[music]
00:00:00.66\00:00:05.63
[music ends]
00:00:13.31\00:00:15.31
>>Eric Flickinger:
Welcome to "Sabbath School,"
00:00:16.31\00:00:17.61
brought to you by It Is Written.
00:00:17.65\00:00:19.65
Glad that you could join
us today for lesson number 9.
00:00:19.68\00:00:23.55
Today we're looking at
"Mission to the Powerful"--
00:00:23.59\00:00:26.89
how do we reach people
who are in positions of power?
00:00:26.92\00:00:31.33
An exciting study today,
00:00:31.36\00:00:33.43
but as we dive in,
let's begin with prayer.
00:00:33.46\00:00:36.10
Father, we're grateful
to have another opportunity
00:00:36.13\00:00:38.23
to learn about
ways, practical ways,
00:00:38.27\00:00:40.44
that we can
reach people for You.
00:00:40.47\00:00:42.77
As we look at
reaching individuals
00:00:42.80\00:00:45.04
in positions of power,
we ask that You will open
00:00:45.07\00:00:47.28
our hearts and minds to
opportunities and help us
00:00:47.31\00:00:50.71
to find those
opportunities that You give us
00:00:50.75\00:00:53.95
to reach people like
that in the world around us.
00:00:53.98\00:00:56.35
We thank You in
Jesus' name, amen.
00:00:56.38\00:00:59.02
>>Clifmond Shameerudeen: Amen.
00:00:59.05\00:01:00.36
>>Eric: Well, we're
glad also again this week
00:01:00.39\00:01:02.02
to have Cliff Shameerudeen back.
00:01:02.06\00:01:03.63
He is the director
00:01:03.66\00:01:04.96
for the Center for
South Asian Religions,
00:01:04.99\00:01:08.20
and we're grateful to have
you back again, Cliff, welcome.
00:01:08.23\00:01:10.60
>>Cliff: Thank
you. >>Eric: All right,
00:01:10.63\00:01:11.93
so we're looking at
"Mission to the Powerful" today,
00:01:11.97\00:01:15.27
people who are in
positions of power.
00:01:15.30\00:01:18.01
Now, many of us maybe are
not in positions of power,
00:01:18.04\00:01:22.71
and we're trying to figure
how do we reach these people
00:01:22.74\00:01:25.45
in positions of power.
00:01:25.48\00:01:26.78
Does God have a
desire-- let's start here--
00:01:26.82\00:01:29.75
does God have a
desire to reach people
00:01:29.78\00:01:32.75
who are in positions of power?
My assumption is yes, He does.
00:01:32.79\00:01:36.76
But what evidence do we
have of that in the Bible?
00:01:36.79\00:01:40.43
>>Cliff: This particular lesson,
00:01:40.46\00:01:41.73
it's gonna challenge us a
little because we strive on--
00:01:41.76\00:01:47.50
in a situation where we
stay away from people of power
00:01:47.54\00:01:53.14
because either they
are government leaders,
00:01:53.17\00:01:56.48
they are business
owners, they run companies,
00:01:56.51\00:02:00.22
they provide what we need,
00:02:00.25\00:02:02.32
so we tend to stay
away from them because we,
00:02:02.35\00:02:05.12
you know, they're
powerful people, and we--
00:02:05.15\00:02:09.86
they're not in our circle,
00:02:09.89\00:02:11.49
the average
church member or pastor.
00:02:11.53\00:02:15.16
So, how do we
even think about that?
00:02:15.20\00:02:18.10
It's--the Bible
is challenging us
00:02:18.13\00:02:19.63
to go beyond what
we are accustomed to.
00:02:19.67\00:02:22.44
It's easy to work with
people who are, we will say,
00:02:22.47\00:02:25.51
are in need, in a general sense.
00:02:25.54\00:02:29.18
But when it comes to
people who are powerful,
00:02:29.21\00:02:31.01
ah, is there any hope for them?
00:02:31.05\00:02:33.25
Even, does God really
even wanna save them, you know?
00:02:33.28\00:02:35.88
Because they are
responsible for a lot of tragedy
00:02:35.92\00:02:38.59
or a lot of
problems we have in society
00:02:38.62\00:02:40.66
and as well as a lot of good.
00:02:40.69\00:02:42.69
But the question
is: Do we have evidence
00:02:42.72\00:02:44.69
that God wants to reach them?
00:02:44.73\00:02:46.83
Well, we do.
00:02:46.86\00:02:49.20
One of the famous or
known example is in the Bible
00:02:49.23\00:02:55.04
with the little maid,
right, and her master and--
00:02:55.07\00:02:59.34
Naaman, as we refer
to him in English, right?
00:02:59.37\00:03:02.41
Did God really
want to save him or--
00:03:02.44\00:03:05.31
he was just trying to get help.
00:03:05.35\00:03:07.12
Yeah, but I really believe
that God invest resources
00:03:07.15\00:03:12.55
and use us and calls us to reach
the powerful in the same way
00:03:12.59\00:03:16.76
that He is trying to
reach those that are in need.
00:03:16.79\00:03:19.09
>>Eric: And that
little, "little maid"
00:03:19.13\00:03:21.13
as she's sometimes called,
she reached an individual
00:03:21.16\00:03:25.03
who was of--in a
great position of power,
00:03:25.07\00:03:28.54
and God was able to
use her to reach him.
00:03:28.57\00:03:32.37
It's interesting when
you take a look at the story
00:03:32.41\00:03:34.54
in 2 Kings, chapter 5,
00:03:34.58\00:03:36.95
it says that "the
Syrians had gone out on raids,
00:03:36.98\00:03:39.21
"and had brought
back captive a young girl
00:03:39.25\00:03:40.95
from the land of Israel.
