The King of Kings => The Desire of Ages => Topic started by: JimB on March 19, 2016, 04:43:36 PM
Title: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on March 19, 2016, 04:43:36 PM
Chap. 66 - Controversy
Listen to Controversy
The priests and rulers had listened in silence to Christ's pointed rebukes. They could not refute His charges. But they were only the more determined to entrap Him, and with this object they sent to Him spies, "which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor." They did not send the old Pharisees whom Jesus had often met, but young men, who were ardent and zealous, and whom, they thought, Christ did not know. These were accompanied by certain of the Herodians, who were to hear Christ's words, that they might testify against Him at His trial. The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies, but they were now one in enmity to Christ. The Pharisees had ever chafed under the exaction of tribute by the Romans. The payment of tribute they held to be contrary to the law of God. Now they saw opportunity to lay a snare for Jesus. The spies came to Him, and with apparent sincerity, as though desiring to know their duty, said, "Master, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?" The words, "We know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly," had they been sincere, would have been a wonderful admission. But they were spoken to deceive; nevertheless their testimony was true. The Pharisees did know that Christ said and taught rightly, and by their own testimony will they be judged. Those who put the question to Jesus thought that they had sufficiently disguised their purpose; but Jesus read their hearts as an open book, and sounded their hypocrisy. "Why tempt ye Me?" He said; thus giving them a sign they had not asked, by showing that He read their hidden purpose. They were still more confused when He added, "Show Me a penny." They brought it, and He asked them, "Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's." Pointing to the inscription on the coin, Jesus said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." The spies had expected Jesus to answer their question directly, in one way or the other. If He should say, It is unlawful to give tribute to Caesar, He would be reported to the Roman authorities and arrested for inciting rebellion. But in case He should pronounce it lawful to pay the tribute, they designed to accuse Him to the people as opposing the law of God. Now they felt themselves baffled and defeated. Their plans were disarranged. The summary manner in which their question had been settled left them nothing further to say. Christ's reply was no evasion, but a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were living under the protection of the Roman power, they should render to that power the support it claimed, so long as this did not conflict with a higher duty. But while peaceably subject to the laws of the land, they should at all times give their first allegiance to God. The Saviour's words, "Render . . . unto God the things that are God's," were a severe rebuke to the intriguing Jews. Had they faithfully fulfilled their obligations to God, they would not have become a broken nation, subject to a foreign power. No Roman ensign would have waved over Jerusalem, no Roman sentinel would have stood at her gates, no Roman governor would have ruled within her walls. The Jewish nation was then paying the penalty of its apostasy from God. When the Pharisees heard Christ's answer, "they marveled, and left Him, and went their way." He had rebuked their hypocrisy and presumption, and in doing this He had stated a great principle, a principle that clearly defines the limits of man's duty to the civil government and his duty to God. In many minds a vexed question had been settled. Ever after they held to the right principle. And although many went away dissatisfied, they saw that the principle underlying the question had been clearly set forth, and they marveled at Christ's far-seeing discernment. No sooner were the Pharisees silenced than the Sadducees came forward with their artful questions. The two parties stood in bitter opposition to each other. The Pharisees were rigid adherents to tradition. They were exact in outward ceremonies, diligent in washings, fastings, and long prayers, and ostentatious in almsgiving. But Christ declared that they made void the law of God by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As a class they were bigoted and hypocritical; yet among them were persons of genuine piety, who accepted Christ's teachings and became His disciples. The Sadducees rejected the traditions of the Pharisees. They professed to believe the greater portion of the Scriptures, and to regard them as the rule of action; but practically they were skeptics and materialists. The Sadducees denied the existence of angels, the resurrection of the dead, and the doctrine of a future life, with its rewards and punishments. On all these points they differed with the Pharisees. Between the two parties the resurrection was especially a subject of controversy. The Pharisees had been firm believers in the resurrection, but in these discussions their views in regard to the future state became confused. Death became to them an inexplicable mystery. Their inability to meet the arguments of the Sadducees gave rise to continual irritation. The discussions between the two parties usually resulted in angry disputes, leaving them farther apart than before. In numbers the Sadducees fell far below their opponents, and they had not so strong a hold upon the common people; but many of them were wealthy, and they had the influence which wealth imparts. In their ranks were included most of the priests, and from among them the high priest was usually chosen. This was, however, with the express stipulation that their skeptical opinions should not be made prominent. On account of the numbers and popularity of the Pharisees, it was necessary for the Sadducees to concede outwardly to their doctrines when holding any priestly office; but the very fact that they were eligible to such office gave influence to their errors. The Sadducees rejected the teaching of Jesus; He was animated by a spirit which they would not acknowledge as manifesting itself thus; and His teaching in regard to God and the future life contradicted their theories. They believed in God as the only being superior to man; but they argued that an overruling providence and a divine foresight would deprive man of free moral agency, and degrade him to the position of a slave. It was their belief, that, having created man, God had left him to himself, independent of a higher influence. They held that man was free to control his own life and to shape the events of the world; that his destiny was in his own hands. They denied that the Spirit of God works through human efforts or natural means. Yet they still held that, through the proper employment of his natural powers, man could become elevated and enlightened; that by rigorous and austere exactions his life could be purified. Their ideas of God molded their own character. As in their view He had no interest in man, so they had little regard for one another; there was little union among them. Refusing to acknowledge the influence of the Holy Spirit upon human action, they lacked His power in their lives. Like the rest of the Jews, they boasted much of their birthright as children of Abraham, and of their strict adherence to the requirements of the law; but of the true spirit of the law and the faith and benevolence of Abraham, they were destitute. Their natural sympathies were brought within a narrow compass. They believed it possible for all men to secure the comforts and blessings of life; and their hearts were not touched by the wants and sufferings of others. They lived for themselves. { By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God. This teaching the Sadducees were determined to discredit. In seeking a controversy with Jesus, they felt confident of bringing Him into disrepute, even if they could not secure His condemnation. The resurrection was the subject on which they chose to question Him. Should He agree with them, He would give still further offense to the Pharisees. Should He differ with them, they designed to hold His teaching up to ridicule. The Sadducees reasoned that if the body is to be composed of the same particles of matter in its immortal as in its mortal state, then when raised from the dead it must have flesh and blood, and must resume in the eternal world the life interrupted on earth. In that case they concluded that earthly relationships would be resumed, husband and wife would be reunited, marriages consummated, and all things go on the same as before death, the frailties and passions of this life being perpetuated in the life beyond. In answer to their questions, Jesus lifted the veil from the future life. "In the resurrection," He said, "they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." He showed that the Sadducees were wrong in their belief. Their premises were false. "Ye do err," He added, "not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." He did not charge them, as He had charged the Pharisees, with hypocrisy, but with error of belief. The Sadducees had flattered themselves that they of all men adhered most strictly to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that they had not known their true meaning. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God He declared to be the cause of their confusion of faith and darkness of mind. They were seeking to bring the mysteries of God within the compass of their finite reasoning. Christ called upon them to open their minds to those sacred truths that would broaden and strengthen the understanding. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies. Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him. By the words of Christ the Sadducees were put to silence. They could not answer Him. Not a word had been spoken of which the least advantage could be taken for His condemnation. His adversaries had gained nothing but the contempt of the people. The Pharisees, however, did not yet despair of driving Him to speak that which they could use against Him. They prevailed upon a certain learned scribe to question Jesus as to which of the ten precepts of the law was of the greatest importance. The Pharisees had exalted the first four commandments, which point out the duty of man to his Maker, as of far greater consequence than the other six, which define man's duty to his fellow man. As the result, they greatly failed of practical godliness. Jesus had shown the people their great deficiency, and had taught the necessity of good works, declaring that the tree is known by its fruits. For this reason He had been charged with exalting the last six commandments above the first four. The lawyer approached Jesus with a direct question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The answer of Christ is direct and forcible: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." The second is like the first, said Christ; for it flows out of it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments. The scribe who had questioned Jesus was well read in the law, and he was astonished at His words. He did not expect Him to manifest so deep and thorough a knowledge of the Scriptures. He had gained a broader view of the principles underlying the sacred precepts. Before the assembled priests and rulers he honestly acknowledged that Christ had given the right interpretation to the law, saying: "Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He: and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." The wisdom of Christ's answer had convicted the scribe. He knew that the Jewish religion consisted in outward ceremonies rather than inward piety. He had some sense of the worthlessness of mere ceremonial offerings, and the faithless shedding of blood for expiation of sin. Love and obedience to God, and unselfish regard for man, appeared to him of more value than all these rites. The readiness of this man to acknowledge the correctness of Christ's reasoning, and his decided and prompt response before the people, manifested a spirit entirely different from that of the priests and rulers. The heart of Jesus went out in pity to the honest scribe who had dared to face the frowns of the priests and the threats of the rulers to speak the convictions of his heart. "And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins. The Pharisees had gathered close about Jesus as He answered the question of the scribe. Now turning He put a question to them: "What think ye of Christ? whose son is He?" This question was designed to test their belief concerning the Messiah,--to show whether they regarded Him simply as a man or as the Son of God. A chorus of voices answered, "The Son of David." This was the title which prophecy had given to the Messiah. When Jesus revealed His divinity by His mighty miracles, when He healed the sick and raised the dead, the people had inquired among themselves, "Is not this the Son of David?" The Syrophoenician woman, blind Bartimaeus, and many others had cried to Him for help, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David." Matthew 15:22. While riding into Jerusalem He had been hailed with the joyful shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matthew 21:9. And the little children in the temple had that day echoed the glad ascription. But many who called Jesus the Son of David did not recognize His divinity. They did not understand that the Son of David was also the Son of God. In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, "How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on March 26, 2016, 06:32:16 AM
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on June 23, 2016, 06:09:01 AM
Sometimes when reading in Desire of Ages, I am tempted to discouragement. But, how can one be discouraged when He is being so blessed with a view of Jesus! Why the temptation? Because a Laodicean church will not take time to read what is written within this most beautiful Book. If, as a people we would spend a thoughtful hour each day to do so, we would not remain in a lost Laodicean condition. Then, we would become prepared to receive Jesus! How long before the church awakens to its blessings?
Not only are we presented with a most accurate revelation of Christ and His loveliness, but we are told so plainly what we must be in order to enter heaven. We are time and again presented with the truth of our continual need of the power of an indwelling Savior that we might escape the corruption in our flesh. This is the power of grace, to transform a sinner such as myself into a saint. Do we not want this? Do we abhor the thought we deny Jesus His reward for all He has suffered when we sin? I will share a few such statements from this chapter. We know that one day before long, there will be many reading along with us where now there are very few.
He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.....
When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.....love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.....
The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
Jesus loves us, He has proved that beyond any doubt if we will learn of Him. His love, grace, is what transforms sinners into saints, but we must behold it daily if we will be changed by it. What a blessing it is to be able to share with those who understand!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 23, 2016, 07:27:32 AM
When we look at the life of Christ, Richard, we see that His ministry at times seemed to produce little apparent fruit--but He was laying the foundation of the temple of the Lord, and souls who would be willing to be made willing, if not converted under His ministry in His lifetime, might later come to repentance. We see many come to repentance as they responded to the truth of the gospel, realizing their need of Jesus, at Pentecost.
I desire Jesus and I know there are others who do, too. We can pray that God's Spirit will lead us to encourage one another daily as we unitedly look to Jesus for spiritual life, constantly sensing our utter inability to do any good thing apart from Him.
This chapter clearly shows how controversy is to be met--by pointing people to the word of God, and in the case of Christ, He was seeking for those seeking to entrap Him to realize their need of Him. That is why the scribe was "not far" from the kingdom of God--he needed Jesus, not just an understanding of the law and the truths of the word of God.
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
The law points us to our need of Jesus, and the gospel is the power of grace (seen so clearly in the loveliness of Jesus) to transform the life! What a beautiful Savior we have, who is powerful and able to change the heart from enmity towards God to have instead enmity towards sin (only possible when Christ abides in the heart, and all the fruits of the Spirit are present without one missing).
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on September 18, 2016, 06:08:48 AM
There are a couple of things I noticed and even one question I have in and from today's chapter.
Speaking of the Sadducees she said this....
Yet they still held that, through the proper employment of his natural powers, man could become elevated and enlightened; that by rigorous and austere exactions his life could be purified. Their ideas of God molded their own character. As in their view He had no interest in man, so they had little regard for one another; there was little union among them. Refusing to acknowledge the influence of the Holy Spirit upon human action, they lacked His power in their lives.
Here is the another example of the principle that by beholding we become changed. They prided themselves in their own views and ideas and looked to man to help himself. Believing that God took no personal interest they became the same way to their fellow man. How important it is to get the correct view of God. A personal God who desires a direct personal and intimate relationship with each of us. One who stepped in filled the gap between Heaven and earth when Adam & Eve failed their test. One who became a poor helpless baby in a world of greed, vice, and violence in order to save us. One who no fault of His own took on our sins and suffered the wrath of God so we don't have to. One who voluntarily allowed Himself to be wounded so that we could be healed. This is the kind of God that I desire to behold and be changed by.
And speaking of close intimate relationship between us and God here is a passage that for some reason though I've read it many times had not really noticed before.
There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.
This is a very interesting and compelling thought to me. I've always wondered about this verse... Luk 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. I'm not sure but this seems to give the same idea. I'm ask for the thoughts of others here.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 18, 2016, 06:21:10 AM
Jim, I really appreciate your post this morning. I see that you honed in on the essence of the truth--the character of God, and how by beholding we become changed. While we need to continually behold the loveliness of Jesus, it is also true that if we are beholding errors about the character of God, it will affect our life and character adversely, as it did for the Jews in Christ's day who did not accept Him as the Messiah.
I appreciated your thought and interest in how God regards the dead in Christ as already alive to Him. Quoting the whole paragraph, let us see some things clearly:
Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.
One thing that stands clear to us here is that God sees the picture of reality in a larger frame than we do. We EXPERIENCE a separation from our loved ones when we die, but God SEES the end from the beginning and already beholds them enjoying the bliss of heaven. We also realize that Christ spoke of death as sleep, as do many passages of Scripture. When we think of sleep, it is a temporary unconscious interruption to continuous thought. But if you have ever thought of a small child going to sleep and then waking up, even for a nap, and the parents are still awake, they know exactly what that child is like when he or she wakes up, and they already anticipate such an experience. While we cannot fully grasp how God experiences reality, it is a comforting thought to know that He sees the dead as already alive because He sees from a larger frame of eternal reference. This is why I find so much encouragement when I think of losing a loved one who went to sleep in Jesus. God already sees them resurrected--He sees them made new, and it will be so soon! May we continue to meditate upon the marvelous love of Jesus today!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on September 18, 2016, 06:42:13 AM
Pastor Sean, as I was reading your response this verse came to mind...
