Thinking of OUR Mission

This week the world is abuzz about a statement made by the new pope Francis the “Awesome” on Tuesday Nov 26 when he said: "I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. … In her ongoing discernment, the Church can also come to see that certain customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel, even some which have deep historical roots, are no longer properly understood and appreciated. Some of these customs may be beautiful, but they no longer serve as means of communicating the Gospel. We should not be afraid to re-examine them. At the same time, the Church has rules or precepts which may have been quite effective in their time, but no longer have the same usefulness for directing and shaping people’s lives."

I was struck by how some fellow Adventists responded on different social forums. One commented “I wish I would be a catholic,” others commented on the “inversion of roles” and how this “vision for the Catholic Church is so relevant and applicable to the Adventist Church.” On some social forums comments were made that what was always labeled as “a beast,” is speaking more like a “lamb” than “dragon.” What is our priority? Are we obsessed about policies and procedures? Is there a fight for “kingly power” of leadership? Or are we on a Mission to this diverse world of diverse people and various needs?

"Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason. …I think about a conversion of the papacy. … I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities.”

Well, he’s the pope, and we don’t trust him. Sure it takes courage to shake up the ancient church for change, but let’s see some action, let’s wait to see the richest institution in the world give its money up for serving the needs of people.

After all the final deception according to Revelation 16:13-15 will come out of the “mouth,” a religious speech which would deceive kings of the earth to unite.

We had been called to life of mission, service and caring for people needs all along, since the inception of our movement. Just consider these words from inspired writings of our pioneer, Ellen G.White: “A religion that leads men to place a low estimate upon human beings, whom Christ has esteemed of such value as to give Himself for them; a religion that would lead us to be careless of human needs, sufferings, or rights, is a spurious religion. In slighting the claims of the poor, the suffering, and the sinful, we are proving ourselves traitors to Christ. It is because men take upon themselves the name of Christ, while in life they deny His character, that Christianity has so little power in the world.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.136)

What is your top priority and passion these days? Is it serving and caring for people in need? Do you need to wait for world political powers to tell you to become charitable to others?

Mere Christianity is based on teaching of Jesus to love and serve others denying yourself, for Christ sake!

Urgency for the Harvest

Lo Richards led mid-week service with reflection on Jonah and a challenge to all present to witness.  We like to see the church growing, new people coming to Christ, and what are we doing for that?

As I listened I reflected on increasing natural disasters that are happening around us.  Even as we are collecting today to help victims of typhoon in Philippines, last Sunday 81 tornadoes ripped through Illinois, all in one day, unusual for November!

The words from the pen of our pioneer, Ellen White came to mind “The restraining Spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed; but when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there shall be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.” (Testimonies, v6, p408). 

In Prophets and Kings (p.277) she writes “these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God's purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.”

Do we recognize that things are getting out of order is not “just because” but there is an indication of last things?  That what we see all around us forecast approaching events of even greater magnitude?

Another paragraph came to mind from testimonies (v9, p11), where talking about end time events she warned the church “The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.”

While your attention may be stirred with the “rapid” comment, I am more shocked with the “consolidating” comment. The evil is united!  Evil agencies are working in harmony and unity against good!!!  There is a cooperation of evil!!! 

What about our efforts?  Are we getting closer together to service God?  Are we working in unity and collaboration?  Could we consolidate our efforts, and stop living divided lives?  How united are we in our church?  Are we ONE family?

Reflect on these things!  Those sealed by God’s Spirit will have one mind – the mind of Christ and passion for service.

Preserving the Harvest

That was the title of my sermonette for the mid-week Prayer Service.  After the recent Evangelism Revival my soul is hungry for more.  Many shared how much they appreciated the renewed focus on soul-winning.  But the question remains: will the momentum continue?  Will we as individuals carry on with passion witnessing and leading people to Christ?

I also shared with those present my personal disappointment that the week of prayer that followed experienced drop in attendance and interest.  Has the regular church become too mundane?

Let me share a humorous observation, about a pastor who quit attending sporting events. 12 Reasons could be given: 1. The coach never came to visit me.

