Foreword

We live in the time of the end. Circumstances will test us deeply. Our relationship with God will be tested. We have guidance and direction to live circumspectly:

“In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 590.

Learning to live in the presence of Jesus is the challenge for the people of God at the present time. There are so many things that keep the mind busy and distracted, while things of eternal consequences are marginalized and ignored. The Sabbath School Department hopes that the heart of each may be occupied by the presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit so that we will be cognizant of eternal realities. We have a deep desire that the people of God would respond to the Master’s call: “My son, give me thine heart” (Proverbs 23:26).

“The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people. . . . This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 91. [Emphasis supplied.]

“The third angel’s message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and this truth must be brought before the world; but the great center of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not be left out of the third angel’s message.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 383. [Emphasis supplied.]

SABBATH, OCTOBER 5, 2013

First Sabbath Offering for a chapel in Suriname

The Republic of Suriname, the old Dutch Guiana, is the smallest country in northern South America. Its population (2010 census) was 524,636 inhabitants. The main religions are: Hindu, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Dutch Reformed, Moravian, and several other Christian denominations. There is full religious freedom here.

In 2007, two young couples, moved by missionary zeal, traveled to Suriname to work on a voluntary basis, without salary or travel expenses. They started the work through canvassing and the selling of natural products.

It was hard work searching for souls, but, in May 2011, the first fruits of their labor came to fruition with the baptism of three souls. The Suriname Mission was recognized during the 2011 General Conference Delegation Session held in Porumbacu, Romania. Our church is already registered and organized in Suriname. In August 2011, an ordained minister with his family was transferred from Brazil to Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname.

Recently a strategic piece of land was bought where the believers are planning to build a chapel and the headquarters. Our brethren and sisters are full of encouragement to win souls for the Lord. They are using the entering wedge of the health message with success.

The local minister is also helping the work in the neighboring country of French Guiana. We praise the Lord because now we already have members in the three former Guianas: British, Dutch and French.

“The home missionary work will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 27.

Please, be liberal with the First Sabbath Offering that will be collected for the advancement of the Suriname Mission!

—Your fellow believers from the Suriname Mission

The General Conference Sabbath School Department