III Quarter – 2008
The “CQ” in CQ Corner stands for Collegiate Quarterly, which is published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church for and by young adults. The CQ Corner is a place where our writers personally respond to weekly lessons from the Sabbath School quarterly.
For more information about the CQ lessons please visit: CQ Bible Study.
This quarter we are studying: “Agents of Hope : God’s Greatest Missionaries” Please feel free to check back each Friday for a new post on each week’s topic. Your comments are welcome below as well.
Lesson 13: “Here Am I! Send Me:” The Prophet Isaiah
By Kijana Knight
The last of the food is cleared off the table. Dishes, cleared. Bodies slump into enticingly comfortable chairs as our full stomachs begin to drain the vitality out of our eyes. Evening. Car horns blare outside but within these walls, laden with yellowing shadows of generations of family members, all is quiet, all is peace. An uncle leads the charge on the piano and we herald in the Sabbath with our favorite hymns. My grandfather’s gentle and worn hands wrapped lovingly around his ancient Bible. His voice, tremulous at first but gaining strength as he talked about the God he adored. Summary of the lesson. Testimonies. Prayer. Hugs and kisses. Weary aunts and half-awake cousins trudge upstairs to bed. Silence.
At this juncture, and any other time that we kids had to pass by our grandfather on the way to the kitchen, bed, or the backyard, I slowed down my pace as my heart filled with anticipatory dread. Without fail, Pappy stopped me with his eyes and put forth the gentle oft repeated question. “How many friends have you made for Jesus?”
To this day, the question persists in my mind, a bothersome little animal that burrows deeper and deeper into my heart whenever I contemplate whether or not to tell someone the “good news”. For some reason, missionary work and evangelism are exotic fantasies, not an everyday reality. Now, more than ever, I wonder what’s holding me back from actually making friends for Jesus. I’m older, and I certainly know more, but it’s possible that I don’t have any more friends now for the kingdom than I did when I was ten.
The prophet Isaiah didn’t start out a firebrand, igniting churches and setting souls ablaze with the messages of God. He started out broken and well aware of his iniquities. In agony and full realization of his iniquity, he cried out that he was unworthy – that he was a man of “unclean lips”. (Isaiah 6:5) From there, a curious series of events led him through a purifying, authentic experience with God to a life of passionate mission. Did it happen overnight? Was that missionary zeal inherent to his nature? Did God specifically call him out to do important work?
Although we might think that we would do the obvious thing and answer the call if we heard God say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”, would we even recognize The Voice? (Isaiah 6:8) In examining the life of missionaries, ambassadors, or people whose passion and work it is to genuinely serve others, one common thread shines brightly. Although the work might be global, the ministry is personal. Like Isaiah, we are called to leave the pews and expand our work outside of the box that we like to call our sanctuary. Being told by God that it’s “too easy” to work among our fellow congregants, but that we must instead get our hands dirty with the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6), can be a bitter pill to swallow. We’ve all heard it before – “get out of your comfort zone”. If we examine our lives, do we find that it’s a lot simpler to stay in comfortable ministries with people we know? Can we identify “Gentiles”, people outside of the “Chosen Ones” that we see in church every week, to whom we already have a mandate to reach out? In that sense, ministering to a co-worker or friends from school may be just as challenging (and rewarding) as leading an evangelism event in a village in South America! Look around you and you’ll see a mission field at your door step. There are people out there who are desperate to see Christ in action. Will you answer the call that has been echoing for centuries? Will you allow Jesus to purify your lips so that you can say, without any pride or confidence in your own abilities, “here I am, Lord, send me”?
Lesson 12: Gifted for Service: Philip
By Kemi Ola
How many times do you plot your rise to the top?
How many times have you felt you were cheated out of your due?
How many times have you struggled to obtain something that isn’t yours?
How many times have you had to take orders from a person who doesn’t have HALF of your experience?
Philip was a deacon, you know the people in the church that pick up after you when you forget to take your child’s cracker wrappers. The men that come in early and stay late just to make sure that the sanctuary is ready for worship. The people that make sure that the water in the communion bowls is the right temperature. He and six others were chosen to deal with food issues – distributing bread, soup cans and toilet paper between the church’s widows was their most time consuming task. Seriously. This is what Philip did.
Philip was the first missionary; he went from serving food to baptizing Samaritans, dealing with petty squabbles to healing the sick, speaking to children about reverence to educating the Ethiopian eunuch. He wasn’t one of the Twelve; he was just a regular man, like you and me, not the president of the conference or an ordained minister, he was layman.
