Must the Whole World Hear?

The Good Samaritan

Refugees in transit

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Rom 16:25-27 NIV).

(Overview and commentary on: Must the whole world hear?- Lesson 13)
Depending on the results of the two polls this coming week I may not blog the book of Jeremiah. If this happens I may turn to church doctrine over the next quarter.

Karakia Timatanga | Opening Prayer

He hōnore, he korōria ki te atua

All honour and glory to our maker

He maungārongo ki te whenua

Let there be peace and tranquillity on earth

He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa

Goodwill to mankind

Āmine.                                  

Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

I couldn't but help include the two contrasting pictures; both pictures depicting the consistent need of humanity through the ages. The verse for this week refers to the gospel message. As a church we do have a gospel message but it would be good to see the church overtly leading in tangibly supporting the refugee cause. This is the way the gospel should be realised. For non-believing people what really counts is closure of the gospel gap. They need to see actions commensurate with the Jesus story otherwise we are dismissed for lack of credibility.

The lesson authors, Schantz and Thompson (2015) ask and then answer their own question: 

On the day of judgment, how is God going to deal with these billions who have not known Him? 

We do not need to worry because as is pointed out:

God is a God of justice, and however He works it out, the shout will be heard across heaven: Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! (Rev 15:3, NKJV).

Schantz and Thompson (2015) also refer to two contrasting errors that Christians can make: first that there is salvation in a single Christian denomination only and second that all religions are equally valid guides to God and eternal life.

In the first instance there is a real danger for some Adventists in believing they are members of the "remnant church" as it gives a false sense of security. Security in salvation is not by denomination or by religion it can only ever be found in Christ (Acts 4:12). The mistaken view of some is unsurprisingly held by people within a number of denominations who for a variety of reasons believe that their church is the chosen true church. The list includes Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, some Baptists, Latter Day Saints (One true church, 2015), Jehovah Witnesses etc. (Unruh, 2003). It is likely that the small Gloriavale community on the West Coast also fits the category (Sharp, 2015). Christians aren't the only ones who see their religion as the only one: Judaism, Islam and Hinduism from time to time exhibit variations on the same theme.

Sunday | Rātapu

No Other Name Under Heaven

(see Sabbath's comments).
Monday | Rāhina

How Much Must One Know?

It's important for us to grasp some of the ideas in this section because some of the verses referred to here clear up some of the misunderstandings we develop about God and how He deals with those who are not the same as us.

1. God is responsible for appointing times in history and geographical boundaries (Acts 17:26-28)
2. There is sufficient evidence of a good God for all people if we and they want to believe (Acts 14:17) 
3. God considers our circumstances individually (Ps 87:4-6)
4. Conscience is universal and how the individual responds is vital. The unknown motivations that we all have are significant factors (Rom. 2:12-16; Ecc 12:14)
5. Be conscious, very conscious that God has people in all sorts of unexpected places and perhaps they might not even be Christians (Jn 10:16)
6. We along with the rest of humanity are not saved by works but certainly judged by them.  (Rom 2:6-7) 6 God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Tuesday | Rātū

Universalism and Pluralism

1. Are all religions equal?  (Jn 14:6) The Bible says no.
2. Is there a final judgment? (Dan 12:2) The Bible says yes.
3. Is everyone saved at the final judgment? (Mt 7:13-14; Rev 21:8) The Bible says no.
4. Why people die in the judgment? (2 Thess 2:9-10)
5. Who is and who is not condemned in judgment? (John 3:18)
6. What counts in the judgment? (Rev. 20:14-15) - No mention of any religion here at all. It is whether your name is in the Book of Life or not.

This is not popular but the Bible does not teach that every one will be saved. It also teaches the need to believe in Jesus but there are as indicated in Monday's lesson circumstances when this may not be possible.

Wednesday  | Rāapa

Sinners in Need of Grace

We are all in need of God's grace but some people don't want it. The gift of life is not something that is ours by right. In the Biblical account it comes first by creation and then second through redemption. The right to life therefore is God's to give or to take. From the Biblical account He wants more than anything to give it (Jn 3:17).

Those people who reject God have still been given the gift of life but are subject to its withdrawal because of rebellion against legitimate authority. This is another unpopular concept but it is scripturally supported (Ge 6:11-13; Rom 1:18; 2 Thess 2:12; Rev 21:8; Rev 22:15). Jesus warned the people of His time that it was unwise to make inferences about whether an event in which people perished was a judgment from God (Luke 13:1-4). Bad things happen in life but not everything or even most things are God's judgment e.g. Job. In the United States there was a view among some Christians that New Orleans was being judged (Corley, 2008). Some Christians have recently speculated that something else very bad is about to happen but if you look at the world in general something bad always seems to be happening (10 things you need to know about the blood moons that begin on Monday, n.d.).

According to the Bible, we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), and God wishes for all to repent (Acts 17:30; 26:20;2 Pet. 3:9) and be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). (Schantz & Thompson, 2015)

Thursday | Rāpare

The Mission Call

Mt 5:13 describes us as the salt of the earth. Schantz and Thompson (2015) allude to the issue of Israel shutting itself away. Lets be a bit more explicit here. There are a substantial number of Adventists who are 'instutionalised' and who do not need to mix with or choose not to mix with non believers. These Christians need to get out and about. There are also high concentration clusters of Adventists who meet together in congregations which are capable of self sustaining. More thought perhaps could be given to the many struggling congregations in the outlying areas.

Today people can also share their faith digitally. That is one of the purposes of this blog. One of the goals yet to be realised for me is to have people engage in genuine conversation about the issues raised.

1 Co 9:22–23 gives a very important principle for all of us. Being a Christian is not something to be put on or off. We are always Christians and we need to be consistent in our living at home and work.

Considerations for practise

We cannot worry about the whole world, that is more in God's realm. What are your responsibilities as a Christian towards mission?

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, āmine.


References

10 things you need to know about the blood moons that begin on Monday. (n.d.). In disclose.tv. Retrieved September 19, 2015, from 

http://www.disclose.tv/news/10_Things_You_Need_to_Know_About_the_Blood_Moons_That_Begin_on_Monday/102377

Corley, M. (2008, April 23). Hagee says Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans because it was ‘planning a sinful’ ‘homosexual rally’. In Thinkprogress. Retrieved from http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2008/04/23/22152/hagee-katrina-mccain/

One true church (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 19, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_true_church

Sharpe, K. (2015, August 8). Return to Gloriavale set to divide viewers. In Stuff. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-guide/70928977/Return-to-Gloriavale-set-to-divide-viewers

Unruh, L. (2003, November 19). Comparing the one true churches. Retrieved from http://www.theholdemans.com/Compare.htm

Schantz, B. & Thompson, S. (2015). Biblical Missionaries. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 3Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.