Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders  (Read 13798 times)

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Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #20 on: January 07, 2018, 08:29:23 AM »
     Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, "Sir, come down ere my child die." His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Genesis 32:26. 

We are saved by grace through faith. The evangelicals say, just believe. What we see here, is saving faith. We must believe with a whole heart not part of it. We must love the Lord thy God with all of my heart not part of it.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #21 on: January 07, 2018, 10:21:27 AM »
Amen, Richard!!

When we give the whole heart to Jesus, He has the power to transform our sufferings to bring other souls to Jesus!

The nobleman longed to know more of Christ. As he afterward heard His teaching, he and all his household became disciples. Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family. Tidings of the miracle spread; and in Capernaum, where so many of His mighty works were performed, the way was prepared for Christ’s personal ministry. – {DA 200.2}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #22 on: April 04, 2018, 04:37:14 AM »
God answers prayer, but we are to trust His character as the highest evidence of our acceptance with Him, not mere circumstantial experiences. May we have an ever-deepening trust in God by surrendering fully to Him moment-by-moment!

"The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us 'exceeding abundantly,' 'according to the riches of His glory,' and 'the working of His mighty power.' Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19." {The Desire of Ages, page 200, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #23 on: June 30, 2018, 03:01:44 AM »
Where alone can true peace and joy be found? They are only found in Christ, and He imputes and imparts His righteousness to all who are fully surrendered to Him, who experience conversion. The story of the nobleman in John 4 presents a beautiful picture of how we are converted. We initially come to Christ (before conversion) in a selfish way, for that is how our natural hearts are by nature--evil and selfish (see Jeremiah 17:9). But by beholding the loveliness of Jesus, and seeing that He reads our hearts with such tender love, we can be converted (a new heart He gives us: see Ezekiel 36:26), the fruit of which is that all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in the converted, renewed heart and mind--not one will be missing. When in the Bible a person is described as receiving peace of joy, gentleness or any of the fruits of the Spirit, to truly possess one in its purity and completeness will bring all the others in its train, for it is impossible to have Christ in you and not also have His character. Christ in the law is seen, for we will gladly follow all the light of the law of God we know when our hearts are fully yielded to Jesus! What a joy to see how the nobleman moved from merely desiring the healing of his son, to allowing Christ's grace to redeem him from sin! May we give Christ full access to our hearts today in full surrender, that His love, joy and peace (along with all the other fruits of His Spirit) may be wrought out in us today!

"Like Jacob he prevailed. The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. 'Go thy way,' He said; 'thy son liveth.' The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer." {The Desire of Ages, page 198, paragraph 5}

 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #24 on: June 30, 2018, 09:20:17 AM »
Amen Pastor Sean. I too was impressed with the truth that when we are unconverted, we often turn to Jesus because of a selfish need. When we turn to Him, and behold His loveliness, we see His grace and if it is allowed into the heart, we are converted.

He who blessed the nobleman at Capernium is just as desirous of blessing us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some Earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in his love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing then we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love.


We see here that the carnal heart (unconverted) is evil by nature. We come into the world with an evil heart that needs to be converted. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, we must be born again of the Spirit. It is by grace that we are saved. That grace surrounds us, but it must be taken into the heart in order to be born again. Love begets love. If we would spend a thoughtful hour a day learning of Him who gave all for us while we were yet sinners, we would by His stripes be healed.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

JimB

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2018, 07:46:21 AM »
The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it.

This reminds me of a story I heard just last evening. The story went something like this (shortened for length). One day a son went to his father (who was also a pastor) and asked his father for a bike. The father said ok son you're old enough, I'll buy you a bike on my way home tomorrow. Then boy pressed his father again can it be blue? and his father replied in the affirmative. Then the boy went flying out the door and started shouting to the neighborhood kids and telling them that he has a new bike and that it's blue. So the kids asked to see it, oh he said I won't have it until tomorrow afternoon. The point was the son needed nothing more from his father but to hear the words and he trusted his father to follow through with what he promised him.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2018, 08:04:03 AM »
Amen Jim! Saving faith is  trusting  God with all we have   and all  we are. There is no greater sin than "unbelief." Why then do we not believe what God says? There are conditions to having God answer prayer. Maybe we know we have not met the  conditions? 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2018, 09:22:34 AM »
Jesus sees the whole picture--and what is in every heart. Jesus knew that the nobleman who initially came with a faith based on conditions would come to full surrender, and that Christ would be able to have him and his family as living witnesses in an area where He would be doing much more ministry. We can be encouraged to know that as Jesus saves us, He also plans to reveal more of Himself to us so we and our families may be living witnesses for Him!

