Lesson 5 for the 2 nd of August, 2008

Matthew, 10: 7 Matthew, 3: 2 Mark, 1: 15

In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John the Baptist is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was "Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (see Matt. 3:2). As a people who believe in Christ's soon appearing, we have a message to bear, "Prepare to meet thy God." Our message is to be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God's Word; and our work in this age must be done as faithfully. In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his... We must behold God, and in beholding Him, lose sight of self Ellen G. White (The Upward Look, the 21st of October)

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat Inquire who in the town is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence If the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it And whosoever shall not receive you, shake off the dust of your feet Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops How can we apply nowadays the next instructions given by Jesus at Matthew, 10?

Why did Jesus forbid preaching to Samaritans and Gentiles, initially? Jewish people had the truth. They still were the chosen people. Furthermore, they were scattered among the nations. If they had accepted the Gospel, it would have been spread much faster

Why did Jesus allow preaching to Samaritans afterwards? They were the closest people to the truth. Their minds were more receptive to the message than those people who didn’t know the True God.

Why did He order them to preach all over the world, including Gentiles? Because Gospel cannot be limited to a culture or a nation. Good News are universal and they have to be carried to brought to every corner of our planet

But they didn’t preach to everyone in the same way. When we preach the Gospel to different cultures, we must be careful in order to avoid offending our listeners, and, at the same time, to transmit the message of Jesus as their personal saviour.

I was almost afraid to come to this country, because I heard so many say that the different nationalities of Europe were peculiar, and had to be reached in a certain way. But the wisdom of God is promised to those who feel their need, and who ask for it. God can bring the people where they will receive the truth. Let the Lord take possession of the mind, and mold it as the clay is molded in the hands of the potter, and these differences will not exist. Look to Jesus, brethren; copy His manners and spirit, and you will have no trouble in reaching these different classes. We have not six patterns to follow, nor five; we have only one, and that is Christ Jesus. If the Italian brethren, the French brethren, and the German brethren, try to be like Him, they will plant their feet upon the same foundation of truth; the same spirit that dwells in one will dwell in the other,--Christ in them, the hope of glory. I warn you, brethren and sisters, not to build up a wall of partition between different nationalities. On the contrary, seek to break it down wherever it exists. We should endeavor to bring all into the harmony that there is in Jesus, laboring for the one object,--the salvation of our fellow men. Ellen G White (Testimonies for the Church Regarding the Spirit of Unity, Chapter 1)

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew, 10: 8)

The first messengers of the gospel were sent forth with the word, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 10:7). This is our message today. We are to remember that the work of reaching souls cannot be confined to any one method. Gospel medical missionary work is to be carried forward, not in the precision of one man's lines, but in Christ's lines. All that is done is to bear the impress of the Holy Spirit. We are to work as Christ worked, in the same practical lines. Then we shall be safe. Ellen G. White (This Day with God, the 25th of June)

Jesus advised us that we will have problems (Matthew, 10: 16-39), but he also advised us that: “I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew, 10: 42) We don’t have to worry about what to speak about, since the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say Suffering generates perseverance, perseverance creates entirety of character and entirety of character produces hope PERSERVERING TO THE END will be worth