"He told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.'" Matthew 13:33.
"If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given its works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 100.
You live in a tasteless and terrible world! You have influence as a Christian! Your life may be like salt, light, and leaven!
Yeast is known for its ability to permeate and to lift when mixed in flour dough. Christians are to diffuse an influence from their own lives and homes that should permeate and lift the lives of others around them. The believer who is polite, courteous, and Christlike exerts a far-reaching influence.
You will discover in this lesson—
SHARING THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST
1. What and who form the Christian's message that the world must hear? 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2. Where is the source of competency for this ministry? 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NIV) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
3. Where did the apostle Paul find spiritual power to minister? 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Tell what this did for him:
4. What expression used by Paul shows that our lives are to reveal Christ? 2 Corinthians 4:10-12.
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 (NIV) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11) For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12) So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Note: The apostle Paul literally carried on his body the scars of persecution and opposition; in addition his spiritual life testified to the power of Christ to deliver men from sin and to transform them into His likeness. Paul could share Christ with others because of his own conversion experience and personal knowledge of salvation.
5. How does the Bible describe the world in the last days? 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4) treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 6) They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7) always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.
6. Did Jesus ever face misunderstanding and violence in His ministry? Luke 4:28-30.
Luke 4:28-30 (NIV) All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29) They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30) But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
Describe the experience:
7. Did God's servant Moses face opposition? 2 Timothy 3:8, 9.
2 Timothy 3:8-9 (NIV) Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9) But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
Tell what encouragement you receive from this scripture:
8. What does the Bible say sinful man has done? Isaiah 53:6.
Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
9. What can last-day Christians expect? 2 Timothy 3:12, 13.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 (NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13) while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
10. What counsel is given to Christians when ministering in the face of difficulties? 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV) And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25) Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26) and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
11. How will God regard your loving works of ministry? Hebrews 6:10.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
AN AVENUE OF MINISTRY
Child Evangelism
A very effective and practical ministry is the plan of conducting Bible classes for children in the community. There are three formats for this purpose. The most simple is the Story Hour for small children. Boys and girls of elementary school age respond well to the Neighborhood Bible Club. A more inclusive form of evangelistic outreach is the summer Vacation Bible School, which now includes teenage assistants.
Thousands of children and youth with their families are influenced by Bible truths through these programs. Those interested in ministering to children and youth will find here a great opportunity. If you want further information or if you are ready to volunteer your help, contact your pastor. Supplies are available for all these programs through the the Adventist Book Center.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.