Church Missionary Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 33.

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Church Missionary Work

[The following program was prepared by F. H. Raley, missionary secretary of the Northern New England Conference.]

Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Home Missionary Service

(Aug. 24, 1912)

OPENING SONG: “Christ in Song,” No. 589; old edition, No. 448.

SCRIPTURE READING: Eze. 3:16-27.

PRAYER.

DUET: “Christ in Song,” No. 478, new edition only.

READING: “God’s Great Purpose, and Our Privilege to Cooperate.”

READING: “Experiences, and Results of Earnest Cooperation.”

REPORTS COLLECTED.

RECENT EXPERIENCES.

SONG: “Christ in Song,” No. 189; old edition, No. 30.

God’s Great Purpose, and Our Privilege to Cooperate

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In this inspired scripture, familiar to so many of us, we have the character of God presented as a tender, loving, compassionate Father. He beheld the fall of man, whom he had placed in the garden of Eden, and purposed to give his only Son to redeem man from the just sentence of death which he had incurred by disobedience.

In the book “Early Writings,” we read that it was a real struggle with the God of heaven whether to let guilty man perish or to give his only Son to die to redeem him. God could have blotted this world from existence, and all the sin and disobedience with it; but no, there would have been left forever a mar in the universe of his creation. A plan was inaugurated to sustain the law, save fallen man, and prove to the universe the justice and love of God in demanding obedience.

Christ, the only Son, was the willing substitute to die in our stead, and redeem us from the sentence of God’s unchangeable law. We have this testimony of his willingness to bear our transgressions: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:7, 8.

Before Jesus paid the price of our salvation on the cross, he began his ministry to inform mankind of the great sacrifice that was to be made for them, and to give every one an opportunity to believe in his mission to redeem. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” In this work, Jesus has called man to be—

His Coworker

Jesus saw the fishermen casting their nets into the sea, and said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Again he said to the disciples, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” If Christ wishes his followers to become fishers for men, and to be as closely united to him as are the branches to the vine, then it is important that we become his instruments in diffusing the fruits of his Spirit and in searching for lost souls. From “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, we read: “It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess his name bearing fruit to his glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel!”

After Jesus had suffered that most cruel death and obtained the victory over it by coming forth from the grave on the third day, he ascended to the Father and was accepted. On meeting the disciples after that occasion, Jesus gave the following commission, which lasts as long as the world stands: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” If there ever was a people commissioned to a great work, it is the Laodicean church of the present time. All power belongs to Christ in this earth, therefore he bids us go. The promise is ours to-day, to-morrow, and till the work is done. Friends, let each one of us answer this question in his own heart: Am I doing that which lies in my power, to witness for Christ?

“We are to be laborers together with the heavenly angels in presenting Jesus to the world. With almost impatient eagerness the angels wait for our co-operation, for man must communicate

with man. And when we give ourselves to Christ in whole-hearted devotion, angels rejoice that they may speak through our voices to reveal God’s love.”—“Great Controversy.”

Will you not reconsecrate your willing service to-day, that angels may speak through you to the saving of your friends and neighbors?