The Desire of Ages--9--Days of Conflict

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

He was the kind of Friend that wouldn't tell others your struggles and was always willing to listen. He encouraged others to be all God could make them as He Himself fulfilled the design of His life. Jesus, the lowly Savior, was fulfilling His heaven-ordained mission even in His youth and invites us all, at every season of life, to be in the center of God's will by beholding His true character in its infinite purity and loveliness, yielding the whole heart to Him, and letting all of the fruits of the Spirit be manifest in the life without one missing in true, affectionate obedience to the Ten Commandments--the definition of selfless, relational love!

He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes. He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear. 

When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can allow Him to manifest through us the same beauty of character. May the experience of abiding in Jesus be a constant one for you today, for we need Jesus continually to do any good thing!

[Beacon]

"Jesus taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes.

..He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul..

..In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God."

Just think what a Grand and Sacred thing it is to know that Jesus invites us to be His Ambassadors. To share with others the story of our redemption and give hope to those who feel like they are living an "empty meaningless life"

He gives us the promise of Divine Empowerment. Matthew 28:18-20 King James Version "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching 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"

"Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear."

[Richard Myers]

What an example is Jesus for us. It was a hard lesson to learn to be silent, but He would walk in the light given rather than please others. Have you noticed that we were born into a world at enmity with God and His ways? Have we not learned that the trials God allows to come to us is for our good and His glory as we abide in Him? Praise God that we have peace that passeth all understanding in the middle of these great trials.

     As the condition of the people began to open to His mind, He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision. Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention. They were observing traditional rites that possessed no virtue. Their service was a mere round of ceremonies; the sacred truths it was designed to teach were hidden from the worshipers. He saw that in their faithless services they found no peace. They did not know the freedom of spirit that would come to them by serving God in truth. Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God, and He could not sanction the mingling of human requirements with the divine precepts. He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct.
     In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact. Because He was so gentle and unobtrusive, the scribes and elders supposed that He would be easily influenced by their teaching. They urged Him to receive the maxims and traditions that had been handed down from the ancient rabbis, but He asked for their authority in Holy Writ. He would hear every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; but He could not obey the inventions of men. Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import. The rabbis were ashamed to be instructed by a child. They claimed that it was their office to explain the Scriptures, and that it was His place to accept their interpretation. They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word.

The Christian life is full of joy, yet we will find ourselves at conflict continually with the world in which we live. It is our joy to help others who have not yet discovered the way of love, joy, and peace.  "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways." Psalm 119:1-3

[Philip T]

    Jesus was the healer of the body as well as of the soul. He was interested in every phase of suffering that came under His notice, and to every sufferer He brought relief, His kind words having a soothing balm. None could say that He had worked a miracle; but virtue--the healing power of love--went out from Him to the sick and distressed. Thus in an unobtrusive way He worked for the people from His very childhood. And this was why, after His public ministry began, so many heard Him gladly.


Jesus sought and seeks to heal our body and spirit. There is not a pain or worry in our lives that the does not know and seek to help, if we will but surrender to Him, and allow him to transform and finish the good work he has begun in us.  As such he set an example to us of how we are to present his word to those around us, we need to be attuned to the needs of those around us, if they need physical help we should supply it along with addressing their spiritual needs.  This is how we get others to listen to and attune themselves to God. 

[Beacon]

"Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood."

"Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory."


"Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear. He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers."

"When reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct."

Oh that we might be made willing and enabled to follow in the footsteps of Jesus...The following verse is an example.

Matthew 5:43-48 says.
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

"From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as one who was set apart.


His hours of happiness were found when alone with nature and with God.

"Whenever it was His privilege, He turned aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil."

Here we see a perfect example of balance between work and quite time. Jesus recognized that He could not give what He had not received and we need to follow His example.

[Philip T]

But to every temptation He had one answer, "It is written." He rarely rebuked any wrongdoing of His brothers, but He had a word from God to speak to them. Often He was accused of cowardice for refusing to unite with them in some forbidden act; but His answer was, It is written, "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28.

It is important for us to see the importance of knowing scripture as here demonstrated by Jesus our intercessor in heaven, He always replied to Satan's trials and testing with it is written, We can see this  in his life. During the 40 days in the wilderness Jesus responded to Satan's temptations in the same way "It is written", to accomplish this we need to be putting scripture into our minds through memorization, so we can stand in the last days, pointing out why be believe what we do.

