The Missionary Nature of God

Overview of Lesson 1: The Missionary Nature of God

(Following this link will allow you to view the lesson in more detail: Sabbath School Org. Lesson 1)

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

This week's lesson lays the foundation for why we need to have missionaries and how it relates to the nature of God. The opening two sentences begin by portraying what the world is like and what humanity is like. The Christian world view is fundamentally different from others and concludes that people are evil. Most of us can see this in our own lives if we care to admit it. We can definitely see it in others and in the systems, organisations and politics we work with. One thing that we need also to keep in mind is that although we are sinners, people who miss the mark, we are also Gods' children through creation and redemption. Sabbath's lesson reminds us that one day all things will be made new. This is a great hope for us all as we see the effects of man's economically driven destruction of the planet. However as Christians let us not fall into the trap of not acting in redemptive ways towards our fellow man including actions which protect the home God has given us now. Ps 24:1 describes the earth as the Lord's. If we can't look after this one what makes us think that we will look after the next one?

Sunday | Rātapu

God created man and woman

The discourse in today's world is increasingly hostile to the concept of a literal creation yet Jesus believed it (Mt 19:4). Now it seems to me that if we believe in the claims that He makes we also ought to believe the things he believed. Gen 1:26-28 from a Christian perspective places a value on life that puts man above the other elements of nature. It also requires him to take care of the other life forms and the habitat.

Monday | Rāhina 

Free Will

Adventists believe in free will and this is hugely important if we also believe in right and wrong, good and evil, the ability to choose and the exercise of the mind to make judgments. The lesson makes some very good points about religion, ethics and science in relationship to morality. Religion and ethics should be closely connected, they should influence each other but they don't always. Jesus religion and his ethics matched. There was a huge gulf between what some of the pharisees believed and the fact that they were plotting to kill Jesus. It is not unusual to find unethical people and leaders in churches, including Adventist ones. Sometimes the unethical behaviour is simply ignorant; on other occasions it is more calculating. The three things that God requires of us (Mic 6:8): justice, mercy and humility towards God all need us to exercise free will. These things are core to good relationships with our fellow man. This is the basis of God's judgment.

Tuesday | Rātū 
The Fall

Genesis three is critical to the faith of Christians who believe in Jesus as Saviour. If these early parts of Genesis are mythology the logical nature of Christianity falls down. The fall is the biblical explanation for sin in the world. Sin is the reason we need a Saviour. No fall - no such thing as sin - no need for Jesus. Many non-believers connect the dots but a believer who dismisses the fall has a very difficult theological problem to overcome.

Wanting stuff when its not ours to have is still a problem today. The recent court case here in Auckland illustrates this well. Alex Swney (Meadows, 2015) deliberately avoided paying tax and made false invoices, effectively stealing millions of dollars. He was on $285,000 a year and didn't think he was being paid enough. He took what wasn't rightfully his - same story.

Wednesday  | Rāapa
God's Initiative to Save Us

I think this is the highlight of the weeks lesson. After Adam and Eve sinned, God came looking for them. It is really nice to know that when things are really bad, God still comes looking for us. Jesus was sent looking for us as well. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10). At some stage we are all lost (Luke 15): lost unknowingly, lost helplessly and lost deliberately. The course Adam and Eve took was at first deliberate. They then became helpless, fearful and then tried to justify their actions. I like the response of Bartimaeus. He knows, his condition and he cries out. He takes the opposite approach to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve go into hide and go seek mode whereas Bartimaeus cries at the top of his lungs "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mk 10:47).

Thursday | Rāpare
Metaphors of Mission

Jesus talks about Christians as being salt and light. Our influence as Schantz and Thompson (2015) write curbs the world's corruption. Why do so many Adventists choose willingly to shelter in Adventist communities?

Points for Christians to consider and practise

1. How do you see yourself and loved ones - evil or children of God?
2. What value do you place on caring for the creation?
3. What is most important your religion or your ethical practise?
4. Did the fall happen? If it didn't do you need Jesus?
5. In relation to God where are you?

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

Meadows, R. (2015, June 24). 

Heart of the City founder Alex Swney sentenced to 5 years' jail. Stuff. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/69645518/heart-of-the-city-founder-alex-swney-sentenced-to-5-years-jail.

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

Crucified and Risen

Overview of Lesson 13: Crucified and Risen

(Following this link will allow you to view the lesson in more detail: Sabbath School Org. Lesson 13)

Karakia Timatanga             Opening Prayer

E te Atua                              Lord

He mihi tēnei ki a koe            This is a greeting to you

Mo au painga ki a mātou        For your kindness to us

I tēnei wā                             At this time

Amine                                       Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

Memory Text: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Lk 24:7).

(and Wednesday: He is Risen)

Every one of the gospels agree that Jesus prior to his death would rise again (Mt 16:21, Mk 8:31, Jn 2:22). This is the pivotal issue for all Christians, thinking or not, and it is why I am a Christian. Christianity is meaningless without it. The resurrection gives meaning to Christ’s life and death. It also gives hope and meaning to the otherwise difficult life of the Christian (Mt 7:13-14). A dead, crucified Jesus, who did not rise from the dead has no claim beyond that of his moral teachings but on closer analysis you would come to the conclusion that he taught lies and had delusional tendencies (Lewis, 1952). An unresurrected Jesus undermines any weight or credibility that we attach to those virtues/values we consider to be Christian.

For a lot of Christians their lives are wrapped up in the culture of Christianity which is not necessarily the Gospel of Christ. The music, the prayers, the rituals, the services do have a place but without a resurrected Saviour they are a bad joke (1 Co 15:14, 1 Co. 15:19). This life is short, and the promise of another can only be based on one that can concretely be observed in the life another. What I really like about the book of Luke is that it anchors Jesus in history. Believers and non-believers all have access to the same evidence, history and literatures. The difference is in the interpretation. Scholars such as N.T. Wright (1998; Craig, 2013) provide for those of us who need a basis for rational belief a credible starting point.

I apologise for not being precise with this quote but I had to include it:

“… if you think it is ridiculous to believe that life will triumph over death, then don’t bother with Christianity, because you can’t be a Christian unless you believe that.” Andrew Greeley

Sunday | Rātapu

Gethsemane: The Fearsome Struggle

On Sunday comparisons are made between the Garden of Eden and Gethsemane. I've added a few others but leave them with you to reflect on.

 

Features	Eden	Gethsemane
Centre on a tree	Knowledge of Good and evil
The context and setting	A beautiful, peaceful, stress free environment. During the day.
The place of God’s will and the centrality of obedience.	Don’t eat the fruit.
Evidence of self control and self discipline.	Not evident
Response to temptation.	Naïve and unaware.
Consequences	Unknown	Known
Choices to be made	To eat or not to eat.
Physical consequences	Death, labour, child birth
Attitudes	Desire, lust, blame and recrimination
Critical to the future of man	Impacts on all of the first pairs descendants.
The place of communing with God	Adam and Eve hide.
The place of mercy	A sacrifice is provided to cover Adam and Eve
Manifestation of supernatural	A talking snake.
The place of the sword

 

Are there any others you could add?

