ASI DAY
JUNE 17, 2017
ASI – COMMITTED TO WELLNESS AND SERVICE
Prepared by Pastor Joseph G. Smith
Special Assistant to the President
Jamaica Union Conference
Matthew 25:34:40
(Opening Hymn – #12 Joyful, joyful we adore Thee; Closing Hymn - #574: O Master, let
me walk with Thee)
In a remote district of Wales a baby lay dangerously ill. The widowed mother walked five
miles in the night through drenching rain to get a doctor. The doctor was hesitant about
making the journey. “Would it pay”, he questioned himself. He thought about the
possibility that he would not receive any money, and besides, if the child’s life were
spared, he probably would grow up to become only a poor laborer. But love for God and
professional duty motivated the doctor to go, and the child’s life was saved.
Years later, when this same child, Lloyd George, became prime minister of England, the
doctor said, ‘I never dreamed that in saving the life of that child on that farm that night,
I was saving the life of the greatest man in Wales!’ (Zuck, 1997).
ASI is the name used to refer to our Adventist-laypersons Services and Industries. Our
theme for today is, ASI—Committed to Wellness and Service. Let us examine this theme to
see its implications, not just for the members of ASI, but for all of us as members of the
body of Christ.
What does it mean to be committed?
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In the context of this message, to be committed is the act of pledging oneself to a certain
course of action. Commitment is necessary not only for success but is also an essential
part of being faithful. Christians are persons who are expected to be committed to their
families and their jobs. But the greatest level of commitment that a child of God can make,
is to Christ and His mission to save humanity. The apostle Paul demonstrated this level
of commitment when he said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life
dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I have
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24,
NKJV).
Commitment is more than a passing interest in something. Very often it requires pouring
our hearts, mind, intellect and resources into that which we have committed ourselves
to. Commitment involves sacrifice. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If a man has not
discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
The greatest example of commitment is Jesus. He came from glory to this earth to save
humanity. He was so committed to and focused on His mission to save humanity, that
no insult, no assault by Satan and his demonic forces, no traps by the religious leaders of
His day, not even being nailed to the cruel cross as a common criminal, could prevent
Him from accomplishing His work! In these closing days of earth’s history, as children
of God, let the example of Jesus and Paul be our models in our commitment to our
families, our work, and most importantly, in our service to God and humanity.
God is committed to human wellness
The World Health Organization defines “health” as “a state of complete physical, mental,
and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” God desires
the best good for His children. This was evident at creation when God made a perfect
environment and placed Adam and Eve in it. All that was necessary for optimum health
was provided. Furthermore, as their Maker, God prescribed a diet that was necessary for
the health and wellbeing of the first couple. The entrance of sin compromised God’s
original plan. The plan of salvation however, includes physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual restoration and wholeness.
In outlining His mission to this earth Jesus declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the
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brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke
4:18, 19, NKJV).
Jesus came on a special mission to this earth to save humanity. His work included sharing
the good news of salvation with the poor. It involved healing the broken hearted,
preaching liberty to those who are held captives by Satan, giving sight to the physically
and spiritually blind as well as giving freedom to those who are oppressed. The mission
of Jesus was an all-inclusive one. It included physical, mental, social and spiritual
restoration. The apostle John understood this and so he was able to write, “Beloved I pray
that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoice
greatly when brethren came and testify to the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the
truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth” (3 John 2 – 2).
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus entrusts His mission to the Church in the following words,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Church of God which is mandated to carry on this mission of Christ is also expected
to embrace and further the work Christ did. It includes preaching, healing and
ministering to relieve human suffering. If we are to be most effective in carrying forward
Christ’s mission, we ourselves must experience its transforming effect. God wants us to
enjoy a wonderful relationship with Him as well as good health and wholeness even as
we seek to minister to others.
We live in a fallen world and things are not what God originally designed them to be.
But this reality should not prevent us from being the best and working for the best good
of others. Ellen White counsels, “Health is an inestimable blessing, and one which is more
closely related to conscience and religion than many realize…. Our workers should use
their knowledge of the laws of life and health. Read the best authors on these subjects,
and obey religiously that which your reason tells you is truth” (Gospel Workers, p. 242).
We should seek every opportunity to learn and engage in practices that foster optimal
health, both as individuals and as a church. At the same time, we should not overlook
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such simple practices as eating wholesome food, drinking sufficient water, taking regular
exercise, getting appropriate rest and trusting in God’s infinite power. We should also
participate in special programmes organized by the Church to positively impact the
health of persons who are not members of our church. Programmes such as health clinics,
health lectures, cooking classes, teach others how to live healthy lives and are important
facets of the great commission which Jesus gave to His Disciples and to us.
The SDA Church and ASI are committed to service to God and humanity
One of the most profound passages of Scripture is Matthew 25:31 – 40. Listen to what it
says:
31 “When
the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him,
then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before
Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep
from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the
left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me
drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I
was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You
hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a
stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick,
or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My
brethren, you did it to Me’ (NKJV).
Christianity is very practical. In the final analysis, it is not the accolades, fame or fortune
or even education that we gain in this life that wins heaven’s approval. Rather, it is our
response to basic human needs that Christ values. The Christian is one who helps others.
But it is not help for the purpose of applause or publicity. It is selfless service that seeks
to meet human needs. The help and assistance that elicit the approbation of Christ is the
kind that any person can do. It includes giving a hungry person a meal. It is offering a
thirsty person a drink; welcoming a stranger; cheering the sick or depressed. It is visiting
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the prisoner.
But the help that heaven recognizes is the help that is both selfless and uncalculating.
This help which wins the approval of God is the one given for no other reason than for
the sake of helping. Notice that those who were commended by God were not even
conscious that they were helping and ministering to Jesus.
The Christian is God’s helping hand. It often said, and it is most certainly true for us as
Christians, that God has no other hands, or lips or feet, but ours. Ellen White wrote,
“Ministry to the sick and the poor, the giving of the gospel to the lost, is not to be left to
committees or organized charities. Individual responsibility, individual effort, personal
sacrifice, is the requirement of the gospel” (Ministry of Healing, p. 147). General Douglas
MacArthur once said, “Be ashamed to die until you have done something for humanity.”
Again, Ellen White said, “Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession
of the whole church, so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability”
(Acts of the Apostles, p. 111).
In commenting on our passage under consideration, William Barclay shares the beautiful
story of Martin of Tours, a Christian Roman soldier:
One cold winter day, as he was entering a city, a beggar stopped him and asked
him for alms. Martin had no money, but the beggar was blue and shivering with
cold, and Martin gave what he had. He took off his soldier’s coat, worn and
tattered as it was; he cut it in two and gave half of it to the beggar.
That night Martin had a dream. In the dream he saw the heavenly places and all
the angels and Jesus in their midst. Jesus was wearing half of a Roman’s soldier’s
cloak. One of the angels asked Jesus, “Master, why are you wearing that tattered
old cloak? Who gave it to You?” And Jesus answered softly, “My servant Martin
gave it to me.”
Conclusion
Christ demonstrated what true commitment means. His mission to this earth was to
restore human beings to complete health and wholeness. Christ lived and taught a life of
service, and He expects the same from us as His children. Let us pledge by God’s grace
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to be selfless and committed to serving God wholeheartedly, and His children, wherever
and whenever the needs arise, for in doing so, we are serving Christ Himself.
May our daily prayer be,
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest:
To give and not count the cost;
To fight and not heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to seek for reward
Save that of knowing that we do Thy will (Ignatius Loyola).
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