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SDA Sabbath School Lesson 13-4th Quarter 2023--The End of God’s Mission

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Richard Myers:
Wednesday December 27
Success in Mission

What is success in mission? We might be tempted to think that it is many baptisms, big churches, and rapid growth rates. We might feel that success consists of entering every tribe and people group on earth with the truth and that we can speed it up by using radio, the internet, and TV. While all of this can be good, we must remember what Paul wrote to the community of faith in Corinth: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6 ). In other words, our focus is to be on the process; God’s focus will be on the growth.

We have already seen that the object of God’s mission is saving the lost in every people group on earth by making them loyal disciples of Jesus who are involved in His mission.

Read the following texts. What do they tell us about the character of those who become followers of Jesus?

2 Corinthians 11:2; Isaiah 30:21 ; John 10:27 ; John 16:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 ; Hebrews 3:12-13 ; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:9 ; Revelation 7:14 ; Revelation 19:8

Disciples of Jesus are pure, remaining loyal to Him as a pure bride would to her betrothed. They follow Jesus as He leads them by the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. This includes leading us into missionary work for others. There is no deception in these disciples. They are not led astray by debilitating doubt, false teachings, or immorality. And they do not feel morally superior to others. They recognize that they are imperfect, requiring God’s cleansing grace and mercy. Understanding this, they also are open to receiving correction and instruction from other believers. Success in mission results in making this type of disciple.

Amen! We need to be born again every day. "I die daily" by beholding God's grace. A pure bride does not sin because he clings to Christ and is continually empowered to keep His commandments. The heart is pure and clean. Thus, there is no excuse for sin.

What does it mean to be a “chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2 )? How can we, as sinners, be this before God and point others to becoming chaste virgins to Christ, as well?

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

The answer is always the same, we must  behold the glory of God continually. What is the result of doing so? 2 Cor. tells us how we can be faithful witnesses of the power of grace to transform sinners into saints. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus. Few are willing to do so. If we would, we would manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one would be missing.

The good tree will produce good fruit. If the fruit is unpalatable and worthless, the tree is evil. So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character. Good works can never purchase salvation, but they are an evidence of the faith that acts by love and purifies the soul. And though the eternal reward is not bestowed because of our merit, yet it will be in proportion to the work that has been done through the grace of Christ. {DA 314.2}

Richard Myers:
Thursday December 28
Mission Complete

Read Revelation 21:1-4 ; Revelation 21:22-27 ; Revelation 22:1-5 . What is the scene described here?

What a paradise the new earth will be! Death and sin will be gone, Satan and wickedness destroyed. We will meet our loving Savior and reunite with loved ones. And the new earth will be populated with representatives from every ethnicity and language.

The General Conference Mission Board has approved Global Mission metrics that can be used to determine whether a people group is reached or unreached. A “reached people group” is one that has adequate numbers and resources to witness effectively to the rest of the group without requiring outside assistance; it has worship services, Bibles, and other literature in their first language; and there are indigenous church leaders who can witness to the rest of the people group without working through a translator.

An “unreached people group” is one that has no indigenous community of believing Adventists with adequate numbers and resources to witness effectively to their own group without assistance from outside their culture.

Each local church and conference must determine the people groups in their community who need to be reached. Now is the time to invest in God’s mission of making disciples in all people groups, hastening our Savior’s return and, in the end, living with them in the new heaven and new earth that is promised to us here.

Challenge: How are you hastening Christ’s return? Are you planting seeds of hope in the hearts of those who need to hear good news? Are you “watering” new believers by helping them learn what it means to live a life of loyal obedience to Christ? Pray for opportunities to communicate the promise of the earth made new with the people on your daily prayer list.

Challenge Up: Some of your “disciples” may be ready to accept Christ. This includes joining a church or group of believers. Put yourself in his or her place and imagine attending your church for the first time. What kind of experience would he or she have? How prepared is your church to welcome and disciple new people? Are you open to starting new groups of believers, not just building up your own existing church? Create a strategy to address weak areas. Share your thoughts with your church leaders, and work with them to implement a plan to become a more intentional disciple-making church.

