Sabbath Afternoon - October 7, 2023

Scripture Reading for the Week:
John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:16-20; Revelation 14:6-7; Deuteronomy 7:6,11-12; Revelation 7:9-10.


Thought for Meditation
It is time for us to heed the teaching of God's word. All His injunctions are given for our good, to convert the soul from sin to righteousness. Every convert to the truth should be instructed in regard to the Lord's requirement for tithes and offerings. As churches are raised up, this work must be taken hold of decidedly and carried forward in the spirit of Christ. All that men enjoy, they receive from the Lord's great firm, and He is pleased to have His heritage enjoy His goods; but all who stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel are to acknowledge their dependence upon God and their accountability to Him by returning to the treasury a certain portion as His own. This is to be invested in missionary work in fulfillment of the commission given to His disciples by the Son of God: All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."  {6T 447.1}

Memory Text:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).


This week's SSLesson will dig into detail the issues concerning the three dignitaries of heaven for the salvation of the human race - the Godhead mission for us. This includes the approaches God had bestowed upon us to give us assurance of victory over the enemy. His eternal gift will enable every believing person as His Word effectively works intrinsically.


Study Outline:


Sunday - October 8, 2023

The Triune God: The Origin of Mission

John 1:3; 3:16-17; 14:6; 4:34; 5:30; 12:45; 14:26; 16:7, 13-14; 20:21-22.  Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20; Galatians 4:4; Luke 24:49, 3:16; Acts 1:4-5,8.


Monday - October 9, 2023

Making Disciples: The Focus of Mission 

Matthew 28:16-20;  Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8. 

Tuesday - October 10, 2023

The Eternal Gospel: The Message of Mission

Revelation 1:18; 14:6-7; John 13:34-35; 14:1-4, 14; Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 2:33; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:11; Revelation 21:1-4;  Ephesians 4:14;  Deuteronomy 5:33; Romans 2:6; Luke 9:23; John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Wednesday - October 11, 2023 

God's People: The Channels of Mission 

Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 7:6,11-12; 28:10; Isaiah 49:6; Genesis 22:16-18; Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 2 Chronicles 7:14;  Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8


Thursday - October 12, 2023

The World: The Arena of Mission

Revelation 7:9-10; 14:6;  Matthew 28:19;   Acts 1:8.  


Friday - October 13, 2023

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration


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Sunday - October 8, 2023

The Triune God: The Origin of Mission

John 1:3; 3:16-17; 14:6; 4:34; 5:30; 12:45; 14:26; 16:7, 13-14; 20:21-22.  Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20; Galatians 4:4; Luke 24:49, 3:16; Acts 1:4-5,8.

“Just as the Father sent me, I am sending you. And with that, he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22)


Three Living Persons of the Heavenly Trio - Three Great Powers

The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers --the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ.-- Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. (1905)  {Ev 615.1}   


The Fullness of the Godhead, Fashioned in the Likeness of the Divine 

Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit's working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility, they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine.  {AA 49.3}   


Christ's Gift, His Representative, 3rd Person of the Godhead - the Holy Spirit

Christ determined to bestow a gift on those who had been with Him and on those who should believe on Him, because this was the occasion of His ascension and inauguration, a jubilee in heaven. What gift could Christ bestow rich enough to signalize and grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. Christ gave His representative, the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. This Gift could not be excelled. . . . {CTr 301.4} 

Life, Original, Unborrowed, Underived

Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life." In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. "He that hath the Son hath life." The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life.--The Desire of Ages, p. 530 (1898)  {Ev 616.2}  

With the Father at Sinai

When they [Israel] came to Sinai, He took occasion to refresh their minds in regard to His requirements. Christ and the Father, standing side by side upon the mount, with solemn majesty proclaimed the Ten Commandments.--Historical Sketches, p. 231. (1866)  {Ev 616.3}  