"The nobleman longed to know more of Christ. As he afterward heard His teaching, he and all his household became disciples. Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family. Tidings of the miracle spread; and in Capernaum, where so many of His mighty works were performed, the way was prepared for Christ's personal ministry." {The Desire of Ages, page 200, paragraph 2}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #28 on: December 21, 2018, 06:37:12 AM »
God answers prayer--but the way in which He answers prayer is always for our best good, and in His perfect timing. When the nobleman came to Christ desiring that his son be healed, in his own mind the nobleman was making conditions of belief as to whether Jesus really was the Messiah. If Jesus did heal his son, then he would believe. But when we come to Christ, let us remember that He reads our thoughts and hearts like an open book. He knows what we need. We can be fully honest with Jesus and say we are struggling to believe (if that is where we are really at), but we are to remember that He wants to do more than we ask. The physical blessings are not nearly as important as the faith-deepening experience that is gained by realizing His love, and trusting fully to His grace to renew our hearts from any selfish motives, so that we can be like Him in mind and character--fully trusting that He will do what is best in His perfect time and way! The way Jesus handled the situation did not just heal the son of the nobleman--it helped the nobleman and his whole family come to conversion and a full trust in Jesus as the Messiah! That trial was truly sanctified for a wonderful purpose!

    "The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us 'exceeding abundantly,' 'according to the riches of His glory,' and 'the working of His mighty power.' Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19." {The Desire of Ages, page 200, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #29 on: December 21, 2018, 02:55:45 PM »
"He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in His love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love."

What a loving Saviour we serve. He knows what is best for our eternal good. While we may think that our motives are good He sees the selfishness attached to our requests. He then goes to work to bring us to a realization of our true condition. How I love the statement; "The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need."
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #30 on: March 18, 2019, 04:55:51 AM »
"Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, "Sir, come down ere my child die." His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Genesis 32:26.

" Oh for Grace to trust Him more!! - What great examples we find in the study of His Word - They are placed there for us to know that our faith is well placed in Him who said...." ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH" Mathew 28:18. By " FAITH" that power is available to ALL OF US who will CRY OUT - LORD I BELIEVE ---HELP THOU MY UNBELIEF!
 

"Like Jacob he prevailedThe Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. "Go thy way," He said; "thy son liveth." The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer. "

Look up and listen for the shout.

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #31 on: March 18, 2019, 07:26:03 AM »
Amen Brother Beacon.  Grace causes us to search our hearts to see if there be any evil thing hidden there. Grace brings it to light if we want to know it. It is an interesting fact that until converted we can do no good thing. And when we are converted, we do no evil thing from the heart.

An important truth is revealed into today's reading.

     Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace.   
     Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish.


So it always is until we make a full heart surrender to Christ. We are evil by nature and do no good thing. Here we see what happens to convert the sinner into a saint. Jesus does not turn away the sinner because he is selfish, but rather He is drawing sinners to Himself. "If I be lifted up, I will draw all unto me."
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #32 on: March 18, 2019, 07:36:24 AM »
Amen, Brothers Beacon and Richard!

Grace from Jesus reached the heart of the nobleman, and Christ was able to perform a miracle for his son in the same way that He works miracles today--by His divine word. As we cling to the promises of God and trust not to self, to circumstances, or to our own feelings, we can rely upon what He has promised and trust His word to bring us the "divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) so we are not left to struggle in our fallen flesh without the power to live above its clamors. I am so thankful for Jesus and His word today!

 "Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ, the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him conditional on the granting of his own request. The Saviour contrasted this questioning unbelief with the simple faith of the Samaritans, who asked for no miracle or sign. His word, the ever-present evidence of His divinity, had a convincing power that reached their hearts. Christ was pained that His own people, to whom the Sacred Oracles had been committed, should fail to hear the voice of God speaking to them in His Son." {The Desire of Ages, page 198, paragraph 2}

If we want the evidence of Christ's divinity, we have it in His word. We need not wait for a certain miracle we may desire, or a certain situation to be resolved. We can come for the greatest of all blessings--the word of God's power to transform our hearts by grace as we trust in simple faith that God will do what He promises and that He loves us!   
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #33 on: March 18, 2019, 09:55:27 AM »
"Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace."

The heart of Jesus for this nobleman is such an inspiration to me today. No matter how Jesus gets our attention He is ever ready to supply our need according to His will and much more than we even ask for. Why do we at times try to find answers ourselves before consulting the One who has all the answers?
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #34 on: June 12, 2019, 06:54:39 PM »
 "The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us 'exceeding abundantly,' 'according to the riches of His glory,' and 'the working of His mighty power.' Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19." {The Desire of Ages, page 200.}

"The nobleman longed to know more of Christ. As he afterward heard His teaching, he and all his household became disciples. Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family. Tidings of the miracle spread; and in Capernaum, where so many of His mighty works were performed, the way was prepared for Christ's personal ministry." {The Desire of Ages, page 200, paragraph 2}[/b][/u]

This coming Sabbath Day it will be my privilege to share God's word with the remnant at Middleton, Nova Scotia, Canada and before doing so I will be praying and claiming the promises of God's Word as pointed out in the above paragraphs and that the message and not the messenger will be uplifted and that the hearts and minds of this congregation will be drawn closer to our Wonderful Councilor and Guide, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour. Where ever you are on planet earth I wish each of you a very Blessed Sabbath Day when it begins this evening.
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #35 on: June 13, 2019, 02:43:19 AM »
Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon, for how God answers prayer and how we can share with others of His word!

