The Desire of Ages--26--At Capernaum

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear sister!  Jesus manifested all of the fruits of the Spirit. Those seeking truth were thus drawn to Him.

    Jesus met the people on their own ground, as one who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. His voice was as music to those who had listened to the monotonous tones of the rabbis. But while His teaching was simple, He spoke as one having authority. This characteristic set His teaching in contrast with that of all others. The rabbis spoke with doubt and hesitancy, as if the Scriptures might be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly the opposite. The hearers were daily involved in greater uncertainty. But Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority. Whatever His subject, it was presented with power, as if His words could not be controverted.  

So it will be with all love Jesus supremely.

[Dorine]

What a blessing it is to spend this time with Jesus and then be able to share with others what the Holy Spirit has impressed us with. Sometimes it is difficult to choose what has impressed me the most because it is all so vital to know and understand. Today this quote stood out to me because of the challenges we face today in the church with controversies. Jesus' life shows us how we are to relate to those who are teaching error. Like Jesus it is our work to always present truth while our lives will reveal love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance without one of them missing. This is the work of the Holy Spirit and searching hearts will be drawn to Christ just as they were when He was here on earth.

Jesus had nothing to do with the various subjects of dissension among the Jews. It was His work to present the truth. His words shed a flood of light upon the teachings of patriarchs and prophets, and the Scriptures came to men as a new revelation. Never before had His hearers perceived such a depth of meaning in the word of God."

[Richard Myers]

Amen Sister Dorine. And it was the manner in which He presented the truth that attracted so many to Him.  You quoted this paragraph in January three years ago. It is my hope that as I share truth that it is in the same manner.

"Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He (Jesus) was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did.The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually."

[Beacon]

"In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one.
The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God's word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man-made observances. By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain. They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential truths.

Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God's word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will.
     
History is repeating..

..With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements..

..In their hands God's word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife.

Jesus has set before us a most excellent pattern of true learning and practical sharing for our daily lives. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says..."But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."


I saw a sign one time that said...If you were arrested for being a Christian - "Would there be enough evidence to convict you." Hopefully the answer would be " YES "  but it would only possible IF we are now spending enough time in His Word and Sharing it with others!!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

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

God's word is our victory place! God gives us the word to have abiding in our heart to overcome sin!

"The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame,--the power of the word. God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His will, His promises are ours: 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' 'If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.' John 8:32; 7:17, R. V. Through faith in these promises, every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin." {The Desire of Ages, page 258, paragraph 5}

We need Jesus continually! Let us yield the whole heart to Christ and allow Him to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as long as we are in complete surrender to Christ and allow Him to abide in our hearts by grace through faith!

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Let us make the focus of our lives what Christ made His focus--the spiritual and eternal. As we look to the loveliness of Jesus and surrender the whole heart to Him, He cleanses us from sin and gives us a new heart imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing so we can be true missionaries who live to bless others as did Jesus!

"In the excitement which then pervaded Capernaum, there was danger that the object of His mission would be lost sight of. Jesus was not satisfied to attract attention to Himself merely as a wonder worker or a healer of physical diseases. He was seeking to draw men to Him as their Saviour. While the people were eager to believe that He had come as a king, to establish an earthly reign, He desired to turn their minds away from the earthly to the spiritual. Mere worldly success would interfere with His work." {The Desire of Ages, page 260, paragraph 2} 

May our eyes be ever upon Jesus and not think upon mere world success, but realize that a character actuated by moral worth--love and purity--is what God most desires! This He offers us by abiding in Christ!

[Dorine]

"The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame,--the power of the word. God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His will, His promises are ours: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." John 8:32; 7:17, R. V. Through faith in these promises, every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin."

Victory in Jesus is not complicated. God has made it very simple and very plain. May our hearts be open to His truth and trust His word, as we commit to memory His promises.

[Beacon]

"The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame,--the power of the word. God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His will, His promises are ours: 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' 'If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.' John 8:32; 7:17, R. V. 

Through faith in these promises, every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin."
Let us remember that Jesus said and as recorded for our ministration in Matthew 4:4 "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

[Richard Myers]

God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His will, His promises are ours: 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' 'If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.' John 8:32; 7:17, R. V. 

Amen Sister Dorine and Brother Beacon. Your minds are running in the same channel.

Jesus met the people on their own ground, as one who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. His voice was as music to those who had listened to the monotonous tones of the rabbis. But while His teaching was simple, He spoke as one having authority. This characteristic set His teaching in contrast with that of all others. The rabbis spoke with doubt and hesitancy, as if the Scriptures might be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly the opposite. The hearers were daily involved in greater uncertainty. But Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority. Whatever His subject, it was presented with power, as if His words could not be controverted.   

He turned the people to see the unseen world which is eternal As Pastor Sean has shared: It is "the spiritual and eternal" that we ought to focus on.

[Dorine]

Happy Sabbath to all. May we learn important lessons from today's reading that will guide us in our walk with Jesus.

"The Pharisees sought distinction by their scrupulous ceremonialism, and the ostentation of their worship and charities. They proved their zeal for religion by making it the theme of discussion. Disputes between opposing sects were loud and long, and it was not unusual to hear on the streets the voice of angry controversy from learned doctors of the law.    
In marked contrast to all this was the life of Jesus. In that life no noisy disputation, no ostentatious worship, no act to gain applause, was ever witnessed."

Jesus is still drawing hearts and minds from the earthly to the spiritual. As important as the earthly may be it must never come before our allegiance to God. "Christ was hid in God, and God was revealed in the character of His Son. To this revelation Jesus desired the minds of the people to be directed, and their homage to be given."

[Beacon]

"His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief.


"Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. "

"They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually."