Somewhere somehow, this layman became the first missionary, when the Twelve were still protecting the 3 inches of space they had in Jerusalem, before Paul was converted and before Barnabas went to the Gentiles, God chose to use Philip to take the message to Samaria.
Why?
Sister White answers this best in Patriarchs and Prophets when she reveals the motives of Eve’s disobedience.
“In attempting to rise above her original position, she fell far below it. A similar result will be reached by all who are unwilling to take up cheerfully their life duties in accordance with God’s plan. In their efforts to reach positions for which He has not fitted them, may are leaving vacant the place where they might be a blessing” (p. 59).
Philip did what he chosen to do and he did it to the best of his ability. He was a deacon UNTIL the Lord called him to something that we might consider more prestigious. To Philip, ministering to the social needs of the church was as important as speaking to the Sanhedrin. Everywhere the Lord put him he used his spiritual gifts to impact lives. He wasn’t backbiting and feeling slighted that he didn’t get the promotion. He wasn’t seeking applause or recognition. He didn’t strong arm the nominating committee into extending his tenure, he just did his job.
That’s it.
We don’t have to be the head of food distribution for UNICEF, or the Sabbath school superintendent, church pastor or first elder. We don’t need to be ordained or commissioned missionaries; all we are called to do is use our gifts in the field that the Lord has currently put us in.
So where’s your field?
What is your gift?
Lesson 10: Women of Mission
By Jillian Fortin
What a blessing it was to comment on this particular lesson. Lately, I have been watching the Republican National Convention. While I will not use this as a chance to offer any sort of political opinion, I will say this – it was very refreshing to see Sarah Palin among the ranks of McCain, Obama and Biden, simply because of what she means to the female demographic of our nation.
As I listen to the various criticisms about her family, viewpoints, even her “inaccuracies” of speech, it draws me to the lesson this week, entitled “Women of Mission,” and the women discussed during this lesson. What would it have been like if I had been in their shoes? What sort of criticisms might I have encountered? And more importantly, would my faith have been similar in strength as the women outlined below?
- Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, Mother of John – (Luke 1 and 2) – “Forerunners to the Mission”
- Ellen G. White – “God’s End-Time Prophet”
From the testimonies of these women alone, all can glean very important and unique lessons, such as the lessons discussed in the Monday lesson (CQ Quarterly, page 94):
- Jairus’s daughter – (Luke 8:49–55) – There is never a “too late” when you have faith in God
- The Woman at the Well – (John 4:1–40) – God uses all of us, no matter who we are
- The Woman with the Issue of Blood – (Luke 8:43–48) – God makes all things possible through faith in Him
However, it is important for us to remember what it says about the Woman with the Issue of Blood: “First, she had to have faith; and second, she had to act on that faith” (CQ Lesson, page 94).
Each of these stories resonate through time through the driving force of their neverending faith. With faith in God, all things are possible through the vessels that believe in Him, no matter the gender, age, race, ethnicity, economic status, history, you name it!
As I watched Sarah Palin speak from the heart about what she believed in, it became easy for me to forget what the media was saying and listen to her honest pleas. When one truly believes in something, the criticisms and ill-sayings become moot points, and the listener finds themselves drawn into the speaker’s words. It doesn’t matter if your teenage daughter is with child. It doesn’t matter if you are a virgin, and with child. It doesn’t matter even if you are a prostitute, or declared dead (imagine that!). If your heart is in the right place – if it is at the feet of Christ – then it can and will be used to the glory of God.
I think the following excerpt from this week’s lesson perfectly sums up our lesson:
“All of the women covered in this lesson have high-impact testimonies. What’s really great, though, isn’t limited to what they were saved from, but what they were saved to!”
I present the following challenge to all my ladies: this week, let us pray that as we grow in Christ as young adults, our faith may be strengthened so we may, like the women above, find the paths to which we are saved. Do you accept this nomination?
Lesson 9: Pillar of Mission: Peter
By Sylvester Paulasir
If Peter had to send his resume to the General Conference of SDA Church for a missionary position, his application would be rejected without a doubt. Other than the fact that he was with Jesus three and a half years, he would have had very few good things to say about himself in such a resume. After all this was the same Peter who failed to keep his eyes fixed on his Master while attempting to walk on water. It was this same Peter who had a criminal record of cutting off the ear of the High Priest’s servant in the Garden of Gethsemane . And above all, this was the same Peter who denied his affiliation with his Master during Jesus’ trial. How could he possibly be a missionary for the kingdom of God? Sure he had the zeal for the kingdom of God but what about commitment and responsibility? What could have possibly made Peter a missionary, one of the greatest missionaries of the early church at that?
