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--- en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:gods_purpose_publishing_work [2026/03/13 11:52] – [Purpose 8: Reach Those Who Cannot Be Reached Otherwise] jpauldietrich
+++ en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:gods_purpose_publishing_work [2026/07/05 05:38] (current) – [Purpose: Reveal God's Character] jpauldietrich
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== God's Purpose in the Publishing Work ======
-While we obviously focus on the publishing work in this study, let us not forget that publishing is only one of several agencies that God uses to accomplish His work.
+The Publishing Ministry is not an optional ministry, but integral to God's plan. While we obviously focus on the publishing work in this study, let us not forget that publishing is only one of several agencies that God uses to accomplish His work.
 > The gospel ministry, medical missionary work, and our publications are God’s agencies. One is not to supersede the other. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.258(390.259)&index=0#highlight=390.259,372:390.259,493|PM 54]]
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===== God's Mission =====
-To understand God's purpose in publishing, it is important to understand God's Mission. Then we will see how publishing fits as a vital component of that mission. This document assumes you have already studied the document [[gods_mission|God's Mission]]. We will briefly cover the topic here for review.
+To understand God's purpose in publishing, it is important to understand God's Mission. Then we will see how publishing fits as a vital component of that mission. This document assumes you have already studied the document [[.:gods_mission:start|God's Mission]]. We will briefly cover the topic here for review.
 God's vision is perfect and complete restoration. He wants to uplift humanity from our fallen state, to restore His image fully in us, and to live with us in unbroken communion for eternity in a perfectly restored universe.
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 His mission is to seek and to save the lost by demonstrating His character of love through Jesus. He wants to reconcile us to Himself, to sanctify us through His truth, and then work through us as His ambassadors.
-God carries out His mission through
+God does not bypass us, but includes us in His plan to seek and to save the lost! What an undeserved honor, to be included in God's plan of redemption. And what a responsibility!
-  * Jesus
-  * the Holy Spirit
-  * angels
-  * and His people.
-He does not bypass us, but includes us in His plan to seek and to save the lost! What an undeserved honor, to be included in God's plan of redemption. And what a responsibility!
+<WRAP info>
+The materiel is from //Publishing Ministry// [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.167&index=0|chapter 4]]. Read the chapter for yourself and see if you can identify other purposes that God has for publishing.
+</WRAP>
-===== God's Purpose in Publishing =====
+===== Purpose: Reveal God's Character =====
-==== Purpose 1: Reveal God's Character ====
+Part of God's mission is to restore the image of God in people and reveal His character to the universe. Publishing supports this mission directly. Not only the literature, but the way the team works together, the quality of work produced, and the organization of the work all demonstrate God's character.
-Part of God's mission is to restore the image of God in people and reveal His character to the universe. Publishing supports this mission directly. The way the team works together, the quality of work produced, the organization of the work all demonstrate God's character.
 > Our institutions will give character to the work of God just according to the consecrated devotion of the workers—by revealing the power of the grace of Christ to transform the life. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.167(390.170)&index=0#highlight=390.170,0:390.170,182|PM 40]]
@@ Line 31: / Line 27: @@
 > We are not only to publish the theory of the truth, but to present a practical illustration of it in character and life. Our publishing institutions are to stand before the world as an embodiment of Christian principles. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.167(390.171)&index=0#highlight=390.171,33:390.171,253|PM 40]]
-The first purpose of the publishing house is not to produce books and tracts. It is to demonstrate God's character.
+The first purpose of the publishing house is not to produce books and tracts. Rather, it is to demonstrate God's character.
-==== Purpose 2: Witness and Ambassador for God ====
+===== Purpose: Exalt Truth =====
-> Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. It was designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His  representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world; and in the accomplishment of this work our publishing houses are among the most effective agencies.
+> Our publications have a most sacred work to do in **making clear, simple, and plain the spiritual basis of our faith**. Everywhere the people are taking sides; all are ranging themselves either under the banner of truth and righteousness or under the banner of the apostate powers that are contending for the supremacy. At this time God’s message to the world is to be given with such prominence and power that the people will be brought face to face, mind to mind, heart to heart, with truth. They must be brought to see its superiority over the multitudinous errors that are pushing their way into  notice, to supplant, if possible, the word of God for this solemn time. 7T 150.3
-> These institutions are to stand as witnesses for God, teachers of righteousness to the people. From them truth is to go forth as a lamp that burneth. Like a great light in a lighthouse on a dangerous coast, they are constantly to send forth beams of light into the darkness of the world, to warn men of the dangers that threaten them with destruction. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.176(390.181)&index=0#highlight=390.178,0:390.181,351|PM 41-42]]
-==== Purpose 3: Cooperate in Proclaiming the Three Angels' Messages ====
+> The great object of our publications is **to exalt God**, **to call men’s attention to the living truths of His word**. God calls upon us to lift up, not our own standard, not the standard of this world, but His **standard of truth**. It is only as we do this that His prospering hand can be with us. Consider God’s dealings with His people in the past. CW 12.1
-> Let it never be forgotten that these [publishing] institutions are to cooperate with the ministry of the delegates of heaven. They are among the agencies represented by the angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:6, 7. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.223(390.226)&index=0#highlight=390.226,52:390.226,513|PM 49]]
+> Papers and books are the Lord’s means of **keeping the message for this time continually before the people**. In **enlightening and confirming souls in the truth**, the publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the Word alone. The silent messengers that are placed in the homes of the people through the work of the canvasser, will strengthen the gospel ministry in every way; for the **Holy Spirit will impress minds** as they read the books, just as He impresses the minds of  those who listen to the preaching of the Word. The same **ministry of angels** attends the books that contain the truth as attends the work of the ministry. Ev 161.3
-==== Purpose 4: Make Plain the Issues in the Great Controversy ====
+> Let all have more to teach, to write, and to publish in regard to those **things that are now to be fulfilled**, and that concern the **eternal welfare of souls**. Give meat in due season to the old and the young, to saints and to sinners. Let everything that can be said to awaken the church from its slumbers be brought forward without delay. Let no time be lost in dwelling on those things that are not essential, and that have no bearing upon the present necessities of the people….