She waited on Naaman's wife."
00:03:40.98\00:03:43.99
So, this was a
servant who was reaching out
00:03:44.02\00:03:47.62
to her master's husband.
00:03:47.66\00:03:50.39
"Then she said to her mistress,
'If only my master were
00:03:50.43\00:03:53.16
"'with the
prophet who is in Samaria!
00:03:53.19\00:03:54.83
For he would heal
him of his leprosy.'"
00:03:54.83\00:03:57.60
So, even in this
position of a lack of power,
00:03:57.63\00:04:01.14
a lack of
influence, God opened a door
00:04:01.17\00:04:04.74
for this little maid
to reach an individual
00:04:04.77\00:04:08.61
of significance,
power, and influence.
00:04:08.64\00:04:11.21
So, not even limited to
they're out there somewhere
00:04:11.25\00:04:14.48
and I feel
insignificant in comparison,
00:04:14.52\00:04:17.45
but she was actually a servant
of the one who she reached.
00:04:17.49\00:04:21.56
>>Cliff: I would say
even more: She was a slave.
00:04:21.59\00:04:24.43
Can you imagine slave reaching
their master with the gospel?
00:04:24.46\00:04:28.46
>>Eric: And yet God opened
the door for that to happen.
00:04:28.50\00:04:31.17
Clearly, she saw
an opportunity there.
00:04:31.20\00:04:34.94
She saw a--she saw a
need there and took advantage
00:04:34.97\00:04:39.11
of that opportunity to
share something with Naaman,
00:04:39.14\00:04:43.41
and it worked out well.
00:04:43.45\00:04:44.95
What kind of a
hope or encouragement
00:04:44.98\00:04:47.12
do you think that
ought to give to us?
00:04:47.15\00:04:49.28
>>Cliff: Oh, I
say that's tremendous,
00:04:49.32\00:04:50.62
because how much
of us are slaves?
00:04:50.65\00:04:53.52
I think we may have
slavery still exists today,
00:04:53.56\00:04:56.89
but it comes in different form.
00:04:56.93\00:04:59.13
And we understand that when
you look at social scientists,
00:04:59.16\00:05:02.30
they can tell us
all the different ways
00:05:02.33\00:05:04.23
that we become
slaves to, you know,
00:05:04.27\00:05:07.87
to society in so many ways.
00:05:07.90\00:05:09.87
But just comparison, I
think we can understand
00:05:09.90\00:05:14.41
that slavery do exist,
00:05:14.44\00:05:16.21
and people who
are in those position,
00:05:16.24\00:05:18.41
God is still calling
us to witness to those
00:05:18.45\00:05:22.68
who are powerful.
00:05:22.72\00:05:24.22
And so, but there
are some other components
00:05:24.25\00:05:26.92
in this particular story,
is that her faith was grounded.
00:05:26.96\00:05:32.16
She knew who she believed in.
00:05:32.19\00:05:34.00
She even knew the prophet.
00:05:34.03\00:05:36.13
I mean, she was a little girl.
00:05:36.16\00:05:38.13
I'm sure she--you
know, I don't know.
00:05:38.17\00:05:40.34
Did she ever met him?
00:05:40.37\00:05:42.27
But she knew about him.
00:05:42.30\00:05:43.61
She knew what he can do.
00:05:43.64\00:05:45.11
And so, when her master
was in need, she referred him--
00:05:45.14\00:05:49.44
she found the channel.
00:05:49.48\00:05:50.78
She used the channels
that was available to her
00:05:50.81\00:05:53.35
to witness to him.
00:05:53.38\00:05:55.45
And I think this is
also an important step
00:05:55.48\00:05:57.82
that we can learn as a church.
00:05:57.85\00:05:59.82
God can use us in-- to
witness to the powerful
00:05:59.85\00:06:06.13
with the
channels that is available
00:06:06.16\00:06:07.60
to the Adventist church.
00:06:07.66\00:06:08.93
>>Eric: She seemed to
be confident in her faith.
00:06:08.96\00:06:12.00
She wasn't affluent,
she wasn't influential,
00:06:12.03\00:06:15.64
but she was confident,
and she had a connection with,
00:06:15.67\00:06:18.77
well, with the most powerful
individual in the universe,
00:06:18.81\00:06:21.28
and that's God. >>Cliff: Amen.
00:06:21.31\00:06:22.81
>>Eric: And that connection that
she had helped her to be able
00:06:22.84\00:06:26.01
to find an opportunity
to witness to someone
00:06:26.05\00:06:28.68
who was more
powerful than she is, or was,
00:06:28.72\00:06:32.05
but not nearly as
powerful as her God is.
00:06:32.09\00:06:36.46
And that's incredible.
00:06:36.49\00:06:38.23
Now, when we look at those
who are in positions of power,
00:06:38.26\00:06:42.16
the wealthy, the
influential, the famous,
00:06:42.20\00:06:45.10
we may have a tendency to
kind of look at them as if,
00:06:45.13\00:06:50.91
oh, they're
powerful; they're influential;
00:06:50.94\00:06:52.77
they're wealthy. God
must be blessing them.
00:06:52.81\00:06:56.28
But there are a lot of people
who are powerful, influential,
00:06:56.31\00:06:59.21
and wealthy who don't
have relationships with God
00:06:59.25\00:07:02.55
and whose lives
are-- maybe on the outside
00:07:02.58\00:07:05.45
they may look like
they've got everything but,
00:07:05.49\00:07:07.49
really, lives are falling apart.