[Dorine]

"Jesus was the healer of the body as well as of the soul. He was interested in every phase of suffering that came under His notice, and to every sufferer He brought relief, His kind words having a soothing balm. None could say that He had worked a miracle; but virtue--the healing power of love--went out from Him to the sick and distressed. Thus in an unobtrusive way He worked for the people from His very childhood. And this was why, after His public ministry began, so many heard Him gladly."

Jesus is our example and just as He went about helping others we too may do the same. We do what we can to relieve the suffering ones but Jesus does the healing. Souls will come to know and accept Jesus through his love shining through us.

[Richard Myers]

Amen Sister Dorine.  I noticed that He always helped those in need that came to His attention.

  Christ was not exclusive, and He had given special offense to the Pharisees by departing in this respect from their rigid rules. He found the domain of religion fenced in by high walls of seclusion, as too sacred a matter for everyday life. These walls of partition He overthrew. In His contact with men He did not ask, What is your creed? To what church do you belong? He exercised His helping power in behalf of all who needed help. Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit's cell in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly for humanity. He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does not consist in the mortification of the body. He taught that pure and undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions. At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety. All this was a rebuke to the Pharisees. It showed that religion does not consist in selfishness, and that their morbid devotion to personal interest was far from being true godliness. This had roused their enmity against Jesus, so that they tried to enforce His conformity to their regulations. 

   Jesus worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw. He had little money to give, but He often denied Himself of food in order to relieve those who appeared more needy than He. His brothers felt that His influence went far to counteract theirs. He possessed a tact which none of them had, or desired to have. When they spoke harshly to poor, degraded beings, Jesus sought out these very ones, and spoke to them words of encouragement. To those who were in need He would give a cup of cold water, and would quietly place His own meal in their hands. As He relieved their sufferings, the truths He taught were associated with His acts of mercy, and were thus riveted in the memory. 

Do we seek to help those who come to our attention?

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Philip, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard!

Every soul has infinite value because of the infinite price paid for the soul by the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Even now He is ministering in the heavenly sanctuary to blot from the record books all of the sins of His truly converted people who by grace through faith have experienced true repentance leading to confession and renunciation of every sin that the Spirit of God reveals. We need Jesus continually to do any good thing, and when He is in us, the experiences of His earthly life will be wrought out in our experience by abiding in Him. May this the way Jesus lived His early be a living invitation to go and do likewise by the power of the Holy Spirit!

"He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes. He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear." {The Desire of Ages, page 91, paragraph 1} 

When a child realizes that they can choose Jesus' plan for their life over Satan's plan, it is amazing! Each of us has a choice--God's will, or the deceptive path of selfishness which leads to death. Only as we realize that Christ has something infinitely better for us by receiving His thoughts, which lead to actions, which lead to habits, which lead to character will there be a lasting change in our life heavenward. May we ask people, "How are you thinking today?" because they can receive God's thoughts from His word--and then the entire life experience can be brought into harmony with God's divine plan to repopulate heaven with beings who know and love to do His will!

[Dorine]

"There were some who sought His society, feeling at peace in His presence; but many avoided Him, because they were rebuked by His stainless life. Young companions urged Him to do as they did. He was bright and cheerful; they enjoyed His presence, and welcomed His ready suggestions; but they were impatient at His scruples, and pronounced Him narrow and strait-laced. Jesus answered, It is written, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word." "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:9, 11.

I love Jesus' answer to his friends. What a lesson we as adults can take from this young boy who loved God with all His heart and would not consider for a moment anything that would separate Him from His Father for the sake of pleasing His friends.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear sister! What an example for us!

    From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as one who was set apart. His hours of happiness were found when alone with nature and with God. Whenever it was His privilege, He turned aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil. 

[Beacon]

"In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances."

"He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God."

"Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare."

"To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood."
"Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls."

"These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory."

"Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence."

"He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.He labored earnestly for humanity."

"He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does not consist in the mortification of the body."

"He taught that pure and undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions."

"At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety."

Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, may His spirit fill our hearts as we deal with all we come in contact with, so that they may see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him, because, no one cares how much we know until they know how much we care. This is why the crowds were so eager to in his presence. I want to be like Jesus, how about you?

Earthly pleasures vainly call me,
  I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me,
  I would be like Jesus.
    Be like Jesus, this my song,
  In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
    I would be like Jesus.
2
He has broken every fetter,
  I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
  I would be like Jesus.
3
All the way from earth to glory,
  I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
  I would be like Jesus.