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
You're correct when you say that we don't have any idea of how God experiences reality and your example of a child taking a nap I believe fits very closely to this idea. The parents of the child anticipate that he or she will wake up and resume the relationship where it left off when the child fell asleep. How God sees His saints that currently sleeping as living as a current reality though escapes me. But that is ok. There are a lot of things about God that escape my understanding.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on September 18, 2016, 09:47:56 AM
What a beneficial subject of study! I have enjoyed reading both of your thoughts on "the dead" living unto Christ. A thought that came to me is that when we are "in Christ" Christ is "in us." Jesus said "abide in me, and I in you." It is a living reality that Christ is in us. This is a very difficult truth for many to understand, especially since Christ cannot be everywhere at one time. He is our Brother, and as such is limited by His human body. Today, He is in the heavenly sanctuary ministering to us. He is a living Savior.
Back to "the dead in Christ." When Jesus came forth from the grave, what was it that responded to the call that came forth "Thy Father calls Thee" ? And, what is it that responds to the call that comes forth at His second coming? Those who died in Christ, had Christ in them. The dead in Christ are the only ones in the grave that will hear His voice, just as Jesus heard His Father calling to Him in the tomb. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
A little more light, speaking of those who were brought forth at the time of the crucifixion of Christ: "The voice that cried from the cross, "It is finished," was heard among the dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers, and summoned the sleepers to arise. Thus will it be when the voice of Christ shall be heard from heaven. That voice will penetrate the graves and unbar the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a few graves were opened, but at His second coming all the precious dead shall hear His voice, and shall come forth to glorious, immortal life. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church, and glorify it with Him, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come." DA 787.
The dead in Christ, are alive in Christ in the grave. They do not die. They only sleep. This may be a little confusing to many, but it ought not be to us. We know death is only a sleep for both the wicked and the righteous. When we become partakers of the divine nature, the Spirit indwells the heart. This does not stop when the righteous are laid to rest. They are Christ's. We don't understand how this can be, the living dead, but we know it to be true. Jesus said so as recorded in the book of John:
11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Some without discernment may think because we believe we are partakers of God's divine nature we are as gods. Such a mistake! We are not just like Jesus, who is God. Neither is Jesus just like us, no matter who or how many may teach this. We are evil by nature and will retain sinful flesh until the second coming. It is through the Spirit that we are empowered to reflect the character of Christ. It is through the Spirit that Jesus abides in us. It is the Spirit that cleanses the heart. As hard as it is to believe that one may be cleansed of all sin, in the heart, this is what happens at the moment an entire surrender is made to Christ.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.
"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin....If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:7,9.
I like the truth you and Pastor Sean have shared. What our character is at death, is what we have when we come forth from the grave. Our relationship does not change when we go to sleep in the grave. The holy Spirit will be falling in latter rain power, but those who are not abiding in Christ, and Christ abiding in them, through the Spirit, will not know the latter rain is falling. So it is in the grave. The wicked not possessing Christ will not hear the call to come forth at His second coming.
Jesus did not perceive Lazarus to be dead, but only asleep. He had to correct His statement so the deceived disciples would understand his sleep was not the normal sleep. But, God looks upon the end result. At His soon coming, the dead in Christ will come forth bearing the character of Christ and without sinful flesh.
"This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him."
This is the best I can see, Jim. Hope this helps to clarify the statement. If I err, I am surely open to correction.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on September 18, 2016, 10:23:02 AM
This is the best I can see, Jim. Hope this helps to clarify the statement. If I err, I am surely open to correction.
Richard, I won't say you err because this is the first that I've ever really considered this but what you've said make sense. I've typed and retyped a response but each time I do and I re-read it, it comes across as the normal response you hear in a Seventh-day Adventist Bible study about the dead but it's a more than that to me now and I'm struggling to put into words. I may be back.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 19, 2016, 03:48:34 PM
I was listening to a song of DA 388.1, and this thought came to me more clearly--may this help us understand this more clearly:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” Through the beloved John, who listened to these words, the Holy Spirit declared to the churches, “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. And Jesus said, “I will raise him up at the last day.” Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave,—not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal. – {DA 388.1}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on September 19, 2016, 03:51:53 PM
Thank you pastor Sean for this. This indeed sheds more light on the topic (at least for my mind).
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on December 14, 2016, 07:57:32 AM
Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.
Amen, Pastor Sean! We must be born of the Spirit in order to have life. And, unless Christ continues to dwell in the heart, we do not have life. He who hath the Son, hath life. He who hath not the Son hath not life. A simple truth which has been perverted in as many ways as a clever devil can present. "The great controversy" is involved in this great deception.
Today's reading opens up the truth in such a simple way, a child may understand the relation between salvation and the works of the law.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
The power of the Spirit of God is to transform the character. The law has no power, it reveals sin and points out our need of a Savior to keep it. It is the "schoo-master".
Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
The law will save no one, but unless we are born of the Spirit and keep the law, we will not enter heaven. We must be born again of the Spirit. And when we have the Spirit, we have life. And "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9.
There is much more in this chapter that nails this down so nicely, but we will leave it for others to share. :) That is an invitation to those who are reading to share what God is revealing to you. Others need to hear the simple gospel truth from many in the church. The more often we share these truths, the more they will be understood.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on December 14, 2016, 09:16:57 AM
Amen, Richard. I love to share the gospel and what Jesus is doing in my life, and I love how this chapter reveals Christ to us.
I appreciated the thought about how we must have God's Spirit indwelling us and working through us to have life, for apart from God's Spirit we are none of His. But how do we know we have His Spirit? When we live by faith upon the Son of God as our personal Savior to keep us from sin, all of the fruits of His Spirit will be manifest in our lives--without even one missing! There will be His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Apart from Christ we cannot have these fruits springing from a new heart renewed by divine grace; but abiding in Christ we may flourish and bear much fruit!
Christ revealed the way that controversy is to be handled in areas of religious discussion. His focus was not on merely answering questions that would satisfy curiosity, but He sought to reach the heart. So we should do.
The wisdom of Christ's answer had convicted the scribe. He knew that the Jewish religion consisted in outward ceremonies rather than inward piety. He had some sense of the worthlessness of mere ceremonial offerings, and the faithless shedding of blood for expiation of sin. Love and obedience to God, and unselfish regard for man, appeared to him of more value than all these rites. The readiness of this man to acknowledge the correctness of Christ's reasoning, and his decided and prompt response before the people, manifested a spirit entirely different from that of the priests and rulers. The heart of Jesus went out in pity to the honest scribe who had dared to face the frowns of the priests and the threats of the rulers to speak the convictions of his heart. "And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."
This man was allowing Jesus to reach his heart--but we do not see from the passage that the man yielded to the divine influence speaking to him as to his need to have such love implanted in his own life. So it is with us. We may think we know the "right answers" but we have no power to do the good we ought to do if our focus is not upon the loveliness of Jesus, and actually letting His Spirit make this possible in our lives when we surrender entirely to all that God's Spirit reveals in yielding all the mind and heart to Jesus. Let us see the loveliness of the Savior in the above paragraph--Christ's heart went out to him in pity--may we, abiding in Jesus, love those who seek to put us in a hard spot, and then seek to win the heart to Christ as Jesus did. Let us pray that we may win souls to Christ!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on March 10, 2017, 05:05:14 AM
Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies.