There are significant holes,
00:07:07.52\00:07:12.63
things missing in
that relationship with God
00:07:12.66\00:07:14.73
that can really ground a person,
00:07:14.73\00:07:17.10
that can give them purpose,
a more appropriate purpose.
00:07:17.13\00:07:21.34
How does that misconception--
or how could that misconception
00:07:21.37\00:07:25.34
that the powerful
have their act together,
00:07:25.37\00:07:28.48
they don't need anything--
how could that misconception
00:07:28.51\00:07:32.95
cause us to trip up
or miss opportunities
00:07:32.98\00:07:36.28
to reach out to them?
00:07:36.32\00:07:38.15
>>Cliff: I think this
is where God is calling us
00:07:38.19\00:07:41.69
to be more diligent in
searching the Scriptures
00:07:41.72\00:07:45.73
to understand His role in
our lives and the ministry
00:07:45.76\00:07:49.73
He has called us to.
00:07:49.76\00:07:51.53
And so, it's easy for us
to, as you have shared, to say,
00:07:51.57\00:07:57.14
"Well, that
person has been blessed."
00:07:57.17\00:07:59.34
They are, you know--
what can I share with them?
00:07:59.37\00:08:03.41
When--if I go to them,
they're gonna look at me
00:08:03.45\00:08:06.28
and use their understanding
of life: "Well, look at me.
00:08:06.31\00:08:08.92
"I have everything I
need. I'm being blessed by God.
00:08:08.95\00:08:14.19
"But look at you. You don't
even have half of the resources
00:08:14.22\00:08:18.63
"I have, and you will come tell
me I need help, I need Jesus,
00:08:18.66\00:08:22.46
I need God, when I
have everything I need."
00:08:22.50\00:08:25.93
That can be difficult, no doubt.
There is no exception to that.
00:08:25.97\00:08:29.94
We have numerous stories
about us trying to go witness
00:08:29.97\00:08:33.84
to the powerful.
00:08:33.88\00:08:35.61
The first thing I
wanted to observe here
00:08:35.64\00:08:37.71
is the methods we use.
00:08:37.75\00:08:40.45
We need to use
different methods.
00:08:40.48\00:08:42.12
And we see Jesus did that.
00:08:42.15\00:08:44.25
One of the things that
Jesus did in Scripture,
00:08:44.29\00:08:47.26
and we see it with Zacchaeus,
we see it with powerful people,
00:08:47.29\00:08:52.23
is that He create a space
for them to hide their identity
00:08:52.26\00:08:57.33
when they're searching Him.
00:08:57.37\00:08:59.10
And so, a lot of times when
we wanna reach the powerful,
00:08:59.13\00:09:01.34
we wanna broadcast it;
we wanna make it public.
00:09:01.37\00:09:04.27
But this doesn't
work very well with them
00:09:04.31\00:09:06.98
because of their
position of power and influence.
00:09:07.01\00:09:10.25
Sometime, they're afraid
to come to us to express needs
00:09:10.28\00:09:14.02
because what will happen after.
00:09:14.05\00:09:16.85
And so Jesus created a
space, and He protected that.
00:09:16.89\00:09:19.89
He respected their amenity
so that they can actually get
00:09:19.92\00:09:24.39
the help they need and
find Jesus and still have a--
00:09:24.43\00:09:27.40
even to the extent to have
00:09:27.40\00:09:28.86
a secret
relationship with Jesus,
00:09:28.90\00:09:30.97
because of their
situation that they're in.
00:09:31.00\00:09:33.13
>>Eric: You know, speaking
of Jesus creating a place
00:09:33.17\00:09:35.40
for them to meet,
it brings to my mind
00:09:35.44\00:09:38.24
the story of Nicodemus.
>>Cliff: That's right.
00:09:38.27\00:09:39.91
>>Eric: He met with Jesus at
night. He met with Him alone.
00:09:39.94\00:09:43.88
So there was a
personal one-on-one connection
00:09:43.91\00:09:47.72
that Jesus had with Nicodemus,
that He had with Zacchaeus.
00:09:47.75\00:09:52.45
"I wanna--let's go to your house
and talk," sort of a thing.
00:09:52.49\00:09:55.92
And Jesus was
effective in doing that and,
00:09:55.96\00:09:58.73
as you mention, we might be
more effective if we were able
00:09:58.76\00:10:01.53
to connect one on one
privately with the wealthy.
00:10:01.56\00:10:07.27
I think that's a very valuable,
very valuable observation,
00:10:07.30\00:10:12.07
which doesn't mean that
we abandon public evangelism,
00:10:12.11\00:10:14.81
by any stretch
of the imagination.
00:10:14.84\00:10:16.21
Jesus engaged in both:
00:10:16.24\00:10:18.11
personal soul-winning
and public soul-winning.
00:10:18.15\00:10:20.55
>>Cliff: That's right.
>>Eric: And He was effective
00:10:20.58\00:10:22.55
in both, knowing
when to use which approach
00:10:22.58\00:10:25.62
and where and with
which groups of people,
00:10:25.65\00:10:28.36
because it's not a
cookie-cutter approach.
00:10:28.39\00:10:30.63
You can't do the same thing
with everybody in every place;
00:10:30.66\00:10:32.93
it doesn't work very well.
00:10:32.96\00:10:34.30
When working with powerful
non-Christians to reach them
00:10:34.30\00:10:40.34
with the gospel, sometimes
it takes a little bit longer
00:10:40.37\00:10:44.91
than reaching
others with the gospel.