Monday | Rāhina 

Judas

Not many parents name their children Judas. Of the disciples, both Judas and Peter get a reasonable amount of attention in the gospels. Judas and Peter have been compared many times, both betray Jesus but it seems that Peter is forgiven and Judas is not. Judas is the one character in the gospels that is either universally abhorred or pitied by Christians. The gospel writers make absolutely certain that you know Judas as the betrayer. Many Christians, rightly or wrongly would also condemn Judas for his suicide. Luke makes a statement, that is unique in scripture: “Then Satan entered Judas …” (22:3). If you have ever succumbed to doing something wrong or evil you will identify with this statement. To a greater or lesser degree every one of us lines up behind Judas or Peter because at some stage or other our actions have dishonoured the one we worship or should worship. It seems that Judas commits the unpardonable sin. In the end he does confess (Mt. 27:4) but the quality of this confession lacks the quality of genuine repentance. The confession is more in line with the ultimate and universal confession of man which is brought about by judgment (Rom 14:11, Php 2:11). In Judas there are characteristics of repentance: recognition of wrongdoing, returning the money but his confession is misplaced. He confesses to those who have no sympathy with his cause, he confesses to a priesthood that is in the very process of being superseded. What if … Judas had chosen to deal with his guilt differently? What if … Judas had gone to a different tree? The tragedy here is that Judas after spending so much time with Jesus has failed to grasp the depth of His love. Judas finally decides to deal with his own guilt rather than let God deal with it. We know from the scriptures that Judas recognises that he has done wrong but I wonder if Judas ultimate failure is his unwillingness to admit that Jesus is right.

One of the more puzzling texts in the Bible for someone who does not believe in pre-destination is found written of Judas in Jn 17:12  While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

An interesting story is told of missionaries to Papua New Guinea who worked with a tribe called the Sawi. From the worldview of the Sawi: "In their eyes, Judas, not Jesus, was the hero of the Gospels, Jesus was just the dupe to be laughed at." (Read more at: Judas, Jesus and the Sawi)

Tuesday | Rātū 
Either for Him or Against Him

The cross and the resurrection in the life of Jesus come together as a pair. We often talk about one or the other as separate events but in terms of our salvation they are not. I agree with the statement:

For all else that it entails, the Cross is also the great divider of history: the divider between faith and unbelief, between betrayal and acceptance, and between eternal life and death. There is no middle ground for any human being concerning the Cross. In the end, we are on either one side or the other. (Fowler, 2015, p. 166)

The resurrection ought to be included in this statement because it is equally divisive and without it the cross has no meaning other than the death of a charlatan.

Yes the cross and the resurrection are divisive but they are also the basis of our reconciliation to God and to one another (2 Co. 5:18-19). The reconciliation is more than a religious matter it should impact in the world’s social issues to bridge the socio-economic, cultural, language, educational and gender divides. Be wise in this matter but in the end it is God’s prerogative to finalise the separation not ours (Mt. 25).

In our world many people don’t know the relevance of the cross including Christians. A few years ago I came across this poem. I’m not given to poetry much. In most books I skim over them but this says a lot.

The Padded Cross (The Musings of a Would-Be Disciple)

Author unknown (earliest reference I could find:QUOTED in January, 1976 from Carlyle Saylor in "Christian Deaf Fellowship" PULPIT HELPS, March, 1982)

“Well, here I am, Lord.

You said, ‘Take up your cross’, and I’m here to do it.

It’s not easy, you know, this self-denial thing.

I mean to go through with it though, yes sir.

I’ll bet you wish more people were willing to be disciples like me.

I’ve counted the cost and surrendered my life, and … well…

“You mind if I look over these crosses?

I’d kind of like a new one.

I’m not fussy, you understand, but a disciple has to be relevant these days.

I was wondering, are there any that are vinyl padded?

I really want to attract others you see, and if I could show them a more comfortable cross, I’m sure I could win a lot more.

We have to keep up with the times.

Right?

And I need something durable so that I can treasure it always and occasionally show it off to my friends.

Oh, perhaps there is one that is sort of flat so it would fit under my coat?

One shouldn't be too obvious. “Funny, there doesn’t seem to be much choice here—just that coarse, rough wood.

I mean, that could hurt!

Don’t you have something more distinctive, Lord?

I can tell you right now, none of my friends are going to be impressed by this shoddy workmanship!

They’ll think I’m a nut or something! And my family will just be mortified!

“What’s that?