I suppose this is the natural result of believing that humans are at the "top" of all things living in the universe. Too afraid to look to something bigger and better they bring darkness in on themselves. This counsel also explains the antidote to their problem... They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on March 11, 2017, 05:40:58 AM
Amen, Jim! Our minds are dull after 6,000 years of sin. We do not half understand our position. It is through a knowledge of God that we can be saved. I am sure angels wonder at our dullness of mind. Look at the disciples after being taught by Jesus for 3 1/2 years, they still did not understand the Lamb had to die. :(
Another 2,000 years and we ought to understand Satan has not been resting in regards to deceiving the children of men, especially those in God's church. I like your quote this morning. "Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things." God is in absolute control of all that happens. He does not cause all to happen, but nothing happens that He does not allow. There is a line that Satan may not cross until God allows. He is but a created being, and a fallen one at that. We do indeed "need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
It is by beholding His character that we are transformed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18). What a blessing to have you and Pastor Sean studying His character daily!! Others will join with us as we near the end!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 11, 2017, 06:18:06 AM
Amen, Jim and Richard! We gain a broader view as we behold the loveliness of Jesus--His pure love expands the soul for higher attainments and greater knowledge of divine things. Oh, may we rejoice in Him always and realize that our finite wisdom if unaided by divine power is but foolishness! We need a living connection with Jesus and continual surrender to His will!
I appreciate how the law and the gospel go hand-in-hand:
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
We have no power in and of ourselves to obey; we must have Christ at work in us continually, and then He enables us to do the deeds of omnipotence by the mighty agency of His Spirit! What a joy to know that we can go beyond the scribe--not just be near the kingdom of God, but actually have Christ in us, the hope of glory, where the kingdom of God is at work within us by the implanting of the divine nature! When we have this experience, we will, like Jesus, not enter into controversy, but point souls to the truths of God's word as we reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--such an experience is a great miracle--but one that divine grace is well able to accomplish!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on June 06, 2017, 05:09:57 AM
The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
This section from today's chapter this text means a lot to me today. Last week an dear elderly saint from my Sabbath School class passed away. He was in his mid 80's and a retired pastor. He was a humble man always interested in the lives of others how they were doing and concerned about new members. His wife was an inspiration to me. She praised the Lord as the last communication from her dear husband was a very hard to read (because of a stroke) hand scribble note that said "I am at peace". She said between that and all the support she received she was blessed. She said that while her heart will be aching for the missing companionship she couldn't be more thankful. He will be missed.
Sorry, if this doesn't seem like the normal post here.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 06, 2017, 06:15:21 AM
Jim, what a blessing to read what you shared--we have hope in Christ! The dead are only sleeping a short while until the resurrection morning! It seemed very appropriate to share it here, as it helps us realize that the truths we read in our "thoughtful hour" with Jesus bring us direct comfort for what we face in our day-to-day lives, and the experience of the death of those whom we love.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.
I was impressed by this thought of how God's presence in our hearts means we can love others--and if we do not love others unselfishly, this simply shows that God is not really upon the throne of the heart, for His love by nature is selfless. I think of what Jim shared, and I realize that in the church family, and in the relation of husband and wife, it is when unselfish love reigns that one experiences a foretaste of heaven. Oh, how blessed will be that day when all created beings will manifest and reveal the truth that "God is love" (1 John 4:16).
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on June 06, 2017, 10:05:58 PM
Amen! Such beautiful important truths we are reading every day. How very sad, some do not understand the blessings that come from so doing. He is the bread of life!!
Jim, your post was right on. Death is only sleep. Your friend is at rest. What a blessing he had peace. And that his wife, while she misses him, has peace also! Faith looks beyond what we see with our eyes to the things which are invisible, but eternal.
When we are fully surrendered, then the "supernatural" power that transforms a sinner into a saint takes place. The Holy Spirit brings into the repentant sinner's heart, all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one is missing.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 01, 2017, 06:35:01 AM
I love the simplicity and power of the gospel. Jesus Christ and Him crucified abiding in our heart is the only one who can truly transform our character to love Him with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves.
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments. {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 3}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on September 02, 2017, 06:27:46 AM
Amen, Pastor Sean. The gospel message is very simple, but has a most amazing effect on all who will let Jesus into the heart. It is rare in today's world to find many who are willing to do this. But, soon we shall see multitudes who will give the whole heart to Christ.
Many already think they are converted and are going to heaven. They have been deceived as were the Jews about their need of God living in them. Many Evangelicals believe in the Spirit, but do not understand the Spirit in the heart transforms the life radically. Others deny the need for the living Spirit all together, just as did many of the Jews who thought they could keep the law independent of the Spirit.
They denied that the Spirit of God works through human efforts or natural means. Yet they still held that, through the proper employment of his natural powers, man could become elevated and enlightened; that by rigorous and austere exactions his life could be purified.
The Apostle Paul thought the same before he was converted. We read of his experience in Romans seven. But, unlike many others, Saul wanted to serve God with the whole heart and pleaded for help outside of himself to empower him to keep the commands of God. Jesus in answer to his prayer revealed Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus. What a God we serve!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 27, 2017, 02:56:43 AM
Amen, Richard! The gospel of God's grace reveals His character in His law and in the everlasting gospel. We need to understand Christ IN the law. Christ's character is revealed in each of the Ten Commandments, but the power to do His commandments comes from Himself--and we receive Him into the heart by believing the gospel of His grace with ALL the heart, as we behold His loveliness of character and are drawn to Him, He implants in us a new nature. The law of God is the divine nature defined, and the gospel is the divine nature supplied!
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4).
Jesus faced a question in His ministry that is very important:
Mark 12:28-34: 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
I am SO thankful for The Desire of Ages as I read along in the gospels, and appreciate God's character of love more each day, as He wants us to be not near, but experientially IN the kingdom--that experience is an entire surrender of the heart to Christ for Him to indwell by His Spirit, so that all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in our lives and we willingly follow all the light from God's law that we know because we love Him supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on November 27, 2017, 06:52:34 AM
Amen, Pastor Sean. I love that truth. How is the law involved with the gospel? Saul was convicted of sin, just like we all before conversion. Not all go through the same experience as Paul. Many when truly convicted as was Paul, know who will deliver them from their body of death (self). Saul thought His Savior to be an imposter. So, he truly was left out in the dark because of how he had been taught by the Jewish leaders.
The law convicts, but does not save unless it is connected with Christ. That is it plays a part in salvation by revealing we have need of help outside of ourselves. This is why Paul shared his conversion experience in Romans seven. He plainly teaches there is no good thing in man. We are evil (selfish) by nature. We must be born again of the Spirit. Then we can do all that is asked of us though Christ.
The law is the school master that points us to Jesus for help to keep the commandments. Apart from that understanding, the law cannot save us. When we learn of Jesus, we see His unmerited love for us while we were yet sinners. It is this grace that saves. We love Him because He first loved us. When we love God supremely, we will love our neighbor. Love to God is revealed by keeping all of the commandments to the degree we know them.
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Thus, those who teach that we may sin and retain salvation (justification), do not understand the gospel. Let us not look to man, but to God for our wisdom and grace. Do not quote me, nor any man when teaching the gospel of grace. Point all to Christ and His Word.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on February 22, 2018, 05:21:51 AM
Their ideas of God molded their own character.
