Mar. 29, 2024

Good evening brethren,

Tonight we are completing the series about “spiritual” pioneers. We have talked about the
pioneering spirit and the promise of a better future.. leaving it all behind, and beginning a
new life.

The frontier began when you found yourself separated from the “old world”. And so
Americans began to exhibit some very distinctive characteristics, after initially trying to
transplant European culture.

Key features of the character of these brave and rugged individuals included a strong work
ethic, considerable adaptability, and a unique blend of both independence and co -
dependence. Spiritual pioneers …All things considered, what was their primary
contribution?

➔ The Pioneer’s Contribution

Let’s turn our attention to understanding just WHY what the pioneers did was so very
important.
Basically, the pioneers were the first. Someone had to cross the oceans, cut the trees, blaze
the trails, plow the ground for the first time, and take the risks. Then others could follow in
their footsteps.

Josh. 3:17 – Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry
ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Isael crossed over on dry ground, until all the people
had crossed completely over the Jordan.

The Israelites (had to travel west in order to) cross the Jordan River.

In order to really settle the land and truly exploit its vast wealth, the role of the early
pioneers was absolutely essential. For the American settler, the land of promise was a
large hunk of real estate on the North American continent. For the Christian, for the
spiritual pioneer, the land of promise is the KOG.

One of the long-standing beliefs of the true church of God, one of the major doctrines – has
to do with our particular view of what salvation is. Salvation is a process, and God is
working it out in stages, according to His plan. God is NOT trying to save the whole world
right now. Some are being called to salvation now, and the vast majority will be called at a
later time.

I Cor. 15:22–24 – For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive, but each
one in his own order; Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His
coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts
an end to all rule and all authority and power.

Everyone has an opportunity for salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus was first, then those
who will be resurrected at the 2nd coming. Then God will deal with the rest of the world

Jesus Christ is the firstfruits. Later, those who join Christ in the air as He descends upon the
Mt. of Olives, and then after that the kingdom will be delivered in full to the Father. Most
professing Christians do not understand this about God’s plan of salvation. So they don’t
know how to reconcile the two verses below:

I Tim. 2:4 – God desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Act. 4:12 – …nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.

God wants all men saved, coming to the knowledge of the truth… but only by the name of
Jesus can anyone be saved.

So how about it? Think of all the people throughout the ages that have never really had any
kind of chance or opportunity to know God? If you understand and believe that God’s plan
of salvation unfolds in these various stages, then the role of the pioneer becomes plain and
obvious.

The pioneer was there to blaze a trail so that others could follow it later. The pioneer
created a bridge from the old world to the new world, and thus build a foundation for the
future migration and settlement and growth that would come afterwards.

As Jesus said, the KOG is like a mustard seed…very small at first, but eventually growing
into a considerable tree. So in conclusion…

We are called to be spiritual pioneers, and sometime in the future, many others will follow
us into the KOG, thus filling the spiritual Promised Land to the full, just as wave upon wave
of immigrants eventually populated America. But it was just a few at first, making their
way in the wilderness, being the first to settle the untamed land, blazing a trail that others
could later follow.

Heb. 11:13-16 – These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a
homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out,
they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is a heavenly
country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for
them.

The pioneers were seeking a better country…so let’s take a lesson from history…the
pioneer fulfilled an important and crucial role in the settling of the new world. Leaving
behind the old world, they sought a completely new and different life, a new beginning.

They were willing to endure severe hardships, and they worked hard on a daily basis,
knowing that eventually they would obtain great rewards. They were able to adapt to
changing conditions, with both a rugged individualism and the spirit of cooperation with
their fellow pioneers.

And they showed a willingness to risk it all, because the promises were so great and
wonderful. They blazed the trail for others to follow. They created the bridge from the old
world to the new. They built the foundation for future growth.

Let us as Christians, take our cue from these American heroes of old, and become spiritual
pioneers, enduring hardships and afflictions, so that in the end, we, as well as the others
who will follow our lead, may enter the real Promised Land, the very KOG!

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Fred