The answer lies in the very nature of the gospel and the Kingdom of God. Yea, Peter’s resume was anything but good but unlike the earthly kingdom, the Kingdom of God looks not at the past but to the future. Peter was one great example of how the Holy Spirit could use ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things for God. Once ordinary fisherman was now a miracle working evangelist for this new movement called Christianity. This week’s lesson calls him “the transformed Peter”. The next question would be, ‘how complete was his transformation?’ After all, he still had to constantly battle with his prior life of prejudice against the gentiles for example.
This is where Peter’s life shows the typical pattern of a “transformed” Christian’s life. The transformation in Christian life is not about attaining a state of sinless perfection but being submissive to the will of God through humility. The life of a missionary must reflect this transformation that Peter went through. Not a complete transformation but a continuous transformation. God used Peter as a missionary and leader for the early church in spite of his weaknesses because he had learned the lessons of self-independence and God-dependence. In the same way, God is willing to use us as missionaries for His kingdom if only we will learn the art of humility.
Lesson 8: From Folly to Faith: Peter
By Janice Becca
The quarterly has been more of decorative flare on my nightstand this past couple months, as I’ve yet to really pick it up and delve into the seasoned discussion on Agents of Hope. First of all, I’ve missed majority of the summer’s Sabbath School classes stumbling into church after or in the middle of the service (due to completely legitimate reasons). So that’s why when I read it tonight, the words really moved me as though each writer seemed to script a personalized letter straight to me. I’m one of those modern-day Peters and not for any boast-worthy congruences, but more about the close links between Peter and my biggest flaws.
Can you ever get so busy doing God’s work that it’s to your own detriment? It seems if that were to be the case, it wouldn’t really be the case, because at some point God’s work would have become my work (aka where everything gets screwed up). The roller coaster experience is frustrating only because we try to operate the machine while enjoying the ride. But how do we really let go and let God do His thing? How do we take the chill pill of faith, accepting the played out phrases that it will all work out if we just pray? This week’s lesson reminds me of myself alright, but I’m wondering – how do you practically keep self-reliance in check? It seems the more we learn, the less we depend on others, the more we depend on ourselves, the less we depend on Him. He’s asking that we just – trust Him, but can I…just, trust?
Pastor Randy Stafford has been at my church all week long stumped on one simple text, Matthew 6:33 where it says “Seek ye first the kingdom…” I don’t think we’ve even made it past those first five words yet – and yet we’ve dug so deep. So my initial questions of doubt may seem appropriate the appropriate catalyst to begin this search for the kingdom. By just inquiring, “Can I really trust Him?” we’re prompted to go searching. The message in Pastor Stafford’s sermons has been that in everything we just need to make sure we go seeking the kingdom. What’s the kingdom? Check Romans 14:17 and you’ll discover it’s righteousness, peace, and joy. What else could you want on the roller coaster ride? As long as I’m doing the right thing, basking in perfect peace, and truly joyful down deep in my soul – no worries when drama shows up, right?
It seems easy. It seems really tough. It’s both. We may never exit this roller coaster experience, but we have to keep seeking. Doing so changes things from our own overwhelming issues to just another victory on God’s undefeated record.
Lesson 7: The Apostle John
By Kijana Knight
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4, NIV).
The apostle John puts down his pen and looks at the page again. As he reads over the greetings that he has just marked onto the paper, his mind begins to wander to the intended recipient and an unconscious smile tugs on the corners of his lips. As he prepares to pour his heart out to his friend Gaius, uplifting remembrances of the glowing reports he has heard from the believers flood his heart. All the good works,
faithful actions, and brotherhood come into focus at one point – the apex of the Christian experience is the practical manifestation of Christ’s transformative power in the hearts of men and women. John shakes his head slowly in a knowing way, recalling that he, who no one would have ever thought would be in the position that he is now, was changed dramatically by Christ. Coming back to the letter, his heart grows with joy and love and he presses the pen to the page, excitedly transcribing the wonder in the faith that his protege has exhibited. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Who was John? How did this rough-cut fisherman with an explosive temper become an empathetic and compassionate evangelist? What made him a worthy vessel for the fantastic panorama of history that unfolds in Revelation? Fisherman to follower, master of his domain to trusting companion. Could it be that John’s abrasive character was smoothed into a precious stone by being in close communion with the Master? After he and his brother were called to serve (Matt. 10:35-45), John was immediately faced with a primary decision: will I give up all to gain what this Stranger offers? Look again at that call in Matthew 10.
