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Second Quarter--2012--SDA SS LESSON 9--Releasing Into Ministry

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Richard Myers:
MONDAY    May 28

Risking for Success

Members of Seventh-day Adventist churches have tremendous ministry potential. Many are enthusiastic about involvement in their church’s evangelism strategies, however those in leadership are sometimes reticent to let them get involved. Behind this “only professionals can do it” mind-set is the fear that church members may do or say something wrong, causing people to turn away from Christ and His church. Sadly this resistance to member involvement is so ingrained that it prevails even when people have been adequately trained for a ministry. The Holy Spirit and the promises He brings aren’t just for the leaders; they are for all who are willing to surrender in faith and submission to the Lord, to all who are willing to deny self and work for the salvation of others.

I think that this may be a problem in some churches, but it is not the main problem facing evangelism. We have been looking at leadership, now we are looking at the rest of the church. There is a difference. Poor leadership is a large part of the problem. After all, someone in leadership had to choose to baptize one who did not die to self. All who are converted have a part to play in the church.  Not all will stand in front of the church to instruct. But all who have been converted have a testimony to share. This includes encouraging them to do so in public, not just in church. How many pastors go door to door with new converts?  One must lead by example.

What principle taught by Jesus in Matthew 7:17-18 should allay the fears of concerned leaders?

 7:14   Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 
 7:15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 
 7:16   Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 
 7:17   Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
 7:18   A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
 7:19   Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
 7:20   Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

How do we distinguish between good and bad fruit, and how should the church leadership as a whole be involved in this process? Also how do we do this without judging others? 

If  distinguishing between good and bad fruit is not judging others, I am not sure what is. We are told to judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). And, we are not to judge whether one can be saved or not. That is God's domain. But, before baptizing a convert or placing one in leadership positions, there must be a judgment made.

If every sound tree bears good fruit, church leaders should focus on growing sound trees. As with everything that has to do with our response to the gospel call, we must first be someone for Jesus before we can successfully do things for Him. If we give adequate attention to the leading of people into a meaningful and deepening relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will ensure that they bear the right fruit. Our part is to lead, teach, and train. God’s part is to bless their ministry. We need to trust them and God. If we give adequate attention to spiritual growth and practical skills, we can trust people to produce the right fruit of evangelistic success. Certainly, there may be an element of risk depending on the ministry undertaken and the level of training, but we must remember that even the disciples, who had the greatest Teacher ever, never won every soul to which they appealed.

The issue is not how many are won to Christ, but who is filled with His Spirit to do evangelism. Leaders cannot convert anyone. We may lead to Jesus, but it is not our work to convert. We are to judge when one is converted, then they will want to tell others about Jesus. The failure in our churches is a revelation of the lack of an indwelling Jesus. To not address this problem is to attempt to fix a problem that is impossible to fix. Until we heed the message of Rev 3, we will be attempting to put band-aids on a case of cancer.

Have you ever felt that your gifts and talents were not appreciated? What might be the cause? Look inside yourself and see if, perhaps, the fault might lie there with you and some of your own attitudes (pride, and so on) instead of somewhere else?

From the new convert to the conference president, that is good counsel. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. 13:5.

colporteur:
The problem with an inactive laity in the church is multifaceted.

A few wish to minister but do not know how. While this may be I don't think this is our biggest problem. When there is a will we will find a way and we will learn.

Many simply do not wish to get their hands dirty so to speak. Another way to put it is a reluctance to leave our comfort zone.

Most are not converted and therefore do not truly care. This links up with the previous condition.

Some pastors and church leaders do not wish to equip because this makes them insecure. The less the church needs the pastor the less the church needs the pastor. Same with the head elder.

Many leaders are afraid to empower the church for fear it will spin out of control if not micro managed.

Then there are those who want to be actively involved in ministry that are working for the wrong side.


I visited with a brother last week who is well studied in God's Word. A few in church wished to study alittle deeper in church and get past the milk. The pastor told the brother that if they went deeper things just get devisive. Pastor said, " you know how they are." When the brother offered to teach the class the pastor was afraid to let him do so. The brother said, then why don't YOU teach the class? The pastor answered, " I'm too busy." So leadership is too busy and laity are unqualified to go beyond surface study. This is the recipe for dumbing down the congregation. Of course they could still study together outside of the church building but the attitude of leadership is what I'm talking about.

Mimi:
It sounds as if the laity is willing but the pastor is not willing to release control.

Richard Myers:
TUESDAY    May 29

Matching the Laborers With the Harvest

When people show an interest in learning more about God and His church, we must choose carefully the ones who will be given this witnessing task. In a multicultural society, we would do well to assign someone of the same nationality and language as the inquirer and possibly someone of a similar age group. Furthermore, we would consider the spiritual maturity, biblical knowledge, communication skills, and salvation experience of the worker. In other words, we should take seriously the matching of the laborer to those with whom he or she is working.[/quote]

I have never seen any indication of such things in inspiration. To the contrary, sending missionaries into foreign lands is needful until the message is accepted and churches are established. Even so, often those from other countries may have  more influence than the natives.  Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." Matt. 13:57.