I find this a most interesting statement. Their own ideas of God changed who they were. Which applies to us today. So then how important is it that we get the correct understanding and correct ideas of God since these will in turn mold our character. I personally know someone who believes in and defends the idea that God burns people forever in hell. What I've also noticed about this man is that he seems to be ever ready to make sure that people get their punishment and sometimes more and you don't hear much about mercy or forgiveness from him. Why would he be this way? It appears to me that his idea about God has made him this way.
No wonder it's a good idea to read about the life of Christ every day and see for yourself who exactly is Christ who also reveals to us who God the Father is. This one thing we need to have correct.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 22, 2018, 08:08:29 AM
Amen, Jim! By beholding the true character of God we will be changed into that very image--to reflect more fully each day the loveliness of Jesus, manifest in all of the fruits of the Spirit in the life without one missing which is in perfect harmony with keeping the law of God (the law of love) to the extent that we know it:
"And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 3}
All of God's law reveals Him, just as all of the gospel reveals Him. We need to see the law and the gospel together--to see Christ in the law, and Christ as the only way by which we can be made obedient to the law--from the heart renewed by divine grace!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on February 22, 2018, 08:29:23 AM
I find this a most interesting statement. Their own ideas of God changed who they were. Which applies to us today. So then how important is it that we get the correct understanding and correct ideas of God since these will in turn mold our character. I personally know someone who believes in and defends the idea that God burns people forever in hell. What I've also noticed about this man is that he seems to be ever ready to make sure that people get their punishment and sometimes more and you don't hear much about mercy or forgiveness from him. Why would he be this way? It appears to me that his idea about God has made him this way.
No wonder it's a good idea to read about the life of Christ every day and see for yourself who exactly is Christ who also reveals to us who God the Father is. This one thing we need to have correct.
How true this is Jim. Our ideas concerning God have been molded in us from the cradle. Only by beholding Christ daily will we get a glimpse of the perfect character of the One who loves and executes both mercy and justice. When we allow God's word through the Holy Spirit to form our ideas and beliefs we will not have a problem with how God deals with sin.
As I was reading this chapter this morning I was amazed at the similarities between the ideas and reasoning's among the rulers in Christs day and what we hear today.
......"Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His Providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
Again we see in today's reading that our profession must be accompanied with a heart of love for God and man, which will be shown in truth and good works.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on February 22, 2018, 09:22:40 PM
Amen, dear Sister! It is summation of the law and the gospel. To "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Then we shall love our neighbor as ourselves. It is love for Christ that transforms the character. It is the law that reveals our inability to do any good thing apart from Christ.
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on May 20, 2018, 07:36:16 AM
The gospel of grace transforms the life when one is truly converted. There is no sin when Christ has possession of the heart. We do not break one commandment and retain salvation. The principle is simple and easy to understand. In today's reading we see why.
The lawyer approached Jesus with a direct question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The answer of Christ is direct and forcible: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." The second is like the first, said Christ; for it flows out of it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on May 20, 2018, 07:41:00 AM
As I sit at the feet of Jesus this morning watching, and listening to his interaction with his enemies, I am saddened because I am seeing and hearing the same unbelief among our people today that Jesus had to contend with. There are many who have a 'better' way than Jesus and yet they are the first ones to say it's all about Jesus.
I pray for the spirit of Jesus when being challenged by those who believe differently. They love to confuse, disrupt, shed doubt and draw attention to their intelligence. The positive side to the situation is that it should keep us on our knees and in our bibles so that we can be a spokesperson for truth without being argumentative. Jesus has such a beautiful spirit and I want to emulate it always. As we behold Him each day His spirit will become ours and we will have the love and pity for the lost that He has. Thank you Jesus.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 20, 2018, 10:21:02 AM
Amen, Richard and Dorine!
We see controversy many times, but we see in Christ how to meet it. He is our Savior and Example! Praise God!
I was blessed today to appreciate how God sees the big picture! We can take courage in Him!
“Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, ‘But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.’ God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.”– {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on August 15, 2018, 06:24:20 AM
God reveals to us His true character in the life of Christ. By beholding we become changed. The Ten Commandments are a divine whole, a revelation of unselfish love, and only by seeing our sin and our need of a Savior can we experience true love--the overflow of His Spirit in our hearts.
"The Pharisees had exalted the first four commandments, which point out the duty of man to his Maker, as of far greater consequence than the other six, which define man's duty to his fellow man. As the result, they greatly failed of practical godliness. Jesus had shown the people their great deficiency, and had taught the necessity of good works, declaring that the tree is known by its fruits. For this reason He had been charged with exalting the last six commandments above the first four." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 4}
The tree (character of a person) is known by its fruits. We will either reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing (if we are living by faith on the Son of God), or will reveal the works of flesh, the principle of selfishness that is natural to us unless we are converted daily and continually abide in Christ. Let us experience His grace, His character, each moment today!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on August 15, 2018, 09:55:13 AM
Amen Pastor Sean. " The Ten Commandments are a divine whole, a revelation of unselfish love..." Yes, those commandments written with the finger of God reveal the character of God. Satan claims that man cannot keep the commandments, thus God is unfair in condemning sinners to death because they do not keep His commandments. In other words, Satan is saying that man cannot love man nor God. But, who believes that? That man cannot love God nor man? It is true that man cannot love God nor man unless he is converted. We are indeed evil by nature and can do no good thing until converted by fully surrendering the whole heart to Christ.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.
We are suffering the same problems Israel suffered. We have been deceived by religious leaders as to the power of grace to transform the character when allowed into the heart. Doctrinal purity is what we need. And, to have this, we need to be converted, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 10, 2018, 07:05:18 AM
Have you ever had someone say, "You're really close." Some might take that as a compliment, as if they were making progress. But with God's kingdom there is no "almost" and "close enough." We are either fully surrendered to Christ, yielding all we have and are to Him so we receive a new heart and mind filled with His Spirit, or we are still choosing our own selfish way, and thus are really lost. How was it with the lawyer who spoke to Jesus?
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
Thankfully, being near to the kingdom of God can be the place where we see our need of genuine conversion, full surrender, and a continual dependence upon Jesus to do any good thing. If we have flattered ourselves that we are "doing good enough" on our own strength (and this is very prevalent in many a person's experience), then we are quite likely to fail to see how much we need Jesus, and to desire the divine nature that is to be combined with human effort in order for us to be saved. God works upon our hearts to cause us to desire that which He longs to give to us, but He will not force our will; He invites and calls at the door of the heart (the place of decision), but it remains for us to choose to respond. I thank God that it need not be complicated. Behold the Lamb of God, Jesus, and by beholding His loveliness of character, yield fully to Him and let Him fill you with His Spirit in the place of living after the fallen nature. He will fill you with all of the fruits of the Spirit so that not one will be missing!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on February 04, 2019, 08:11:22 PM
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
Jesus said...." Without me ye can do nothing" I pray this morning that you and I will not assume that because we have knowledge "About Jesus " and "His Word." that we can on our own power live the life He wants us to live. He promises that " If we ask - We will receive " As we move through this day and everyday let us put our "self" totally in His hands to be filled with the Holy Spirit thereby becoming a "watchman that needeth not to be ashamed.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 05, 2019, 04:42:53 AM
Amen, Beacon! Jesus is able to give us power to receive the gospel of His grace (for by beholding we become changed), and through full surrender to Him, we are enabled to live out the principles of the law by receiving a new nature--the divine nature available to us in His word. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4). The new nature we receive manifests itself with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, and such a character is in harmony with the law of love!
