The Oil in the Lamp

Acts 1:8  ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Gospel Commission is God-given mission, and his mission of spiritual order. It is actually warfare against Satan and his hosts. We are in reality commissioned to go and snatch souls from Satan’s claws into the loving care of Jesus. Jesus knew the mission needed to be carried by feeble beings who by themselves could not stand the test of time. He thus, promise the power which was going to lead them through successfully. He promised them the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31  ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The disciples who before used to afraid could speak with boldness because of the power they had.

Joel 2:28   ²⁸ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Since the apostolic era up to now, we Holy is using all kind of people, all ages to do mighty works.

E. G. White says that “With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33. Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them, and miracles of divine grace were wrought – The Acts of the Apostles, p.48. So we today have the assurance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul in the same spirit said to Timothy- 2 Timothy 1:7-8   ⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  ⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.  The Holy is Spirit of boldness, it makes the weak strong, and poor rich, only that power can help us move the Gospel in such a hostile world. The Holy Spirit was fully in charge of the Gospel’s movement during the early church Acts 13:2-4  ² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  ³ And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  ⁴ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. For effective outreach we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

1 Peter 1:12  ¹² Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The same power today wants to use us, are we ready to cooperate?

Light Those in Darkness

Romans 15:15-16   ¹⁵ Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,  ¹⁶ That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost

The Gr. Word for Gentiles is ethnos from which we have the English word ethnic or ethnicity. Ethnos means nations. All the other nations that were not Jews were called Gentiles.

When Jesus was commissioning His disciples while going to heaven He clearly stated ^NAS Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

The same Gr. Word ethnos was used by Christ while commissioning the disciples. Thus, the Gospel Commission is for all nations, no matter the geographical situation, no matter the culture, language, the skins etc. Therefore, there is a need to cross barriers in order to achieve that mission. Ephesians 3:6-8  ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul said that Gentiles are fellowheirs of the Kingdom, wherever they are God needs them. We are blessed to have been called out of darkness, but about the Gentiles, should we let them perish. No, That’s not God’s will. Jesus clearly made it clear that total preaching of the Gospel in the whole world as a witness unto all nations will be a prerequisite to His Second coming Matthew 24:14  ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Mark 13:10  ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be published among all nations. The church mission is to all people, this is the goal the LORD has set for us. The Church needs now more than ever to engage in serious outreach. Our worldwide outreach must start from our neighborhoods, our communities, our workplaces, via e-media, etc. According to Jesus message to the disciples in Acts 1, the Gospel’s journey was to start in Jerusalem and end up in the whole world Acts 1:8  ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth., that’s why we have the Gospel in Ghana today, so we are to also push it across our surrounding

                Are you ready today to help extend the Gospel unto the uttermost part of the world?

Let the Light Show

Matthew 5:14-16   ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 Yesterday, we explored that God has chosen us for a mission of higher order, by God we have responded to the call and are ready to carry out as His special agency on earth the Great commission. A proverb says charity starts at home. Before our message can have an impact on others, it must have first had impact in our lives. How can someone do the propaganda of a product he doesn’t like? How can Christians preach Christ and at the same time reject Christ through their actions.

Jesus warned about Christians who don’t bear good fruits Matthew 7:15-23   ¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  ¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  ¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  ¹⁹ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  ²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  ²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Every sound and healthy Christian must exhibit a life which is worthy of his calling. Paul in the same spirit says in ^KJV 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Paul here unveils an amazing principle; being called or elected by God doesn’t assure us automatically heaven, rather our commitment in obeying the Gospel of Christ will make our calling sure. Every good preacher must preach to himself first before preaching to another one. One should answer the following questions: Are you called? What shows you are called? Do you live as a person called?

Paul the great evangelist understood the danger of preaching a Gospel which the preacher doesn’t live by ^KJV 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Gospel must be for Jews first before it can impact the Gentile, if not it has no impact on the unbeliever. That is we Seventh-day Adventist must live by our message, preach it through our character first before those who are in the world. In Rom. 2: 17-24, Paul warns Jews who teach what they don’t obey, and accuses them of Blaspheming God’s name. Like Paul said in ^KJV 2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.

E.G. White says that it is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing literature that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling.—Testimonies for the Church 9:21.

Do we accept to live by our own Gospel before reaching unto others?

Arise People of Light

The preaching of the Gospel is the last command Jesus gave to his followers, it is of a higher order and importance. E.G. White said in her book Review and Heralds that Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures to others, warning men and women of what is coming upon the world, is to occupy more and still more of the time of God’s servants.—The Review and Herald, August 2, 1906. God is looking for men who are ready to devout their time to the LORD’s work. Today this world offers so much distractions, so much occupation that we have less time for the special work entrusted to us by God Himself. The message is not of us but we are only God’s emissary, we have to preach the Gospel. Therefore, this week of Revival is centered on the theme Arise, and Shine, Jesus is coming. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy support the fact that our ultimate mission as a Church is to proclaim the final message. Satan knows the most powerful weapon Christ has entrusted to us is the preaching of the Gospel, snatching souls from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. E. G. White continues saying that a great work is to be accomplished in setting before men the saving truths of the gospel. This is the means ordained by God to stem the tide of moral corruption. This is His means of restoring His moral image in man. It is His remedy for universal disorganization. It is the power that draws men together in unity. To present these truths is the work of the third angel’s message. The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest work carried on in the world at this time. – Testimonies Vol.6, p.11.

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John 15:16 “ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Peter explains this concept better when he says ^KJV 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Peter also uses priestly terms to really define the role of the Church.

The Gr. Word translated chosen is eklego which means to pick out or choose out of. In this term Peter was trying to say that the Church is a special group that Jesus selected out of the world. Thus, the church is called out of the world as an agency of God. She has been chosen by God for a special mission. If the Church forgets its mission it forgets its identity.

The Greek word for church is ekklesia meaning call out, so the church is a group chosen by God for a particular purpose.

                Peter does not use foreign words; indeed he made use of OT terms well known to his contemporaries. Here are some of the OT references related to 1Pet. 2:9.

                Deuteronomy 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

                Psalm 33:12 blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

^KJV Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

                ^KJV Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves

            ^KJV Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Why has God chosen us?

 Why do you think you are a Christian? Not all those who are in GOD’s house today are really chosen. A Christian who does not show forth the light he has from God does not understand his calling and indeed does fulfill the requirement of the chosen people.

            ^KJV Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. – The Lord has redeemed the Church from sin, so that like Israel freed from slavery in Egypt, they can be zealous unto good works. The Church is to show out the light they have unto the nations in darkness will see the light. - ^KJV Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. ² For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. ³ And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. – ^KJV Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

The priesthood of Israel was into the hands of the Levites, a special tribe among the people. They were closer to God than any other Israelites. According to Numbers 1:50-53, priests in the Israelite camp had a privilege to be closer to the Shekinah light than the other people. Actually, they were the closest to the sanctuary than any other lay Israelites. In the same way,  Ezekiel 44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD.

So for Peter uses a Sanctuary image to show that the church is called to the wonderful light of God as the priest ministering before the Shekinah glory. We are privileged to have the Light and we are not only spiritual Israelites, but also Priest of God.

                Ellen G. White Comments

                “As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Savior was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known “the unsearchable riches of Christ.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 134.

“When Jesus ascended to heaven, He committed His work on earth to those who had received the light of the gospel. They were to carry the work forward to completion. He has provided no other agency for the promulgation of His truth. ‘Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ ‘And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ This solemn commission reaches us in this age. God leaves with His church the responsibility of receiving or rejecting it.”—Historical Sketches, 288