When it comes to witnessing and evangelism, there is no such thing as one size fits all. There is uniqueness to everyone’s life journey, and uniqueness to each one’s spiritual journey. However, while this uniqueness exists, there are also similarities in people’s experiences, and it makes good sense to match as well as possible the experiences of the believer and the seeker.

Christian experience is most important according to Scripture. That is different from what is being expressed in the lesson. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:4. This bring hope to the sinner that someone understands and there is help. Age, race, religion, sex, or any other consideration is not important. But, the way in which God has led us is most important. And, for those in the same difficulty wherein we have been, they will find a blessing from such a contact.

Read Acts 6:1–8.


 6:1   And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 
 6:2   Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 
 6:3   Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 
 6:4   But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 
 6:5   And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 
 6:6   Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them. 
 6:7   And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 
 6:8   And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 

What tasks are listed here? What were the results when specific ministries and abilities were matched? 

I have missed the point. If we are  saying that we need to place in certain positions those who are qualified, then of course. How else? I guess we could say that we do have a problem in placing some in positions that require the fruits of the Spirit when they are lacking.

Notice the progression of these events: the disciples were made aware of a pressing problem. The disciples asked the believers to find seven men to address the problem. The believers brought their selection to the disciples. The disciples appointed them with the laying on of hands. And the number of disciples multiplied greatly.

Although Stephen and the other six appointees were to “serve tables,” the qualification for this task does not seem to be that they had the ability to organize and distribute food. The believers still looked for spirit-filled men because their ministry to the Greek speaking Jewish widows would also be a witnessing and evangelism work. Thus, we see that the newly appointed men were crucial to the evangelism of the early church in that they freed up the frontline evangelists and also actively supported their work (see vs. 8 ). Again we can affirm that whatever ministry church members get involved in will directly or indirectly contribute to, and support, witnessing and evangelism endeavors of a church.

Although natural talents, spiritual gifts, and specific training are important to a successful church ministry, personal attitudes are, perhaps, even more important. Notice that in Acts 16:1–5 and Acts 4:36-37 both Timothy and Barnabas had the attitude of doing whatever it took to support this gospel ministry. Barnabas would give of his personal means, and Timothy would submit to circumcision so as not to offend some Jews. The lessons for us are, indeed, obvious.

Yes, when God leads, we need to follow. But, we must distinguish between man and God. Often it may be that others are attempting to place us where God has not.  God has a church and it is to reveal His character. Today, the church is militant, but it will not always be so. Today, we need to be studying and praying that we might know God's will for us.

Richard Myers:
WEDNESDAY    May 30

Spiritual Growth Through Ministry Involvement

Spiritual growth comes only as we connect with Jesus. It cannot be produced by human beings simply performing specific tasks, even witnessing and evangelism tasks. A church cannot “program” spirituality into its members. However, it is a great truth that as believers respond to God’s call to be disciples, their personal walk with the Lord deepens and strengthens. Although we should not engage in witnessing and evangelism solely in an attempt to grow spiritually, when undertaken with a genuine love for God and for the lost, these activities bring numerous spiritual blessings to all involved.

Read John 7:17.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. 

Amen!!  If we are walking in the light as Jesus is in the light, then we shall understand doctrinal matters. If we are not obedient to the truth, then we will not have clear understanding of Biblical subjects.
What does this verse tell us about the doing of God’s will and increased spiritual growth?

A valid question is, “How can a person seeking truth be sure when the genuine has been found?” In verse 17 Jesus presents a truth that will help all who want to follow Him. Those who are willing to do God’s will can know if a doctrine is, or is not, of God. How can this be? Clearly there is spiritual growth through connectedness. Jesus is saying that those who are living up to received Bible truth will receive greater light.

There is a strong connection between hearing and doing (see Rev. 1:3). Those who do God’s will, however little of His will they know, will be blessed with a deepening Christian relationship which, coupled with prayerful Bible study, will lead to greater revelations of truth and exciting spiritual growth.

Read John 4:36.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 

What are the spiritual wages received as a result of being involved in the harvest of souls? What spiritual fellowship is suggested by the sower and reaper rejoicing together?

Many commentators suggest that the disciples were reaping where John the Baptist and Jesus had sown. The Samaritan woman herself had clearly planted some gospel seed among the people of her town. How they must have rejoiced together as the ripened spiritual harvest was gathered into the kingdom. Success through working together in witnessing and evangelism creates a bond between God and us and between us as fellow believers. As we respond to God’s call to be involved in soul winning, this bond, this spiritual closeness and growth, blossoms as a natural result of being on God’s team.
How has your own faith been strengthened through your own personal witness, both from success and failures? How does witnessing impact your relationship with the Lord?

We have shared this thought in the past, but it bears repeating and is on topic.  When we are truly converted, we are excited and want to tell others about our God.  When we think of excitement, some will mention prophecy, some what they are working at, others what has happened with friends. But, to the true Christian,  the greatest excitement comes when they are able to share Jesus with someone who wants to know. As we share we not only gain an experience in the Word, but we are lifted above this world of the seen, into the world of the unseen. If  you have not experienced this joy, then ask Jesus to give it to you. There is no greater joy than to see someone accept Jesus  because of something you have said or done.

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