Presentation
Title
Adventist Possibility Ministries
Sabbath
Job 29;15
I was eyes to the
blind, and feet
was I to the
lame.
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Option 2
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The Greatest Among Us
He came as a servant, this King among men
To lift and to heal by the power in his hand
He labored unceasingly knowing our need
And he calls us to follow in spirit and deed
Chorus:
The greatest among us taught us to love
To serve one another as he willingly served
And if I would follow him such is my call
For the greatest among us was the servant of all
The greatest among us nourished the weak
Brought hope to the hopeless, and joy to the meek
The sufferer never beseeched him in vain
May I follow the Master in kindness unfeigned
Jesus, to whom all dominion is giv’n
Humbled himself in the service of man
And he calls through the ages, “Come, follow me,”
I will follow the Master where e’er he may lead 4
Adventist Possibility Ministries
(APM) is a life-changing ministry! It is sometimes referred
to as “Special Needs Ministries.” The motto of this
ministry states clearly an underlying principle on which its
existence is based: “All are gifted, needed and treasured!”
APM is about caring and inclusiveness. It involves
education and acceptance for everyone and the
development of plans that will help bring about
opportunities for involvement and a sense of belonging for
the special needs person.
The Deaf, the blind, the physically challenged, the
emotionally and mentally challenged, orphans and
vulnerable children, the widowed, and caregivers.
5
Adventist Possibility Ministries
While it is important to recognize one’s limitations, being
identified this way can have a demoralizing effect on the
person’s own self-perception. Far too often, attention is
given only to what a person cannot do or does not have
rather than the possibilities that lie before her or him.
• First, the value and significance of each person is
emphasized. In God’s sight, each person has a purpose.
• Secondly, when others see those with “disabilities” or
who have suffered loss in multiple ways, they relate
differently. “If we wish to do good to souls, our success
with these souls will be in proportion to their belief in
our belief in, and appreciation of, them.”FE p 281
• Thirdly, to speak of others as being “disabled” or as
being “incomplete” suggests that others don’t have their
own limitations. This simply is not true. All are in need
of wholeness.
6
The Less
Fortunate
7
The Poor and Disable
God’s creation and purpose.
Exodus 4:11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath
made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or
deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
Deuteronomy 15:11 For the poor shall never cease
out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying,
Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to
thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
John 12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but
me ye have not always.
Mark 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always,
and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but
me ye have not always.
8
God’s Purpose for the poor/less fortunate
2T.133/ 3T 511 / ChS 191.3/4
• God tests and proves us by the common occurrences of life. It is the little things which reveal the chapters of the
heart. It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life, that make up the sum of
life’s happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life,
which helps compose the sum of life’s wretchedness. It will be found at last that the denial of self for the good
and happiness of those around us, constitutes a large share of the life record in heaven.
• I saw that it is in the providence of God that widows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons
afflicted in a variety of ways, have been placed in close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His
people and develop their true character. Angels of God are watching to see how we treat these persons who need
our sympathy, love, and disinterested benevolence. This is God’s test of our character. If we have the true religion
of the Bible, we shall feel that a debt of love, kindness, and interest is due to Christ in behalf of His brethren; and
we can do no less than to show our gratitude for His immeasurable love to us while we were sinners unworthy of
His grace, by having a deep interest and unselfish love for those who are our brethren, and who are less fortunate
than ourselves.
