Author Topic: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 4-Second Quarter 2015-The Call to Discipleship  (Read 6552 times)

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Wally

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 Lesson 4 April 18-24




The Call to Discipleship


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Luke 5:1-11,6:12-16,9:1-6, Matt. 10:5-15, Luke 10:1-24, Luke 9:23-25, Matt. 16:24-28.

Memory Text: "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me"" (Luke 9:23, NKJV).

Disciple means a follower, or a pupil. The word disciple occurs more than 250 times in the Bible, mostly but not exclusively in the Gospels and Acts.

Being a disciple energizes the spirit, challenges the mind, and demands our utmost in our relationship with God and our fellowmen. Without total allegiance to Christ and the demands of His life and message, there can be no discipleship. What higher calling could one have?

"God takes men as they are, and educates them for His service, if they will yield themselves to Him. The Spirit of God, received into the soul, will quicken all its faculties. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the mind that is devoted unreservedly to God develops harmoniously, and is strengthened to comprehend and fulfill the requirements of God. The weak, vacillating character becomes changed to one of strength and steadfastness. Continual devotion establishes so close a relation between Jesus and His disciple that the Christian becomes like Him in mind and character."-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 251.

This week well look at how Jesus called those who were to follow Him and see what lesson we can learn that can help us in our continuation of the work that He had started on earth.

Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 25.

Sunday April 19

Fishers of Men

Simon and Andrew had toiled all night. Seasoned fishermen, they knew the art of fishing, and they knew when to quit. Nightlong work yielded nothing. In the midst of their disappointment came an unsolicited command: "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4, NKJV). Simon's response was one of hopelessness and anguish: "We have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word . . ." (Luke 5:5, NKJV).

Who is this carpenter counseling a fisherman about fishing? Simon could have turned away, but is it possible that Jesus' comforting and authentic preaching earlier had some effect? Hence, the response: "nevertheless at Your word."

Thus, the first lesson of discipleship: obedience to Christ's Word. Andrew, John, and James also soon learned that the long and fruitless night had given way to a bright and astonishing dawn, with a multitude of fish caught. At once, Peter fell to his knees and cried out: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8, NKJV). Recognition of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of oneself is another essential step in the call to discipleship. As Isaiah had (Isaiah 6:5), Peter had taken that step.

Read Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-22, and Mark 1:16-20. Consider the miracle, the astonishment of the fishermen, the confession of Peter, and the authority of Jesus. What does each one of these accounts say about the path of discipleship?

"Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men" (Luke 5:10, NKJV). The transition from being fishermen to becoming fishers of men is extraordinary: it requires absolute self-surrender to the Master, recognition of one's inability and sinfulness, a reaching out to Christ in faith for the strength to walk the lonely and unknown path of discipleship, and continual reliance on Christ and Him alone. The life of a fisherman is uncertain and dangerous, battling ruthless waves, unsure of a steady income. The life of a fisher of men is no less so, but the Lord promises, "Fear not." Discipleship is not an easy road; it has its ups and downs, its joys and challenges, but a disciple is not called to walk alone. The One who said "Fear not" is by the side of the faithful disciple.

Go back and read again Peter's confession about being a sinful man. Notice how his sinfulness prompted him to want to be separated from Jesus. What is it about sin that does that to us, that pushes us away from God?

Monday April 20

Selection of the Twelve

Discipleship is not self-made. It is a result of responding to the call of Jesus. Luke mentions that Jesus has already called Peter, Andrew, John, and James (Luke 5:11, Matthew 4:18-22) and Levi Matthew, the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32). Now the writer places the selection of the Twelve in a strategic location in his narrative: immediately after the Sabbath healing of a man with a withered hand (Luke 6:6-11), which led the Pharisees to plot the murder of Jesus. The Lord knew that it was time to consolidate His work and prepare a team of workers whom He could train and prepare for the task beyond the Cross.

Read Luke 6:12-16,9:1-6. What do these verses tell us about the calling of the twelve apostles?

Among the multitudes that followed Him, there were many disciples-ones who followed Him as students would follow a teacher. But Christ's task is more than that of teaching. His was to build a community of the redeemed, a church that would take His saving message to the ends of the earth. For that purpose, He needs more than disciples. "From them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles" (Luke 6:13, NKJV). "Apostle" means someone sent with a special message for a special purpose. Luke uses the word six times in the Gospel and more than 25 times in Acts (Matthew and Mark use it only once each).

The Twelve were chosen not because of their education, economic background, social prominence, moral eminence, or anything that marked them as worthy of selection. They were ordinary men from ordinary backgrounds: fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot, a doubter, and one who turned out to be a traitor. They were called for one purpose only: to be ambassadors of the King and His kingdom.