+> Let more time be given to the publication and circulation of books **containing present truth**. Call attention to books dwelling on **practical faith and godliness** and to those that treat on the **prophetic word**. The people are to be educated to read the sure word of prophecy in the light of the living oracles. They need to know that the signs of the times are fulfilling. It is God alone who can give success either in preparing or in circulating our publications. CW 13-14
-> The great conflict that Satan created in the heavenly courts is soon, very soon, to be forever decided. ... We are called upon to arouse the people to prepare for the great issues before them. We must give warning to those who are standing on the very brink of ruin. God’s people are to put forth every power in combating Satan’s falsehoods and pulling down his strongholds. To every human being in the wide world who will give heed, we are to make plain the principles at stake in the great controversy—principles upon which hangs the eternal destiny of the soul. ... This is the work before us; for this our publishing institutions were established; it is this work that God expects at their hands. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.229(390.232)&index=0#highlight=390.229,47:390.232,131|PM 49-50]]
+===== Purpose: Exalt God's Law =====
-==== Purpose 5: Multiply Publishing Centers ====
+> Our publishing institutions are **to exalt the claims of God’s downtrodden law**. Standing before the world as reformers, they are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all His commandments. Constrained by the love of Christ, they are to cooperate with Him in building up the old waste places, raising up the foundations of many generations. They are to stand as repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in. Through their testimony the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a witness, a constant reminder of God, to attract notice and  arouse investigation that shall direct the minds of men to their Creator. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.226(390.223)&index=0#highlight=390.223,30:390.223,765|PM 48]]
+===== Purpose: Witness and Ambassador for God =====
+> Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. It was designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His **representatives** and has called them to be **ambassadors** for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world; and in the accomplishment of this work our publishing houses are among the most effective agencies.
+> These institutions are to stand as **witnesses** for God, teachers of righteousness to the people. From them truth is to go forth as a lamp that burneth. Like a great light in a lighthouse on a dangerous coast, they are constantly to send forth beams of light into the darkness of the world, to warn men of the dangers that threaten them with destruction. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.176(390.181)&index=0#highlight=390.178,0:390.181,351|PM 41-42]]
+===== Purpose: Cooperate in Proclaiming the Three Angels' Messages =====
+> Let it never be forgotten that these [publishing] institutions are to **cooperate with the ministry of the delegates of heaven**. They are **among the agencies** represented by the angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:6, 7. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.223(390.226)&index=0#highlight=390.226,52:390.226,513|PM 49]]
+===== Purpose: Make Plain the Issues in the Great Controversy =====
+> The great conflict that Satan created in the heavenly courts is soon, very soon, to be forever decided. ... We are called upon to arouse the people to prepare for the great issues before them. We must give warning to those who are standing on the very brink of ruin. God’s people are to put forth every power in combating Satan’s falsehoods and pulling down his strongholds. To every human being in the wide world who will give heed, we are **to make plain the principles at stake in the great controversy**—principles upon which hangs the eternal destiny of the soul. ... This is the work before us; **for this our publishing institutions were established**; it is this work that God expects at their hands. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.229(390.232)&index=0#highlight=390.229,47:390.232,131|PM 49-50]]
+===== Purpose: Multiply Publishing Centers =====
 > As the message of truth advances into new fields, it is God’s purpose that the work of establishing new centers shall be constantly going forward. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.235(390.237)&index=0#highlight=390.237,0:390.237,146|PM 50]]
 In a worldly mindset, a printshop wants to gather as much business as possible to maximize profits. However, this is not God's plan for His printshops. As one printshop becomes stable, it should help establish others as well.
-==== Purpose 6: Exalt God's Law ====
-> Our publishing institutions are to exalt the claims of God’s downtrodden law. Standing before the world as reformers, they are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all His commandments. Constrained by the love of Christ, they are to cooperate with Him in building up the old waste places, raising up the foundations of many generations. They are to stand as repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in. Through their testimony the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a witness, a constant reminder of God, to attract notice and  arouse investigation that shall direct the minds of men to their Creator. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.226(390.223)&index=0#highlight=390.223,30:390.223,765|PM 48]]
-==== Purpose 7: Missionary Training School ====
+===== Purpose: Missionary Training School =====
 > Our institutions should be missionary agencies in the highest sense, and true missionary work always begins with those nearest. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p390.242(390.243)&index=0#highlight=390.243,29:390.243,156|PM 51]]
@@ Line 63: / Line 71: @@
 The training should not be purely technical; it should also include spiritual training. Workers need to be trained to look to the Bible for instruction.
-==== Purpose 8: Reach Those Who Cannot Be Reached Otherwise ====
+===== Purpose: Reach Those Who Cannot Be Reached Otherwise =====
 God reaches people in different ways. Some are reached through preaching, others through medical ministry, and some through personal testimony. Yet, some cannot be reached in any of these ways. They can only be reached through the printed page.