2. Every time I went, they asked for money.

3. The people sitting in my row didn’t seem very friendly.

4. The seats were very hard.

5. The referees made a decision I didn’t agree with.

6. I was sitting with hypocrites, who came to see what others were wearing!

7. Some games went into overtime and I was late getting home.

8. The band played some songs I had never heard before.

9. The games are scheduled on my only day to sleep in & run errands.

10. Parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.

11. I read a book on sports, I feel I know more than the coaches.

12. I don’t want to take my children because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.

Really?  Are you serious?  What does anything of these reasons has to do with sport?  Funny, but that’s a list of typical excuses people have not to be involved in the most exciting activity – being catchers of people for the Kingdom of God!

I read over the book Evangelism, a compilation of Ellen White’s writings on topics of soul winning.  An interesting illustration is presented in Chapter 9: when “with one hand the workers would take hold of Christ, with the other they would grasp sinners and draw them to the Saviour.” (Review and Herald, Sept. 10, 1903).

Picture in your mind – you holding Christ’s hand and that connection is empowering you to become a link to others who need a hand up!  Soul winning is not a religious sport.  It’s a natural process when we are in relations with Christ!

Reflecting on Adventist Heritage & present condition, part 2

Last week I shared with you a reprint from 1877 Review and Herald, Signs of Spiritual Decline penned by Ellen G. White, and invited you to examine yourselves.  They were listed as negatives, and some felt judgmentalism.  During this week of prayer we were challenged about what the Revival would look like if we were to really follow Jesus.  So, let me paraphrase these into positives, and encourage you with

SIGNS of Spiritual Revival

1.      You enjoy religious conversation and seek  the company of heavenly-minded Christians.

2.      You never absent yourself from religious services without necessity.  You prefer to be at church event than elsewhere.

3.      You are more concerned about honoring Christ in performing duty, than your comfort or opinions of others.

4.      For the sake of honoring Christ and His teachings you are not afraid of being counted over-strict.

5.      You do not take sin lightly and do not trifle with temptation.

6.      When you discover faults of others, you grieve and pray for them, and not just talk disapprovingly.

7.      You are patient and forgiving toward the faults of others.

8.      You confess and forsake sin; acknowledge and accept duty.

9.      Your cheerfulness has the holy joy of the children of God.

10.  You do not shrink from self-examination.

11.  You do not bring the sorrows and cares of the world into the Sabbath, but rather you bring  the savor and sanctity of the Sabbath into your daily life during the week.

12.  Your duty as a Christian is your top priority and does not yield to worldly interest or opinions of your neighbors.

13.  You invite for Christ and solicit to do good all people you associate with, and avoid those who injure spiritual life.

Reflect on these values in your personal life.  What signs are you showing? Consider the integrity to which we are called as the new creation in Christ!  May this week of prayer set you higher on your spiritual journey.  May the Holy Spirit continue developing the character of Christ in you.

Reflecting on Adventist Heritage & present condition

Month of October traditionally is designated as Adventist Heritage month, commemorating the Great Disappointment of Millerite movement of October 22 1844.  In the newsletter you would see inspirational photos of our school kids acting out stories of our pioneers.  I hope you had read with family during the family worship reflections on our movement beginnings and mission.

I was struck by a relevancy of an article reprinted by one of our historical sites, listing Signs of Spiritual Decline

Originally penned by Ellen G. White in the Review and Herald (Nov. 8, 1877, pg. 146), it gives an interesting window into early Seventh-day Adventist spirituality. Check for yourself how it applies today:

SIGNS of Spiritual Decline

1.      When you are adverse to religious conversation or the company of heavenly-minded Christians.

2.      When from preference, and without necessity, you absent yourself from religious services.

3.      When you are more concerned about pacifying conscience than honoring Christ in performing duty.

4.      When you are more afraid of being counted over-strict than of dishonoring Christ.

5.      When you trifle with temptation or think lightly of sin.

6.      When the faults of others are more a matter of censorious conversation than secret grief and prayer.

7.      When you are impatient and unforgiving toward the faults of others.

8.      When you confess, but do not forsake, sin; and when you acknowledge, but still neglect, duty.

9.      When your cheerfulness has more of the levity of the unregenerate than the holy joy of the children of God.

10.  When you shrink from self-examination.

11.  When the sorrows and cares of the world follow you further into the Sabbath than the savor and sanctity of the Sabbath follow you into the week.

12.  When you are easily prevailed upon to let your duty as a Christian yield to your worldly interest or the opinions of your neighbors.

13.  When you associate with men of the world without solicitude about doing good or having your own spiritual life injured.

Hmm….examine yourself.  Are you still in the Adventist spiritual tradition?