"God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image."-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 294.

Let's face it: were not perfect, nor are others in the church perfect. We all are in a process of growing (even if others seem to grow more slowly than we would like them to!). How, in the meantime, do we learn to work with others and accept them as they are?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Tuesday April 21

Commissioning of the Apostles

Read Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:5-15. What spiritual truths can we learn from the verses about how Jesus called these men?

Luke describes the commissioning of the apostles as a three-step process.

First, Jesus called them together (Luke 9:1). The word call or calling is as vital to Christian mission as it is to Christian vocabulary. Before it can become a theological term, it must become a personal experience. The apostles must heed the One who calls, come to Him, and be "together." Both the obedience to Him who calls and the surrender of everything to Him are essential to experience the unity that is essential for the mission to succeed.

Second, Jesus "gave them power and authority" (Luke 9:1, NKJV). Jesus never sends His emissaries empty-handed. Nor does He expect us to be His representatives in our own strength. Our education, culture, status, wealth, or intelligence are powerless to accomplish His mission. It is Christ who enables, equips, and empowers. The Greek word for "power" is dynamis, from which we derive "dynamo," a source of light, and "dynamite," a source of energy that can plow through a mountain. The power and authority that Jesus gives is sufficient to crush the devil and defeat his purposes. Jesus is our power. "As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings."-Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, p. 333.

Third, Jesus "sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick" (Luke 9:2, NKJV). Preaching and healing go together, and the mission of the disciples is to care for the whole person-body, mind, and soul. Sin and Satan have captured the whole person, and the whole person must be brought under the sanctifying power of Jesus.

The life of discipleship can be maintained only when that life is totally given to Christ, with nothing coming in between. Neither gold nor silver, neither father nor mother, neither spouse nor child, neither life nor death, neither the contingencies of today nor the emergencies of tomorrow shall come between the disciple and Christ. Christ, His kingdom, and the witness to a lost world alone matter.

"Take nothing for the journey" (Luke 9:3, NKJV). What principle is expressed here that's important for us to understand and to experience for ourselves?

Wednesday April 22

Sending the Seventy

Read Luke 10:1-24. What does this account, of the sending out of the 70, teach us about the work of soul winning amid the reality of the great controversy?

During His ministry, more than 12 disciples followed Jesus. When Peter addressed the believers leading to the selection of a substitute for Judas, the group consisted of at least 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). Paul tells us that Jesus had not less than 500 followers at His ascension (1 Cor. 15:6). So, the sending of the 70 does not limit the number of disciples that Jesus had but only suggests His choice of a special group on a limited mission to go before Him into the towns of Galilee and prepare the way for His subsequent visits.

Only the Gospel of Luke records the account of the 70, very typical of the missionary-minded Luke. The number 70 is symbolic in Scripture, as well as in Jewish history. Genesis 10 lists 70 nations of the world as descendants of Noah, and Luke was a writer with a universal worldview. Moses appointed 70 elders to assist him in his work (Num. 11:16-17,24-25). The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 members. Whether all these have any significance in Jesus' calling of the 70 is not mentioned in the Scripture and need not detain us in speculation. But what is important is that Jesus, as a trainer of leaders for the church, has left a strategy not to concentrate power and responsibility in a few but to spread it across the spectrum of disciples.

Joy and fulfillment marked the return of the 70. They reported to Jesus: "Even the demons are subject to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17, NKJV). Success in soul winning is never the work of the evangelist. The evangelist is only a medium. The success comes through "Your name." The name and power of Jesus is at the heart of every successful gospel mission.

But note three remarkable reactions of Jesus to the success of the mission of the 70. First, in the success of evangelism, Jesus sees a defeat of Satan (Luke 10:18). Second, the more involved one is in gospel work, the more authority is promised (Luke 10:19). Third, the evangelist's joy should be not in what has been accomplished on earth but because his/her name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Heaven rejoices and takes note of every person won from the clutches of Satan. Every soul won to the kingdom is a blow to Satan's schemes.

Read again Luke 10:24. What are some of the things that we have seen that prophets and kings wanted to see but didn't? What should that mean to us?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Thursday April 23

The Cost of Discipleship

Socrates had Plato. Gamaliel had Saul. Leaders of various religions had their devout followers. The difference between discipleship in such cases and the discipleship of Jesus is that the former is based on the content of human philosophy, whereas the latter is rooted in the person and accomplishment of Jesus Himself. Thus, Christian discipleship rests not just on Christ's teachings but also on what He did for human salvation. Hence, Jesus bids all His followers to fully identify themselves with Him, to take up their cross, and to follow His leadings. Without people walking in the footprints of Calvary, there is no Christian discipleship.

