Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again  (Read 67034 times)

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Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #40 on: October 21, 2019, 07:26:22 AM »
This year at Summer Camp I heard a pastor share a story about how he and his wife bought a home--their first one--and one morning the floor caved in! The foundation was not solid! What a lesson for us in life!

What we build upon--in terms of our character--must be Christ or we will collapse to the assaults of the world, the flesh and the devil. We need Jesus today on a moment-by-moment basis. Let us build upon Christ by a full-heart surrender and receive from Him His thoughts, feelings, motives, desires and purposes for His name's sake.

In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it ‘a sure foundation.’ The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a ‘tried stone.’ Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam’s guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security.” {The Desire of Ages, page 598, paragraph 2}

No sin or grief we experience is too great to bring to Jesus. Let us really believe that God loves us and go to Him with all the things that so easily beset us, and run with patience the race set before us by building upon Christ as our sure foundation.
"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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #41 on: October 21, 2019, 07:46:55 AM »
"By many illustrations and repeated warnings, Jesus showed what would be the result to the Jews of rejecting the Son of God. In these words He was addressing all in every age who refuse to receive Him as their Redeemer. Every warning is for them. The desecrated temple, the disobedient son, the false husbandmen, the contemptuous builders, have their counterpart in the experience of every sinner. Unless he repent, the doom which they foreshadowed will be his."

In Hebrews 3:14-16 God's word says.... For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 while it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

God's call is the same to us today as it ever has been.

"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 18:31

Look up and listen for the shout.

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #42 on: October 21, 2019, 01:09:42 PM »
  Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. This is the only foundation upon which we may securely build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. And by connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Many persons are by their own endeavors hewn, polished, and beautified; but they cannot become "living stones," because they are not connected with Christ. Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus.

Christ makes the way of salvation so clear and simple. How will our foundation stand when the winds blow and the rains fall and the floods come? We are plainly told that without the life of Christ in us we can not withstand the storms of temptation. Here is the answer to why so many are struggling and getting no where.  Christ is knocking wanting entrance so He may become the King of our lives and fill us with the Holy Spirit to prepare us for the kingdom of heaven. He does the work of changing us as we surrender our hearts to Him. This needs to be repeated over and over because so many are still struggling on their own to somehow be ready when Jesus comes. This keeps Christ in agonizing sorrow for He loves so dearly everyone. Let's make sure that our foundation is built on Christ Jesus and not on unknown footings.


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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #43 on: October 21, 2019, 01:21:21 PM »
Amen! As I read about the "foundation stone" I was impressed that it was right under their nose and they went elsewhere looking for it. Do we do this also? When seeking wisdom or power to accomplish something, are we looking in the right place? Are we missing what we are looking for when it is at our right hand?

   Looking with pity upon them, the Saviour continued, "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."



Most humans want love, joy, and peace, yet they reject Jesus who is standing at the door of their hearts pleading with them that He might give them love, joy, and peace.  :(
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #44 on: January 14, 2020, 05:06:51 PM »
"Again the piercing look of Jesus swept over the desecrated court of the temple. All eyes were turned toward Him. Priest and ruler, Pharisee and Gentile, looked with astonishment and awe upon Him who stood before them with the majesty of heaven's King. Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory He had never manifested before. Those standing nearest Him drew as far away as the crowd would permit. Except for a few of His disciples, the Saviour stood alone. Every sound was hushed. The deep silence seemed unbearable. Christ spoke with a power that swayed the people like a mighty tempest: "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." His voice sounded like a trumpet through the temple. The displeasure of His countenance seemed like consuming fire. With authority He commanded, "Take these things hence." John 2:16."

Matthew 5:8 Says..."Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." We must be willing to ask Jesus to " Cleanse our Soul Temple.

"The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, the righteousness spurned, the mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction."[/b]

The Door of Mercy is still open! Jesus is pleading with us to invite Him into our hearts and minds so that our "soul temple" can be cleansed, purified, and made ready to meet Him. Let us learn and accept of His Mercy and Grace today while the door of Forgiveness Is Still Open. 

"Ezekiel 18:31 says,,,"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #45 on: January 15, 2020, 05:22:06 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon!

