Jesus Mingled With People lesson six JULY 30 AUGUST 5 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathered around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them (Luke 15:1, 2, NIV).
sabbath JULY 30 Introduction What Is Wrong With the World? I Am Rom. 12:15 I vividly remember the annual induction activities that took place in our local church when I was a child. The popular chorus This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine makes as much sense today as it did all those years ago. Drawing souls to Christ depends largely on how we relate to them. You may know of people who have joined the church but then after a while, they left. There are many reasons why people leave. One of these reasons is because they think the church has failed them. In what ways does the church fail people? Before we look for answers elsewhere, we need to look at what church members do that may set a bad example for those who want to join the church. The Bible refers to the church as the body and bride of Christ. People who have accepted Christ should reflect His life and draw other people into church fellowship. In order to do this, we need to reevaluate our priorities and focus on the needs of those outside the church if we are to lead them to the faith that we embrace. Drawing souls to Christ depends largely on how we relate to them. It is about sharing the good news of salvation clearly. It is about stating clearly what we believe and why we believe it. It is about getting out of the pews and going where the people are. Today, however, many Christians are absorbed in the rat race of life. They focus only on what matters to them. Fewer and fewer Christians are making an effort to share God with their coworkers, friends, and family members who have not accepted Him as their Savior. Other church members simply neglect to use the talents God has given them to use in His cause. Many souls are in dire need of God s Word. If we are to bring more people to Christ and change the world with the gospel, the change must start with you and me. In addition to the regular fellowship that we have in the church as believers, we also need to interact with people outside of the church. We need to understand and address their needs and their concerns. As believers, we are banners for Christ as we share His message, in both word and deed, with the world. Christ desires that we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). Whom can you help today? 56 Kevin Otieno, Nairobi, Kenya
Mark 2:17 Evidence Christ s Method of Socialization sunday JULY 31 The Bible is clear about Christ s relationship with sinners. The fact that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world displays His willingness to call sinners to repentance and salvation (John 3:16, 17). As we associate with the ungodly, let us do so as Christ did. However, many people have used the evidence of Christ s friendship with sinners as a reason to hang out with ungodly people and eventually be drawn into sin. To understand Christ s association with sinners and tax collectors, we need to understand the difference between Christ s ministry and His choice of friends. To begin with, He had a clearly defined purpose for spending time with such people. He listened to their problems and taught them, so that when He called them to repentance, they would accept Him. When the Pharisees and scribes complained that Jesus spent time with sinners and tax collectors, He said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Mark 2:17, NKJV). Based on this response, we can learn even more about His desire to save souls. Christ s relationship with sinners was purpose-filled. He just wasn t spending time with them for the fun of it. His goal was to call sinners to repentance. When we visit a doctor, we do so to be healed of an ailment. When we accept Christ, we do so to be cured of sin. Christ did not participate in the lifestyle of the sinners and tax collectors. He did not spend time with sinful people because He thought they were cool. After all, how could darkness mix with light? He spent time with them in order to reveal to them their sin and to offer them salvation. Christ told sinners the truth. Many young Christians believe that they must be like their non-christian friends in order for them to accept the Savior. However, as we associate with the ungodly, let us do so as Christ did. REACT 1. How can you share Christ with your friends and relatives who have not yet accepted Him? 2. If some of your friends and relatives refuse to accept Christ, how can you still befriend them? 3. What elements mentioned in this lesson have you forgotten to observe as you have associated with people who are not Christians? 4. What other helpful ideas can you think of that can help Christians effectively socialize with the unchurched? Samuel Ochieng, Nairobi, Kenya 57
monday AUGUST 1 Logos Reflecting Christ Outside the Church Matt. 1:18 23; 9:10 13; Luke 15; John 1:14; Phil. 2:12 15 God With Us (Matt. 1:18 23; John 1:14) The Bible recognizes Jesus as the Savior even before He was born (Isa. 7:13 17). Born in a world in need of divine light and understanding, Christ had a clear-cut duty to transform the way people lived by leading them to salvation. After He mobilized His 12 disciples, the team embarked on a mission of transformation, planting new congregations and bringing new members into the fold (Matt. 4:17). The task of transforming a sinful world is not easy. It requires effort and commitment to change the way of life that people have known for years. Christ, who was part of the Godhead, had to come in human form so that He could personally identify with sinful men and women in order to transform them into His likeness. And so the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14, NKJV). We are to be Christ s mouthpiece. In conjunction with the Holy Spirit, Christ commissioned His disciples to go out and teach all nations about the good news of salvation (Matt. 28:19). As Christ s ambassadors today, we are to walk in the footsteps of the disciples in order to transform today s communities with the faith we embrace. Once Lost, Now Found (Luke 15) In the parables of the lost and found, Christ repeated one main theme the joy that heaven experiences when a sinner returns to God. So that they might be saved, Christ told parables to tax collectors and sinners who took the time to listen to Him. His objective was to find at least one person who would change his or her mind and accept salvation. In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ underscored the importance of leaving the rest of the flock to look for just one lost sheep (Luke 15:1 7). Once found, the shepherd returns the sheep to the fold. The shepherd is then happy, because the sheep is rescued from certain death by its predators. Christ delivered the same lesson in the parable of the lost coin (verses 8 10). To help His hearers understand the point, He equates the effort involved in tracking a lost coin to that of bringing a sinner home. A similar image surfaces in the parable of the prodigal son (verses 11 32). In all three parables, we can see the boundless love of Christ as He tries to reach out to people in need. Blind to what Christ was doing, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled about His association with sinners. However, Christ proved them wrong and that is what we must do as His ambassadors. 58
Socialization Tips From Christ (Matt. 9:10 13) In the Jewish community at the time of Christ, tax collectors and sinners occupied the lowest rank of society. At the same time, the rulers regarded themselves as pure and blameless, with no need for transformation (Luke 18:9 14). When they saw Christ interacting with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? (Matt. 9:11, NKJV). In His infinite wisdom, Christ continued to mingle with the lowest class of society, who were regarded as unclean. One of the beneficiaries of His socialization strategy was Matthew, who converted and became one of His disciples and the writer of the Gospel that bears his name. In mingling with His society, Christ learned about the problems people faced, and He tailored His talks to them based on their lifestyles. However, it is important to understand that Christ Himself did not become part of any one sinner s culture. Instead, He used their circumstances to draw them out of sin. If we are to win souls to Christ, we must emulate Christ s example of socializing. Playing Our Role as Stars (Phil. 2:13 15) The Bible sets the example of Christ before us. Once we accept God through Christ the Savior, He works in us to accomplish what we must achieve. Christ gives us all we need to mingle with society outside of the church. We are to use our faith to achieve results wherever we go and with whomever we associate. We are to be Christ s mouthpiece. We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God s grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God s good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. * Our goal as Christians today is to ensure that the good news of salvation reaches every corner of the world. This is the role the disciples had, and Christ works in us to help us accomplish His objectives of bringing sinners back home. If we become absorbed in the lifestyle and culture of the community as did Lot (see Gen. 19: 12 26), we cannot fulfill our task. REACT 1. How can you reflect Christ s example without participating in the wickedness of society? 2. Which steps can you take to mingle with the high and mighty in society? 3. What are some ways you can share Jesus with the community outside of your church? * Matthew Henry, Philippians 2 Bible Commentary, Matthew Henry s Concise Commentary, Christ Notes, accessed July 14, 2015, http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=50&c=2. Tony Philip Oreso, Nairobi, Kenya 59
tuesday AUGUST 2 Testimony Joy for Sinners? Luke 15 God wants to save everyone from sin and its consequences. Thus, Christ came to save us for everlasting life. Through the use of parables, Christ talked at length about the joy all of heaven experiences when just one sinner comes to God. Ellen White echoed the same sentiments when she wrote about the parables of the lost. When the lost sheep is found, the shepherd elevates it to his shoulder and returns with rejoicing....... The finding was the theme of rejoicing; the straying was not dwelt upon; for the joy of finding overbalanced the sorrow of the loss and the care, the perplexity and the peril, incurred in searching for the lost sheep and restoring it to safety. 1 The lost piece of silver is designed to represent the erring, straying sinner. The carefulness of the woman to find the lost silver is to teach the followers of Christ a lesson in regard to their duty to the erring ones who are straying from the path of right. The woman lighted the candle to increase her light, and then swept the house, and sought diligently till she found it. 2 Jesus goal is to save the world from sin and its consequences. God uses those who have received the light to seek the lost. This involves many challenges along the way. But there is also joy, when as a result, a sinner is found and returned to the fold. Thus, we learn that we have a duty to search for our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the light. We need to emulate the example of the woman as she searches for her lost coin. The Holy Spirit is our candle that gives us spiritual insight as we search for those who are lost. Sweeping the house implies refining our lifestyles and standing for what we believe in as we draw upon Christ s example. Diligent searching equates with ceaseless prayer and action as we continue our search. The third parable was given by Christ to represent the manner in which our heavenly Father receives the erring and repenting. The father is the one sinned against; yet he, in the compassion of his soul, full of pity and forgiveness, meets the prodigal and shows his great joy that his son, whom he believed to be dead to all filial affection, has become sensible of his great sin and neglect, and has come back to his father, appreciating his love and acknowledging his claims. 3 1. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 99. 2. Ibid., p. 99. 3. Ibid., pp. 103, 104. Irene Waithera, Ruiru, Kenya 60 We need to emulate the example of the woman as she searches for her lost coin.