Read Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:34-36. What is the crucial message here for anyone who claims to be a Christian?

Christian discipleship is an operative link between the saved and the Savior; as the saved, we are to follow the Savior. Thus Paul could say, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20, NIV).

The cost of discipleship is defined in Luke 9:23: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23, NKJV). Note these operative words: "deny," "take up," and "follow." When we read that Peter denied Jesus, we could not have a better definition of "deny." Peter was saying, "I do not know Jesus." So, when the call to discipleship demands that I deny myself, I must be able to say I do not know me; self is dead. In its stead, Christ must live (Gal. 2:20). Second, to take up the cross daily is a call to experience self-crucifixion on a continual basis. Third, to follow demands that the focus and direction of life is Christ and Him alone.

Jesus expands the cost of discipleship even further, as revealed in Luke 9:57-62: nothing takes precedence over Jesus. He, and He alone, stands supreme in friendship and fellowship, work and worship. In Christian discipleship, death to self is not an option; it is a necessity. "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. . . . It is the same death every time-death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call. . . . Only the man who is dead to his own will can follow Christ."-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1965), p. 99.

What has following Christ cost you? Think hard about your answer and the implications of it.

Friday April 24

Further Study: "Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he learns how to bear Christ's burdens. We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him. If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ's footsteps."-Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 69.

Discussion Questions:

    Go back and look at the question at the end of Wednesday's lesson, in regard to Luke 10:24. What are some of the things that we, living in this day and age, have been privy to witness that "many prophets and kings" would have liked to see but didn't? What about, for example, the fulfillment of prophecies? Think about how much of Daniel 2:1-49,7:1-8:27 were still in the future for many of those prophets and kings but are now historical facts for us. What else can you think of?

    Dwell more on the words of Jesus about someone gaining the whole world but losing one's soul. What does He mean by that? Or what about losing one's life in order to save it? What does that mean? It's one thing for a nonbeliever to cling selfishly to the things of this world. Why not, because that's all they believe that they have. What else would they cling to? But why, even as believers in Jesus, those who know that this world will end and a new one will one day start, do we find ourselves so readily seeking to gain as much of this world as we can? How can we protect ourselves from this very dangerous spiritual trap?

    Read Luke 10:17-20. One can understand the excitement of these people as they saw that even demons were subject to them in Christ's name. Look at Jesus' response to them. What was He saying that's so important for anyone involved in outreach to understand?

    Who are some people, besides Bible characters, whose choice to follow Christ has cost them a lot, perhaps more than most of us? In class, ask yourselves, "What did these people lose, what did following Christ cost them, and would I be willing to do the same?"

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Richard Myers

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Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Luke 5:1-11,6:12-16,9:1-6, Matt. 10:5-15, Luke 10:1-24, Luke 9:23-25, Matt. 16:24-28.

Memory Text: "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

Disciple means a follower, or a pupil. The word disciple occurs more than 250 times in the Bible, mostly but not exclusively in the Gospels and Acts.

Being a disciple energizes the spirit, challenges the mind, and demands our utmost in our relationship with God and our fellowmen. Without total allegiance to Christ and the demands of His life and message, there can be no discipleship. What higher calling could one have?

"God takes men as they are, and educates them for His service, if they will yield themselves to Him. The Spirit of God, received into the soul, will quicken all its faculties. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the mind that is devoted unreservedly to God develops harmoniously, and is strengthened to comprehend and fulfill the requirements of God. The weak, vacillating character becomes changed to one of strength and steadfastness. Continual devotion establishes so close a relation between Jesus and His disciple that the Christian becomes like Him in mind and character."-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 251.

Amen!  This is a powerful statement of what happens when there are some who "will yield themselves to Him." What do we call a full surrender of one's will? Is it not conversion or justification? At conversion,  the character becomes changed to one of strength and steadfastness." This is the  greatest miracle that God can perform, but He cannot do it  without our help. What must we do in order for Jesus to save us?



This week well look at how Jesus called those who were to follow Him and see what lesson we can learn that can help us in our continuation of the work that He had started on earth.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Sunday April 19

Fishers of Men


Simon and Andrew had toiled all night. Seasoned fishermen, they knew the art of fishing, and they knew when to quit. Nightlong work yielded nothing. In the midst of their disappointment came an unsolicited command: "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." (Luke 5:4). Simon's response was one of hopelessness and anguish: "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5).