Teach, me, Father, what to say;
Teach me, Father, how to pray;
Teach me all along the way
How to be like Jesus.

Refrain:
I would be like Jesus,
I would be like Jesus!
Help me, Lord, to daily grow
More and more like Jesus!

As we spend time with Jesus every day reflecting on His Love, Compassion, and Grace to us, may the words of this song be reflected to others and draw them closer to Jesus.

[Philip T]

  The period of Christ's personal ministry among men was the time of greatest activity for the forces of the kingdom of darkness. For ages Satan with his evil angels had been seeking to control the bodies and the souls of men, to bring upon them sin and suffering; then he had charged all this misery upon God. Jesus was revealing to men the character of God. He was breaking Satan's power, and setting his captives free. New life and love and power from heaven were moving upon the hearts of men, and the prince of evil was aroused to contend for the supremacy of his kingdom. Satan summoned all his forces, and at every step contested the work of Christ.
    So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin. While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan. Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element. With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1.

This is a statement worth studying on considering and putting into our hearts. At the end of time as God is giving us new life, light and power. The pouring out of the latter rain, Satan is just a busy energizing his disciples/followers to present his teachings.  So we need not be discouraged as time draws short and we find fresh opisitions to our work to win souls to Christ in the end of time which I believe is now.

[Beacon]

New life and love and power from heaven were moving upon the hearts of men, and the prince of evil was aroused to contend for the supremacy of his kingdom."

"Satan summoned all his forces, and at every step contested the work of Christ."

"So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin. While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan."


"Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element."


"With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1.

If we have Jesus in our lives on a daily basis filling us with all the fruits of the Sprint we had no need to fear!

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!!

Jesus offers us His character experience! Let’s behold Him, yield the whole heart to Him, and let Him manifest through us all of the fruits of the Holy Spirit without one missing! Then affectionate obedience is the sure result of constant union and communion with our Savior!

“His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually.” {The Desire of Ages, page 254, paragraph 4}

Praise the Lord!

[Dorine]

"His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually."

The more time we spend in the presence of Jesus the more in love with Him we become. We never want to be apart from Him. So why at times do we find ourselves outside of His care?  James 1:14 tells us...."But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." Jesus never wants to be apart from us so lets keep our eyes on Him continually.

[Richard Myers]

Amen!!  We must cling to Jesus if we want to have power over the temptations that will come. This chapter quotes Isaiah where we have the promise that Jesus will contend with him who contends with us and save our children. Yes, there are conditions, but we all may fulfill that condition.

Why do we see infidelity in the church? Why is there rebellion in the church? Religious leaders put their opinions above the plain teachings  in Scripture.


   History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God's word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife. 

[Beacon]

"The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief."

"Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught."

"Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually."

"Jesus met the people on their own ground, as one who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream.'

Oh what a strong longing I have in my heart that others who see and hear me in my daily life... -

MAY HEAR AND SEE JESUS and be DRAWN TO HIM.
 
I'm hoping that is your prayer also.

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-

[Dorine]

     "Side by side with the preaching of the gospel, agencies are at work which are but the medium of lying spirits. Many a man tampers with these merely from curiosity, but seeing evidence of the working of a more than human power, he is lured on and on, until he is controlled by a will stronger than his own. He cannot escape from its mysterious power.

The defenses of the soul are broken down. He has no barrier against sin. When once the restraints of God's word and His Spirit are rejected, no man knows to what depths of degradation he may sink. Secret sin or master passion may hold him a captive as helpless as was the demoniac of Capernaum. "Yet his condition is not hopeless."

I love these words "Yet his condition is not hopeless."  There are many souls today who are in the same condition who need to meet Jesus. Not every case will look the same but never the less they are completely chained in their habits and vices unable to do anything about it. They don't know that there is a way to escape.

It reminds me of a spider in her web waiting patiently for that careless fly to come too close. First a wing, then a leg is stuck and with a swift movement the spider has it and encircles it with it's webbing to feast upon. That's how Satan works. He puts up an enticing and curious web waiting for His prey to happen by. But unlike the fly caught in the spider web, Jesus has made a way of escape for those who cry out to Him. What a wonderful Saviour we serve. There is always hope and it's this hope that God wants us to share with those who are lost.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear sister!  The evil one knows our weaknesses and weaves a web around us hoping we will take his bait. All may be delivered from the captivity of sin. We havea Savior who loves us and gave Himself for us!!

  And the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit. In His life no self-assertion mingled. The homage which the world gives to position, or wealth, or talent, was foreign to the Son of man. None of the means that men employ to win allegiance or command homage did Jesus use. Centuries before His birth, it had been prophesied of Him, "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the dimly burning flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth." Isaiah 42:2-4, margin. 

[Beacon]

"When once the restraints of God's word and His Spirit are rejected, no man knows to what depths of degradation he may sink."

Secret sin or master passion may hold him a captive as helpless as was the demoniac of Capernaum."

"Yet his condition is not hopeless."

Jesus says to such a one....."Come Unto Me, All Ye that Labor & are Heavy Laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28,29

The question is:  Are We Willing to acknowledge our sinfulness and Great Need?

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

1
I’ve wandered far away from God,
  Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
  Lord, I’m coming home.
    Coming home, coming home,
  Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love;
    Lord, I’m coming home.
2
I’ve wasted many precious years,
  Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
  Lord, I’m coming home.
3
I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
  Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word;
  Lord, I’m coming home.
4
My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
  Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore:
  Lord, I’m coming home.
5
My only hope, my only plea,
  Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me;
  Lord, I’m coming home.
6
I need His cleansing blood, I know,
  Now I’m coming home;
O wash me whiter than the snow;
  Lord, I’m coming home.

Lyrics:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
Music:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)