelation, emphasizing the clear focus on God’s end-time mission. The Trinity collaborates in rescuing humanity, with Revelation highlighting the urgency of this mission. The Three Angels’ Messages, situated in the context of the Great Controversy, call for proclaiming the eternal Gospel and promoting worship of the Creator. Success in the mission is defined by shaping faithful disciples who are pure, loyal, and open to the Holy Spirit. The vision of the New Earth concludes the lesson, encouraging believers to invest in God’s mission, reach unreached people groups, and ultimately live with the redeemed in the promised new heaven and on the New Earth.
Memory Text: 2.Peter 3:11.12 – “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . . ?”  
Content:
13.1 Revelation: God’s Last-Day Mission
The opening lines of Revelation clarify its focus on God’s end-time mission. Verses 1:4–5 demonstrate the Trinity working together in the salvation of humanity, highlighting Jesus as a faithful witness and the firstborn from the dead. Titles in Revelation 1:6 and 1 Peter 2:9 emphasize that God’s redemption brings not only security but also a new, royal, and priestly status for believers. The urgency of the mission is underscored in Revelation 1:7, pointing out that Jesus is coming, and the nations will mourn their loss. Thus, Revelation clearly concentrates on God’s mission among people in the end times.
13.2 Three Angels’ Messages and Mission
Revelation provides a compelling depiction of the Great Controversy, particularly emphasized in Revelation 12:12, where the devil descends to earth with great wrath. Revelation 14:6–12 presents the Three Angels’ Messages, the core of our Seventh-day Adventist mission. This message warns of end-time events and calls for choosing the eternal Gospel and worshiping the Creator. Jesus’ statement that whoever does not gather with Him scatters underscores the urgency of our mission to prepare the world for the decision between life and death. Our calling is to proclaim the hope of the eternal Gospel and warn the world of the impending events while preserving God’s commandments and faith in Jesus.
13.3 The Final Crisis
The mission command that Jesus gave to His disciples emphasizes the universal significance of the message to be taken to all nations. The Three Angels’ Messages expressed in Revelation 14:6 reflect this mission, urging all nations and languages to recognize the truth. Christ’s love extends to all humanity, irrespective of race or ethnic background. The end times will be characterized by a clear separation between those who submit to Satan and those who obey Jesus Christ. Amid increasing polarization and threats to conscience freedom, it is urgently necessary to proclaim the Gospel and expose Satan’s strategies – a task central to the Three Angels’ Messages and our mission.
13.4 Success in Mission
Success in the mission is not solely defined by quantitative measures such as baptism numbers or church size but, above all, by the character of disciples who become faithful followers of Jesus. The focus is on the process of sowing and watering, while God brings about the growth, as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:6. True followers of Jesus are characterized by purity and loyalty, akin to a pure bride remaining faithful to her fiancé. They heed the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, remain unaffected by deceptions, doubts, or immoral behavior, and are open to correction and spiritual instruction. Success in the mission is thus manifested in shaping disciples who are not only saved but actively participate in Jesus’ mission.
13.5 Mission Complete
Revelation 21:1–4 and 21:22–22:5 paint the picture of a glorious New Earth, freed from death, sin, and wickedness. This paradise will be populated by people of all ethnicities and languages, reunited with their loved ones and encountering their loving Redeemer. The General Conference Mission Committee has established clear criteria for reached and unreached people groups, with a reached group being capable of testifying without external assistance. Now is the time to invest in God’s mission, make disciples of unreached people groups, and thus hasten the return of our Redeemer. This mission has the ultimate goal of living with the redeemed in the promised new heaven and on the New Earth.