We cannot change our past, but we can bring all our guilt, shame and fear and lay our broken lives upon Jesus, who freely pardons and restores us into His moral image. As we by grace through faith receive Christ as a living Savior and obey Him from a heart renewed by the Holy Spirit, we have peace that passes understanding. Let us build upon Jesus by a living faith surrender of the whole heart to Him!

 "In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it 'a sure foundation.' The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a 'tried stone.' Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam's guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security." {The Desire of Ages, page 598, paragraph 2}

True rest is complete surrender to Christ. May this rest be your experience today through abiding in Jesus as He produces in every one of us who are truly converted all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #46 on: January 15, 2020, 07:54:18 AM »
Amen Pastor Sean, I was impressed this morning with the very same quote.

To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. These are they who fall upon the Rock and are broken. Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation.

Many children are raised on fairy tales. (even in some professed Christian homes) It was not allowed in my home and I'm thankful because it primes you to live in an unnatural, unrealistic, imaginary world. Even adults have their fairy stories through novels and soap opera's etc. where they can escape to a world that is not. The results are devastating. It causes much dissatisfaction and unhappiness in the reality of your own life.

What God offers is not a fairy tale. It is the most beautiful truth one could ever receive. Instead of living in an imaginary world that doesn't exist we are given a way of escape from the evils and trials of this life. We may come to the foot of the cross where all the sins of the world were laid on the Sin Bearer. Our hearts will be broken and our response will be to accept Jesus as our personal Saviour and experience the relationship that brings rest to the soul. Then divine, supernatural power unites with helpless, surrendered human nature and the result is a new and changed life in Christ that radiates His character. Then the world will see that God's promises are not fairy tales.
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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #47 on: April 10, 2020, 06:20:39 PM »
"Again the piercing look of Jesus swept over the desecrated court of the temple. All eyes were turned toward Him. Priest and ruler, Pharisee and Gentile, looked with astonishment and awe upon Him who stood before them with the majesty of heaven's King. Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory He had never manifested before. Those standing nearest Him drew as far away as the crowd would permit. Except for a few of His disciples, the Saviour stood alone. Every sound was hushed. The deep silence seemed unbearable. Christ spoke with a power that swayed the people like a mighty tempest: "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." His voice sounded like a trumpet through the temple. The displeasure of His countenance seemed like consuming fire. With authority He commanded, "Take these things hence." John 2:16"

I can't help but wonder what Jesus would say about our current style of worship in many or our churches of today ...I.E... Music, with a loud trap set of drums and cymbals whose rhythm and heavy beat sounds more like a bar room setting, or our casual dress code looking like we're going a baseball game or picnic at the beach instead of preparing the meet with the King of the Universe. In some locations we no longer take up an offering, instead we put a box out in the foyer and this has eliminated the opportunity for the congregation to stand and sing " Praise God from whom all blessings flow. "  Are we not also robbing God of the sacred reverence that belongs to Him?
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #48 on: April 11, 2020, 05:19:49 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon! True reverence for God is inspired by a deep sense of His greatness and glory, and in our worship it is so important that we realize who we are worshipping, and why we are in His presence!

This morning I was impressed with the thought of how God holds out the same character of love to all people, and it is by the choices we make that determine our destiny for this world and the world to come. Many will blame God for the bad things that happen in life or in the world--even the Covid-19 crisis, failing to realize that there is an enemy who has done this. Matthew 13:28. Oh, that we may more fully value things of eternal worth, and this Sabbath reflect on Jesus who holds out His invitation for our hearts to be "all in" for Him, so He can align us with His plan that means an experiential realization of His character!