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on February 05, 2019, 07:30:32 AM
Amen! Thus, the most important question we can ask has been answered by you both. What must I do to be saved? We cannot save ourselves. We do not have repentance, it comes from God. We cannot obey in and of ourselves. So what must I do? Just believe? No, we cannot believe with saving belief without doing something. We must have "saving faith" not nominal faith that is given to each person. Then how do we get saving faith? How do we get repentance? How do we get obedience? It all comes from God. But, the question remains, what must I do in order to be saved? If we want saving faith, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Why? Because the Word is a revelation of Christ. "The Word was made flesh." Jesus is the Word. His life reveals the character of God. It is a revelation of the law of God.
Just believe.....what? Believe in Christ. How much do I have to believe? The devils believe and tremble. They will not be saved. What is the difference between saving belief and that belief which so many have including the fallen angels? Saving believe (saving faith) is trusting Jesus with the whole heart, trusting Him with all we are and all we have. The first commandment requires that we love the Lord thy God with all of thine heart not half of it or 99% of it. How do we arrive at this point of loving Jesus with the whole heart?
Can you trust someone with your car keys if you do not know them? Can you trust them with your children if you do not know them? Of course not. Then how do you get to know someone? You spend time with them. You study their life. The same is true of Christ. We must spend time with Him. As we contemplate His life, especially the closing scenes, we will learn of Him. Love begets love. We will love Him with the whole heart when we see how much He loves us. We must "eat His flesh and drink His blood." Why? Because "man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." The Word is a revelation of Christ, of His character.
If we want physical life, we eat bread, if we want spiritual life (salvation) we feed upon Jesus. He said He was the Manna which came down from heaven. Jesus is the Bread of Life. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up" that we might "look and live." It is a spiritual and an intellectual truth that by beholding we are changed into what we behold. The mind gradually adapts itself to that which it is accustomed to see. The mind is like plastic, molding itself to that which it beholds day after day. This can be a blessing or a curse depending on where we spend our time. Think of your children, what are they becoming like? Do they spend time in the garden or watching television or playing computer games?
What must I do to be saved? We are saved by grace through faith. Where can I find grace? It is the goodness of God that forgives repentant sinners. What leads to repentance? It is His grace. The Bible tells us "that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." We must drink in His goodness every day if we want to "die daily" to self and sin. We can do no good thing until we are born again of His Spirit. We are evil by nature and must be converted. Grace surrounds us as thick as the air that we breathe, but it does no good unless we see it and take it into the heart. Then we are transformed by the power of grace. We become partakers then of God's divine nature because the heart is filled with the Spirit of God.
As Beacon quoted "To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." As Pastor Sean quoted "When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
What must we do in order to love God supremely? What we must do to be saved? We must look to Jesus. We must continually look to Jesus. We must love Him with the whole heart. And when we have looked upon Jesus to the degree that we know Him enough to trust Him with the whole heart, then we will be able to reflect His character of love and obedience. We will have been transformed into His image (character). This happens when we are truly converted. Then we must continue doing what led us to our conversion, we must behold His grace. "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." 2 Cor. 3:18.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on February 05, 2019, 08:19:47 AM
It's been such a blessing to read each person's comments this morning. God has made it possible for even a child to understand the gospel of salvation. But what I find amazing is that God has made it easy for everyone, from a child to the highest of intellects. Even some children who are born mentally challenged if taught about Jesus can accept Him into their hearts and understand right from wrong. The difficulties come when we allow our carnal natures to dictate to us how we think and live. That's what brought the Jews into the situation they found themselves in. God in His love for us will allow us to hit rock bottom so that we will turn to Him for rescue.
"The Saviour's words, "Render . . . unto God the things that are God's," were a severe rebuke to the intriguing Jews. Had they faithfully fulfilled their obligations to God, they would not have become a broken nation, subject to a foreign power. No Roman ensign would have waved over Jerusalem, no Roman sentinel would have stood at her gates, no Roman governor would have ruled within her walls. The Jewish nation was then paying the penalty of its apostasy from God."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Marelis on February 05, 2019, 10:11:16 AM
In my typical day I view the world through different lenses. Yesterday morning I was up early and watered my garden. My garden draws me close to the Lord. It's a micro garden of Eden full of beautiful flowers. Then I retreated to my quiet place and read scripture and was taken up into the heavenly sanctuary. Then I spent 11 intense hours dealing with a couple dozen very ill and/or very depressed people. Wheelchairs. Oxygen tanks+emphysema. Cachectic alcoholics. Pregnant teen. At least half a dozen with serious suicidal thoughts. People hardly able to function without painkillers and pleading for more help to manage their pain. Their bodies gnarled and stooped from arthritis. Heavily tattooed bodies. Diabetic ulcers and numb feet from diabetes. 360lbs of sadness and pain. Tongue piercings and bars through eyebrows. Excited accounts of latest cruise vacations. A scantily dressed woman with a cross necklace with panda mascara eyes. Pass her some tissues. And ask her about the cross. She is a Christian. We talk. She hugs me. Squeeze in a woman who had a breakdown in emergency because she can't cope with her pain. She's crying. Her pain is emotional. Her husband left her.
I view the gospel differently at work than when turning delicate Bible pages or admiring flowers. A different lens for each broken person. Each person is unique. Each has a story. There's a reason for the obesity. There's a reason for the tattoos and piercings and teenage sex and tears and pleadings for painkillers to block emotional pain.
Tomorrow night I meet with a close-knit group of seven leftist feminist atheist women. Some with PhDs. I'm clearly the odd woman out. For four hours we discuss life, literature, politics. And religion.
But one Saviour. One Saviour who lived and died for each of these people who are found in every city and in every little town in your country and mine. One Heavenly Father who loves and tenderly pities each individual. One Holy Spirit touching each.
The gospel is very simple. Yet breathtakingly complex as well. A gospel that is relevant to every person. A gospel that is one size fits all yet custom made for the special needs and circumstances of every person.
May my eyes ever see every person I encounter through the eyes of heaven.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on February 05, 2019, 12:19:54 PM
Marelis, thank you for helping us to see the 'real' world. We may see it from a distance but you are interacting on a daily basis with those who seem so far from Jesus. What an opportunity you have to show Jesus to them through your individual care, love, and concern for them. You are experiencing each day similar encounters as that of Jesus while here on earth.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on May 02, 2019, 08:01:36 PM
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.[/u]"[/b]
Jesus says to us today...." IF " You love Me - Keep My Commandments!! Are we willing to do that...?, and thereby bring Glory to our Savior and Hope, Courage & Faith to our Neighbors, Friends, and Family. This is only possible "IF" we recognize both our Duty to God and Our Obligation to all those with whom we have the privilege of daily contact. Jesus said.." If you have done this unto one of the least of these "MY BRETHREN", Ye have done it unto Me." [/u][/color][/b]
"And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 03, 2019, 09:06:25 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon!
We can be so encouraged as to what God will do as we yield to the working of the Holy Spirit upon our lives so we can not only be converted but led in the path that is for our own temporal and eternal good to the glory of God and the blessing of others!
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
What a God we serve! He truly wants to lead us in the way that is best--and that can only happen in the fullest sense when we are fully surrendered to His will!! Our greatest happiness is found in doing the will of God as revealed in His word and as He makes His specific plans clear to our lives by the working of the Holy Spirit!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on May 03, 2019, 10:59:04 PM
Amen Pastor Sean. It is not by power nor by might, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that hearts are transformed.
