From: Paul Gage
pauljg_64055@yahoo.com
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAY 26, 2022
Greetings to all the Saints around the World,
This weekend, in many places, will be a time of remembering those of our loved ones who have passed to the next level of existence. In the USA, on the last Monday in May, it is called “Memorial Day.” On the first Sunday of each month is also a “Memorial Day,” for Jesus told us to share n the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him. If you are following the Daily Devotional Guide, “Jesus and You in 2022” the scripture for today is from Zechariah 8. The subtitle says, “The restoration of Jerusalem-Joy promised.” As we live in the Kingdom of God each day we live for the return of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of His Kingdom on earth. The Kingdom, however, is not just for us. The hymn for today is 448 in the 2007 edition of “Hymns of the Restoration,” “O Zion Haste.” The hymn, written by Mary Thompson, who was not a Restorationist, but believed very strongly in living the gospel and taking it to others.
While we must, in our daily living, remember and reflect Jesus Christ, and remember those who have gone before us, we also are challenged to remember those still living who do not know Jesus. So this hymn seems appropriate for today.
The hymn urges the church to fulfill its mission of telling the message of salvation to the world.
I. Stanza 1 centers upon the mission.
"O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling, To tell to all the world that God is light,
That He who made all nations is not willing. One soul should perish, lost in shades of night."
A. This mission involves telling the whole world something: Matthew 28:17-19
B. What we are to tell the whole world is that God is light: 1 John 1:5
C. And we are to tell them that this God of light does not want anyone to perish: 2 Peter 3:9
II. Stanza 2 centers upon the message
"Behold how many thousands still are lying. Bound in the dark-some prison house of sin,
With none to tell them of the Savior’s dying, Or of the life He died for them to win."
A. This message is directed to those who are in sin: Romans 3:23
B. The basis of this message is the Savior’s dying: Romans 5:8
C. The message also emphasizes the life that is available in Christ: John 10:10-11
III. Stanza 3 centers upon the reason.
"Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation. That God, in Whom they live and move, is love;
Tell how He stooped to save His lost creation, And died on earth that we might live above."
A. The God of light who wants no one to perish is the same God in whom we live and move: Acts 17.24-28
B. But He is also a God of great love: John 3:16
C. In fact, He loved us so much that He, in the person of Jesus Christ, stooped to leave heaven and become obedient unto the death of the cross to save us: Philippians. 2:5-11
IV. Stanza 4 centers upon the agency. (This stanza is not in our hymnal)
"’Tis thine to save from peril of perdition, The souls for whom the Lord His life laid down:
Beware lest, slothful to fulfill thy mission, Thou lose one jewel that should deck His crown."
A. God appointed the church to be the pillar and ground of the truth that will save souls from perdition: 1 Timothy 3:16
B. Therefore, it is the church’s responsibility to see that the word which tells that the Lord laid down His life for us be preached: Acts 8.4-6
C. However, if the church is slothful, jewels may be lost that should bedeck the Lord’s joy and crown: Philippians 4:1
V. Stanza 5 centers upon the means.
"Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious; Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious; O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day."
A. In order for the church to accomplish its mission, those who are in it must give of their sons to be laborers in the vineyard: Alma 12:1-19
B. They must also give of their wealth that those who are willing and able to go will be able to do so: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
C. And they must pray mightily for those who labor in the word: Ephesians 6:18-20
VI. Stanza 6 centers upon the results.
"He comes again! O Zion, ere thou meet Him, Make known to every heart His saving grace:
Let none whom He hath ransomed fail to greet Him,
Through thy neglect, unfit to see His face."
A. Someday, Jesus who died for us is coming again: Acts 1:9-11
B. In preparation for this event, the church must make known to every heart the fact that we can be saved by grace through faith: Ephesians 2:4-10
C. This is because Jesus ransomed us and, therefore, only in Him is redemption to be found: Ephesians 1:3-7
God be with you and sustain you in your losses and memories. We know He is always with us.
Paul Gage
PS: Saturday, June 4, 2022, 9:00 a.m. until Noon Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch
Men’s Ministries Class, open to all. Class will be live streamed.
“On Behalf of Christ’s Restored Gospel”
by Elder Jon Tandy
