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God’s Mission, My Mission – Lesson 3: God’s Call to Mission | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaIbe-WoJLU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-GB&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Series GOD’S MISSION, MY MISSION with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 3: God’s Call to Mission  |
Memory Text: 1: Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  |
Content:  |
3.1 Moving Beyond Our Comfort Zone
The story of the Tower of Babel reminds us how the desire to stay in our comfort zone and surround ourselves only with like-minded individuals can lead to selfish and harmful intentions. The people building the tower had ambitious plans to make a name for themselves, but their lack of trust in God’s promise and their selfish motives ultimately led to their failure. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of examining our intentions and stepping out of our comfort zone to trust in God’s plans and promises.
3.2 Becoming a Blessing to the Whole World
The story of Abraham (formerly Abram) reminds us that God’s instructions often serve as a call to mission. When God called Abraham to leave his land and move to a new land, it was part of God’s plan to use Abraham as a means to fulfill His divine intentions. Abraham obeyed in faith, without knowing exactly how everything would unfold. This willingness to follow God’s call underscores the importance of trusting our faith and being ready to step out of our comfort zone for God’s mission in our lives.
3.3 Abraham’s Call
The story of Abraham’s calling reminds us that the path of faith is not always easy and can be fraught with challenges. Although Abraham obeyed God and moved to the land shown to him, he encountered difficulties and famine. His lack of trust even led to a dishonest act in Egypt. However, Abraham’s story shows that God is patient and remains by our side despite our mistakes and weaknesses when we hold onto faith in Him. This narrative encourages us to maintain our faith amidst difficulties and temptations, as God can still fulfill His plan through us.
3.4 The Early Church and Comfort Zones
The early church was forcefully scattered beyond its comfort zone due to persecution, primarily instigated by Saul. This compelled believers to spread the message of the Gospel to other regions, aligning with Jesus’ original promise in Acts 1:8. Initially, their proclamation was limited to Jewish territories and the Jewish population in other cities. The church had limited perceptions of its mission.
3.5 Starting From Where You Are
The principle Jesus highlights in Acts 1:8 emphasizes the importance of beginning our witness where we are physically located. This means being witnesses in our immediate surroundings, whether it be within our family, community, neighborhood, or workplace. It reminds us that mission extends not only to distant places but also involves crossing cultural boundaries to spread Jesus’ message. These verses encourage us to start in our vicinity and be prepared to go to other areas and reach various social and ethnic groups to share the love and gospel of Jesus.
 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/gods-mission-my-mission-lesson-3-gods-call-to-mission-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

God’s Mission, My Mission – Lesson 2: God’s Mission to Us: Part 2 | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_QT7_0FPo?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-GB&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Series GOD’S MISSION, MY MISSION with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 2: God’s Mission to Us: Part 2 |
Memory Text: 1: Matthew 28:19 – 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.  |
Content:  |
2.1 The Triune God: The Origin of Mission
This text emphasizes that God’s mission in the Bible highlights Jesus Christ as the central way of salvation, as Christ Himself stated in John 14:6. It underscores that everything Christ did was in connection with His heavenly Father and that this mission was planned before the creation of the world. The Trinity, consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is the origin of the mission, and they are actively involved in the mission of redemption. This understanding should shape our own mission and remind us that the mission ultimately rests in the hands of the triune God and is therefore destined for success.
2.2 Making Disciples: The Focus of Mission
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:16–20 emphasizes making disciples as the central task of mission. This command to make disciples includes not only teaching and baptizing but also sharing the teachings of Jesus with the entire world. It emphasizes the universal validity and reach of this mission, which is significant for all true followers of Christ. The Great Commission concludes with the encouraging promise of Jesus that He will always be with His followers as they engage in this task.
2.3 The Eternal Gospel: The Message of Mission
The “eternal gospel” in Revelation 14:6–7 highlights the unchanging message of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. This message of salvation remains constant while deceptive teachings come and go. It reminds us that our mission is to make disciples who are not only morally upright but also spiritually oriented and prepared for the return of Christ. The proclamation of judgment is also a proclamation of the second coming of Jesus and therefore an integral part of the gospel.
2.4 God’s People: The Channels of Mission
God’s people play a crucial role in His mission, both in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, they were called to be representatives of God’s mission and channels of blessing to the nations, provided they lived in faith and obedience. In the New Testament, God’s mission continues, and the church is entrusted with the task of saving lost souls and proclaiming God’s love through Jesus Christ. It is a tremendous responsibility and privilege to be part of this mission and to carry the love and gospel of Christ to the world.
2.5 The World: The Arena of Mission
Revelation 7:9–10 illustrates the extensive geographical scope of God’s mission. These verses describe a great multitude from all nations, tribes, languages, and peoples standing before God’s throne. This demonstrates that God’s mission aims to reach and redeem people from all over the world. The message of the gospel is meant to encompass all levels of society, all nations, and cultures, and it is our responsibility to carry this message to the farthest corners of the earth.
 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/gods-mission-my-mission-lesson-2-gods-mission-to-us-part-2-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