The Eternal Dignitaries of the Trinity

The eternal heavenly dignitaries--God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit--arming them [the disciples] with more than mortal energy, . . . would advance with them to the work and convince the world of sin.--Manuscript 145, 1901.  {Ev 616.4}  

Personality of the Holy Spirit

We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.--Manuscript 66, 1899. (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.)  {Ev 616.5}  

The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God. . . . The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."--Manuscript 20, 1906.  {Ev 617.1}  

The Power of God in the Third Person

The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.--Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, p. 37. (1897)  {Ev 617.2}  

In Co-operation With the Three Highest Powers

We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, --and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.--Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 51. (1905)  {Ev 617.3} 

 

Consider the Following

The mission to restore humanity is carried out through the plan of salvation. This plan was conceived by God and set in motion by Him.

Each person of the Deity has a role in this plan:

The Father sends the Son to redeem us and promises to send us the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Luke 24:49).

The Son fulfills the Father's will and asks Him to send us the Holy Spirit (John 4:34; 14:16).

The Holy Spirit continues the work initiated by the Father, leads us to the Son, and helps us fulfill our part in the mission (John 14:26; Acts 1:8).


Monday - October 9, 2023

Making Disciples: The Focus of Mission 

Matthew 28:16-20;  Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  {Matt. 28:19} 


The Kingdom of Grace had been Established, He Gave the Great Commission

Christ's sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all things. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by the heavenly host. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His disciples their commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Matthew 28:19, 20. 


The Saviour's Commission Included All the Believers

 Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission. He made full provision for the prosecution of the work, and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations, He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe. . . . Labor in faith ..., for the time will never come when I will forsake you.  {FLB 149.2}  The Saviour's commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.  {FLB 149.3}  


Labourers Together with God Needs Special Preparations

How broad and extended the command is, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world"! What honor is here conferred upon man, and yet how large a number hug the shore! How few will launch out into the deep, and let down their nets for a draught! Now, if this is done, if men are laborers together with God, if men are called to act in city missions, and to meet all classes of minds, there should be special preparations for this kind of work.--Review and Herald, June 21, 1887.  {FE 121.3} 


Consider the Following

The primary goal of the mission is to make disciples, meaning that there should be people who share with the world what Jesus has done for them (Matthew 28:16-20).

Neither the eleven individuals commissioned for this mission nor the 120 who received the power to carry it out could reach the entire world. It had to reproduce exponentially: one disciple begets several disciples who, in turn, beget new disciples.

The Father determined that with the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, we would take the gospel to every human being on our planet (Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:8).


Tuesday - October 10, 2023

The Eternal Gospel: The Message of Mission

Revelation 1:18; 14:6-7; John 13:34-35; 14:1-4, 14; Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 2:33; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:11; Revelation 21:1-4;  Ephesians 4:14;  Deuteronomy 5:33; Romans 2:6; Luke 9:23; John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6)


The Same Gospel Declared in Garden of Eden 

In the first angel’s message people are called upon to worship God, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. . . . The message proclaimed by the angel flying in the midst of heaven is the everlasting gospel, the same gospel that was declared in Eden when God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” Manuscript 32, 1896 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, pp. 6, 7). {CTr 338.6}  


Proclamation of the Judgment Before Christ's Second Coming

John in the Revelation foretells the proclamation of the gospel message just before Christ's second coming. He beholds an angel flying "in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." Revelation 14:6, 7.  {COL 227.1} 

In the prophecy this warning of the judgment, with its connected messages, is followed by the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. The proclamation of the judgment is an announcement of Christ's second coming as at hand. And this proclamation is called the everlasting gospel. Thus the preaching of Christ's second coming, the announcement of its nearness, is shown to be an essential part of the gospel message.  {COL 227.2} 


God's Message of Judgment Given to Men

This message is declared to be a part of the “everlasting gospel.” The work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels, but has been intrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men; but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of Christ upon the earth.  {GC88 311.3} 

Faithful men, who were obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his Word, were to proclaim this warning to the world. They were those who had taken heed to the “sure word of prophecy,” the “light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise.” [2 Peter 1:19.] They had been seeking the knowledge of God more than all hid treasures, counting it “better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” [Proverbs 3:14.] And the Lord revealed to them the great things of the kingdom. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.” [Psalm 25:14.]  {GC88 311.4} 


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Consider the Following

What is the eternal gospel that we must preach to the entire world?

