Lesson 9 for August 30, 2014

The mission of the Church and every Church member is to fulfill the tasks Jesus assigned to us: To be the light of the world. To be Jesus’ witnesses. To make disciples. To preach the Gospel.

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22) Jesus sends the Church to the world to announce the message of Salvation, just like He was sent by the Father to save the world. So the mission of the Church is based on Jesus’ authority. Jesus “breathed” the Holy Spirit on His disciples to prepare them for the mission. Every believer is sent to announce the Gospel by Jesus’ authority. We receive the breath of the Holy Spirit which prepares us to fulfill their mission.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) What does “to be the light of the world” mean? Jesus is the “true Light which gives light to every man.” (John 1:9) We reflect the light coming from Jesus. Others can see that reflection through our “good deeds”, which are a result of a character molded on the divine character (Ephesians 2:10) When Jesus is shining through us, that deeds will make people glorify God. “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, cp. 16, pg. 171)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) According to Luke 24:46-48, what are we witnesses to and before whom? 1.We are witnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus. 2.We testify to repentance and forgiveness of sins. 3.We testify before all nations. Our testimony is based on our own experience with Jesus. But there would be no power on that without the Holy Spirit. He helps us testifying and He also transforms those who accept our testimony.

To go everywhere to reach everyone. To teach what Jesus taught. To baptize those who accept Jesus as their Savior and are willing to fulfill everything He ordered.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16) The main work and the raison d’etre of the Church are preaching the Gospel to everyone. The end will come the day that work is finally done (Matthew 24:14) The salvation of people depends on that work. But not everyone who listens will be saved. Only those who accept Jesus as their Savior will be saved. But, how could they accept Jesus if no one proclaims His name? “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:18)

“And at the final day, when the wealth of earth shall perish, he who has laid up treasure in heaven will behold that which his life has gained. If we have given heed to the words of Christ, then, as we gather around the great white throne, we shall see souls who have been saved through our agency, and shall know that one has saved others, and these still others—a large company brought into the haven of rest as the result of our labors, there to lay their crowns at Jesus’ feet, and praise Him through the ceaseless ages of eternity. With what joy will the worker for Christ behold these redeemed ones, who share the glory of the Redeemer! How precious will heaven be to those who have been faithful in the work of saving souls!” E.G.W. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, cp. 4, pg. 90)