Their ideas of God molded their own character. As in their view He had no interest in man, so they had little regard for one another; there was little union among them. Refusing to acknowledge the influence of the Holy Spirit upon human action, they lacked His power in their lives. Like the rest of the Jews, they boasted much of their birthright as children of Abraham, and of their strict adherence to the requirements of the law; but of the true spirit of the law and the faith and benevolence of Abraham, they were destitute. Their natural sympathies were brought within a narrow compass. They believed it possible for all men to secure the comforts and blessings of life; and their hearts were not touched by the wants and sufferings of others. They lived for themselves.
There are many today who do not understand the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, in character perfection, and in the power to obey. He is Jesus' representative.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on July 28, 2019, 07:40:37 PM
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
"By His words and His works,Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
The words of this hymn come to mind...."ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER ALL TO HIM I FREELY GIVE" It is only then that we can experience the full transforming power which by the infilling of the Holy Spirit will enable us to understand the relationship and requirements of God Holy Law and put these life giving principles into practice in our daily lives.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 29, 2019, 04:56:28 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon!
Love is a precious gift from Jesus, and we can go to Him at the foot of the cross to receive His infinite love into our hearts so we can manifest His character--the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in harmony with the law of God--so that we are living witnesses of His grace!
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2} {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2}
Let us ask Jesus to fill us with even more of His love today as we behold Him by faith!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on July 29, 2019, 08:04:49 AM
"The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
I'm so thankful to God for this simple truth. Man may try and confuse the mind and teach error but we have the bible which contains the words of God to lead us into all truth. We need to hold fast to what the word says so that we will not be tossed to and fro with all the false teachings that are swirling about today. We have a sure anchor in Jesus that will hold us firm through every storm and we will know what is truth.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on October 21, 2019, 05:03:38 PM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
Let us use the words to the song "Come Holy Spirit I need Thee" as our prayer to God that we may be enabled to put into practice on a consistent basis our High Calling.
#269 – Come, Holy Spirit
1 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours.
2 O raise our thoughts from things below, From vanities and toys! Then shall we with fresh courage go To reach eternal joys.
3 Awake our souls to joyful songs; Let pure devotions rise; Till praise employs our thankful tongues, And doubt forever dies.
4 Father, we would no longer live At this poor, dying rate; To Thee our thankful love we give, For Thine to us is great.
5 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Come, shed abroad a Savior’s love, And that shall kindle ours.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on October 22, 2019, 05:07:04 AM
......Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies.
Isn't it wonderful that Jesus doesn't leave us in darkness to fumble through life trying to figure out who God is and what He wants for us. He wants to bring us into such a close and intimate relationship with Him that we will know Him so well that we will trust Him with our whole hearts. Then we will be one with Him and He with us. I want it no other way. My heart pities those that bring in pleasing but false philosophical theories to explain God. We will know the truth because we are spending that thoughtful hour each day getting to know Jesus and learning to love and obey Him more each day.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 22, 2019, 07:20:43 AM
I've been to the Dead Sea and the only problem with is it that it has no outlet. Failing to give, all life in it dies. So it is with us. If we do not give as God has given to us, we also will die spiritually. We need Jesus to do any good thing. I pray that He will flow through us His selfless life and others will be blessed as we have received from Jesus to give as He first gave to us!
This morning in my personal devotions I was struck by the effect that the Sadducees false ideas of God's character had on their minds. How we see God is so important. We need a thoroughly biblical view of God who is both merciful and just, else we fail that the Sadducees teaching had on their minds:
"Their ideas of God molded their own character. As in their view He had no interest in man, so they had little regard for one another; there was little union among them. Refusing to acknowledge the influence of the Holy Spirit upon human action, they lacked His power in their lives. Like the rest of the Jews, they boasted much of their birthright as children of Abraham, and of their strict adherence to the requirements of the law; but of the true spirit of the law and the faith and benevolence of Abraham, they were destitute. Their natural sympathies were brought within a narrow compass. They believed it possible for all men to secure the comforts and blessings of life; and their hearts were not touched by the wants and sufferings of others. They lived for themselves." {The Desire of Ages, page 604, paragraph 3}
As we look upon Jesus and see His true character, may we allow Him to fit us for our specific purpose in God's great plan. He knows what we need and what those around us need, and may we learn of Him that in full surrender to Him, His grace may flow us in rich currents of love and benevolence!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on October 22, 2019, 02:00:03 PM
Amen to all three posts this morning! The subject brought forward was character. When we know God's character as it is our privilege to know, our life will be a continuous victory. "When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us. Desire of Ages, pg 668."
Many balk at the thought that man can live without sinning. Yet, God has promised He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. The whole Bible says the same thing, through Christ we can do all things. And if we have not His Spirit we are none of His. In today's reading we read such a simple truth that young children can understand that we can obey all of God's commands.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Why can't mature educated pastors understand this simple truth? Some can, but many do not. Thus, the church remains in a blind lost condition. I wonder if one day those who argue against the truth will one day cease trying to convince the faithful they are wrong? It happened in Jesus' day.
In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, "How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on January 15, 2020, 06:27:18 PM
The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
Jesus said...." Without me ye can do nothing" I pray this morning that you and I will not assume that because we have knowledge "About Jesus " and "His Word." that we can on our own power live the life He wants us to live. He promises that " If we ask - We will receive "As we move through this day and everyday let us put our "self" totally in His hands to be filled with the Holy Spirit thereby becoming a "watchman that needeth not to be ashamed.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on January 16, 2020, 04:24:48 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon!
We need to simply realize that the Christian life is not one that we can live apart from the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure! While the Holy Spirit does not override the necessity of our cooperation, without Him abiding in our hearts by a living faith surrender, we can do no good thing. God's grace transforms the selfish, evil heart into a heart renewed by unselfish love--what a miracle! Abiding in Jesus through living faith in Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be manifest in and through our lives without one missing even amid the most trying circumstances and fiercest temptations, for it is Christ in us the hope of glory who is giving us strength in our human weakness!
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
Let us cling to Jesus who will uphold us this day as we keep our eyes fixed on Him! He is able to do more in and through our characters than we can ask or think as the Holy Spirit is sought unto to do His gracious work in our lives!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on January 16, 2020, 09:56:49 AM
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
Many say they believe but few exercise the faith given them to allow God's power to transform their lives. I had a person once say to me that they believe God can give them victories and transform their lives but for some reason God hadn't done it yet so it wasn't that person's problem. There are more and more people thinking this way. They think 'belief' releases them from any responsibility. They have made up their minds and they continue to exert their influence on the weak in the faith. Scripture is very clear that if we are Christs, every fruit of the Spirit will be present in our lives from the moment we surrender our lives to Him. We are all weak, sinful human beings but never, never should we use that to excuse our carnal natures. When Jesus has our whole heart we become a new creation through the miraculous power of God. It's a promise. Let's believe it and claim it.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on January 16, 2020, 11:09:27 PM
Again, what a blessing to read the comments today. We Are Evil By Nature and will not be able to throw off these evil bodies until Jesus comes. But, this is no excuse for sin. God has provided a remedy for us in His innocent Son. I continually pray that others will join with us in rejoicing over the wonderful truth Jesus is revealing to us each day. As we grow in our understanding it becomes painfully clear that so very many misunderstand the gospel of grace.