Who is this carpenter counseling a fisherman about fishing? Simon could have turned away, but is it possible that Jesus' comforting and authentic preaching earlier had some effect? Hence, the response: "nevertheless at Your word."

Did Peter believe Jesus? Did He know He was the Messiah? He had seen Him cast out evil Spirits. He chose to follow Christ. How is it with us? Do we believe Jesus? When we cannot see how His promises will apply to us, do we continue to trust Him? And follow Him and His Word? Or do we choose to follow our own will?


Thus, the first lesson of discipleship: obedience to Christ's Word. Andrew, John, and James also soon learned that the long and fruitless night had given way to a bright and astonishing dawn, with a multitude of fish caught. At once, Peter fell to his knees and cried out: "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8). Recognition of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of oneself is another essential step in the call to discipleship. As Isaiah had (Isaiah 6:5), Peter had taken that step.

Amen! Until we understand that apart from God we can do no good thing, that we are sinful and erring humans and in continual need of a Savior, then we will not make a full surrender to Jesus.


Read
Luke  5:1-11

 5:1   And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 
 5:2   And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing [their] nets. 
 5:3   And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 
 5:4   Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 
 5:5   And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 
 5:6   And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 
 5:7   And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 
 5:8   When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 
 5:9   For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 
 5:10   And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 
 5:11   And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. 

Matthew 4:18-22
 4:18   And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 
 4:19   And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 
 4:20   And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him. 
 4:21   And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 
 4:22   And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 

Mark 1:16-20.
 1:16   Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 
 1:17   And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 
 1:18   And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 
 1:19   And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 
 1:20   And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. 


Consider the miracle, the astonishment of the fishermen, the confession of Peter, and the authority of Jesus. What does each one of these accounts say about the path of discipleship?

"Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." (Luke 5:10).
The transition from being fishermen to becoming fishers of men is extraordinary: it requires absolute self-surrender to the Master, recognition of one's inability and sinfulness, a reaching out to Christ in faith for the strength to walk the lonely and unknown path of discipleship, and continual reliance on Christ and Him alone. The life of a fisherman is uncertain and dangerous, battling ruthless waves, unsure of a steady income. The life of a fisher of men is no less so, but the Lord promises, "Fear not." Discipleship is not an easy road; it has its ups and downs, its joys and challenges, but a disciple is not called to walk alone. The One who said "Fear not" is by the side of the faithful disciple.

Amen!  Note what the author has stated: "it requires absolute self-surrender to the Master." Do we think we can walk on water when we have let our minds wander away from Christ? Many do not understand they must remain completely surrendered to remain in a converted state. They believe they have eternal life when separated from God. The lesson goes on to make more pointed our fallen nature: "It requires....recognition of one's inability and sinfulness." Many have been taught they are not sinful by nature. What do you believe?


Go back and read again Peter's confession about being a sinful man. Notice how his sinfulness prompted him to want to be separated from Jesus. What is it about sin that does that to us, that pushes us away from God?

Sin reveals a separation between us and God. It is important to recognize that when we sin, we need to become reconciled to God. We must reconnect with our Savior. He does not leave us in our sin, but He calls us back to Himself. When we sin, we bear guilt. We are ashamed that we have crucified our Savior afresh. We do not want to let that guilt keep us away from Jesus. He loves us and died for us while we were yet sinners. What a loving God we serve!!

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Monday April 20

Selection of the Twelve

Discipleship is not self-made. It is a result of responding to the call of Jesus. Luke mentions that Jesus has already called Peter, Andrew, John, and James (Luke 5:11, Matthew 4:18-22) and Levi Matthew, the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32). Now the writer places the selection of the Twelve in a strategic location in his narrative: immediately after the Sabbath healing of a man with a withered hand (Luke 6:6-11), which led the Pharisees to plot the murder of Jesus. The Lord knew that it was time to consolidate His work and prepare a team of workers whom He could train and prepare for the task beyond the Cross.

Read Luke 6:12-16,9:1-6.

6:12   And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 
 6:13   And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 
 6:14   Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 
 6:15   Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 
 6:16   And Judas [the brother] of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

 9:1   Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 
 9:2   And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 
 9:3   And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 
 9:4   And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 
 9:5   And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 
 9:6   And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. 


What do these verses tell us about the calling of the twelve apostles?

Among the multitudes that followed Him, there were many disciples-ones who followed Him as students would follow a teacher. But Christ's task is more than that of teaching. His was to build a community of the redeemed, a church that would take His saving message to the ends of the earth. For that purpose, He needs more than disciples. "of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles" (Luke 6:13). "Apostle" means someone sent with a special message for a special purpose. Luke uses the word six times in the Gospel and more than 25 times in Acts (Matthew and Mark use it only once each).

