30TH NOVEMBER, 2013
(a.)
There will be an Extraordinary DPCC
tomorrow Sunday, 1st December 2013, at Njanji Church. To attend are all Elders
and District Leaders. Time: 08:30 hours.
(b.)
The Church
Elections continues, the First reading will be done today Sabbath, 30th
November, 2013. The Second and final reading will be on 7th December, 2013.
(c.)
On 8th December, in principle is the
beginning of training seminars for all 2014 church officers. All those who will
have been chosen as officers are reminded that it is imperative to attend the
seminars. Only those who will undergo training are the only ones who will be
allowed to serve next year, take this as a serious notification.
(d.)
There will be a meeting for Sabbath
School Superintendents, Elders in-charge and Sabbath School Teachers tomorrow,
Sunday, 1st December, 2013 at Libala
Church. Those to attend to carry Bible and Study Guide. Time: 08:30 Hours.
(e.)
The Zambia Union Conference ASI (Adventist
Laymen's Services and Industries) Annual Convention is on, it started on Thursday,
28th November to Sunday, 1st December 2013.
There will be an Inter District
Music Fellowship tomorrow Sunday, 1st December, 2013 at Njanji Church
starting from 08:00 to 16:30 hours. Each Church or Company is required to
choose one choir or any singing group to participate in the fellowship. The fees are K3 per singer. Kindly
come with packed lunch.
(a)
Next Sabbath
, 7th December, 2013, will be Stewardship Day in all Churches and
Companies. The stewardship preaching materials is hereto attached.
(b)
Churches and
Companies that did not conduct Annual Week of Sacrifice in November 2013 are
advised conduct a Revival Stewardship Week of Prayer from 1st to 7th
December 2013.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT DAY
07/12/13
The Stewardship Commitment Day is a climax of a series of activities
in the life of every Seventh-day Adventist Congregation (Church) annually. This
is a day when every member is invited to prayerfully enter into a commitment
partnership with God. This commitment involves faithfulness in the returning of
the tithe and the regular and systematic support of the Combined Offering Plan.
It all begins with the choosing of the Stewardship and Strategic Plans
Committee (the Stewardship Finance Committee). This is usually done at the time
and way the regular Church Officers are chosen.
Up to 200 church membership – 3
committee members
200-500 church membership – 5
committee members
500-1,000 church membership – 7
committee members
1,000- and above church membership –
9 committee members
When this
service is carefully prepared and conducted on a high spiritual note, it can be
a most blessed experience to all who have made their decisions.
Godly
Living in the Last Days
By John Thiel
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:10 He
that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that
is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
16:11 If therefore ye have
not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the
true [riches]?
16:12 And if ye have not been
faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your
own?
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on
the right hand of God.
3:2 Set your affection on
things above, not on things on the earth.
3:3 For ye are dead, and your
life is hid with Christ in God.
3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
We live today on borrowed
time. Jesus is about to appear. It is our desire that we may appear
with him in glory, which is why we are here today. As we are so
imminently close to his coming it says set your affections to things above not
on earth. This is the call for such a time as if not all the way along.
Specific prophecy has identified of the time in which we live right now. This
amazing prophetic picture that Sr. White saw back then that today we see in
hindsight;
I was shown the inhabitants
of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine,
and pestilence were abroad in the land. As these things surrounded God’s
people, they began to press together, and to cast aside their little
difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them; deep humility took its
place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation caused reason to resume
its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with
discretion and wisdom. {1T 268.1}
My attention was then called
from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the
inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in
the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence,
raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War
caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men’s hearts failed
them for fear, “and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth.” {1T 268.2}
Here is delineated the First
and Second World War. Between the First and Second World War was a little time
of peace. Only 20 years between the two wars. After the Second World War, men’s
hearts were failing them for fear. Although the war was finished, the cold war
continued between communism and the west and all the other dilemmas that
overtook this planet, men’s hearts failing them for fear. Sr White quotes the
words of Jesus;
Luke 21:25 And there shall be
signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
21:26 Men’s hearts failing
them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Jesus is speaking of these
wars in Luke. Was that distress of nations?
Luke 21:28 And when these
things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your
redemption draweth nigh.
The Last Generation
How close is Jesus coming?
Are we now to lift up our heads and understand that redemption is really
drawing nigh? Jesus then speaks about the fig tree and we all know well
the prophecy of the fig
tree.