There’s nothing elevating in it by today’s standards. The idea of servant leadership was a total paradigm shift for Christ’s disciples back then and it’s sometimes the same for us today. Christ was asking for total surrender – total change. He doesn’t want a part of us; He wants us all.
Taking all of this into consideration sheds more light on Christ than it does on John. There was no magic pull that drew John to Jesus. No hypnosis lulled him into dropping his nets and striking out into the unknown. That any of the disciples followed Christ at all is a testament to the compelling nature of the pure holiness of God. When people come into contact with the true light, everything else becomes dim. Jesus’ message to the rag-tag band was revolutionary and somewhat hard to swallow, but something shone through that and ultimately pulled the twelve together. Along the way, John began to lose himself in Christ until his character was changed. He was a new man as a result of the love that Christ showered him with. Jesus saw his potential and worked with and through him to completely renew him. John expresses fervently in 1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” Here is something crucial – it is not our love for God but His for us that makes this adoption possible. What a joy to realize that!
So, what was the key? John’s desire to be like his Lord became an all-consuming focus in his life. There was nothing nominal about John’s identity as a “follower of Christ”. The term “Christian”, even though it would not be coined until Antioch (Acts 11:26), could be applied to John in the fullest sense because he gave himself up in order to be filled with Christ. He knew that in order to survive in this world, and to be able to do what Christ was asking of him, he would have to become like Christ. The resultant change is evidenced in his later letters and books.
John realized that actions spoke louder than words (1 John 3:18 ) and encouraged fellow believers to act and behave in ways that were indicative of their relationship with Christ. How important it is to be reminded of that and recognize that the strength to actually carry out Christ’s example comes, not from our own self-motivation, but from Jesus. John speaks from a life full of the most incredible experience and with gentle, yet adamant words, encourages us to surrender to our Savior and allow ourselves to be transformed. The rest will come.
Lesson 5: Jesus and His Disciples
By Praveen Singalla
The world we live in today isn’t the same as it was couple of decades ago and the world then wasn’t the same when compared to the world couple of centuries ago. This world has always been on a continuous change and the reason behind it is just that, there has always been a person who thought differently and created a strong influence that went along changing the way life is today. To give you a good example, let me share my experience that I had on my honeymoon to the beautiful islands of Fiji.
Fiji is a very beautiful place located near New Zealand, comprised of almost 300 islands collectively of which some of them are inhabited. There are a lot of interesting stories about Fijian culture and one of the most astounding and the one that brought chills to my nerves was the fact that, Fiji had the practice of cannibalism until 1903. I and my wife even got the opportunity to visit one of the islands where some of the huge rocks had these stony hooks that were used to hang humans upside down and also were able to see the black marks of fire on the rocks that were used to burn and grill the humans for their entrée. Now you all might be wondering if that was what caught my attention and interest, NO. The interesting fact that I wanted to bring to your attention is the fact that, the practice of cannibalism in Fiji was completely stopped because of the Christian Missionaries who went there, taught them the love of Christ and made them realize of their wrong actions. After which, Fiji started changing drastically and today is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth in comparison to be one of the scariest places to visit just about a century ago.
Not long ago, we had a wonderful man named Jesus Christ who changed the way the world looks at life. He being the son of the Almighty God and our loving Savior not just proved to be a man of life, but a great teacher who trained some of the most common people of this world to be some of the greatest preachers and evangelists that the world has ever seen. It was those disciples of His that influenced this whole world in terms of our relationship with our fellow human beings and our relationship with God.
The secret of His disciples to become such powerful soldiers of Christ was simple in words, but the toughest in practicality. That was to OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS. Jesus always wanted His disciples to just understand the lesson of TOTAL SURRENDER (Faith) and HUMBLENESS (Selflessness).
This week’s lesson focuses fully on those 2 important lessons mentioned above. Jesus wanted His disciples to teach the world the importance of completely surrendering their lives to Jesus by having faith in Him and His plans for life. Jesus also wants us all to be selfless in our character and be willing to help and serve the people who are far less fortunate than we are, thus building a character that will be readily acceptable when Jesus Christ comes in the clouds of Heaven.