13.6 Summary
The final lesson poignantly reflects on God’s end-time mission. Revelation highlights the Trinity working together in rescuing humanity and underscores the urgency of the mission amid the challenges of the end times. The Three Angels’ Messages are identified as the core of our Seventh-day Adventist mission, calling for proclaiming the eternal Gospel and promoting worship of the Creator. Success in the mission is measured not only quantitatively but, above all, by shaping faithful disciples with purity, loyalty, and openness to the Holy Spirit. The concluding lesson outlines the anticipated picture of the New Earth, populated by people of all ethnicities, and calls for investing in God’s mission, reaching unreached people groups, and ultimately living with the redeemed in the promised new heaven and on the New Earth.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/gods-mission-my-mission-lesson-13-the-end-of-gods-mission-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

God’s Mission, My Mission – Lesson 12: Esther and Mordecai | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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Series GOD’S MISSION, MY MISSION with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 12: Esther and Mordecai |
In the captivating Lesson 12, we delve into the story of Esther and Mordecai, who live as captives in a foreign culture. This narrative reveals the challenges of external adaptation and emphasizes the significant inner loyalty to God that prevails even under the most adverse conditions. We gain a fascinating insight into life at the foreign court of the Persians, where Mordecai and Esther must act wisely to protect their identity. Mordecai’s steadfast testimony before Haman and Esther’s courageous approach to the king illustrate that even in seemingly hopeless situations, faith in God and the willingness to act can make a crucial difference. Ultimately, the Purim miracle demonstrates that God’s actions are often hidden in seemingly ordinary events, reminding us that His presence can be concealed beneath the surface of our daily lives.
Memory Text: Isaiah 49,6 – “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  |
Content:
12.1 Captive in a Foreign Culture
Being captive in a foreign culture requires not only external adaptation but also inner loyalty. The history of the Jews under Babylonians and Persians shows that external laws alone do not guarantee true devotion to God. Even in an environment favorable to faith, loyalty must come from the heart to avoid sin and apostasy. In the end, determined loyalty overcomes the most adverse conditions.
12.2 In a Foreign Court
The story of Esther provides a fascinating glimpse into life at the foreign court of the Persians. Mordecai and Esther, strangers in a foreign culture, must act wisely to protect their identity. The decision to temporarily keep Esther’s Jewish heritage a secret highlights the challenges and the necessity of adapting to a hostile environment. In this politically and culturally complex situation, the narrative of Esther and Mordecai unfolds.
12.3 Mordecai’s Faithful Witness
Mordecai’s steadfast testimony before Haman depicts the confrontation between his firm faith as a devout Jew and the demands of Persian culture. His refusal to bow before Haman was based on his principle of worshiping only the Lord. By openly revealing his Jewish identity, Mordecai not only risked his own life but also that of his fellow Jews. In the midst of moral darkness at the royal court, Mordecai’s faith shines like the bright light of Daniel and his companions in Babylon.
12.4 For Such a Time as This
Esther revealed her Jewish identity at a crucial moment when Mordecai alerted her to the impending danger to her people. Her bold approach to the king, without a formal invitation, illustrates her willingness to risk her own life for the salvation of her people. Mordecai’s appeal to Esther’s responsibility and her subsequent dedication to fasting and prayer underline the strong faith that moved her to act at a critical moment. Esther shows that even in seemingly hopeless situations, faith in God and the willingness to act can make a crucial difference.
12.5 The Miracle of Purim
The Purim miracle in the story of Esther shows that God’s actions are often hidden in the seemingly normal events of life. Although God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, the Jews recognize His work in their deliverance. The festival of Purim, arising from this miracle, emphasizes how God can work through seemingly natural circumstances. The fact that even people from the nations converted to Judaism demonstrates the transformative power of God’s invisible intervention in our lives. Purim reminds us that God’s presence is often hidden beneath the surface of our daily lives.
12.6 Summary
Lesson 12 illuminates the story of Esther and Mordecai, who live as captives in a foreign culture. The narrative underscores the importance of inner loyalty to God despite external adaptation and shows that determined loyalty overcomes adverse conditions even in hostile environments. Mordecai’s steadfast testimony, Esther’s courageous approach, and the Purim miracle illustrate how faith in God and the willingness to act can have a decisive impact even in seemingly hopeless situations.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/gods-mission-my-mission-lesson-12-esther-and-mordecai-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

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