Since the Second World War
Israel has become a nation again and also many other nations.
Luke 21:29 And he spake to
them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
21:30 When they now shoot
forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
21:31 So likewise ye, when ye
see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be
fulfilled.
He is simply referring to the
fact of what has been identified of what is in Sr White’s writings. This
generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled. Here is the counsel now, take
heed to yourselves;
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth
shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
21:34 And take heed to
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
As we meditate upon this
application, apostle Paul’s words are a serious reality;
Romans 13:11 And that,
knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now
[is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
13:12 The night is far spent,
the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us
put on the armour of light.
13:13 Let us walk honestly,
as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, not in strife and envying.
13:14 But put ye on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfill] the lusts
[thereof].
To all truly committed
Christians these things will cause us to realize I have to do something. I have
to get myself in harmony with what is written. To live at this time a Godly
useful life in the light of this imminent coming of Jesus, what should I do in
the light of all this? It’s all going to be over in a very short time. Are you
poised ready to hear the word of God? Are we awake? Are we really going to tune
in not like the sleeping virgins? Listen carefully to the instruction.
One brother said to me,
“Sister White, do you think the Lord will come in ten years?” [I replied] “What
difference does it make to you whether He shall come in two, four, or ten
years?” “Why,” said he, “I think I would do differently in some things than I
now do if I knew the Lord was to come in ten years.” “What would you do?” said
I. “Why,” said he, “I would sell my property and begin to search the Word of
God and try to warn the people and get them to prepare for His coming, and I
would plead with God that I might be ready to meet Him.” “Then,” said I, “if
you knew that the Lord was not coming for twenty years would you live
differently?” {2SAT 28.1}
Enoch
Said he, “I think I would.”
“Then,” said I, “you know your Master’s will, and it is your duty to do just as
though you knew that He was coming in twenty years.” I opened the Scriptures
and read to him what we have read this morning, and he was convicted that he
should change his course, and he did change his course of action. Well, now,
how selfish was that expression that he would live a different life if he knew
his Lord was to come in ten years. Why, Enoch walked with God 300 years, and
this is a lesson for us, that we shall walk with God every day. We are not safe
unless we are waiting and watching; we must have an eye single to God’s glory.
{2SAT 28.2}
We are living at a time where
some think Jesus is going to come in 20 years. We are living at the
imminence of Christ’s coming. There are no more years to consider anymore. It
is a selfish idea to change my process of getting ready for Jesus to come if he
was coming in 20 years. She referred to Enoch who walked with God 300 years and
Enoch was translated as we will be. Did his life vary in relation to the date
of his translation? 300 years he walked with God and God was pleased with him
and God translated him. Would it make any difference to our lifestyle if we
know that Jesus is coming imminently? Enoch was translated not because 5 years
before his translation he changed his course. What was his course all the way
through?
Enoch’s walk with God was not
in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not
become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to
do for God in the world. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a
husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering
servant of the Lord. His heart was in harmony with God’s will; for “can two
walk together, except they be agreed?” {RH, April 15, 1909 par. 1}
Enoch was an active worker.
He did not seek ease and comfort. . {RH, April 15, 1909 par. 5}
Seek those things that are
above, not on this earth. The world around us is seeking ease or comfort and
using their money to make their life comfortable. Enoch didn’t do that for 300
years. Enoch had a work to do for God. He was an active worker. What does this
include for the people that will be ready for translation?
It is the purpose of God to
glorify Himself in His people before the world. He expects those who bear the
name of Christ to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. Their thoughts are
to be pure and their words noble and uplifting, drawing those around them
nearer the Saviour. The religion of Christ is to be interwoven with all that
they do and say. Their every business transaction is to be fragrant with the
presence of God.–Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 21. {ChS 26.5}
Our Businesses and Homes
Let the businessman do his
business in a way that will glorify his Master because of his fidelity. Let him
carry his religion into everything that is done, and reveal to men the Spirit of
Christ. Let the mechanic be a diligent and faithful representative of Him who
toiled in the lowly walks of life in the cities of Judea. Let every one who
names the name of Christ so work that man by seeing his good works may be led
to glorify his Creator and Redeemer. –Bible Echo, June 10, 1901. {ChS 27.1}
What was Enoch doing? He was
representing Christ. We are called upon to represent Christ and do a work for
God. He was an active worker. What does that include? Every business
transaction. Whatever we do, we are to continue to do for the glory of God. If
I want to be ready for Jesus to come tomorrow, what would I do today?