The Twelve were chosen not because of their education, economic background, social prominence, moral eminence, or anything that marked them as worthy of selection. They were ordinary men from ordinary backgrounds: fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot, a doubter, and one who turned out to be a traitor. They were called for one purpose only: to be ambassadors of the King and His kingdom.

"God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image."-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 294.

Let's face it: were not perfect, nor are others in the church perfect. We all are in a process of growing (even if others seem to grow more slowly than we would like them to!). How, in the meantime, do we learn to work with others and accept them as they are?

This is an important question that needs to be answered correctly. Do we make elders of men who are as Judas? The lesson leaves much out of the subject that we must understand. God chose men who He knew were of a character to do the work needed. He did not choose Judas who He knew would not do the work entrusted to him.

What happens if the church selects men like Judas to be pastors in the church? Can the conference know who is fit for service as teachers and leaders in the  church? Can a church know who to ordain as elders and deacons? How can we judge men as fit for the ministry?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Tuesday April 21

Commissioning of the Apostles


Read Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:5-15.

 9:1   Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 
 9:2   And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 
 9:3   And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 
 9:4   And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 
 9:5   And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 
 9:6   And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. 

 10:5   These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 
 10:6   But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 
 10:7   And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
 10:8   Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 
 10:9   Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 
 10:10   Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 
 10:11   And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 
 10:12   And when ye come into an house, salute it. 
 10:13   And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 
 10:14   And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 
 10:15   Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 


What spiritual truths can we learn from the verses about how Jesus called these men?

Luke describes the commissioning of the apostles as a three-step process.

First, Jesus called them together (Luke 9:1). The word call or calling is as vital to Christian mission as it is to Christian vocabulary. Before it can become a theological term, it must become a personal experience. The apostles must heed the One who calls, come to Him, and be "together." Both the obedience to Him who calls and the surrender of everything to Him are essential to experience the unity that is essential for the mission to succeed.

Amen!  Jesus knew this of those He called, as does He know today the character of those He "calls" into ministry. They are truly converted, they have committed "the surrender of everything to Him". When Jesus calls one into ministry, He takes them as they are, but He reads their hearts.  "The Saviour knew the character of the men whom He had chosen..." But, one whom He did not choose inserted himself into the group as Jesus was preparing to ordain them. "While Jesus was preparing the disciples for their ordination, one who had not been summoned urged his presence among them. It was Judas Iscariot, a man who professed to be a follower of Christ. He now came forward, soliciting a place in this inner circle of disciples. With great earnestness and apparent sincerity he declared, "Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest." Jesus neither repulsed nor welcomed him, but uttered only the mournful words: "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." Matthew 8:19, 20. Desire of Ages, pg. 293.

In Monday's lesson I asked if the conferences ought to  ordain men such as Judas, taking them as they are and hoping for the best. This is the attitude some have taken and supported that attitude by the statement quoted in Monday's lesson. That is a twisting of the truth. Here is the rest of the story. Jesus allowed Judas to become a disciple, not because He chose him, but in order to protect those whom He had chosen. "If He had repulsed Judas, they would, in their own minds, have questioned the wisdom of their Master. The after history of Judas would show them the danger of allowing any worldly consideration to have weight in deciding the fitness of men for the work of God. The co-operation of such men as the disciples were anxious to secure would have betrayed the work into the hands of its worst enemies. Desire of Ages, pg 294.


Second, Jesus "gave them power and authority" (Luke 9:1). Jesus never sends His emissaries empty-handed. Nor does He expect us to be His representatives in our own strength. Our education, culture, status, wealth, or intelligence are powerless to accomplish His mission. It is Christ who enables, equips, and empowers. The Greek word for "power" is dynamis, from which we derive "dynamo," a source of light, and "dynamite," a source of energy that can plow through a mountain. The power and authority that Jesus gives is sufficient to crush the devil and defeat his purposes. Jesus is our power. "As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings."-Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, p. 333.

Another important subject that we need to understand correctly. What becomes "omnipotent"?  The  will of man. Is your will all powerful?  Can you walk on water? If so, do you resist sin?  There is a direct connection between these two powers. Omnipotence is power to not only do, but to resist sin also.  Do you have an "omnipotent" will? How does one get such power? When we are converted and have Christ in us the hope of glory. When we are converted and Jesus is abiding in the heart, then we have an omnipotent will. Do we believe we can have the power of God? If not, then "unbelief" is the problem. There is no greater sin than not believing what God has said.