00:10:44.94\00:10:48.18
>>Cliff: That's right.
>>Eric: Talk to us a little bit
00:10:48.21\00:10:50.18
about that timeline of things.
00:10:50.21\00:10:52.95
Now, God works in many
mysterious and wonderful ways,
00:10:52.98\00:10:56.25
in different ways
with different people,
00:10:56.28\00:10:57.89
but it's not uncommon for
it to take a little bit longer
00:10:57.92\00:11:00.89
with somebody in power.
Help us to understand that.
00:11:00.92\00:11:03.79
>>Cliff: I had-- let
me begin with a story.
00:11:03.83\00:11:05.86
And so, I was doing
a training for pastors,
00:11:05.89\00:11:08.96
and at the end of the session,
00:11:09.00\00:11:11.03
one of the pastors
came to me and says,
00:11:11.07\00:11:15.07
"I need some help.
00:11:15.10\00:11:16.97
"I've been trying for
many years of reaching the 1%
00:11:17.01\00:11:21.41
"in this particular country,
and it's been a challenge,
00:11:21.44\00:11:25.95
"I have to say. I tried
all the methods I was taught
00:11:25.98\00:11:29.92
"when I went to study, and
I've been additional training,
00:11:29.95\00:11:34.59
"but none of it is working.
00:11:34.62\00:11:36.29
"These wealthy people are
not interested in the gospel.
00:11:36.32\00:11:41.00
Do you have any suggestions
that I can consider?"
00:11:41.03\00:11:44.90
And I said, "Let's
think about it this way.
00:11:44.93\00:11:48.04
"They have everything they need,
so when they see you coming,
00:11:48.07\00:11:50.91
"they're thinking
that you're coming
00:11:50.94\00:11:52.61
"because you need
something from them. Right?
00:11:52.64\00:11:55.98
"Because that's in the
position of power and wealth.
00:11:56.01\00:11:58.81
"And so, how about
change the paradigm?
00:11:58.85\00:12:03.22
"Instead of
actually going to them,
00:12:03.25\00:12:05.19
"thinking that you have
something that you need to fix
00:12:05.22\00:12:07.16
"in their lives--and we
all recognize they have needs;
00:12:07.19\00:12:10.09
"the façade of
wealth does not take away
00:12:10.13\00:12:13.33
"the crisis that ensued, whether
it's children or marriage
00:12:13.36\00:12:19.20
"or even business
practice and so forth.
00:12:19.23\00:12:22.90
"They still face
their own sets of problems,
00:12:22.94\00:12:25.77
"that they hide from the public.
00:12:25.81\00:12:28.04
"Let's slip the
paradigm around and invite them
00:12:28.08\00:12:32.08
"to come alongside you and
serve those who are in need.
00:12:32.11\00:12:37.15
"It creates a
space where they can come
00:12:37.19\00:12:39.05
"without having to feel
like you need to give them
00:12:39.09\00:12:41.12
"Bible study the
first day they show up.
00:12:41.16\00:12:43.02
"So that, by alongside
you, it create that space.
00:12:43.06\00:12:45.96
Partner with them."
00:12:45.99\00:12:47.30
Ellen White talks
about how we should partner
00:12:47.30\00:12:49.76
with the affluent, and
that include non-Christians.
00:12:49.80\00:12:54.44
And of course, there are
limits how much you can partner,
00:12:54.47\00:12:57.47
and there's checks and
balances you have to do,
00:12:57.51\00:13:00.18
but at least you
can create that space.
00:13:00.21\00:13:02.78
And by doing that,
00:13:02.81\00:13:04.11
you understand that
they can serve with you.
00:13:04.15\00:13:07.28
>>Eric: So that's
powerful. A paradigm shift,
00:13:07.32\00:13:09.45
not a huge one,
but a significant one,
00:13:09.48\00:13:11.65
help them to come
alongside you to assist--
00:13:11.69\00:13:14.12
in that, opening the door.
00:13:14.16\00:13:15.46
That's powerful.
That's a huge takeaway.
00:13:15.49\00:13:18.66
If you wanna get more gems
like that out of your study
00:13:18.69\00:13:23.03
of God's mission and
my mission this quarter,
00:13:23.06\00:13:26.03
I want to encourage you
to pick up the companion book
00:13:26.07\00:13:29.34
to this quarter's Sabbath school
00:13:29.37\00:13:31.24
Adult Bible Study
Guide, and that is the book
00:13:31.27\00:13:33.38
that's called
"God's Mission My Mission"
00:13:33.41\00:13:35.94
by Gary Krause.
00:13:35.98\00:13:37.45
It will give you
more practical ways
00:13:37.48\00:13:39.38
that you can reach
out to the wealthy,
00:13:39.41\00:13:41.45
that you can reach
out to the powerful,
00:13:41.48\00:13:43.25
that you can reach out
to those who are needy,
00:13:43.28\00:13:45.42
that you can reach
out to those who are poor,
00:13:45.45\00:13:47.26
that you can apply in
your own life to share
00:13:47.29\00:13:49.49
your faith more
effectively with others.
00:13:49.52\00:13:51.59
Make sure you pick
up that companion book.
00:13:51.63\00:13:53.63
You can find it
at itiswritten.shop.
00:13:53.66\00:13:56.43
Again, that's itiswritten.shop.
00:13:56.46\00:13:59.67
We're going to be
back here in just a moment
00:13:59.70\00:14:01.27
with more as
Cliff and I talk about
00:14:01.30\00:14:03.44
how to reach those who
are in positions of power.
00:14:03.47\00:14:08.41
We'll be back in just a moment.