Luke 16:10 He that is
faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust
in the least is unjust also in much.
16:11 If therefore ye have
not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [MONEY], who will commit to your
trust the true [riches]?
16:12 And if ye have not been
faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your
own?
What must we do in our daily
life with the use of our money? In our trade, how must we be? If I want to be
ready for Jesus to come, I must be absolutely clear in my business behaviour,
in my money use. I must be meticulous. If I’m not meticulous in these events, I
will not be meticulous in heaven either. If you have not been faithful in
another man’s business, property, who will give you that which is your own? Can
you see the story of Enoch? Did he change his behaviour pattern when he got
close to translation? Not at all.
All we have to do with is
this one day. Today we must be faithful to our trust. Today we must love God
with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves. Today we must resist the
temptations of the enemy, and through the grace of Christ gain the victory.
Thus we shall watch and wait for Christ’s coming. Each day we should live as if
we knew that this would be our last day on this earth. If we knew that Christ
would come tomorrow, would we not crowd into today all the kind words, all the
unselfish deeds, that we could? We should be patient and gentle, and intensely
in earnest, doing all in our power to win souls to Christ. . . . {HP 355.5}
Every day we are simply doing
what is my faithful duty. Just worry about today.
I urge you to turn your
thoughts from worldly things and center them on the things of eternity. Christ
has placed everlasting life within your reach, and He has promised to give you
help in every time of need. . . . We should never rest satisfied with present
attainments. If we put mind and heart into the work of reaching God’s ideal for
us, if we go to Christ, the mighty helper, for aid, He will give us the very
assistance that we need. He will bestow on us the very power that will enable
us to be victorious in the struggle against evil. {HP 355.6}
This is our work.
Because they are not
connected with some directly religious work, many feel that their lives are
useless; that they are doing nothing for the advancement of God’s kingdom. But
this is a mistake. If their work is that which someone must do, they should not
accuse themselves of uselessness in the great household of God. The humblest
duties are not to be ignored. Any honest work is a blessing, and faithfulness
in it may prove a training for higher trusts. {COL 359.2
If you are a street sweeper
or whatever you are doing right up to the coming of Christ as you work day by
day, the humblest duties are not to be ignored. We continually come across
people who think my work isn’t important; I want to find something more
important to do. If you are not faithful in what you are doing now you won’t be
in the bigger jobs.
However lowly, any work done
for God with a full surrender of self is as acceptable to Him as the highest
service. No offering is small that is given with true-heartedness and gladness
of soul. {COL 359.3}
Wherever we may be, Christ
bids us take up the duty that presents itself. If this is in the home, take
hold willingly and earnestly to make home a pleasant place. If you are a
mother, train your children for Christ. This is as verily a work for God as is
that of the minister in the pulpit. If your duty is in the kitchen, seek to be
a perfect cook. Prepare food that will be healthful, nourishing, and
appetizing. And as you employ the best ingredients in preparing food remember
that you are to give your mind the best thoughts. If it is your work to till
the soil or to engage in any other trade or occupation, make a success of the
present duty. Put your mind on what you are doing. In all your work represent
Christ. Do as He would do in your place. {COL 359.4}
Do you ever do a job and
think what a job and you don’t put your mind on it? Do you think I want to do
something more uplifting than this?
However small your talent,
God has a place for it. That one talent, wisely used, will accomplish its
appointed work. By faithfulness in little duties, we are to work on the plan of
addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication. These littles
will become the most precious influences in His work. {COL 360.1}
If you work for an employer
and do it as unto Jesus, how do you think your employer will look up on it?
Let a living faith run like
threads of gold through the performance of even the smallest duties. Then all
the daily work will promote Christian growth. There will be a continual looking
unto Jesus. Love for Him will give vital force to everything that is
undertaken. Thus through the right use of our talents, we may link ourselves by
a golden chain to the higher world. This is true sanctification; for
sanctification consists in the cheerful performance of daily duties in perfect
obedience to the will of God. {COL 360.2}
If we are going to be ready
for Jesus to come, what sort of people will we be? We will be the most avid,
the most particular and the most successful in everything we do. Do I
want to be ready when Jesus comes to be welcomed to the higher world? What did
Jesus say? Be faithful to that which is least and that will be the chain that
will link you to heaven. At the time when men’s hearts are failing them
for fear, what does Jesus say to this generation?