"And on 'whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.' The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, the righteousness spurned, the mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction. All that God ordained unto life they found to be unto death. In the Jews' crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed upon Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin for this world and for the world to come. So it will be in the great final day, when judgment shall fall upon the rejecters of God's grace. Christ, their rock of offense, will then appear to them as an avenging mountain. The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed." {The Desire of Ages, page 600, paragraph 2}

We can choose to behold Jesus' loveliness and respond with an entire heart surrender. We need not choose the downward path, the easier-to-the-flesh way that leads to death. We can look and live as we let Christ live in us, the hope of glory, by allowing His atoning blood to cleanse us from our sins and imbue us with His Holy Spirit, who brings love, joy and peace with all of the fruits of the Spirit so that not one is missing.
"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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #49 on: April 11, 2020, 05:47:53 AM »
"By many illustrations and repeated warnings, Jesus showed what would be the result to the Jews of rejecting the Son of God. In these words He was addressing all in every age who refuse to receive Him as their Redeemer. Every warning is for them. The desecrated temple, the disobedient son, the false husbandmen, the contemptuous builders, have their counterpart in the experience of every sinner. Unless he repent, the doom which they foreshadowed will be his."

The warnings of God should not fill us with fear. If there is danger on the road ahead I want to know about it so that I may avoid great harm. If I persist in ignoring the signs then at some point ultimate destruction will occur. Christ is calling for repentance to those who for what ever reason have not accepted Him into their lives. As we come to know Jesus and accept Him, our lives will be full and complete. He will be the first in our thoughts, our purpose for living and the centre of all our plans. This is not self generated. It is the result of God's grace working in our hearts.
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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #50 on: April 11, 2020, 11:26:16 AM »
Amen Sister Dorine!  Grace is more than  a word, it is the power that transforms the character so we can give glory to God. This morning the Holy Spirit revealed the "crying" of the lambs at the temple. God wants us to see His grace. What did He choose to reveal His grace? Yes, there is much, but in the temple and its services, which were the most significant revelation of His character, other than His actions toward each of us, we find animals being killed. How gross! Who would want to kill an animal. I might if the lion attacked my child. But, God did not choose lions or bears to sacrifice. No, He chose innocent creatures that we might know His innocent Son. And, of all the sacrifices, Jesus is called the "Lamb of God." Yes, the innocent little lamb. Who would want to kill a sweet, innocent, little lamb?

What better way to illustrate grace. Sadly, this illustration of the sacrifices has not been presented very well by many religious teachers. Thus, we miss the important lesson of grace. It is not just in our day, but in the Bible record of the days in which Jesus walked in humanity, the chosen people had been so deceived that they knew not their Messiah had to die. Even John the Baptist who pointed to Jesus at the Jordan and cried "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world" thought Jesus was to sit on an earthly throne. He did not know the Lamb had to die for our sins. Such a deception in that day, and so it is in our day. Many do not see the lesson of grace in the sacrificial system.

Let us read again from today's reading where we read that the animals were crying. "With the cries of the animals and the sharp chinking of coin was mingled the sound of angry altercation between traffickers, and among them were heard the voices of men in sacred office." How easy it is to pass over the statement about the cries of the animals. We know that the animals know what is going on in slaughter houses. That is one reason the blood was to be immediately drained from the animal slain. Else the blood is filled with dangerous chemicals due to the fear in the animals just be their death. This why strangled animals were forbidden food. So, how do you feel about hearing the cries of innocent lambs soon to be killed? How would that make you feel if you had to kill the lamb because of your sins? And what if you really understood that the blood of that animal represented the blood of God's innocent Son? Did Christ suffer before He died? He suffered the pain of the second death which will be by fire and for every sin of the unrepentant sinner. But His pain was the pain of every sinner who ever lives on this planet. And, He was innocent. He was indeed the innocent Son of God. How did the Jews look at the sacrifice of the lamb?

     Jesus looked upon the innocent victims of sacrifice, and saw how the Jews had made these great convocations scenes of bloodshed and cruelty. In place of humble repentance of sin, they had multiplied the sacrifice of beasts, as if God could be honored by a heartless service. The priests and rulers had hardened their hearts through selfishness and avarice. The very symbols pointing to the Lamb of God they had made a means of getting gain. Thus in the eyes of the people the sacredness of the sacrificial service had been in a great measure destroyed. The indignation of Jesus was stirred; He knew that His blood, so soon to be shed for the sins of the world, would be as little appreciated by the priests and elders as was the blood of beasts which they kept incessantly flowing.