— Jesus came to our world and lived a perfect life (Acts 10:38)

— He died on the cross to bear our sins (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 3:18)

— He rose, ascended to Heaven, and was exalted by the Father (Acts 2:32-33)

— He currently intercedes for us in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 7:25)

— He will return to take us in glory to Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

— Finally, He will establish God's kingdom on Earth (Revelation 21:1-4)

Our duty as disciples is to be prepared and prepare others so that, at the second coming of Jesus, we can be restored to the image of God and live eternally with Him.


Wednesday - October 11, 2023 

God's People: The Channels of Mission 

Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 7:6,11-12; 28:10; Isaiah 49:6; Genesis 22:16-18; Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 2 Chronicles 7:14;  Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

“so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)


Training the Children, a Sacred Trust Committed to Parents 

Fathers and mothers, a sacred trust has been committed to you. You are to be godly, firm, temperate. Let no one find you smoking or drinking. Remember that you transmit these depraved appetites to your children. God wants you to keep before them the fact that there is a heaven to win, a hell to shun. He wants you to keep them pure from the vicious, vile habits of the world. Keep your children at their home, and if people say to you, "Your children will not know how to conduct themselves in the world," tell your friends that you are not so concerned about that matter, but that you do want to take them to the Master for his blessing, even as the mothers of old took their children to Jesus. Say to your advisers: "Children are the heritage of the Lord, and I want to prove faithful to my trust. The presence of God must be in my household, in order that as a family we shall present to the world evidences of his divine power. My children must be brought up in such a way that they shall not be swayed by the influences of the world, but where, when tempted to sin, they may be able to say a square, hearty no. They must be trained in such a way as to be able to say, 'I will cling to the promises of God.'" "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Tell your friends and neighbors that you want to see your family inside the gates of the beautiful city. Teach your children to know God; teach them that eternal life is of more value to them than the fleeting pleasures and honors of the world. Train them, mothers, from their earliest years in the principles of Christianity, in love, in truth, in genuine Christian politeness.  {ST, April 23, 1894 par. 3}  

Ministers and Parents Entrusted with a Vast Responsibilities   

Brethren, will you not devote a little thought to this subject and notice how you conduct yourselves in the house of God and what efforts you are making by precept and example to cultivate reverence in your children? You roll vast responsibilities upon the preacher and hold him accountable for the souls of your children; but you do not sense your own responsibility as parents and as instructors and, like Abraham, command your household after you, that they may keep the statutes of the Lord. Your sons and daughters are corrupted by your own example and lax precepts; and, notwithstanding this lack of domestic training, you expect the minister to counteract your daily work and accomplish the wonderful achievement of training their hearts and lives to virtue and piety. After the minister has done all he can do for the church by faithful, affectionate admonition, patient discipline, and fervent prayer to reclaim and save the soul, yet is not successful, the fathers and mothers often blame him because their children are not converted, when it may be because of their own neglect. The burden rests with the parents; and will they take up the work that God has entrusted to them, and with fidelity perform it? Will they move onward and upward, working in a humble, patient, persevering way to reach the exalted standard themselves and to bring their children up with them? No wonder our churches are feeble and do not have that deep, earnest piety in their borders that they should have. Our present habits and customs, which dishonor God and bring the sacred and heavenly down to the level of the common, are against us. We have a sacred, testing, sanctifying truth; and if our habits and practices are not in accordance with the truth, we are sinners against great light, and are proportionately guilty. It will be far more tolerable for the heathen in the day of God's retributive justice than for us.  {5T 494.2}  


Consider the Following

In the Old Testament, the people of God were the Israelites—the descendants of Abraham— through whom all the world was to be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). The missionary strategy was for the world to come to Israel to know God (Deuteronomy 4:6; Isaiah 49:6, 22).