Third, Jesus "sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick" (Luke 9:2). Preaching and healing go together, and the mission of the disciples is to care for the whole person-body, mind, and soul. Sin and Satan have captured the whole person, and the whole person must be brought under the sanctifying power of Jesus.

The life of discipleship can be maintained only when that life is totally given to Christ, with nothing coming in between. Neither gold nor silver, neither father nor mother, neither spouse nor child, neither life nor death, neither the contingencies of today nor the emergencies of tomorrow shall come between the disciple and Christ. Christ, His kingdom, and the witness to a lost world alone matter.

Amen! But, this is not what is understood by most professing Christians today. Many believe they can be Christians when they allow other things to come between them and Christ. Excuses are made for sin. After all man has a fallen nature and must be allowed the opportunity to grow in grace. It is true that we are sinners by nature and God does indeed allow us to grow in grace. But, to believe Christ abides in the heart when we lose our temper is not true. What bearing has this to do with our lesson? How can one be a disciple (Christian) when Jesus is not in the heart, when "the life" is not "totally given to Christ"?  If we fail to understand that the evil heart must first  be cleansed before it is acceptable to God, then we fail  to understand the foundation of our faith.


"Take nothing for your journey" (Luke 9:3). What principle is expressed here that's important for us to understand and to experience for ourselves?

It is a matter of faith, is it not? Either we believe God is leading us and will provide for our necessities, or we do not. If He calls into ministry, will He provide for our needs? He said "Take nothing for your journey". Many are not led into the wilderness by  God. When they fail, they wonder why God did not provide for their needs. It is because He did not lead them there. But, if He does call, if we are walking  in the light of His love and grace, then He has promised to provide for us. It may not be what we want  or expect, but if we are truly converted, given  Him everything, then we will see  Him make  provision for us. We can see this is closely related to overcoming  sin. Both require the omnipotent power of God. We have a continual need of Christ in order to do any good thing. He is the power, we are the helper through whom His power seeks to work that we might be His witnesses in a world soon to be destroyed.

Does God have His witnesses  in the world today? Those who are willing to die rather than to deny their faith? What does this say about those who  have no power to resist the smallest temptations in every day life? Fear not, Christ died for us while we were yet sinners that He might empower us to become overcomers. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10:13. This is a conditional promise. What is the condition set before us that we might receive this power to not yield to sin?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Wednesday April 22

Sending the Seventy


Read Luke 10:1-24.

10:1   After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 
 10:2   Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 
 10:3   Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 
 10:4   Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 
 10:5   And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house. 
 10:6   And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 
 10:7   And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 
 10:8   And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 
 10:9   And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
 10:10   But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 
 10:11   Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
 10:12   But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 
 10:13   Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 
 10:14   But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 
 10:15   And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 
 10:16   He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 
 10:17   And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 
 10:18   And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
 10:19   Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 
 10:20   Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 
 10:21   In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 
 10:22   All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]. 
 10:23   And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: 
 10:24   For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them]. 

What does this account, of the sending out of the 70, teach us about the work of soul winning amid the reality of the great controversy?

There are a number of very important statements in these verses. What do  you see that sheds light on our experience?


During His ministry, more than 12 disciples followed Jesus. When Peter addressed the believers leading to the selection of a substitute for Judas, the group consisted of at least 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). Paul tells us that Jesus had not less than 500 followers at His ascension (1 Cor. 15:6). So, the sending of the 70 does not limit the number of disciples that Jesus had but only suggests His choice of a special group on a limited mission to go before Him into the towns of Galilee and prepare the way for His subsequent visits.

The lesson is using the terms "disciple" and "followers".  The 12 disciples had given up their work to do ministry, to fish for men. How about the 70?  It appears they would be gone for awhile. Did women make up part of the 70?


Only the Gospel of Luke records the account of the 70, very typical of the missionary-minded Luke. The number 70 is symbolic in Scripture, as well as in Jewish history. Genesis 10 lists 70 nations of the world as descendants of Noah, and Luke was a writer with a universal worldview. Moses appointed 70 elders to assist him in his work (Num. 11:16-17,24-25). The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 members. Whether all these have any significance in Jesus' calling of the 70 is not mentioned in the Scripture and need not detain us in speculation. But what is important is that Jesus, as a trainer of leaders for the church, has left a strategy not to concentrate power and responsibility in a few but to spread it across the spectrum of disciples.

Amen!  We have a world-wide church with leaders from around the world that make important decisions, not a few from one part of the world.


Joy and fulfillment marked the return of the 70. They reported to Jesus: "Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name" (Luke 10:17). Success in soul winning is never the work of the evangelist. The evangelist is only a medium. The success comes through "Your name." The name and power of Jesus is at the heart of every successful gospel mission.