Luke 21:34 And take heed to
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
What is Jesus saying? You are
so occupied with your own interests that you are not actually occupied with
Jesus in your activities.
Luke 21:35 For as a snare
shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
21:36 Watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that
shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
To stand before the Son of
man you need to watch and be conscious of everything you do. You will do it
with Jesus. Be faithful in little things. Don’t pile so much onto your plate
that you will become so busy that you won’t have time to consider Jesus.
Your mind can be so occupied with what you are doing, that you leave Jesus out.
Jesus can be eased out of our conscious. Jesus says don’t be overcharged with
surfeiting and the cares of this life. In the world today people are
overcharged with more than what they need. Just prior to his coming, people
will be overcharged. We can be caught by surprise.
When to Sell Our Houses
Is there a time that Jesus wants
us to sell our homes, livelihood and our business? Follow carefully the
guidelines. We should make Christ part of my trade and business life. If Jesus
is coming tomorrow, should I get rid of it today? To be a diligent money maker
with the business or trade which you are involved, is this in order? Is this
right?
John Wesley once preached a
powerful sermon on the use of money. He laid down three rules: “Make all you can;
save all you can; give all you can.”
To acquire and not save is
improvidence. To hoard up money, adding land to land, and house to house, is
covetousness and idolatry.
To make and to save in order
to give in support of the cause of God, is obeying the command of Christ,. {ST,
09/27/1883, par. 13}
When you have more than what
you need, are you going to add land to land? It is right to make money. It is
right to save money. It is right to use the money that you don’t need to pour
it into the treasury of God. Notice that making money to enhance the kingdom of
heaven is in order. To be capable moneymaker is Gods order. We don’t stop
making money just because is coming tomorrow. We make money to enhance the
kingdom of heaven.
If the love of Christ were
burning in the hearts of His professed people, we would see the same spirit
manifested today. Did they but realize how near is the end of all work for the
salvation of souls, they would sacrifice their possessions as freely as did the
members of the early church. They would work for the advancement of God’s cause
as earnestly as worldly men labor to acquire riches. Tact and skill would be
exercised, and earnest and unselfish labor put forth to acquire means, not to
hoard, but to pour into the treasury of the Lord. {CS 40.3}
The worldly man is labouring
to acquire riches. God’s people will work to advance Gods cause. Have you ever
thought that is what God wants me to do if I have a business? Not to hoard but
to pour into the treasury of the Lord. Christ for your sakes became poor.
The work must not stop for
want of means. More means must be invested in it. Brethren in America, in the
name of my Master I bid you wake up! You that are placing your talents of means
in a napkin, and hiding them in the earth, who are building houses and adding
land to land, God calls upon you, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” There is
a time coming when commandment keepers can neither buy nor sell. Make haste to
dig out your buried talents. If God has entrusted you with money, show
yourselves faithful to your trust; unwrap your napkin, and send your talents to
the exchangers, that when Christ shall come, He may receive His own with
interest. {CS 40.1}
Are we getting it very clear?
There is nothing wrong with making money before Jesus comes. We are to use it
for his glory. There is something wrong with hoarding and adding land-to-land
and house to house. We are to use the money for the kingdom of heaven. If the
homes that we live in and the businesses we have can be used to raise money for
the cause, should we sell it? If my house and business is making money, I
should use it to increase the wealth of Gods kingdom, finding souls with the
money.
I saw that at present God
does not call for the houses His people need to live in, unless expensive
houses are exchanged for cheaper ones. But if those who have an abundance do
not hear His voice, cut loose from the world, and dispose of a portion of their
property and lands, and sacrifice for God, He will pass them by, and call for
those who are willing to do anything for Jesus, even to sell their homes to
meet the wants of the cause. God will have freewill offerings. Those who give
must esteem it a privilege to do so. {1T 176.4}
Here is a balancing act that
comes into focus. It is those who do not listen to the Lord to cut loose from
their abundance.