9
God’s Purpose for the poor/less fortunate
God weighs actions, and every one who has been unfaithful in his stewardship, who has failed to remedy evils which
it was in his power to remedy, will be of no esteem in the courts of heaven. Those who are indifferent to the wants of
the needy will be counted unfaithful stewards, and will be registered as enemies of God and man. Those who
misappropriate the means that God has entrusted to them to help the very ones who need their help, prove that they
have no connection with Christ, because they fail to manifest the tenderness of Christ toward those who are less
fortunate than themselves. As Christians, we are to manifest to the world the character of Christ in all the affairs of
life. To be a Christian means to act in Christ’s stead, to represent Christ. We are not to seek to get rid of the
responsibilities that connect us with our fellow men. God has not placed us in the world simply to please and honor
and glorify ourselves. The character of our Christianity is tested by the dependent ones who are around us, who are
ignorant and helpless. It is not proper to pile building upon building in localities where there are abundant facilities,
and neglect fields that are nigh and afar off, where there is need of starting missionary enterprises. Instead of closing
our eyes and senses to the wants of those who have nothing, instead of adding more and more facilities to those that
are already abundant, let us seek to see what we can do to relieve the distresses of the poor, bruised souls of the
colored people. Those who are heaping advantages upon advantages where there are already more than ample
facilities, are not doing a work that will strengthen men in spirituality; and for neglecting destitute fields they are
weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and are found wanting. The Lord has given abundant light upon the subject
of diffusing the knowledge of the truth, and no one is justified in following a selfish course. Those to whom God has
entrusted much, who command the largest resources in doing a good work in behalf of the needy, and who yet have
failed to do it, have withdrawn themselves from their own flesh, and have neglected their ministry to God’s
purchased possession, in order to gratify their own inclination. How does God look upon those who have left the
poor to their poverty, the ignorant to their darkness and ignorance? How does He regard those who are willing to let
the lost remain the slaves of circumstances which could have been changed in such a way as to bring relief to the
distressed? God calls upon men to become Bible Christians, to represent the example given them by Christ. Who can
tell what will be the result of a self-denying, cross-bearing life? Eternity will reveal the result of following Jesus, and 10
all will be amazed at the fruit that will be made manifest. SW 38.1
Special injunctions were given to the children of Israel in
reference to the blind: 53
Leviticus Deuteronomy 27:17-19
w w w.y o u r s i t e . c o m
17 Cursed be he that removeth his
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put
neighbour's landmark. And all the people
a stumblingblock before the blind, but
shall say, Amen.
shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.
18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in
wander out of the way. And all the
judgment: thou shalt not respect the
people shall say, Amen.
person of the poor, nor honor the person
of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt
19 Cursed be he that perverteth the
thou judge thy neighbour.
judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and
widow. And all the people shall say,
Amen.
Although God had promised greatly to bless His people, it was
not His design that poverty should be wholly unknown among
them. He declared that the poor should never cease out of the
land. There would ever be those among His people who would
call into exercise their sympathy, tenderness, and benevolence.
Then, as now, persons were subject to misfortune, sickness, and
loss of property; yet so long as they followed the instruction
given by God, there were no beggars among them, neither any
who suffered for food. PP 530.3
12
There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men
should have an equal share in the temporal blessings of God.
But this was not the purpose of the Creator. A diversity of
condition is one of the means by which God designs to prove
and develop character. Yet He intends that those who have
worldly possessions shall regard themselves merely as stewards
of His goods, as entrusted with means to be employed for the
benefit of the suffering and the needy. PP 535.2
Christ has said that we shall have the poor always with us, and
He unites His interest with that of His suffering people. The
heart of our Redeemer sympathizes with the poorest and
lowliest of His earthly children. He tells us that they are His
representatives on earth. He has placed them among us to
awaken in our hearts the love that He feels toward the suffering
and oppressed. Pity and benevolence shown to them are
accepted by Christ as if shown to Himself. An act of cruelty or
neglect toward them is regarded as though done to Him. PP
535.3
13
Poor a blessing to the rich and
vice versa
If the law given by God for the benefit of the poor had
continued to be carried out, how different would be the
present condition of the world, morally, spiritually, and
temporally! Selfishness and self-importance would not be
manifested as now, but each would cherish a kind regard
for the happiness and welfare of others; and such
widespread destitution as is now seen in many lands would
not exist. PP 536.1
The principles which God has enjoined, would prevent the
terrible evils that in all ages have resulted from the
oppression of the rich toward the poor and the suspicion
and hatred of the poor toward the rich. While they might
hinder the amassing of great wealth and the indulgence of
unbounded luxury, they would prevent the consequent
ignorance and degradation of tens of thousands whose ill-
paid servitude is required to build up these colossal
fortunes. They would bring a peaceful solution of those
problems that now threaten to fill the world with anarchy
and bloodshed. PP 536.2
14
.
JOB 29
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the
fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came
upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for
joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my
judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I
knew not I searched out.