But note three remarkable reactions of Jesus to the success of the mission of the 70. First, in the success of evangelism, Jesus sees a defeat of Satan (Luke 10:18). Second, the more involved one is in gospel work, the more authority is promised (Luke 10:19). Third, the evangelist's joy should be not in what has been accomplished on earth but because his/her name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Heaven rejoices and takes note of every person won from the clutches of Satan. Every soul won to the kingdom is a blow to Satan's schemes.

We do not labor for souls to win heaven, but out of love for God and our fellow man. There are two things that by God's grace will go to heaven with us. Our character and those whom we have led to Christ.


Read again Luke 10:24. What are some of the things that we have seen that prophets and kings wanted to see but didn't? What should that mean to us?

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].


We have seen the cross in its blazing glory. We have heard the Words of our Savior. We have the gospel revealed in the life of God's dear Son. We have had many years of prophecy being fulfilled that they did not have. We live in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. We are seeing the end of all things come about in our day! What does that mean to us? What a responsibility!! Christ could have come had His church been faithful.

God has given to each man, woman, and child a part to play. What a joy to know we are working with the Creator god!!  As we read, we are imparted power in order to do the work entrusted to us.
"As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings." Amen!! Let us make a full surrender each day, then we will have Christ empowering us to do our part in finishing the work!!
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Thursday April 23

The Cost of Discipleship


Socrates had Plato. Gamaliel had Saul. Leaders of various religions had their devout followers. The difference between discipleship in such cases and the discipleship of Jesus is that the former is based on the content of human philosophy, whereas the latter is rooted in the person and accomplishment of Jesus Himself. Thus, Christian discipleship rests not just on Christ's teachings but also on what He did for human salvation. Hence, Jesus bids all His followers to fully identify themselves with Him, to take up their cross, and to follow His leadings. Without people walking in the footprints of Calvary, there is no Christian discipleship.

Read Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:34-36.

 9:23   And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 
 9:24   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 
 9:25   For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 

 16:24   Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
 16:25   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
 16:26   For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
 16:27   For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 
 16:28   Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. 

 8:34   And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
 8:35   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 
 8:36   For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 


What is the crucial message here for anyone who claims to be a Christian?

If  we wish to obtain salvation, there is no halfway. Christ requires a full surrender which is seen in the character of the life. A new heart is a cleansed heart free from evil. If Christ be in us, then we are new creatures manifesting the fruits of His Spirit, not one is missing.


Christian discipleship is an operative link between the saved and the Savior; as the saved, we are to follow the Savior. Thus Paul could say, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." (Gal. 2:20).

Amen!  In some religious organizations, they separate out Christianity and discipleship. They are willing  to give salvation to some who are not truly disciples.  Discipleship is linked to being saved. One cannot be in a converted state and not be a disciple. "If we love Jesus, we shall love to live for Him, to present our thank offerings to Him, to labor for Him. The very labor will be light. For His sake we shall covet pain and toil and sacrifice. We shall sympathize with His longing for the salvation of men. We shall feel the same tender craving for souls that He has felt.  This is the religion of Christ. Anything short of it is a deception. No mere theory of truth or profession of discipleship will save any soul. We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly. It is by halfheartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in purpose and changeable in desire. The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes upon him."  Christ's Object Lessons, pg 50.

The cost of discipleship is defined in Luke 9:23: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23, NKJV). Note these operative words: "deny," "take up," and "follow." When we read that Peter denied Jesus, we could not have a better definition of "deny." Peter was saying, "I do not know Jesus." So, when the call to discipleship demands that I deny myself, I must be able to say I do not know me; self is dead. In its stead, Christ must live (Gal. 2:20). Second, to take up the cross daily is a call to experience self-crucifixion on a continual basis. Third, to follow demands that the focus and direction of life is Christ and Him alone.

Jesus expands the cost of discipleship even further, as revealed in Luke 9:57-62: nothing takes precedence over Jesus. He, and He alone, stands supreme in friendship and fellowship, work and worship. In Christian discipleship, death to self is not an option; it is a necessity. "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. . . . It is the same death every time-death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call. . . . Only the man who is dead to his own will can follow Christ."-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1965), p. 99.

This is very straight. Bonhoeffer was correct. It is too bad that we do not hear this being taught widely in the church. We do not have Christ abiding in us if we are not following Him. If we are not walking in the light, we do not possess eternal life. But, many will argue to their death otherwise, for they have been taught the wisdom of man, not the pure unadulterated truth  from Scripture.


What has following Christ cost you? Think hard about your answer and the implications of it.