00:14:08.44\00:14:10.01
[music]
00:14:10.05\00:14:14.45
>>John Bradshaw: Of the more
than 31,000 verses in the Bible,
00:14:14.48\00:14:17.49
it's said that this
one is the most loved:
00:14:17.52\00:14:20.32
"For God so loved the world,
00:14:20.36\00:14:21.99
"that He gave His
only begotten Son,
00:14:22.02\00:14:24.66
"that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish,
00:14:24.69\00:14:27.66
but have everlasting life."
00:14:27.66\00:14:29.66
But who said those words,
and to whom did He say them?
00:14:32.37\00:14:36.14
Don't miss "Great Chapters
of the Bible: John [Chapter] 3,"
00:14:36.17\00:14:40.91
where we investigate
that nighttime interview
00:14:40.94\00:14:43.71
between Jesus and
an important visitor.
00:14:43.75\00:14:47.68
Jesus in John, chapter 3, said
that we must be "born again"
00:14:47.72\00:14:51.55
if we want to enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
00:14:51.59\00:14:53.62
And later in John, chapter 3,
00:14:53.66\00:14:55.49
the final words
recorded in Scripture
00:14:55.52\00:14:58.73
of John the Baptist.
00:14:58.76\00:15:01.10
Don't miss "Great Chapters
of the Bible: John [Chapter] 3"
00:15:01.13\00:15:05.77
on It Is Written TV.
00:15:05.80\00:15:08.27
[music]
00:15:08.30\00:15:12.31
>>John: You know
that at It Is Written,
00:15:14.81\00:15:16.11
we are serious about
studying the Word of God,
00:15:16.14\00:15:18.65
and we encourage you
to be serious as well.
00:15:18.68\00:15:21.42
Well, here's what you
do if you wanna dig deeper
00:15:21.45\00:15:23.62
into God's Word. Go
to itiswritten.study
00:15:23.65\00:15:26.49
for the It Is Written
Bible Study Guides online,
00:15:26.52\00:15:29.62
25 in-depth Bible studies
00:15:29.66\00:15:31.46
that will take you through the
major teachings of the Bible.
00:15:31.49\00:15:34.46
You'll be
blessed, and it's something
00:15:34.46\00:15:36.10
you'll want to tell
others about as well.
00:15:36.13\00:15:38.17
itiswritten.study.
00:15:38.20\00:15:39.77
Go further: itiswritten.study.
00:15:39.80\00:15:42.14
[music]
00:15:44.14\00:15:47.14
>>Eric: Welcome
back to "Sabbath School,"
00:15:49.14\00:15:50.68
brought to you by It Is Written.
00:15:50.71\00:15:52.65
We're here with
Cliff Shameerudeen,
00:15:52.68\00:15:54.52
and we're talking about
reaching out to the powerful,
00:15:54.55\00:15:57.35
the mission to the powerful.
00:15:57.39\00:16:00.36
Cliff, if I wanna reach someone
who is in a position of power,
00:16:00.39\00:16:05.13
what is required of
me? What do I need to do?
00:16:05.16\00:16:08.10
What do I need to bring to this?
00:16:08.13\00:16:10.40
What mentality do I need to
have if I wanna reach someone
00:16:10.43\00:16:13.67
who's powerful, and
I'm not? Let's start there.
00:16:13.70\00:16:18.34
If I'm not
powerful, what can I do?
00:16:18.37\00:16:21.48
>>Cliff: It's an
unusual question,
00:16:21.51\00:16:23.08
because we
normally don't begin asking
00:16:23.11\00:16:26.21
those questions. We just say,
00:16:26.25\00:16:27.68
"Well, as a church,
we need to witness."
00:16:27.72\00:16:31.42
Well, who should we start with?
00:16:31.45\00:16:33.19
And we just-- we
create a campaign,
00:16:33.22\00:16:35.86
whether it's public
evangelism, or we may decide
00:16:35.89\00:16:39.86
that we wanted to do
house-to-house, so forth.
00:16:39.89\00:16:43.43
That's how we do it.
00:16:43.47\00:16:45.10
You know, we seldom don't begin
00:16:45.13\00:16:47.10
with the
question you start with:
00:16:47.14\00:16:48.44
"Well, let's reach
powerful people." [chuckles]
00:16:48.47\00:16:50.61
We don't do that. But let's
assume that's our strategy here.
00:16:50.64\00:16:54.11
We want to
reach powerful people.
00:16:54.14\00:16:56.34
As a church, we are responsible
00:16:56.38\00:16:58.15
to share the good news
of Jesus Christ with those
00:16:58.18\00:17:00.65
who are in need and
those who are powerful.
00:17:00.68\00:17:02.75
As I shared in
the previous segment
00:17:02.78\00:17:05.05
is that if we go to
them, in general, and say,
00:17:05.09\00:17:09.06
"We're here to witness to you,"
00:17:09.09\00:17:11.06
in whatever form, we're
gonna get a cold shoulder.
00:17:11.09\00:17:14.73
We also shared
that one principle
00:17:14.76\00:17:18.43
we have learned from Ellen White
00:17:18.47\00:17:22.54
is to engage them,
is to create a space
00:17:22.57\00:17:27.11
where they can serve
with us. Well, guess what?
00:17:27.14\00:17:30.98
When that happens,
there is also what you call
00:17:31.01\00:17:33.92
a mutual respect for each other
00:17:33.95\00:17:35.62
because they
also have perception.
00:17:35.65\00:17:37.25
One of the things
that I hear frequently
00:17:37.29\00:17:40.22
is that there is this perception
that people who are ministers
00:17:40.26\00:17:45.06
are just not
honest, are not genuine.