1 John 2:16 How-to wednesday AUGUST 3 How Can We Socialize Wisely? Jesus interaction with sinners demonstrates His love for them and His hatred for sin. He touched sinners, and He ate with them. Yet not even for a second did He Himself sin. Unlike Christ, our image was tainted with sin from the minute we were conceived. The only way for us to change is to accept Jesus as our Savior. In choosing friends, the Bible advises us to connect with people who can repent. Christ mingled with sinners so He could learn more about their problems and sympathize with them. How could He do that without mingling with them? Make friends. Listen to people s problems. Compassionately point out their sins. However, Christ did not spend much time with unrepentant sinners. As one writer observes, There is no basis to subject yourself to a friendship of those who have made up their mind to reject God s will, even after you try and bring them to repentance.... It is obvious that God has clearly warned us of being unequally yoked with unrepentant sinners. Again, we are all sinners, but there is a big difference between sinning and repenting, and sinning without repenting. 1 To socialize wisely, it is important to imagine what Christ would do in our situation. The following points can help us socialize wisely with people who are not Christians. Have no social or cultural boundaries. In emulating Christ s example, we are to socialize with all types of people, including the outcasts of society. Jesus didn t let social status or cultural norms dictate His relationships with people. As the Good Shepherd, He sought the lost sheep wherever they had strayed. When Matthew hosted the dinner party, Jesus gladly accepted the invitation. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of the kingdom with those who most needed to hear (see Matthew 4:23). 2 Be ready to call sin by its name. If you do not tactfully alert sinners to their behavior, you are essentially sharing in their sins. Maintain your own faith. Mingling with sinners does not mean you abandon your faith and embrace sin. Make friends. Listen to people s problems. Compassionately point out their sins. Then urge them to repent. If they choose not to, continue praying for them, and continue to witness to others. 1. B. Page, Why Did Jesus Hang Out With Sinners and Tax Collectors? Revelation.co, accessed October 29, 2015, http://www.revelation.co/2009/08/03/why-did-jesus-hang-out-sinners-eat/. 2. What Is the Significance of Jesus Eating With Sinners? GotQuestions.org, accessed July 14, 2015, http://www.gotquestions.org/jesus-with-sinners.html. Regina Akinyi, Nairobi, Kenya 61
thursday AUGUST 4 Opinion God Versus the World John 15:18, 19 A few hours before He was captured, Christ told His disciples that the world hated them because He had chosen them out of the world (John 15:19, NIV). When Christ referred to the world, He meant its society and its people. He knew the challenges His disciples would face in His absence as they spread the gospel. To nurture their faith in Him, He reminded them of the following: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 16:26, NKJV). After accepting Christ, a person focuses more on heavenly matters than worldly ones. It is better to have enemies in the world but to remain under God s love than to have a million friends and not have God. God wants us to socialize with others and to share His love. However, this does not mean that we should not have friends. God wants us to socialize with others and to share His love. Friendships with people outside of our faith are monitored by what we believe in and by choosing to follow God s Word when others reject it. We can, therefore, be friendly to unbelievers in loving ways without embracing their beliefs. The world has many good things to offer. And God helps us to choose between that which is good and that which is bad. Yet, following Christ can be a difficult decision to make. On one side, the Bible encourages us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13 16). That means we are to represent Christ to others. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (verse 16, NKJV). On the other hand, calling people to repentance has its challenges, which we must prepare to meet. The apostles experienced their share of afflictions while planting churches after Christ s ascension. Furthermore, the Bible says that since Christ was persecuted, we also can expect to be persecuted. Many souls are seriously in need of the good news. Perhaps they are physically challenged, emotionally overwhelmed, or financially impoverished. Our lesson this week has taught us to represent Christ to our part of the world. In order to do so, let us focus on heaven. REACT What are some of the challenges you can face in your friendships with people who are not Christians? 62 Hassan Omondi, Nairobi, Kenya
Matt. 9:10 13; Mark 2:17; Luke 15; John 1:14; Phil. 2:12 15 Exploration Jesus, the Friend of Sinners friday AUGUST 5 CONCLUDE Because of Jesus frequent interactions with sinners, the Jewish leaders publicly criticized Him and tried to turn the people against Him. However, Jesus was clear regarding His mission to earth. He came to reach people who did not know God. He did not enter into the sin that was around Him. He sought to lift others out of the mess they were in by meeting them on their level. As we interact with those around us who are sinners, we must approach them just as Jesus did with love, compassion, and grace. Jesus came to save us all, and it is only through His grace that we are all no longer condemned. CONSIDER Volunteering at a local homeless ministry or women s shelter. Strive to show all those you encounter the enduring love of Jesus. Share with them the hope they can have in Him. Making a list of ways in which you could exemplify Jesus to those around you. Next to each item, write a tangible, attainable change you could make to your behavior so that others can see Him through you. Listening to the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns. (If you can, read the lyrics as you listen to the song.) Reflect on ways you can be more like Jesus in your interaction with those who are not saved. Paraphrasing the parables in Luke 15 for the children s story at church. Reinforce the concept of Jesus desire for us to turn from sin so that we can be with Him in heaven. Going to lunch with a friend whom you know is not saved. Use your time together to share Jesus with this person, conveying His love in every aspect of conversation. Analyzing your current group of friends to determine if they are leading you closer to Christ or taking you away from Him. If you feel that your friends are causing you to sin, brainstorm ways in which you can change those friendships for the good. Drawing or painting a picture that depicts one of the parables in Luke 15. Share this artwork with your Sabbath School class or Bible study group. CONNECT Ellen G. White, The Little Man Who Became Important, From Heaven With Love, pp. 367 370. Kevin DeYoung, Jesus, Friend of Sinners: But How? The Gospel Coalition, http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2014/03/04/jesus -friend-of-sinners-but-how/. Allison Sauceda, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. 63