God’s Mission, My Mission – Lesson 1: God’s Mission to Us: Part 1 | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D6phmzoB2M?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-GB&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Series GOD’S MISSION, MY MISSION with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 1: God’s Mission to Us: Part 1 |
Memory Text: 1: Genesis 3:9 – Then the Lord God called Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’  |
Content:  |
1.1 The God Who Reaches Out to Us
This text reminds us that God created us in His image and likeness to have an intimate relationship with Him, characterized by love. He has also given us free will so that our love for Him is authentic, while providing us with clear instructions to protect us from the consequences of disobedience. Despite the entrance of sin into the world, God’s mercy and determination to fulfill His mission of redemption to save fallen humanity are evident. This reminds us that God always approaches us and seeks us, even in our most difficult moments.
1.2 The God Who Longs to Be With Us
God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants in the Old Testament repeatedly emphasize God’s deep longing to be with His people and to serve them. This shows us that God has a missionary nature and actively works to extend His love and blessings to the entire world. The establishment of the Old Testament sanctuary and the sacrifices therein were symbols of the coming work of Jesus Christ, which would ultimately fulfill God’s mission of redemption for humanity. This reminds us of how much God is interested in being with us and saving us.
1.3 The God Who Became One With Us
The Old Testament illustrates God’s missionary strategy, in which He implemented a plan through a chosen people to reveal His nature and purpose to the world. This strategy continued in the New Testament when God, through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, revealed a new dimension of His relationship with humanity. The birth of Jesus shows us that God concretely fulfilled His desire to be with us by coming in human form. The Incarnation of Christ emphasizes that God actively continues His mission of redemption by becoming one with us to show us the way to God.
1.4 The God Who Continues to Be With Us
The life and ministry of Jesus were a revelation of God that went deeper than anything before. In Christ, God’s missionary nature was fully revealed, and Jesus Himself declared His mission to seek and save people. John 3:16 shows how God’s love and mission are intertwined as He sent His Son to bring us redemption. The events of the last week of Jesus’ life, including His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, connected the hope of the past with the future. His death was part of the reconciliation process, and His resurrection defeated death. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 assures us that Jesus has all authority and is always with us as we engage in God’s mission.
1.5 The God Who Will Come Back for Us
John 14:1–3 is deeply connected to the end-time message of the Bible. This verse reveals the blessed hope that Jesus will return to take us to Himself so that we may be with Him forever. This promise reflects the Creator’s desire to be with His creatures for eternity. In Revelation 21:3, this hope is eventually realized when God will dwell among people, and they will be His people. This is the most uplifting picture of redemption in which the God of mission fulfills His ultimate plan to be with His children forever. It is a privilege to partake in this glorious reality.
 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/gods-mission-my-mission-lesson-1-gods-mission-to-us-part-1-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

Netflix Miniseries Discusses Adventist Health Principles

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5 September 2023 | According to the Adventist Review, a new four-part miniseries on Netflix titled “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” has cast the spotlight on the remarkable longevity of SDAs in Loma Linda, CA, among others. Released on August 30, the show aims to decode the secrets that enable certain communities, […] Source: https://atoday.org/netflix-miniseries-discusses-adventist-health-principles/

Can Seventh-day Adventists Reach the Entire World?

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by Raj Attiken  |  25 August 2023  |   On November 15, 2022, the World Population Clock recorded that the global population had reached the 8 billion mark. Five months later, India’s population was reported to be 1,425,775,850—surpassing the population of mainland China.  The total population of the two nations—neither of them having but a tiny […] Source: https://atoday.org/can-seventh-day-adventists-reach-the-entire-world/

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