It is so freeing to pray and believe that God will answer in the best way, and not put Him to the test to PROVE if He loves us, for the proof of God's love and goodness is eternally sure--in what He did for us on Calvary's cross!

"The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us 'exceeding abundantly,' 'according to the riches of His glory," and "the working of His mighty power.' Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19." {The Desire of Ages, page 200, paragraph 4}

God hears us when we pray, and we can trust Him to answer in the way that He knows best because He SO LOVED US that He sent Jesus to earth to be born as a helpless babe at the risk of failure and eternal loss, to live a perfect life by faith, and to die as our Sacrifice, rising with power over death that He gives to us! What love God has for us!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #36 on: September 05, 2019, 04:10:14 PM »
"He who blessed the nobleman at Capernium is just as desirous of blessing us. But... like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some Earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in his love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing then we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love."

Our great need is to be able to see and love Jesus with complete faith and trust that when we are totally surrendered to Him, He will provide that which is best and for our eternal good. Sometimes His answer to our perceived needs and wants is " YES " Sometimes " WAIT " and Sometime " NO"  I love the words to this song from the church hymnal # 326  Open My Eyes...It's a prayer type song of total surrender and that's what what it's all about in our spiritual journey. 


326 – Open My Eyes That I May See

1
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes,
illumine me, Spirit Divine!

2
Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

3
Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart, and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit Divine!


Look up and listen for the shout.

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #37 on: September 06, 2019, 05:56:10 AM »
  The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us "exceeding abundantly," "according to the riches of His glory," and "the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19.

What a precious Saviour we serve. This was a very hard lesson for me to learn but praise God He never gave up. Grasping hold of His grace by faith will we see His promises fulfilled in our lives. It's an awful experience to feel that your prayers go no higher than the ceiling. Christ wants us to know Him as the compassionate friend that He is; yearning to do for us much more than we could ever imagine.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #38 on: September 06, 2019, 06:14:40 AM »
Amen brother Beacon and Sister Dorine. When we know God as it is our privilege to know him, we will love him supremely. When we love him supremely, then we will trust him with all we have and all we are. This is conversion. In order for us to take this time with Jesus, we need to see our need. Most of humanity has no idea that they need a Savior in order to do any good thing. They do not see their deplorable condition, especially if they are in a church. The false teaching has led most of professing Christianity to believe they are "saved" just as they are.

The Laodicean message is applicable to most of Christianity. It most importantly is directed to God's church today. The message tells us that we are blind to our need. It is a deadly blindness that will lead to everlasting death unless the individual awakens to see his condition and follows the counsel given by Jesus in the Laodicean message. When Jesus says "repent" He means for us to see our sins and realize we are not in a converted state, but believe we are.

"Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace.


Yes, not only does the Laodicean condition apply to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, it also applied to the Jews when Jesus came to His own and His own knew Him not. Even though the disciples did not understand the Lamb had to die, they spent enough time with Jesus that they loved Him supremely at times prior to the cross. It was the cross that revealed to them their great need of God's grace. When they did not believe Jesus to be their Messiah, they discovered how blind they had been. It was God in the flesh who they had the privilege of being with for 3 1/2 years. They did not treat Jesus as they ought to have. And, they deserted Him in the hour of His great need. Quite a revelation of their selfishness and unbelief. Do we see our continual need of Jesus in order to do any good thing? There are teachings in our church that lead us to believe we do not need Jesus every moment of every day in order to have salvation.

Our only hope is in seeing we are evil by nature and need Jesus all the time in order that self will remain dead. We will not receive holy flesh until Jesus comes. We live in fallen flesh and need to be partakers in the divine nature in order to keep that fallen flesh from acting out the sin that it loves. If we love Jesus supremely and look unto Him continually, then we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear, it is a promise to all who remain in a converted state, abiding in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders
« Reply #39 on: September 06, 2019, 09:21:18 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine and Brother Richard!

As we learn of Christ, we can appreciate the evidence of His divine character--His word! This is such an anchor for us, for it is by receiving the promises of God that we become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4)! We see in God's word the loveliness of Jesus' character, and the sight of Him attracts us to Him, motivating us to surrender all to Him who gave all for us!

"His word, the ever-present evidence of His divinity, had a convincing power that reached their hearts." {The Desire of Ages, page 198, paragraph 2}

This will be our experience, too, through abiding in Christ. Christ, living in you and me by His word, desires to speak to others of His grace. The word of God is our link to a new nature that lifts us above the clamors of our fallen nature. 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}