It’s either one of these or forget the whole thing?

But Lord, I want to be your disciple!

I mean, just being with you…that’s what counts.

But, life has to have a balance, too…but you don’t understand…nobody lives that way today!

“Who’s going to be attracted by this self-denial bid?

I mean, I want to, but let’s not overdo it!

Start getting fanatical like this and they’ll take me to the funny farm…know what I mean?

“I mean, being a disciple is challenging and exciting and all, and I want to do it…but I do have rights don’t I?

Now, let’s see. No blood, o.k.?

I just can’t stand the thought of that, Lord…

“Lord?

Now where do you suppose He went?”

Thursday | Rāpare
All Things Must be Fulfilled

The encounter with the disciples in the 24^th chapter of Luke highlights the importance of the Scriptures in recognising Christ as the Messiah and Saviour of the world. Fowler (2015) rightly points out that today the Bible is still central to the gospel commission and our commitment as Christians.

The lesson on Thursday ends with these questions:

How much time do you spend with the Bible? How does it impact how you live, the choices you make, and how you treat others?

Many today find the Bible boring or find little time to read it. If this is you – ask God to help and guide you.

Points for Christians to consider and practise

1. Belief in the resurrection is pivotal to being a Christian.
2. Judas is not the only person who has betrayed Christ. In great and small ways we all have. Have you endeavoured to make this right through prayer?
3. What type of cross are you carrying?
4. Are you practising reconciliation in your life because of the cross?
5. Are you still encountering Jesus in the Bible?

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, amine.

References

Craig, W. (2013, April 1). Accounting for the empty tomb: The quest for the risen, historical Jesus. America: The National Catholic Review, 11-17. Retrieved from: http://americamagazine.org/issue/article/accounting-empty-tomb


Don Richardson. (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Richardson_(missionary)

Fowler, J. (2015). The book of Luke. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 2Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

Lewis, C. (1952). Mere Christianity. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Wright, N.T. (1998, April 6) Grave matters: Take away the resurrection and the center of Christianity collapses. Christianity Today, 42(4), 51-52. Retrieved from: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1998/april6/8t4051.html

Sabbath School Resources
Come and reason
Contemporary comments
Good Word
Sabbath School Net
Sabbath school outlines (Bruce Cameron)
Sabbath school study
Study guide lesson topics

Jesus in Jerusalem

Overview of Lesson 12: Jesus in Jerusalem

(Following this link will allow you to view the lesson in more detail: Sabbath School Org. Lesson 12)

Karakia Timatanga             Opening Prayer

E te Atua                              Lord

He mihi tēnei ki a koe            This is a greeting to you

Mo au painga ki a mātou        For your kindness to us

I tēnei wā                             At this time

Amine                                       Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

For approximately 3,000 years, ever since David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his capital, Jerusalem has been significant, historically and spiritually. It is important to the Jews, Christians and Moslems; the trinity of monotheistic religions. Israel still wants complete possession of Judah and many Christians within the Evangelicals attach eschatological significance to Israel.

Jesus wept because Jerusalem rejected Him.

Sunday | Rātapu

The Triumphal Entry

Today we understand that what the Jews wanted from Jesus was a literal, political kingdom. This was the ultimate reason for their acceptance and then rejection of Him. Are we any different today than the Jews? What we are expecting from Jesus second coming is what the Jews were expecting from His first.

I wonder if we are missing the point in the establishment of God’s kingdom. It seems to me that we would like the kingdom set up for external reasons of peace, life, health, well-being, security and safety. These motives are not wrong in themselves, however what God wants is the kingdom established in us. How could God’s kingdom ever be secure unless His principles and its practises are in its citizens? What does this mean then for daily living?

