MY CITY, MY MISSION

BY ISRAEL RAMOS
SUMMARIZED BY CHINTUA OGBONNA

BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

THE AIM OF THE SERMON: To draw attention to our campuses and make every member see
our campuses as a center for mission. Some major revival and reformation movements started on
campus. For example, Martin Luther’s Reformation movement began at the University of
Wittenberg.1 Men of clear understanding are needed now. God calls upon those who are willing to
be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation on our campuses.2

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY

Do you know that the idea of Public Campus ministry to secular universities has its roots in the
Bible? In other words, ministry on secular campuses is not new, but an ancient practice. We shall
take three examples from the Bible and draw lessons to guide our experiences as we make our
universities our cities and our mission.

1. Moses at the University of Heliopolis (Egypt; Act 7:20-22)

2. Daniel and his Friends at the University of Babylon (Dan. 1:3-5)
3. Paul at the University of Tyranus (Acts 19:9-12)

THE UNIVERSITY OF HELIOPOLIS (EGYPT): MY CITY, A DANGEROUS PLACE

Moses at the University of Heliopolis. (Egypt; Act 7:20-22) Heliopolis is the Latinized form of the
Greek name Hēlioúpolis (Ἡλιούπολις), meaning "City of the Sun." Heliopolis was a regional
center in ancient Egypt.3

1
https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2011/martin-luther-1483-1546
2
Testimony to Ministers and Gospel Workers pg. 514
At this time, Moses was born, and Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her son.
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was proficient in speaking and
action. (Acts 7:20-22, NASB)

After Satan first lied to Eve that her eyes would open and she would be like God, knowing good
and evil, civilization has had one main goal: to introduce a culture that is antagonistic to the God
of heaven. And Egypt was no exception in that quest.

TWO FORMS OF EDUCATION IN EGYPT: Egypt had two forms of formal training for
favored youth: one for scribes and another for priest apprentices. The clerics taught their pupils in
the humanities, science, medicine, math, and geometry, while the other youths received training
in vocational subjects that included architecture and engineering.

According to Acts 7:22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty
in words and deeds. Essentially, Moses took every major and minor course offered by Heliopolis
University, the then world’s premier university, and excelled in all of them with the highest honors.

In other to prepare Moses for what lay ahead of him, God entrusted one of the most faithful mothers
in Israel to instruct Moses so that he could endure the educational system of Egypt. In preparing
Moses to be pharaoh, Egypt was training him to be the next Pharaoh, whom the Egyptians saw as
“a god.”

The public university can be a complicated place to navigate. The more successful we are in
acquiring its knowledge, the more dangerous our temptation to lose our soul. We find a warning
in the Bible’s first case study of the public university. We cannot afford to enter secular universities
without our shield of faith. To do so is to place ourselves on the greatest path of deception. From
the perspective of Scripture, a solid biblical foundation in the student’s life is crucial to success on
a public college campus. In the case of Moses, the success of his public campus ministry was the
survival of his faith amidst a strong current of opposition followed by a train of enticing human
glory, earthly wealth, and the honor of ruling the most powerful nation on earth.

3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliopolis_(ancient_Egypt)#:~:text=Heliopolis%20is%20the%20Latinised%
20form,was%20located%20in%20the%20city.
MORAL/APPLICATION LESSONS

1. Moses was into campus ministry at the University of Heliopolis in Egypt (a secular campus).

2. God prepared him, through his mother’s daily instructions through the word of God, and as a
result, he succeeded in his campus ministry endeavors by withstanding all the corrupting
influences of the Egyptian curriculum, and yet maintained his faith. As an Adventist on a secular
campus, are you maintaining your faith?

THE UNIVERSITY OF BABYLON - MY CITY CAN NOT BE IGNORED

Daniel & His Friends at the University of Babylon. (Dan. 1:3-5) In Daniel 1:3-5 we read, “Then
the king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including
some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom there was no impairment, who were
good-looking, suitable for instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and
discerning knowledge, and who could serve in the king’s court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach
them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king also allotted for them a daily ration
from the king’s choice of food and from the wine which he drank and ordered that they be educated
for three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service.

A recent archaeological discovery of the Alexandrian University in ancient Egypt showed that the
university had royal quarters and palaces connected to it just like Babylon. However, let’s note
further what the Bible says about the superiority of the University of Babylon compared to other
surrounding nations. Here are the requirements: Not every student is admitted into the University
of Babylon—one must have a Royal & Noble background. Strong, healthy—without physical
defects and good-looking young men. Well-versed and skillful in every branch of learning. Gifted
with knowledge and good judgment. The purpose of their training was to serve in the king’s court.
Their established formal curriculum would last for three years and list the course requirements
(knowledge of the literature and language of the Chaldeans).

Before the exile, the revealed word of God was the center and subject of their life and learning.
But in Babylon, their studies were to focus on Mesopotamian literature and sciences. Some of the
disciplines practiced in Babylon posed a serious problem to these young men. The practice of
magic, for example, was prohibited by Mosaic legislation (Deut. 18:9-14) as well as by the biblical
prophets (Isa. 8:19, 20).35
Daniel’s three-year course even came with a meal plan under the direct supervision of the king’s
office. After the course, a test would be administered, and students who would get the highest
scores would receive positions in the king’s service.