Lyrics:James Rowe (1866-1933)
Music:Bentley DeForest Ackley (1872-1958)

[Dorine]

"Of the bitterness that falls to the lot of humanity, there was no part which Christ did not taste. There were those who tried to cast contempt upon Him because of His birth, and even in His childhood He had to meet their scornful looks and evil whisperings. If He had responded by an impatient word or look, if He had conceded to His brothers by even one wrong act, He would have failed of being a perfect example. Thus He would have failed of carrying out the plan for our redemption. Had He even admitted that there could be an excuse for sin, Satan would have triumphed, and the world would have been lost. This is why the tempter worked to make His life as trying as possible, that He might be led to sin."

I am so grateful for the revelation of the life of Christ. He shows us that we are not alone in our battle with sin and that there is victory over each and every one. The more we read and behold His life the clearer our understanding of this truth. There is never any excuse for yielding to the smallest temptation. We may not plan to take our eyes off of Jesus but when we in a weak moment are pulled away by the lusts of our flesh we fall. But praise God He does not turn His face from us. He woos us back to Him and when we surrender our lives once more He forgives and views us as if we had never sinned. What a Savior! Let's take our eyes off of self and our weaknesses and focus them on Jesus. He will lead us from victory to victory each day and fill us with the peace and joy that Jesus knows and gives.

[Beacon]

Jesus met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare."

To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood.

"Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls."

"These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory."

"Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence."

Are " WE " Convicted & Convinced that Jesus is the one we can trust with perfect confidence?

======================

      "My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
    On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
  All other ground is sinking sand.
2
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
3
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Lyrics:Edward Mote (1797-1874)
Music:William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868)


 

[Dorine]

"He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches. He weeded all vanity from life, and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results; that it is to be cherished as a treasure, and to be employed for holy purposes. He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear."

My heart yearns to be just like Jesus. When I read of His beautiful traits of character my own come up before me as they really are. We don't realize the extent of our own deficiencies until we come into the presence of Jesus and spend time with Him. I have so many favorite chapters but I have to say that this one tugs at my heart strings differently than the rest. I am filled with such gratitude for the grace that has been extended to all.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Are we intensely in earnest for the salvation of those around us? If we are imbued with the Holy Spirit, the same godly character we see in Christ will be our character through constant union and communion with Him! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in our lives without one missing as long as we are united to Christ by living faith surrender of all we have and are! Then we can gladly obey God from the new heart He gives us and keeps pure by His presence!

"Yet through childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus walked alone. In His purity and His faithfulness, He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him. He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. This was the burden of His soul, and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him. Filled with intense purpose, He carried out the design of His life that He Himself should be the light of men." {The Desire of Ages, page 92, paragraph 2} 

Jesus calls us to be the light of the world by having His light of selfless love shine through us! "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16).

[Richard Myers]

Amen my brothers and sister! We want to be like Jesus, and He too wants us to be like Him in character. In our Sabbath School lesson this week, we are pointed to the "everlasting covenant" in Gen. 3:15. Few understand that here is a promise (it has conditions for God and us). Jesus promises us that He will give us hatred toward Satan and sin. This we do not have until we love the Lord our God with all of the heart. That is our condition. Jesus has fulfilled His part in being bruised by Satan.

In today's reading we find something important if we desire to be like Jesus. The religion of Jesus' brothers could not transform them, their character.

   Jesus was misunderstood by His brothers because He was not like them. His standard was not their standard. In looking to men they had turned away from God, and they had not His power in their lives. The forms of religion which they observed could not transform the character. They paid "tithe of mint and anise and cummin," but omitted "the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith." Matthew 23:23. The example of Jesus was to them a continual irritation. He hated but one thing in the world, and that was sin. He could not witness a wrong act without pain which it was impossible to disguise. Between the formalists, whose sanctity of appearance concealed the love of sin, and a character in which zeal for God's glory was always paramount, the contrast was unmistakable. Because the life of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed, both at home and abroad. His unselfishness and integrity were commented on with a sneer. His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice. 

The forms of religion of His brothers and much of Israel was a false religion. How is it today? Do we want to hate sin so much we will stop sinning, hurting others and Jesus? Gen 3:15 says God wants to give hatred for sin, just Jesus hated sin. If we do not believe we can stop sinning, then how is it possible to stop sinning, hurting others?