15
God’s Purpose for the poor/less fortunate
“Those who have pity for the unfortunate, the blind, the lame, the afflicted, the widows, the orphans, and the needy,
Christ represents as commandment keepers, who shall have eternal life. There is in ----- a great lack of personal
religion and of a sense of individual obligation to feel for others’ woes and to work with disinterested benevolence
for the prosperity of the unfortunate and afflicted. Some have no experience in these duties. They have all their lives
been like the Levite and the priest, who passed by on the other side. There is a work for the church to do, which, if
left undone, will bring darkness upon them. The church as a whole and individually should bring their motives under
faithful examination and compare their lives with the life and teachings of the only correct Pattern. Christ regards all
acts of mercy, benevolence, and thoughtful consideration for the unfortunate, the blind, the lame, the sick, the
widow, and the orphan as done to Himself; and these works are preserved in the heavenly records and will be
rewarded. On the other hand, a record will be written in the book against those who manifest the indifference of the
priest and the Levite to the unfortunate, and those who take any advantage of the misfortunes of others and increase
their affliction in order to selfishly advantage themselves. God will surely repay every act of injustice and every
manifestation of careless indifference to and neglect of the afflicted among us. Everyone will finally be rewarded as
his works have been.” 3T 512
16
Adventist Possibility Ministries
While it is important to recognize one’s limitations, being
identified this way can have a demoralizing effect on the
person’s own self-perception. Far too often, attention is
given only to what a person cannot do or does not have
rather than the possibilities that lie before her or him.
• First, the value and significance of each person is
emphasized. In God’s sight, each person has a purpose.
• Secondly, when others see those with “disabilities” or
who have suffered loss in multiple ways, they relate
differently. “If we wish to do good to souls, our success
with these souls will be in proportion to their belief in
our belief in, and appreciation of, them.”FE p 281
• Thirdly, to speak of others as being “disabled” or as
being “incomplete” suggests that others don’t have their
own limitations. This simply is not true. All are in need
of wholeness.
17
Special injunctions were given to the children of Israel in
reference to the less fortunate: 53
Deuteronomy 27:17-19
w w w.y o u r s i t e . c o m
Although God had promised greatly to bless His people, it was
not His design that poverty should be wholly unknown among
them. He declared that the poor should never cease out of the
land. There would ever be those among His people who would
call into exercise their sympathy, tenderness, and benevolence.
Then, as now, persons were subject to misfortune, sickness, and
loss of property; yet so long as they followed the instruction
given by God, there were no beggars among them, neither any
who suffered for food. PP 530.3
w w w.y o u r s i t e . c o m
Deuteronomy 27:17-19
53
God’s Purpose for the poor/less fortunate
• The Lord would place a check upon the inordinate love of property and power. Great evils would result from the
continued accumulation of wealth by one class, and the poverty and degradation of another. Without some
restraint the power of the wealthy would become a monopoly, and the poor, though in every respect fully as
worthy in God’s sight, would be regarded and treated as inferior to their more prosperous brethren. The sense of
this oppression would arouse the passions of the poorer class. There would be a feeling of despair and desperation
which would tend to demoralize society and open the door to crimes of every description. The regulations that
God established were designed to promote social equality. The provisions of the sabbatical year and the jubilee
would, in a great measure, set right that which during the interval had gone wrong in the social and political
economy of the nation. PP 534.3
20
God’s Purpose for the poor/less fortunate
• To those who, like the young ruler, are in high positions of trust and have great possessions, it may seem too great
a sacrifice to give up all in order to follow Christ. But this is the rule of conduct for all who would become His
disciples. Nothing short of obedience can be accepted. Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ.
Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative, because there is no other way to save man
than to cut away those things which, if entertained, will demoralize the whole being. DA 523.3
21
Adventist Possibility Ministries
(APM) is a life-changing ministry! It is sometimes referred
to as “Special Needs Ministries.” The motto of this
ministry states clearly an underlying principle on which its
existence is based: “All are gifted, needed and treasured!”
APM is about caring and inclusiveness. It involves
education and acceptance for everyone and the
development of plans that will help bring about
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ThankYou
April Hansson
+1 23 987 6554
[email protected]
www.proseware.com
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