Monday | Rāhina 

Jerusalem: Cleansing the Temple

Jesus cleansing of the temple was significant for a number of reasons. First, salvation is never a monetary transaction that can be bought and sold. We can not buy our salvation with one or two lambs, we can not buy salvation at all; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9).God’s dealings with us never come from a purchase in the market place. Jesus as the lamb of God (Jn. 1:29) was the replacement for all these sacrifices. Second, God’s temple is not a place for those in authority to enrich themselves at the expense of the believer. Such abuse cheapens God’s grace and brings the worship of God into disrepute. It causes grief to the believer and gives argument not to believe to the skeptic. Third, the way we conduct our worship should never exclude others from God’s presence. The trading in the temple impacted on women and gentiles. There are barriers today in many churches that exclude different people. Fourth, (dare I say it) the cacophonic noise and din of the animals and the dealers make it difficult to participate in genuine worship. Sometimes, the parading, bartering, haggling and arguments obscure the purpose of worship, the distraction becoming the focus.

Tuesday | Rātū 
The Unfaithful (Lk. 20:9-19)
We had tenants once. They sprayed the lawn with weed spray so that they didn't have to mow it and chopped down one of our beautiful trees without asking. Fortunately they didn't try to kill us.

What seems to happen throughout history with God’s people is that they seem to become fixated on promoting a version of an earlier prophet or message from God which is not the primary message for the time. The previous message still has validity but the historical message over time seems to be codified into certain forms and customs which were not originally intended. The prophet bringing the ‘new’ message usually is introducing a message that cuts across cultural expectations and desires and provides a counter perspective which is often perceived as threatening the existing authority of those in established positions of power. Anything new then appears to be heretical because people don’t understand what God is communicating or are unhappy with what He wants; this leads to the messenger (prophet) being rejected or his/her suffering. Messages of the prophets discuss sin (very unpopular), righteousness (not so popular), justice (popularity depends on your place in society) and God (very unpopular). Those rejecting the messages have a tendency to justify their own actions of condemnation, whilst at the same time being prepared to carry out acts of slander and violence based on hatred.

Jesus the greatest prophet and Messiah was perceived as a significant threat by the High Priest’s own admission (Jn. 11:50). Judaism, in the form that the High Priest wanted to retain, was about to undergo significant change that put his privileged status in apparent jeopardy.

More recently. Do you think that Martin Luther King had a message from God? What issues of a more contemporaneous nature could God have for our generation?

Wednesday | Rāapa

God Versus Caesar

There is nothing simple about Jesus answer. It is extremely wise but poses some conundrums for Christians. Taxation, no worries pay up. Don’t cheat or defraud the government. But what about the question of military service? John the Baptist spoke to the soldiers (Lk. 3:14) and they certainly weren’t non-combatants. Adventists previously took on non-combatant roles. Today they are increasingly taking on active service and in wars that could well be considered unethical. What about voting and participating in political processes? Some people choose not to vote for reasons of conscience.

Thursday | Rāpare
The Lord's Supper

Thursday’s lesson was very meaningful and well put together but the question that arises concerning Passover is important. Many Christian’s celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly, whereas Adventists celebrate this four times a year. None of this is right or wrong it is simply custom. However, if you were to argue that the Lord’s Supper is a custom that has superseded or transformed the Passover then perhaps it should be celebrated annually and perhaps by the family rather than the church. What do you think?

Points for Christians to consider and practise

1. Live as citizen's of the New Jerusalem now.
2. Examine how you are entering God's presence. Are you preventing anyone else from worshipping Him?
3. Do you think that you are able to recognise God's messages for today's world? To what extent are you prepared to go to protect the church or your own security within it when someone has a view different from yours?
4. Should a Christian serve the state in the armed forces in a place such as Iraq when the pre-text of weapons of mass destruction was precarious to say the least?

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, amine.

References

Fowler, J. (2015). The book of Luke. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 2Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

Sabbath School Resources
Come and reason
Contemporary comments
Good Word
Sabbath School Net
Sabbath school outlines (Bruce Cameron)
Sabbath school study
Study guide lesson topics