Amen! Those who are truly converted, do not have to be told to do so. The Holy Spirit is leading all who love the Lord our God with the whole heart. New Christians need to be encouraged to be taught of God daily so they will not fall, but be a faithful witness continually.

Richard Myers:
Friday December 29
Further Thought

“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. ‘The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 342.

Amen! Not the whole world where the great multitude who were called refuse the offered Gift, but those who learned to love the Lord our God with the whole heart.

But before that can become a reality, it is our duty to partner with God in His mission to reach the world with the message of warning so that people can accept and be a part of God’s promise of re-creation.

“I long to see very many laborers at work for those who know not the evidences of our faith. Many have received great light through hearing the three angels’ messages, and now they should proclaim these messages in all parts of the world. I desire to do my part and to open the way for others to carry the light of truth. May the Lord help us to put the armor on. The believers are to unite in the solemn work of giving the last note of warning to the world.”—Ellen G. White, Letter 390, 1907 (unpublished).


Amen!! The truly converted are not only giving the last warning message to a world soon to perish, but they live that message which is the gospel message. Then answer the question, why has not Jesus come?

Throughout this quarter we have studied various aspects and issues related to God’s mission. This week we concluded our study by exploring Revelation’s keys to understanding what a restored relationship with God looks like, and it climaxed with a vision of the mission ­fulfilled—the re-creation and restoration of the earth. While it is true that the destruction of sin and suffering will be the most terrifying days of earth’s history, God casts our vision to a time beyond this destruction and provides comfort and encouragement in the promise of the earth restored.

Amen! That happens when we are restored to what God made us in the beginning, holiness. Our job is to preach the gospel message that transforms sinners into saints. We answer the question "what must I do to be saved?"  We behold the glory of God and are recreated into His image by the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). Then we share with others this well kept secret.

Discussion Questions

    What is the “everlasting gospel”? Why is it “everlasting”? And why must what it teaches be foundational to our mission?

It is the power of grace to transform sinners into saints. Without a knowledge of this, it is hard to be converted. It is true that the disciples were converted prior to the cross without knowing the gospel, all except Judas. They all did not know Jesus had to suffer and die in order for them to be saved. But, they knew Him  which is what converted them. They beheld His glory and this grace when beheld broke their hearts, they loved Him supremely.....off and on.
   
 Why do we have such an emphasis on the three angels’ messages? How do you respond to the argument that we need to focus on Jesus and not on something as supposedly “negative” as these messages, which include very strong warnings?

The message does not begin with calling others out of Babylon or warning of the false sabbath. The last warning message begins with the gospel of grace. The message is to be given in their order. When those seeking truth see it being lived in us, then they will want to know our God. Then we share with them the second and third angel's message. How would you answer their question when lost ask you, why you never told them the gospel nor warned them of what was coming (death by fire until all sins were paid for).

    How has this quarter helped you better understand not only the importance of mission but how you and your church could better participate in it, which is what we have been called to do?

We are reminded of the mission given to us and what we must do  and be in order to be successful at carrying out the three angels message. We must know the gospel and live it. We cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. The church remains in a Laodicean condition and thus delay the coming of Jesus. The destiny of the church hangs on this message, for it will being about revival and reformation. The power of grace will be seen in His church. The important question will be answered, "what must we do in order to be transformed (re-created) into His image?" We must behold His glory which is His character to be changed into His image (character). 2 Corinthians verse 18 promises us that this will work. Then we can do what the first angel says "fear God and give glory to Him." To give glory to God is to reflect His character. If we give the message without reflecting His character we are seen as hypocrites.

Thus, we must teach the true and powerful gospel message that leads to a transformation of character. Then we can point the world to truth that will produce a people who love God supremely and have the faith of Jesus and keep His commandments....all of them. Let us spend that thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Jesus in the new year about to begin. Then we will have love, joy, and peace in this world and the world soon to come.

Join with us in reading that which God has given us that we be transformed daily. Share with us what God is revealing to you daily.  By beholding His glory, be changed

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