00:17:45.09\00:17:47.86
"They're just after my
money or after to get fame,"
00:17:47.93\00:17:51.83
or whatever the case may be.
00:17:51.87\00:17:53.34
There's a lack of
trust between the powerful
00:17:53.37\00:17:56.97
and those that
are, that in the church.
00:17:57.01\00:18:00.68
I will use that metaphor.
00:18:00.71\00:18:03.21
There is a lack of
trust between the two.
00:18:03.24\00:18:05.71
And then also, I think
the first thing is to be able
00:18:05.75\00:18:08.52
to show that you can
trust-- we can trust each other.
00:18:08.55\00:18:12.52
And we see we have a number
of modern-day examples of that,
00:18:12.55\00:18:17.23
but I think
that's the first thing
00:18:17.26\00:18:19.03
is to develop trust.
How do we develop trust?
00:18:19.06\00:18:21.26
We have to go to them and
meet them in opportunities
00:18:21.30\00:18:25.27
that God permits and
allows, and when the church
00:18:25.30\00:18:28.47
is making a difference--
00:18:28.50\00:18:29.80
so I want to give you an
example, particular example,
00:18:29.84\00:18:33.04
of how we have done this
before. We created a center.
00:18:33.07\00:18:37.65
We know it as--sometime it
refer to centers of influence,
00:18:37.68\00:18:41.48
urban centers.
00:18:41.52\00:18:43.12
When we create
these opportunities
00:18:43.15\00:18:44.82
where we serve
people, the people of position
00:18:44.85\00:18:49.06
and power notice that,
especially when news has spread.
00:18:49.09\00:18:52.96
And so, I remember there
was one newspaper article
00:18:52.99\00:18:57.20
that was published as a
result of what we're doing
00:18:57.23\00:19:00.60
for the needy. Well,
the powerful people came,
00:19:00.64\00:19:03.74
government official
minister came, called,
00:19:03.77\00:19:06.84
they drove up, and
they came, and they said,
00:19:06.88\00:19:08.94
"Can we meet with you?
00:19:08.98\00:19:10.51
"We notice that you are
making a impact in the society,
00:19:10.55\00:19:13.98
"and we want to
partner with you.
00:19:14.02\00:19:16.55
"But also, whenever you
are sharing about what you do,
00:19:16.58\00:19:20.59
"it creates an
awkward situation for us.
00:19:20.62\00:19:23.06
"Please don't
publish any more articles
00:19:23.09\00:19:24.96
"about what you're
doing in the community
00:19:24.99\00:19:26.56
unless you talk to us."
Because they feel threatened.
00:19:26.59\00:19:29.70
Powerful people feel threatened
when we are doing things
00:19:29.73\00:19:33.74
that takes away their
share of influence in society.
00:19:33.77\00:19:37.97
So, we have to
respect each other
00:19:38.01\00:19:40.01
and learning to
set their boundaries,
00:19:40.04\00:19:42.08
and so, I think
that is one way we,
00:19:42.11\00:19:45.58
as a church, can reach
out to powerful people to show
00:19:45.61\00:19:49.18
that we have a powerful God.
00:19:49.22\00:19:51.59
>>Eric: I think
that's huge, very practical.
00:19:51.62\00:19:53.72
Let me ask you this.
00:19:53.76\00:19:55.06
And it's coming from a
slightly different angle.
00:19:55.09\00:19:58.03
How do we, as a
church, as members of a church,
00:19:58.06\00:20:01.83
how do we avoid the trap
that because we have the truth,
00:20:01.86\00:20:07.34
that that's enough to save us?
00:20:07.37\00:20:09.74
We're talking
here about our mission
00:20:09.77\00:20:11.94
that God has given us
00:20:11.97\00:20:13.27
to reach
different groups of people:
00:20:13.31\00:20:14.94
the poor, the needy,
the powerful, the wealthy.
00:20:14.98\00:20:19.11
But if we're not
careful, we can just feel like,
00:20:19.15\00:20:21.38
"I've got the truth. I'm good.
00:20:21.42\00:20:23.28
I don't need to worry
so much about sharing it."
00:20:23.32\00:20:26.02
What's the danger in that?
00:20:26.05\00:20:29.06
>>Cliff: Well, we
can use the illustration
00:20:29.09\00:20:32.16
that the powerful
thinks, "Because I'm wealthy,
00:20:32.19\00:20:34.10
"everything is going
well; I don't need anything.
00:20:34.10\00:20:37.43
I don't need God."
Or, "I do have God;
00:20:37.47\00:20:38.77
I don't need to
worry about anything."
00:20:38.80\00:20:40.50
The same thing can
happen to us because we are rich
00:20:40.54\00:20:43.81
in the truth, we can forget
00:20:43.84\00:20:46.51
our need to
depend on Jesus Christ.
00:20:46.54\00:20:49.64
And I think that's the danger
that we can find ourselves in
00:20:49.68\00:20:54.12
and--well, "We don't
need to share anything
00:20:54.15\00:20:56.55
"because we are saved; we
are waiting for Jesus' coming.
00:20:56.58\00:20:59.12
"Everything is set. Our
family is set, good job,
00:20:59.15\00:21:02.96
good education,
everything is going well."
00:21:02.99\00:21:05.73
We can fall in the
same trap that the powerful
00:21:05.76\00:21:08.06
and the rich falls into.
00:21:08.10\00:21:10.63
>>Eric: And so that's something
that we need to be careful of,
00:21:10.67\00:21:12.63
that we don't end up
being rich in different things,
00:21:12.67\00:21:17.04
but still being poor.