We can surely think of sacrifices we have made for Christ and for others, but I ask, was it that costly? What do we give  up for Christ? A sin polluted heart!  And in exchange, what do we get?

     The inquiry of many a proud heart is, "Why need I go in penitence and humiliation before I can have the assurance of my acceptance with God?" I point you to Christ. He was sinless, and, more than this, He was the Prince of heaven; but in man's behalf He became sin for the race. "He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12. 
     But what do we give up, when we give all? A sin-polluted heart, for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. And yet men think it hard to give up all! I am ashamed to hear it spoken of, ashamed to write it. 
     God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction.  Steps to Christ, pg 46. 

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Friday April 24

Further Study: "Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he learns how to bear Christ's burdens. We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him. If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ's footsteps."-Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 69.

Amen!  What does it mean "We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke"?

Discussion Questions:

    Go back and look at the question at the end of Wednesday's lesson, in regard to Luke 10:24. What are some of the things that we, living in this day and age, have been privy to witness that "many prophets and kings" would have liked to see but didn't? What about, for example, the fulfillment of prophecies? Think about how much of Daniel 2:1-49,7:1-8:27 were still in the future for many of those prophets and kings but are now historical facts for us. What else can you think of?

    Dwell more on the words of Jesus about someone gaining the whole world but losing one's soul. What does He mean by that? Or what about losing one's life in order to save it? What does that mean? It's one thing for a nonbeliever to cling selfishly to the things of this world. Why not, because that's all they believe that they have. What else would they cling to? But why, even as believers in Jesus, those who know that this world will end and a new one will one day start, do we find ourselves so readily seeking to gain as much of this world as we can? How can we protect ourselves from this very dangerous spiritual trap?

The answer is always the same, we need the continual power of Christ in our lives. If we are not fully surrendered, we do not have Christ and therefore have no protection from self and sin.


    Read Luke 10:17-20.

10:17   And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 
 10:18   And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
 10:19   Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 
 10:20   Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.


One can understand the excitement of these people as they saw that even demons were subject to them in Christ's name. Look at Jesus' response to them. What was He saying that's so important for anyone involved in outreach to understand?

Excitement generated from miracles does not change the heart. Though one be raised from the dead, many will still reject truth and the God of Truth. The  devils perform "miracles", but they are used to promote evil. We  want  souls for whom Christ died. We want the joy of leading sinners to Christ.


    Who are some people, besides Bible characters, whose choice to follow Christ has cost them a lot, perhaps more than most of us? In class, ask yourselves, "What did these people lose, what did following Christ cost them, and would I be willing to do the same?"

We are horrified as we watch Muslims torturing and killing Christians who will not deny  Christ. But, here we see in these Christian martyrs, many who  are indeed giving up more than many are willing to give up. Would you and I be willing to die for Christ?  And, do we pray for the murderers? Do we love those who are killing Christians?


Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Wednesday April 22

Sending the Seventy


10:7   And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 
 10:8   And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 
 10:9   And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
 10:10   But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 
 10:11   Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
 10:12   But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 
 10:13   Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 
 10:14   But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 
 10:15   And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 
 10:16   He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 


What does this account, of the sending out of the 70, teach us about the work of soul winning amid the reality of the great controversy?

There are a number of very important statements in these verses. What do  you see that sheds light on our experience?

As we read these verses from Luke, we see that the disciples were instructed as to what to do. The message was pointed, was it not? And so  is ours. They were to follow the pattern Christ established. He spent more time healing than preaching. Thus, Jesus told them to "heal the sick". And, we also have been instructed to do likewise. Much illness today is caused by choices we make in our lifestyle. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, not a disease. When the lifestyle is corrected, if in time, the blood sugar returns to normal without drugs or insulin. God has given to His church much light in this area. We are to heal the sick and thus open the door of the heart to receive the Word.

Notice also that when the light is not wanted, Jesus instructed His disciples to move on. "Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you."

Rejecting light is a very serious matter that many take without regard to the consequences. For instance great light has shown upon God's church. Sadly, many reject much of it. What does God say about that? "Of those who boast of their light and yet fail to walk in it Christ says, 'But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.'" Review and Herald, Aug. 1, 1893. God inspired His prophet to insert the name of our church into this statement.

Jesus ought to have come long ago, but we have failed to do the work entrusted to us. The church remains in a Laodicean condition. What does that mean? Not what many believe. "The church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.--1NL 99 (1898).
     
That sounds very bleak, but the message to the Laodiceans is an encouraging message, it gives us hope. Jesus is calling us, as a people to repent. He still stands at the door of the  heart knocking. Let Him in today that we might hasten His soon coming.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.