United in Communion

Do you want to be happy? Would you take Christ’s recipe for happiness? Gospels offer full range of instructions and guidelines for true happiness. Greek word maka,rioi, [makarioi] which is often translated as “blessed” is the word for “happy.” Reading the beatitudes in Matthew 5 or Luke 6, those who are blessed are the happy ones.
Regularly we are celebrating the Remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for us. This ordinance is a promise for happiness. Jesus assured all those present in the upper room: "If ye know these things," if you know the purpose of His lessons, "happy are ye if ye do them." (John 13:17)
Your vision reflects your desire for becoming a happy community, becoming unified as a family of faith. It is through Christ’s ordinance of footwashing that we may attain out dream of becoming one.
The pen of inspiration asserts that “The Holy Watcher from heaven is present at this season to make it one of soul searching, of conviction of sin, and of the blessed assurance of sins forgiven. Christ in the fullness of His grace is there to change the current of the thoughts that have been running in selfish channels. The Holy Spirit quickens the sensibilities of those who follow the example of their Lord. As the Savior's humiliation for us is remembered, thought links with thought; a chain of memories is called up, memories of God's great goodness and of the favor and tenderness of earthly friends. Blessings forgotten, mercies abused, kindnesses slighted, are called to mind. Roots of bitterness that have crowded out the precious plant of love are made manifest. Defects of character, neglect of duties, ingratitude to God, coldness toward our brethren, are called to remembrance. Sin is seen in the light in which God views it. Our thoughts are not thoughts of self-complacency, but of severe self-censure and humiliation. The mind is energized to break down every barrier that has caused alienation. Evil-thinking and evil-speaking are put away. Sins are confessed, they are forgiven. The subduing grace of Christ comes into the soul, and the love of Christ draws hearts together in a blessed unity.
As the lesson of the preparatory service is thus learned, the desire is kindled for a higher spiritual life. To this desire the divine Witness will respond. The soul will be uplifted. We can partake of the Communion with a consciousness of sins forgiven. The sunshine of Christ's righteousness will fill the chambers of the mind and the soul temple. We "behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29.
To those who receive the spirit of this service, it can never become a mere ceremonial. Its constant lesson will be, "By love serve one another." Gal. 5:13. (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, 650-651)

Evangelism as our Reason for Being

Defining Our Vision: =
1. Bible Teaching Praying Church.
2. Evangelizing Church.
Just to think that we can actually change the population of heaven!!! Yet it is exactly what Jesus had in mind when He gave the Commission to the doubtful bunch of disciples to go and evangelize nations.
Gospel is always about the Good News. And the greatest news for us today is that even plateaued or declining churches can turn around! Jesus dictated a letter for John to write to his home church in Ephesus: “…remember from where you have fallen, turn back and recover your first love…” (Revelation 2:5)
One of parables Jesus told hints that those who fail to seek the lost will be replaced by others. (Matthew 21:33-46). When a church ceases to be an evangelistic agency, that church ceases to be the true church. God has raised up His people and had chosen His remnant to saved those who are lost. To quit reaching to those seeking after God is to be rejected by God.
The difference between the stream and a swamp is that stream has an outlet. A church that is not reaching out is becoming a swamp. Evangelism is our reason for being!
We have discovered that Jesus’ promise to be with us always depends on us doing His Command. The Great Commission to evangelize is just that – His Last Command. (Matthew 28:18-20). When we obey His command it will be a sign to all the world that we are in love-relationship with Him, our Lord and God. (John 14:21,31).
Listen to what the Spirit of Prophecy says on this: “If we love Jesus…we shall love to labor for Him. For His sake we shall covet pain and toil and sacrifice. We shall sympathize with His longing for the salvation of men. We shall feel the same tender craving for souls that He has felt. This is the religion of Christ. Anything short of it is a deception.” (Ellen G. White, Christ object lessons, 49-50)
Go ye and teach all groups of people you meet in the Good News of Jesus!