The story of Moses' campus ministry shows that public university could pose a danger to one’s
faith in God, it highlights the importance of the parents’ responsibility, to adequately train their
children at home so that they can survive the most severe tests against their faith through God’s
Word.

MORAL/APPLICATION LESSONS: Daniel and his friends “gained wisdom and prestige
without losing holiness.” The Hebrew boys, in their pursuit of higher learning, sought to acquire
knowledge for one purpose—that they might honor God. The Greeks sought for knowledge “to
understand, but the Hebrews sought for knowledge to revere God!”

Ellen White in Prophet and Kings Page 481 says, “The king did not compel the Hebrew youth to
renounce their faith in favor of idolatry, but he hoped to bring this about gradually. By giving them
names significant of idolatry, by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous
customs, and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship, he hoped to induce
them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians.”
{PK 481.1} The Hebrew boys succeeded in their campus ministry because they maintained their
faith against all odds. Strong were the temptations surrounding them in that corrupt and luxurious
court, but they remained uncontaminated. No power, no influence, could sway them from the
principles they had learned in early life by a study of the word and works of God.4

When the character of the student reflects God’s ideal of godliness just like Daniel and his friends,
their area of influence (even in enemy territory) is beyond estimate. Even the Kings of powerful
nations become converted and impact the course of history.

THE SCHOOL OF TYRANUS: MY UNIVERSITY IS THE KEY TO MY CITY &

MISSION

Paul at the University Tyranus (Acts 19:9-12). Let us turn to Acts 19:9-12, “But when some were
becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from

4
Prophet and Kings pg. 482.2
them and took the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus.
This took place for two years so that all who lived in Asia heard the Word of the Lord, both Jews
and Greeks. God was performing extraordinary miracles in the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs
or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil
spirits went out.

Paul on his trip to Ephesus, while Apollos was in Corinth, preached in synagogues for three
months. His initial success was marked in such a way that the Holy Spirit fell among the twelve
gathered believers (or disciples), just as it fell on the multitude when Peter preached in Acts 2.
Over time, however, despite a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s preaching was not
readily received by some who not only disbelieved Paul’s words but also spoke evil of his message
to the multitude.

Rather than continuing to preach in the synagogues, Paul withdrew with the disciples to the school
of Tyrannus. He continued his work there for two years “so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the
Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:9-10).

SCHOOL OF TYRANNUS. This was a private hall belonging to Tyrannus rented to Apostle
Paul. Not much was known about Tyrannus, however, he may have been a well-known person,
possibly a philosopher, orator, poet, or rhetorician with a lecture hall he shared or rented to Paul.
5
Tyrannus was not entirely an unconverted heathen, else he would not likely permit his .lecture
hall/classroom to be used by a teacher of a new faith that was ridiculed in certain circles

Several things are notable about what took place at the School of Tyrannus. First, the scope of the
success was not hyperbolic. The whole region of Asia literally heard the word of God during Paul’s
time at the School of Tyrannus. Although Paul was locally centralized in Ephesus, the impact of
his work surpassed geographical boundaries.

In other words, something unique to the local college campus paved the way for a global impact.
Secondly, the impact of his work was felt not only among the Jews but also among the Greeks. In
some respects, the synagogues limited Paul’s audience to a primarily Jewish demographic. Still,
this constraint was no longer felt while doing the same work of “reasoning” on the college campus.
Finally, the quality of the miracles that followed as a result of Paul’s labor was unusual: “God gave

5
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol. 6 pg. 374
Paul the power to perform unusual miracles that ordinary handkerchiefs or aprons were placed on
sick people, and they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.” (Acts 19:11,
12)

MORAL/APPLICATION LESSONS

Ephesus was not only the most magnificent but the most corrupt, of the cities of Asia. Superstition
and sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming population. Under the shadow of her idol temples,
criminals of every grade found shelter, and the most degrading vices flourished. {LP 134.2}

The company of believers who met in the school of Tyrannus became a powerful tool through
which all who dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. The influence
of Paul’s teachings extended far beyond the actual converts to the faith. Many who had not openly
accepted the new doctrines became so far enlightened as to lose all confidence in their heathen
gods. {AA 292.1} Think about the significance of Paul’s campus ministry endeavors. It achieved
what the local church could not do for God’s work.

SUMMARY. The school campus is where the students live, socialize, and spend most of their
time. Oftentimes, it can be a dangerous place for faith to grow, and only young people with a living
experience with Christ should enter its halls. However, despite the apparent dangers, these colleges
cannot be ignored, for the impact of its potential is beyond human estimate. There are places
around the world that are hard to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some places around the
world pose significant dangers to the dedicated people who go on missions of love and peace.
There are places in need of God’s miracle-working power. Could it be that the best way to reach
the world is by reaching the campus? Could the campus be the key to reaching my city? Maybe
this is why Ellen White said that this is a work that must be done and will be done by those who
are led and taught by God. May that be you in Jesus' name! Amen!

COMMITMENT: LORD grant me the grace to be your ambassador on my campus in Jesus'

name! Amen!