As weak human beings, we often tend to worry a lot about our lives and future, We also worry about the embarrassing moments that we sometimes have when we witness and testify for the Lord, We sometimes even feel afraid of the consequences of our actions of standing for the Lord. Jesus is promising us ultimate success with an answer in Mark 11: 22 – “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have Faith in God” (KJV). So all we got to do is just have Faith in the Lord and cast all our burdens onto Him, every different kind, variety, class, seasonal, all kinds of burden. Jesus will take them and He will be willing to give us the peace we need, the assurance that we seek and the success we crave for. Jesus also teaches us to be selfless and be willing to be more helpful to others in their times of trouble, for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be there for us in our times of trouble.
What are your doing to change the world as the disciples of Jesus Christ?
Lesson 3: John the Baptist: Preparing the way for Jesus
By Regie Samuel
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:18,19
“No Outlet”
The focus text above shows the mercy, love, and justice of the God we serve. Who told us that God is exacting, harsh, and unloving? Have we forgotten all that the Lord has done to redeem us?
Have you driven through an unfamiliar neighborhood trying to find your way out? You stop at the stop sign for a while trying to decide which way to turn. Eventually you turn in the direction you see another car going. You are hoping that they will lead you to the main road. You go down a straight road and you have this feeling that you’ve made the right decision. After a few minutes on the road you see a sign that reads, “No Outlet.” There’s no way out. You went all this way just to have to head back in the direction you came. Now you’re more lost than you were before! The road you followed ends and there is nowhere else to go.
What if that experience was the story of our lives? We went this entire way just see a sign that said, “No Outlet.” Friend, God changed it. He’s taken that sign out and placed a bridge at the end of the road in order to crossover to the highway.
Yes, God had to condemn this world because of Adam’s sin. Some focus on this fact so much that they declare God heartless and harsh. When God created Adam and Eve, they knew what would happen if they did not obey their Father. They were informed. They were fully aware of what their disobedience would cost them. God did not keep this hidden from them. Still, they disobeyed.
But how wonderful is the love of our Father that He would send His only Son so that we might gain justification through Him. By one man we were condemned. But by another Man, we are justified. By Adam’s disobedience we were made sinners. But by Jesus Christ our Lord we will be made righteous! The sacrifice of one Man will account for all the sins of the world! How great is our God!
There is an outlet, friend. The road does not end. It is just that some do not want to take the bridge to crossover to the other side. It is a tougher road to follow than the one the world follows. But God, in all His mercy, will open the gates, the power, and the angels of heaven so that we may travail the road successfully! So that we may not falter, so that we may soar on wings like eagles.
Isn’t that amazing? That’s how much He loves us and wants to be with us. He does not want us to fail! How is God harsh? He has made every provision that we may have life eternal. He has done all He can to keep us from the snares of Satan. It is not God’s fault that we are the way we are. It is our own. Mrs. White says that God does not destroy man. Man destroys man. Our failure to be saved in God’s kingdom is not a decision God makes. It is one that we make. It is not God that does not want us to be saved. It is us that choose not to be saved. It is us that choose not to live like a saved people. Rather, we live like the world hoping that God will save us while we live like we don’t know Him. How is that possible? We have not allowed God’s power to free us from our sins.
Why should we reform our lives? Because of all that God did, does, and will do, because we are dead to sin and alive in Christ, let us “walk in newness of life!” Paul in Rom. 6:4 tells to walk in newness of life. Verse 6 says, “…our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin!”
What a promise! What a hope! You need not be tied down by sin as Jacob was. He lived his life in fear of his brother. But Christ came to be the ladder between us and heaven. Sin is no longer your master, Christ is! Christ’s death put our old selves to death, and his resurrection made us a new creation! You are a new creation. You are not at the end of the road. There is a bridge, my friend. Because of this, let us expel sin from our lives. Let us submit ourselves to God and resist the devil. Christ has freed you and redeemed you.
He has created an outlet just for YOU! Praise be to God!
There is an outlet. Will you climb?
Lesson 2: All things to All People : Paul Preaches to the World
By Mithun Mansinghani
This week’s lesson is about “Cultural Relevance in Gospel Sharing.” While it may not be something that we hear a lot about within the Church—Adventists can be set in their ways much of the time—it is something of increasing importance and discussion, especially in our younger generation. For example, the pamphlets of turbulent seas, horned beasts, and terrible dragons may well have worked for generations past in opening a door for the Gospel, but will they reach the hearts of our generation? Moving beyond the homeland, by what means do we reach others with cultures drastically different from ours…and how malleable is the Gospel, to be formed and molded without breaking or changing it’s essential nature?