Some give of their abundance,
but yet they feel no lack. They do not particularly deny themselves of anything
for the cause of Christ. 1 T 176
As we come closer and closer
to the end, there is instruction;
Houses and lands will be of
no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee
before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed
of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of
God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of
trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have
their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will
teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time
of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down. {EW 56.3}
I saw that if any held on to
their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not
make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the
time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and
they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like
this: “The cause was languishing, God’s people were starving for the truth, and
we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we
had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven!” {EW 57.1}
In the work of getting ready
for Jesus to come, we need to enquire all along the way exactly where the Lord
wants me to exercise myself. As you come closer to the end, you’ll
discover and recognize exactly when to dispose of your excess but you will
still live in a home. Here is where by prayerful consideration, you can guard
carefully when to dispose and not be found in difficult places.
I saw that a sacrifice did
not increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not
required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but
if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to
sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property
in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to
keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to
sell. {EW 57.1}
The object of selling is not
to give to those who are able to labor and support themselves, but to spread
the truth. {EW 57.2}
We are right on the verge but
life must still go on. You still need to sustain yourself and your family. You
still need a home to live in but the time is coming where we will need to know
where to scale down and to sell entirely. There are many people who have moved
into the country and then found themselves in dire straits. They get all
excited that they have to move to the country. For the sake of the children
it’s important.
The Time of Trouble
Many of the wicked were
greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. I saw the saints
leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and
living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while
the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. EW 282.
We think that we’re living in
the end and we have to do that now. The above is speaking of the time of
trouble – not now. I knew some people who did that in New Zealand and
they had to back track as they went ahead of the Lord. Here we have the counsel
of the Lord.
Let everyone take time to
consider carefully; and not be like the man in the parable who began to build,
and was not able to finish. Not a move should be made but that movement and all
that it portends are carefully considered–everything weighed. . . . To every
man was given his work according to his several ability. Then let him not move
hesitatingly, but firmly, and yet humbly trusting in God. {2SM 362.1}
There may be individuals who
will make a rush to do something, and enter into some business they know
nothing about. This God does not require. Think candidly, prayerfully, studying
the Word with all carefulness and prayerfulness, with mind and heart awake to
hear the voice of God. . . . To understand the will of God is a great thing. .
. . {2SM 362.2}
Counsel in the Fear of God
I address words to the church
at Battle Creek, to move in the counsels of God. There is need of your
moving–many from Battle Creek–and there is also need of your having
well-defined plans as to what you will do when you go out from Battle Creek. Do
not go in a rush, without knowing what you are about. . . . O for generals,
wise and considerate, well-balanced men, who will be safe advisers, who have
some insight into human nature, who know how to direct and counsel in the fear
of God. {2SM 362.3}
There were people who were
encouraged to move out of Battle Creek. They were ready to do it in a rush. We
often go all starry eyed and think the Lord is with us but he wasn’t. We are
not to walk in imaginary Christianity. We are to be astute right to the end.
I have seen that danger
attends every new phase of experience in the church, because some hear things
with such a strong spirit. While some teachers may be strong and efficient in
teaching in the lines of Bible doctrines, they will not all be men who have a
knowledge of practical life and can advise perplexed minds with surety and
safety. They do not discern the perplexing situation that must necessarily come
to every family who shall make a change. Therefore, let all be careful what
they say; if they know not the mind of God in some matters, let them never
speak from a guess or suppose so. If they know nothing definite, let them say
so, and let the individual rely wholly upon God. Let there be much praying
done, and even with fasting, that not one shall move in darkness, but move in
the light as God is in the light. . . . {2SM 362.4}
Let there be nothing done in
a disorderly manner that there shall be a great loss or sacrifice made upon
property because of ardent, impulsive speeches which stir up an enthusiasm
which is not after the order of God, {2SM 363.1}
The time in which we live is
once of imminence and extreme position but we must not over react. We must
follow Gods counsel at the present time. We must move intelligently with a
well-balanced procedure. Whether it’s making changes in diet, dress or moving
to the country, whatever it is, move carefully with balance lest you move too
fast and do much damage. We live in perilous times.
We live in a challenging time
and by God’s grace we must steer our vessels with much wisdom. It is my prayer
that with all we are learning God will grant us wisdom to put into practice the
understanding of the time in which we are living.
Shall we kneel down
for prayer.
Let us all now open
our eyes and sign up our commitment decision card
(Continue with the
prayer of dedicating them for the commitment decisions the members have made
individually).
Amen.