00:21:17.07\00:21:18.54
>>Cliff: Well, being
rich is not the problem.
00:21:18.57\00:21:21.38
I think this is an old
discussion we can have.
00:21:21.41\00:21:24.28
Being rich is not the issue.
00:21:24.31\00:21:25.61
The issue is, how do
we seize those things,
00:21:25.65\00:21:28.65
and how do we use
them to the glory of God?
00:21:28.68\00:21:32.32
>>Eric: Very good. I like that.
00:21:32.35\00:21:34.62
So, let me ask you this
00:21:34.66\00:21:36.73
as our time is
slipping away from us,
00:21:36.76\00:21:39.19
as it usually does.
00:21:39.23\00:21:41.23
If I want to be a part
of a ministry in a church
00:21:41.26\00:21:45.90
that reaches
out to the powerful,
00:21:45.93\00:21:48.17
people in positions of powerful,
00:21:48.20\00:21:50.24
influential, wealthy,
what does that look like?
00:21:50.27\00:21:55.68
What could--how could
we effectively do that?
00:21:55.71\00:21:58.38
Some practical
things that we could do,
00:21:58.41\00:22:01.38
actionable steps
that we could take,
00:22:01.42\00:22:03.65
if there are
people in our community
00:22:03.69\00:22:05.62
who fall into that category--
and they need the gospel
00:22:05.65\00:22:10.19
as much as anybody else--
00:22:10.23\00:22:11.96
where does it begin with us
if we wanna try to reach them?
00:22:11.99\00:22:15.10
What does that look like?
00:22:15.13\00:22:16.43
>>Cliff: I would say as a--
00:22:16.46\00:22:18.10
let's use a
church as illustration.
00:22:18.13\00:22:19.77
A church is in the community.
00:22:19.80\00:22:21.60
A lot of times, we
don't know the church exists.
00:22:21.64\00:22:23.71
I've done this before. I
was in a particular country.
00:22:23.74\00:22:26.11
It's better that way.
00:22:26.14\00:22:27.91
And I--when I got to the church
and did a wonderful seminar
00:22:27.94\00:22:32.21
for the church, I
went outside of the church,
00:22:32.25\00:22:34.68
and I looked
around the community
00:22:34.72\00:22:38.45
and see who lived there.
00:22:38.49\00:22:39.79
I came back to the
church, and I said,
00:22:39.82\00:22:42.36
"How much of us know
the names of the people
00:22:42.39\00:22:44.73
that lives around this church?"
00:22:44.76\00:22:47.13
No one could answer,
even at that particular time.
00:22:47.20\00:22:51.27
So I asked the question:
00:22:51.30\00:22:52.60
"If the church
suddenly disappear,
00:22:52.63\00:22:56.10
would anybody miss the church?"
00:22:56.14\00:22:58.54
And I think
that's where we begin,
00:22:58.57\00:23:00.61
is that the rich and
the powerful should know
00:23:00.64\00:23:02.84
that the church
exist. And how do we do that?
00:23:02.88\00:23:06.35
There's many ways
that we can do that.
00:23:06.38\00:23:09.58
I shared some of that earlier.
00:23:09.62\00:23:11.75
But I think we can begin to tell
that the powerful and the rich,
00:23:11.79\00:23:15.72
"We exist, and we can
actually partner with you
00:23:15.76\00:23:19.79
"with some of the things
00:23:19.83\00:23:21.10
that you wanna do
in this community."
00:23:21.13\00:23:22.66
The powerful people,
some of them do care,
00:23:22.70\00:23:25.07
and others may not even
care, but we help them to care
00:23:25.10\00:23:28.64
by approaching them, have
a good proposal or address
00:23:28.67\00:23:32.07
a society issue or
something that can benefit
00:23:32.11\00:23:34.64
more than just themselves.
00:23:34.68\00:23:37.78
And a lot of
times, they're waiting
00:23:37.81\00:23:39.11
'cause they don't
know that they can
00:23:39.15\00:23:40.72
actually make a difference.
00:23:40.75\00:23:42.62
>>Eric: So you mention
things that the church can do,
00:23:42.65\00:23:44.69
programs that they can do,
00:23:44.72\00:23:46.15
that people in
positions of power
00:23:46.19\00:23:48.36
can come
alongside and assist with.
00:23:48.39\00:23:50.76
That's gonna look different
in different locations,
00:23:50.79\00:23:54.86
in different geographic areas
and in different neighborhoods,
00:23:54.93\00:23:59.53
even. So, what might a
few different ideas be?
00:23:59.57\00:24:03.64
What would be some ministries
that the church could provide,
00:24:03.67\00:24:07.91
depending on whether you're
in a more affluent part of town,
00:24:07.94\00:24:11.61
a less affluent part of
town, a more well-to-do country,
00:24:11.65\00:24:16.08
a less well-to-do country.
00:24:16.12\00:24:17.42
It's gonna--I understand
it's gonna look different
00:24:17.45\00:24:18.95
in different
places. Gives us a few ideas
00:24:18.99\00:24:20.36
of what that might look like.
00:24:20.39\00:24:22.02
>>Cliff: Okay,
so, like, for example,
00:24:22.06\00:24:24.09
one of the things
that I tell people,
00:24:24.13\00:24:26.16
even before you
plan to do something,
00:24:26.19\00:24:27.96
survey the community.
00:24:28.00\00:24:30.00
Know the needs of
the people that you are--
00:24:30.03\00:24:32.77
that you're serving
or you want to serve.
