Regarding the SOP as the focal point of the SDA church. In some ways Bob is right, which is why Sister White penned the following prophecies:

LDE 177, 178
One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit.--3SM 84 (1903). {LDE 177.4}

The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony.--1SM 48 (1890). {LDE 177.5}

The enemy has made his masterly efforts to unsettle the faith of our own people in the Testimonies. . . . This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the Testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all kinds will spring into life.--3SM 83 (1890). {LDE 178.1}

It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.--4T 211. {LDE 178.2}

"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God." Satan knows that he cannot deceive and ensnare God's remnant people so long as they continue to trust in the SOP. So, Bob is right, but for totally different reasons. Beware Bob. It is the work of Satan to make of none effect the SOP.

But if Jesus isn't the focal point of our faith, we won't even have the ability to care for anyone else or what happens to them. There are plenty of people in the world who care, supposedly, for other people, and fight for the rights of this group or that group, but show real contempt and dislike for anyone who doesn't see it their way. If Jesus is truly the center of our faith, we won't need any prompting to care about others - all others; it's just the natural result of being with Jesus. Perhaps much of the inactivity is due to a lack of connection with Jesus.

I think Jesus' focus was on His father and what His father had for Him to do. To me, the focal point is Jesus; this is what creates a need to help others. He was to be, amoung other things, our example. His focus was on His fahter's business, and our focus should be on our intersessor to the Father. EGW said that Jesus could hardly feel the pain of the crusifiction because the fain of not having the connection with his father was so great.

The mission, the purpose, of the SDA church is to seek and save the lost, to live a holy life, to lead souls to Jesus. Nothing must be allowed to distract us from this high calling.

The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fulness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory.--The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9. {ChS 15.1}

By His own life Christ has paid for your earnest, hearty cooperation. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour. . . . {TDG 370.1}

It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men.--The Acts of the Apostles, p. 109. {ChS 7.4}

To save souls should be the life work of every one who professes Christ. --Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 53. {ChS 10.1}

If we are not willing to make special sacrifices in order to save souls that are ready to perish, how can we be counted worthy to enter into the city of God?--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 103. {ChS 8.1}

In order to enter into His joy,--the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice,--we must participate in His labors for their redemption.--The Desire of Ages, p. 142. {ChS 8.3}

With almost impatient eagerness the angels wait for our co-operation; for man must be the channel to communicate with man. --The Desire of Ages, p. 297. {ChS 9.1}

We must be laborers together with God; for God will not complete His work without human agencies.--Review and Herald, March 1, 1887. {ChS 9.2}

Every soul whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of the lost. --Christ's Object Lessons, p. 191. {ChS 10.6}

Those who have united with the Lord in the covenant of service are under bonds to unite with Him in the great, grand work of soul-saving.--Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 19. {ChS 11.4}

Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church, so that every one shall be working for Him according to his ability.--The Acts of the Apostles, p. 111. {ChS 11.7}

You are guilty before God if you do not make every effort possible to dispense this living water to others.--Historical Sketches, p. 291. {ChS 12.4}

We are not, as Christians, doing one-twentieth part that we might do in winning souls to Christ.--Review and Herald, Aug. 23, 1881. {ChS 12.5}

It is our work to reveal to men the gospel of their salvation. Every enterprise in which we engage should be a means to this end.--The Ministry of Healing, p. 148. {ChS 13.1}

The Lord holds the church responsible for the souls of those whom they might be the means of saving.--Historical Sketches, p. 291. {ChS 13.3}

The greatest work, the noblest effort, in which men can engage, is to point sinners to the Lamb of God. {GW 18.3}

The servants of Christ are in a large measure responsible for the well-being and the salvation of the world. {Mar 99.2}

Do not disappoint Him who so loved you that He gave His life to make it possible for you to be co-laborers with God. {MYP 149.2}

Men are to be co-laborers with God in the salvation of their own souls, and then make earnest, persevering, untiring efforts to save those who are ready to perish (Letter 22, 1898). {6BC 1078.8}

And having our eyes on Jesus prevents this how? It is rather like the song, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."

Dave, perhaps you're right, but it would be nice if you would provide some inspired quotes to support your assertion. You seem to be disputing the idea that the primary focus of an SDA Church should be leading lost souls to Jesus.

DA 416
Jesus did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost. He left the heavenly courts for a life of reproach and insult, and a death of shame. He who was rich in heaven's priceless treasure, became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich. We are to follow in the path He trod. {DA 416.3}

I would tend to say that leading souls to Jesus happens because we focus on him. It would take a while to come up with some quotes, but I do have an example. People that do not know Jesus, for whatever reason, do not lead people to Jesus. Peope tend more to lead people to whom they admire and love. For us, it has to be Jesus.

You would say that those who focus on the pope want to lead people to the pope. If we focus on Jesus, we want to lead people to Jesus.

Leading lost souls to Jesus is focusing on Jesus. The only way we can truly grow in grace is if we are actively winning souls to Jesus. Nothing can draw us closer to Jesus than seeking and saving the lost. The best way to grow our relationship to Jesus is to work as He did, to sacrifice our time, talent and treasure to woo and win souls.

Matthew
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.

SC 101
The life must be like Christ's life--between the mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. {SC 101.1}

SC 80
If you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness. You will plead with God, and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul will drink deeper drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering opposition and trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich experience. {SC 80.1}