The Lesson, as it usually does, does a great job at covering the basics and providing the Scriptural tools: it centers around the evangelism of Paul in the book of Acts (particularly chapters 11, 13, and 17), and the verse from 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. We see the example of Paul in reaching out to diverse people’s by, as he did in Athens, first speaking to them on their terms and their ground (literally!). He preaches with tact, with relevance, but with unadulterated truth.
But let us dig deeper, to the places with no easy answers.
The lesson points out:
“It has to be made clear though that we don’t have to be drunk in order to win the drunkards or criminals to reach out to the thieves or murderers. Nor do we have to be an Imam to win Muslims. In other words, we don’t have to be what we should not be in order share the gospel in culturally relevant ways.”
True enough. But what about people who were in their sins formerly? Should ex-cons who have come to know Christ minister to criminals? How about recovered alcoholics ministering to drunkards or former homosexuals ministering to the gay community?
Certainly these people, having gone through the experiences that those they are ministering to are going through at the moment, and having the testimony that life in Christ is better, can speak with greater relevance than any! But there is a danger. There is a danger in subjecting those with a certain inclination to that sin being tempted while trying the evangelize. Influence, remember, goes both ways. The man who may minister to those having alcohol problems will most likely be sorely tempted, and may fall, if he is pressed by the surroundings of his own choosing, no matter how good the intentions. Certainly he who has a problem with lust should not set the strip club as his mission field!
So what then? I suppose it varies from case to case, but my point is that being as relevant as possible, and using “all means,” is not always so black and white. While ideas that arise in relevant ministry may at first seem “great,” greater thought and prayer has to be put into them before jumping right in. In the struggle to be relevant in a country where people our age tend to be predisposed against Christianity, let us be very careful as to not compromise our own spiritual well-being—or doctrine—in the attempt to reach out effectively, because no one benefits from that.
There are numerous questions that arise from all this relevance talk. For example, how far do we go? Jesus went to the tax collectors and worst of sinners, can I then go attempt to minister at the bar or the dorm room a floor above, which constantly has the sharp scent of pot? Despite my faults and failures (and they are many), I’ve never been tempted by drugs or alcohol, I should be fine, right? And if not me, who else?
Another question: what about Universalists and Hindus? The Lesson suggests we should start on common ground, but groups like these never want to leave common ground, because all paths lead to the same destination, according to them. Should we then start to try to emphasize differences?
Nevertheless, I don’t want to leave this post with just questions. I want to challenge you. The essence of being relevant is meeting people at their needs first. Whether that need is a shoulder to cry on, a stern rebuke, or common ground to start on, people generally only make drastic changes in their lives out of necessity. There are numerous people in your city or town who have needs you can meet, and you are called to meet. They are the poor. I don’t care what culture they’re from (and neither do they), you can be relevant to them whenever you want with such a simple thing as giving. Giving your time, your money, your care and love. Sure, they may not tithe much, and their feet might just stain the Church carpet, but “if you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard” (Proverbs 21:13). Be relevant.
Lesson 1: For Such a Time Like This : The Apostle Paul
By Kemi Ola
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Romans 7:24
Paul,
Peter,
John the Baptist,
John the Beloved.
Who was the greatest?
Two of them were official disciples, one was a persecutor turned apostle and one was Jesus’ cousin.
Who was the greatest?
One died of old age, another was crucified upside down and two of them had their heads chopped off.
Who was the greatest?
One had four books named after him, another had two, one wrote thirteen and the last guy is bookless.
Who was the greatest?
Two of them were fisherman; one had a double doctorate in theology and church administration and the last guy, let’s just say he had a thing for locusts.
Who was the greatest?
This week we run into Paul, one of the greatest apostles of Christ. An Agent of Hope, a true missionary, who gave his life for the cause. Living out of suitcases, traveling across racial and geopolitical lines in order to spread the Word to the world, he is one of the greatest apostles that we have been given the opportunity to learn about.
Wait!
Stop.
What made him great?
Was it his citizenship status, apprenticeship with Gamaliel or organization affiliation?
What made him memorable?
Could it have been his years of dedicated service, his conversion story, or the letters he wrote?
What made him effective?
Was it is the fact that he was indiscriminate in his mission, preaching to the Jews and the uncircumcised Gentiles or was it his oratory ability?
Hmmmm!
Answers are premature this early in the quarter, so I leave you with the task as you meet and learn about these various Agents of Hope.
Have a blessed Sabbath
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