00:24:32.80\00:24:35.80
A lot of times,
we presume we know
00:24:35.84\00:24:37.51
what the needs of people are.
00:24:37.54\00:24:39.17
So, you begin with a survey,
00:24:39.21\00:24:40.68
a simple survey
of finding out needs.
00:24:40.71\00:24:42.81
And once you do
that, like, for example,
00:24:42.84\00:24:44.61
we just did one
here in the place
00:24:44.65\00:24:47.25
that I currently reside in,
00:24:47.28\00:24:49.38
and we have a
group of committed people
00:24:49.42\00:24:53.86
who are working
with the affluent.
00:24:53.89\00:24:55.96
And they--and we found
out that language is an issue,
00:24:55.99\00:25:01.60
getting support in
that. And we also found out
00:25:01.63\00:25:05.73
that people are
having marriage crisis.
00:25:05.77\00:25:09.27
And so, you prepare something to
reach people who are powerful.
00:25:09.30\00:25:13.48
So, we may take for granted
that they could find counselors
00:25:13.51\00:25:16.88
and they have the
resources to pay for them,
00:25:16.91\00:25:19.18
but they can't find
someone who they can trust,
00:25:19.21\00:25:22.92
who will actually
minister to their needs.
00:25:22.95\00:25:25.05
So having a survey,
and then from the survey,
00:25:25.09\00:25:28.32
you can either
create a ministry.
00:25:28.36\00:25:32.36
A lot of times, we
think about investment,
00:25:32.39\00:25:34.46
but I think, first we
need to look at people first,
00:25:34.46\00:25:37.40
rather than start a building
or to create an organization.
00:25:37.43\00:25:41.57
I think we can
work with people first.
00:25:41.60\00:25:44.27
>>Eric: All right, so
start with the people,
00:25:44.31\00:25:45.94
find out what their needs are,
and then provide opportunities
00:25:45.97\00:25:48.78
for the wealthy
to come alongside.
00:25:48.81\00:25:50.95
>>Cliff: That's right.
>>Eric: Very, very good.
00:25:50.98\00:25:53.28
If there was somebody
who's watching this today,
00:25:53.31\00:25:55.55
who says, "Okay, I never
felt like I was called to reach
00:25:55.58\00:25:59.22
"the wealthy, the
powerful, but now I'm sensing
00:25:59.25\00:26:02.39
"that maybe God
is calling me to get
00:26:02.42\00:26:04.56
"a little outside
of my comfort zone
00:26:04.59\00:26:06.29
"and to try something
new, try something different,
00:26:06.33\00:26:08.93
"reach a different
group of people than I'm--
00:26:08.96\00:26:11.17
than I feel comfortable doing,"
00:26:11.20\00:26:14.04
what kind of
words of encouragement
00:26:14.07\00:26:15.77
would you give to someone,
00:26:15.80\00:26:17.61
maybe some practical steps
that you could encourage them
00:26:17.64\00:26:20.34
to take if they're
feeling called to do that?
00:26:20.38\00:26:23.11
What would you tell them?
00:26:23.14\00:26:24.45
>>Cliff: The first thing
that we need to keep in mind
00:26:24.48\00:26:25.95
is that we can't do this alone.
00:26:25.98\00:26:28.05
We need prayer; we
need a support family.
00:26:28.08\00:26:30.99
So, find yourself with
a group of church members
00:26:31.02\00:26:33.79
where you can
actually pray together
00:26:33.82\00:26:35.79
and look at the
gifts that you have
00:26:35.82\00:26:37.76
and ask God for guidance.
00:26:37.79\00:26:40.03
The next step is to be
able to look at the community.
00:26:40.06\00:26:43.47
Who are the powerful people
that lives in this community?
00:26:43.50\00:26:47.27
And then begin
working on a strategic plan
00:26:47.30\00:26:51.61
where you can
actually engage them
00:26:51.64\00:26:53.88
on a mutual and a
respectful position.
00:26:53.91\00:26:58.38
And I think we see
that-- that that's one--
00:26:58.41\00:27:00.48
the method that Jesus
have used. >>Eric: Fantastic.
00:27:00.52\00:27:03.12
Cliff, thank you so much
for helping open our eyes
00:27:03.15\00:27:06.09
to opportunities that
God has out there for us.
00:27:06.12\00:27:08.92
And thank you for joining us,
00:27:08.96\00:27:10.49
and perhaps God
has opened your eyes
00:27:10.53\00:27:12.56
to some opportunities,
some perhaps connections
00:27:12.59\00:27:15.63
that you have or that
you could easily make.
00:27:15.66\00:27:17.93
You never know how God
might use you to reach someone
00:27:17.97\00:27:21.44
that you never
expected to be able to reach.
00:27:21.47\00:27:24.11
We pray that God will continue
to bless you as you realize that
00:27:24.14\00:27:27.54
God's mission is your mission,
and we get to partner with Him,
00:27:27.58\00:27:31.75
the most powerful and
influential individual
00:27:31.78\00:27:34.58
in history, to do that
very, very important work.
00:27:34.62\00:27:38.12
God bless you.
Have a wonderful day,
00:27:38.15\00:27:39.95
and we look forward to
seeing you again next time
00:27:39.99\00:27:42.39
when we get together
again for "Sabbath School,"
00:27:42.42\00:27:44.46
brought to you by It Is Written.
00:27:44.49\00:27:46.80
[music]
00:27:46.83\00:27:50.80
[music ends]
00:28:25.97\00:28:27.07
[Captioning provided by
Aberdeen Broadcast Services]
00:28:27.10\00:28:28.97