Jesus understood the meaning of the sacrifices. The day He first entered the temple, at age 12, He began to see the innocent lambs represented Himself. How did He react this second time He cleansed the temple? He warned the Jews of what was to come to those who continued in sin. He loved them and wanted them to come to repentance even though He knew the nation as a whole would not repent. He had inspired the prophets to the Jews to cease their meaningless sacrifices. He wanted obedience which could only come by recognizing God's grace revealed in the sacrifices.

     Against these practices Christ had spoken through the prophets. Samuel had said, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." And Isaiah, seeing in prophetic vision the apostasy of the Jews, addressed them as rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah: "Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.


This is how God felt about the abominations, the killing of the innocent animals. God cares when a sparrow falls to the ground. How much more the death of an innocent lamb! It would be well for each of us to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the suffering of the Lamb of God, taking my place and being made sin that I might live. Seeing and understanding this grace is the power that transforms the carnal heart into the "new heart" God has promised to all.

It is a most practical time to share what we know about our God. Many are filled with fear as the silent killer stalks the entire world. Many today and tomorrow are celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Christ. What a time to tell the story of Jesus as it really is. Many are wanting the truth. Search high and low to find them, then how very much this story will be appreciated. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and to go before you. He will indeed answer that heartfelt prayer for the souls of others.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #51 on: July 07, 2020, 04:53:40 AM »
"Again the piercing look of Jesus swept over the desecrated court of the temple. All eyes were turned toward Him. Priest and ruler, Pharisee and Gentile, looked with astonishment and awe upon Him who stood before them with the majesty of heaven's King. Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory He had never manifested before. Those standing nearest Him drew as far away as the crowd would permit. Except for a few of His disciples, the Saviour stood alone. Every sound was hushed. The deep silence seemed unbearable. Christ spoke with a power that swayed the people like a mighty tempest: "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." His voice sounded like a trumpet through the temple. The displeasure of His countenance seemed like consuming fire. With authority He commanded, "Take these things hence." John 2:16"

I can't help but wonder what Jesus would say about our current style of worship in many or our churches of today ...I.E... Music, with a loud trap set of drums and cymbals whose rhythm and heavy beat sounds more like a bar room setting, or our casual dress code looking like we're going a baseball game or picnic at the beach instead of preparing the meet with the King of the Universe. In some locations we no longer take up an offering, instead we put a box out in the foyer and this has eliminated the opportunity for the congregation to stand and sing " Praise God from whom all blessings flow. "  Are we not also robbing God of the sacred reverence that belongs to Him?

"Ezekiel 18:31 says,,,"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  Does this not apply to God's Remnant Church Today??

The Door of Mercy is still open! Jesus is pleading with us to invite Him into our hearts and minds so that our "soul temple" can be cleansed, purified, and made ready to meet Him. Let us learn and accept of His Mercy and Grace today while the door of Forgiveness Is Still Open.

Look up and listen for the shout.

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #52 on: July 07, 2020, 05:55:50 AM »
"By many illustrations and repeated warnings, Jesus showed what would be the result to the Jews of rejecting the Son of God. In these words He was addressing all in every age who refuse to receive Him as their Redeemer. Every warning is for them. The desecrated temple, the disobedient son, the false husbandmen, the contemptuous builders, have their counterpart in the experience of every sinner. Unless he repent, the doom which they foreshadowed will be his."

The way to God has been made so plain that none will ever have any excuse for not finding it.  I praise God this morning for His word and the wealth of information it holds. If we do not appreciate it and take the time to spend studying it every day how will we ever take the gospel to our families, friends, and neighbours? We can not give what we don't have.
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

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #53 on: July 07, 2020, 08:26:14 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!

God has infinite wisdom to cleanse us from ALL of our sins and to heal us from ALL of our diseases in His perfect way, timing, and plan. Let us see how Jesus ministered in the temple that He cleansed the second time:

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there" (Matthew 21:12-17).

"In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it 'a sure foundation.' The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a 'tried stone.' Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam's guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security." {The Desire of Ages, page 598, paragraph 2} 

Let us learn of Christ and find in Him the rest and cleansing that only comes from His abiding presence! Surrendering the whole heart to Christ, He cleanses us from sin, renews our will to be cleansed from desiring evil, and imparts a freshness and vigor to all of the fruits of the Spirit that He brings in our lives that will not be missing as long as we abide in Him with a complete surrender! Wholehearted obedience then freely comes to Christ as we see in the Ten Commandments His path of freedom and the narrow way to heaven!
"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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #54 on: October 02, 2020, 06:47:44 AM »
"Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation..

Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus.."


"Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. This is the only foundation upon which we may securely build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. And by connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Many persons are by their own endeavors hewn, polished, and beautified; but they cannot become "living stones,"..

Because they are not connected with Christ. Without this connection, no man can be saved.

Gods Word promises us through...Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Today, let us make sure that our faith is firmly grounded upon the Rock of Our Salvation, Jesus Christ, Our Lord & Savior.

Look up and listen for the shout.

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #55 on: October 02, 2020, 08:25:05 AM »
Amen Brother Beacon! I too was impressed with the same truth.

   Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. This is the only foundation upon which we may securely build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. And by connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Many persons are by their own endeavors hewn, polished, and beautified; but they cannot become "living stones," because they are not connected with Christ. Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus. 


There are "good" people in the world. But, unless they surrender their goodness and independence to God, they will fail when the great trial comes. No matter how good the character, given a particular set of circumstances, self will be seen. And self is evil. Sadly many do not understand none are "good" but God. When character is formed which is in line with Christian character, it is easier  to accept Christ and live a godly life. But, again, there are none good except Christ. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to reveal the fruits of the Spirit. We must become "living stones" in order to lead others to Jesus. When the great storm comes, we must be standing on the firm foundation, the "Chief Cornerstone Jesus Christ.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #56 on: October 02, 2020, 09:01:13 AM »
    "In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it "a sure foundation." The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a "tried stone." Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam's guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security."

I love this. I know that He is my sure foundation. He bears my confessed guilt and I rest in His peace. All may do the same but so many will not. He has taught me to trust in Him always and to bring this gospel truth to those around me.
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

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #57 on: October 03, 2020, 05:44:30 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard, and Sister Dorine!

Every foundation except Christ must fail. Let us put Christ's word as our foundation of true character building, and we may overcome as Christ as called us to do by His grace!

"To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. These are they who fall upon the Rock and are broken. Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation." {The Desire of Ages, page 599, paragraph 3}   

Looking unto Jesus we see a victorious experience offered us in which we may be truly converted by surrendering fully to Christ and have Christ in us, the hope of glory!
"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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #58 on: December 28, 2020, 07:03:23 AM »
"Little did the priests and rulers realize the solemnity of the work which it was theirs to perform. At every Passover and Feast of Tabernacles, thousands of animals were slain, and their blood was caught by the priests and poured upon the altar. The Jews had become familiar with the offering of blood, and had almost lost sight of the fact that it was sin which made necessary all this shedding of the blood of beasts. They did not discern that it prefigured the blood of God's dear Son, which was to be shed for the life of the world, and that by the offering of sacrifices men were to be directed to a crucified Redeemer."

As I read this I couldn't help but wonder about the rituals we do today. Especially the communion service. We too can be just as guilty as the Jews when it comes to forgetting Jesus in all our sacred, religious activities. Jesus is calling us to return to Him in heart and words so that He can reproduce in us His character. Then He will come to take His family home.
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--65--The Temple Cleansed Again
« Reply #59 on: December 28, 2020, 09:54:16 AM »
"In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it 'a sure foundation.' The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a 'tried stone..'

..Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints..

..He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam's guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation..

..All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security."


I can't help but wonder what Jesus would say about our current style of worship in many or our churches of today ...I.E... Music, with a loud trap set of drums and cymbals whose rhythm and heavy beat sounds more like a bar room setting, or our casual dress code looking like we're going a baseball game or picnic at the beach instead of preparing the meet with the King of the Universe. In some locations we no longer take up an offering, instead we put a box out in the foyer and this has eliminated the opportunity for the congregation to stand and sing " Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!..   

Are we not also robbing God of the sacred reverence that belongs to Him?


"Ezekiel 18:31 says,,,"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Does this not apply to God's Remnant Church Today??
Look up and listen for the shout.