Today, the people of God are the Church (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:18). But, as we have seen, the missionary strategy has changed: we are to go out into the world and share the gospel (Matthew 28:19).


Thursday - October 12, 2023

The World: The Arena of Mission

Revelation 7:9-10; 14:6;  Matthew 28:19;   Acts 1:8.  

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)


Future, David is Leading the Intercession of the Church for Salvation to the End o the Earth

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was ever prophesying the coming of the Lord. This great event had been revealed to him in vision. Abel, though dead, is ever speaking of the blood of Christ, which alone can make our offerings and gifts perfect. The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. There is Moses still speaking, teaching self-renunciation by wishing himself blotted from the book of life for his people so that they might be saved. David is leading the intercession of the church for the salvation of souls to the ends of the earth. The prophets are still testifying of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. There the whole accumulated truths are presented in force to us, that we may profit by their teachings. We are under the influence of the whole. {CTr 357.3} 

What manner of persons ought we to be to whom all this rich light of inheritance has been given? Concentrating all the influence of the past with new and increased light of the present, accrued power is given to all who will follow the light. Their faith will increase and be brought into exercise at the present time, awakening an energy and an intensely increased earnestness, and thorough dependence upon God for His power to replenish the world and send the light of the Sun of Righteousness to the ends of the earth. God has enriched the world in these last days proportionately with the increase of ungodliness if His people will only lay hold of His priceless gift and bind up their every interest with Him.—Letter 74a, 1897. {CTr 357.4} 


Bright Beams of the Sun of Righteousness

Light is a blessing, a universal blessing, pouring forth its treasures on a world unthankful, unholy, demoralized. So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The whole earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin, and sorrow, and pain, is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded.  {COL 418.3}  

The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth. Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hell has been overcome.  {COL 418.4}  


Entrance to the City of God

It was the Saviour's purpose that after He ascended to heaven to become man's intercessor, His followers should carry on the work that He had begun. Shall the human agent show no special interest in giving the light of the gospel message to those who sit in darkness? There are some who are willing to go to the ends of the earth in order to carry the light of truth to men, but God demands that every soul who knows the truth shall seek to win others to the love of the truth. If we are not willing to make special sacrifices in order to save souls that are ready to perish, how can we be counted worthy to enter into the city of God?--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 103.  {ChS 8.1}  


Consider the Following

The preaching of the gospel occurs at various levels (Acts 1:8):

— Jerusalem: Your family, your close friends.

— Judea: Your acquaintances, your workplace, your neighborhood.

— Samaria: Your city, your country.

— The ends of the earth: Missions, the Internet, TV, books, ...

God’s mission calls us to reach individuals from all places, nations, people groups, languages, and ethnicities. This is our ultimate place of mission.


Friday - October 13, 2023

Insights and Further Study

Christ has made provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the light of heaven, possessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. {CCh 99.2} 

What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utmost bounds of the inhabited world. The hearts of the disciples were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Galatians 6:14. As they proclaimed the truth as it is in Jesus, hearts yielded to the power of the message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with Christians in seeking the pearl of great price. Those who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled: The weak shall be "as David," and the house of David "as the angel of the Lord." Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of love and benevolence. One interest prevailed. One subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The only ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. {CCh 99.3} 

To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation. At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word. {CCh 99.4} 


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“The Saviour's commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.” E. G. W. (The Desire of Ages, Cp. 86, p. 822)


https://online.fliphtml5.com/nhmzi/uese/ 

https://3angelscry.org/pdf-gods-mission-to-us-part-2/