Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “God’s Purpose for His Church,” pp. 9–16, in The Acts of the Apostles, and “Go Teach All Nations,” pp. 822–828, in The Desire of Ages.
The New Testament church faced the danger of failing to understand the purpose for its existence. Ellen G. White describes this danger: “The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in giving a great impetus to the work of the gospel. Success had attended the ministry of the word in that place, and there was danger that the disciples would linger there too long, unmindful of the Saviour’s commission to go to all the world. Forgetting that strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service, they began to think that they had no work so important as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem from the attacks of the enemy. Instead of educating the new converts to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of taking a course that would lead all to be satisfied with what had been accomplished.” —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 105.
Discussion Questions:
Look carefully at the Ellen G. White quote above, especially the last line. Why must we even today be careful of that same potential danger? In the face of the missionary challenges before us, why would such an attitude be so terribly, even tragically, wrong?
Why do you think each of the Gospels ends with a similar command? Read Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15, 16; Luke 24:46–49; and John 20:21. What did this mean to these first-century believers, and what should it mean to us today?
Can witnessing and service ever become a substitute for genuine spirituality? If so, how, and how can we be careful of that trap?
In class, talk about the answer to the question at the end of Tuesday’s study, regarding how witnessing and ministering impact your own spiritual growth. What are some things you have learned that can help others? What mistakes have you made that you could help others avoid?
Dwell on the amazing fact that God loves each one of us individually. How do you understand what this means? How should this, perhaps the most important truth in all the universe, impact how you live?
Inside Story
Stopped at the Airport
By Glenn Ernford Lie
Only one question will be asked on Judgment Day. I heard it when my international flight landed in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon.
The U.S. immigration officer glanced at my Norwegian passport and then looked up at me at Portland International Airport. “What are your plans?”
he asked.
“I am visiting a friend,” I replied.
“What is the address?” he said.
“I don’t know,” I said. “But she is going to meet me here at the airport.”
The immigration officer didn’t look pleased that I didn’t know the address.
“So, where did you meet her?” he said.
“At a college outside London.”
“What did you study there?”
“Theology.”
The immigration officer studied my face.
“Are you a believer?” he said.
“Yes.”
He looked down at my passport in his hand and then back at me.
“So, why are you saved?” he said.
The answer tumbled out of my mouth. “Because Jesus died for me,” I said.
The immigration officer looked at me.
“Good answer,” he said. “You may enter.”
I smiled and entered the United States.
The significance of the conversation struck me as I walked to the baggage claim area. Only one question will be asked on Judgment Day: Why are you saved? The answer is found in 1 John 5:11–13, which says, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (NKJV).
Why are you saved? With the assurance of salvation, you can reply with confidence, “Because Jesus died for me.” In return, you will hear the sweet words, “Good answer. You may enter.”
Glenn Ernford Lie, 55, is a teacher at Østmarka Seventh-day Adventist School in Oslo, Norway, and a member and former youth pastor of Betal Seventh-day Adventist Church, which received part of a 2017 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering to open a youth community center.
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