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
This morning I was on the phone with my son and was impressed to share with him what the Holy Spirit was revealing to me this morning. It wasn't some new revelation, but it was being impressed upon me very strongly that we are being instructed that we need to be talking to Jesus all day long! When we forget him we have no protection from sin. We need to maintain our connection moment by moment every day! Such a simple truth, yet so profound because it's a little hard to comprehend. We live in a world and in a church that just doesn't understand. I was also impressed to remind my son that there were angels in the room with both of us, and they either have to stoop way down to get through our doors or I guess they can just walk through the walls. Whichever it is, we need to acknowledge their presence every day. When we forget about them it's kind of the same as forgetting about God. They're there, all of them every day and every moment of every day. Something to think about.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on April 11, 2020, 07:40:37 PM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees.He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
If we truly want to be "Like Jesus " we must remember what He said....So that we can be empowered to be His True Ambassadors.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Let us come humbly and be filled with power that He promised us so that all of the fruits of the Spirit may be demonstrated daily in our lives.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on April 12, 2020, 05:09:52 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon!
As we reflect on the resurrection of Christ and how that offers us His life and power over sin and death, we can rejoice that the victory is gained in Jesus, and now He invites us to yield our whole heart to Him and have an abiding experience of complete victory! When we really grasp how much God loves us and that, as a tender Father He plans good things for us both in this life and in the life to come, it become easier and easier to trust Him COMPLETELY even in great trials, like what our world is facing! Christ is finishing His work in heaven and is about to return to take us to Himself for eternity, because of what He has accomplished for us in His death and resurrection!
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
We can safely look unto Christ as our guide in our trials and know that He has done what none other could do, for He is divine: He gave up His life at Calvary and took it back up at the call of His Father early that first day of the week, thus promising us His presence in all our experiences--even unto death!! We can rejoice for "HE LIVES" and now Jesus is willing to LIVE IN US by the Holy Spirit to produce in us all of the fruits of the Spirit--so not one will be missing as we gladly obey Him in all He has revealed to us!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on July 08, 2020, 06:20:47 AM
"The Sadducees had flattered themselves that they of all men adhered most strictly to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that they had not known their true meaning. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God He declared to be the cause of their confusion of faith and darkness of mind. They were seeking to bring the mysteries of God within the compass of their finite reasoning. Christ called upon them to open their minds to those sacred truths that would broaden and strengthen the understanding. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
There has always been controversy among God's people. When hearts are turned inward Christ's power and love can not be appreciated let alone accepted and believed. Human wisdom becomes all important and puffs up the ego of the individual. Sadly it leads many astray. What impressed me the most this morning was the patience of Christ and his gentle compassionate spirit even with those He knew were out to do away with Him. That same spirit even through great trial and adversity will be seen in the lives of those who have surrendered their hearts to Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on July 08, 2020, 06:34:16 AM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
Let us use the words to the song "Come Holy Spirit I need Thee" as our prayer to God that we may be enabled to put into practice on a consistent basis our High Calling.
#269 – Come, Holy Spirit
1 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours.
2 O raise our thoughts from things below, From vanities and toys! Then shall we with fresh courage go To reach eternal joys.
3 Awake our souls to joyful songs; Let pure devotions rise; Till praise employs our thankful tongues, And doubt forever dies.
4 Father, we would no longer live At this poor, dying rate; To Thee our thankful love we give, For Thine to us is great.
5 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Come, shed abroad a Savior’s love, And that shall kindle ours.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 08, 2020, 08:24:06 AM
Amen, Sister Dorine and Brother Beacon!
Let us learn of God's love today, receiving into our experience to dispel our fear and impart freshness and vigor to all of our faculties! Only when the love of Christ constrains us will we consider it a delight to be anything or nothing as His providence shall indicate!
"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He: And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask Him any question" (Mark 12:28-34).
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
Let us behold Jesus on Calvary's cross by faith, and as His grace melts and subdues our hearts, we will find in Christ transformation of character whereby the life comes into harmony with God's will, being a blessing to others as we reflect Jesus!! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as we abide in Jesus continually!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on July 08, 2020, 08:45:04 AM
Amen, amen, and amen!! While I rejoice in the truth we read daily, I also rejoice in the unity we have in both Spirit and truth!
The first and greatest of all commands if understood will lead all away from the great deceptions abounding in the Christian world. "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Is this difficult to understand? Yes, when the mind has been led away from this truth. Why is this so important to rightly understand? Because the transformation of character which takes place when the heart is fully given to Christ is supernatural and is accomplished by the Holy Spirit working in and through the heart.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God. While the Holy Spirit works on the mind and the heart prior to conversion, His work changes when He takes possession of the heart. The power to do good and keep the commands of God is not present prior to giving the whole heart to Christ. Truth is revealed that brings the heart to a full surrender. Conversion is the end of a long protracted process that ends with a full surrender of the heart to Jesus because the character of God has been revealed and this grace melts the hard heart. It is the goodness of God that leads to true repentance. This is what we behold daily as we spend a thoughtful hour contemplating the life of Jesus.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 03, 2020, 06:15:31 AM
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, 'But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.' God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
Happy Sabbath to you all as we are rise from the dead by living the gospel in Christ, for abiding in Him continuously we allow Him to manifest through us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing!
"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). As Jesus takes ALL our sin, we live by faith--even the life of God in us by the miracle of conversion!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on October 03, 2020, 06:30:45 AM
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves...
And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially...
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored...
Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
As we celebrate today by keeping Holy the 7th day, Saturday, may we all remember that by the keeping and practicing of God's Ten Commandments we are not "legalists" but only showing our love to Jesus who said..."IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" John 14:15 - Exodus 20:8-11
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on October 03, 2020, 06:36:03 AM
The Sadducees had flattered themselves that they of all men adhered most strictly to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that they had not known their true meaning. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the enlightenment of the "Holy Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God He declared to be the cause of their confusion of faith and darkness of mind. They were seeking to bring the mysteries of God within the compass of their finite reasoning. Christ called upon them to open their minds to those sacred truths that would broaden and strengthen the understanding. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
The study of the scriptures will give us knowledge that will protect us from errors while the daily surrender of self and looking to Jesus will protect us from sin as He transforms us into His image. There is too much head knowledge today and not much heart surrender. The two must be united in Jesus to show the world that the beautiful attributes of God will be seen in those who accept Him fully into their lives. May the reading of these chapters open up deeper truths each day as we grow in God's grace.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on October 03, 2020, 06:31:52 PM
Again, what a blessing to read today's posts!! Every time I read that the enemy never ever again attempted to trap Jesus, i rejoice.
In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, "How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on December 29, 2020, 03:37:11 AM
With so many winds of doctrine that tend to lead away from a simple, childlike trust of the word of God as it reads, we would do well to learn from the time in which Jesus lived and reflect on how Scripture was often misunderstood because of unbelief and hypocrisy. At Jesus' time there were Pharisees and Sadducees, and while the Pharisees often were arraigned by Jesus for their hypocrisy (teaching one thing and doing another), the Sadducees were arraigned by Christ for their unbelief of the word of God. Both could come to Christ and be saved if they would surrender the whole heart to Christ and let Him lead them into all truth, but they would need to surrender their own plans and purposes to be in harmony with God's word. So it is still. Let us accept God's word and allow Jesus to lead our lives according to His word as our standard. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).
"The Sadducees had flattered themselves that they of all men adhered most strictly to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that they had not known their true meaning. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God He declared to be the cause of their confusion of faith and darkness of mind. They were seeking to bring the mysteries of God within the compass of their finite reasoning. Christ called upon them to open their minds to those sacred truths that would broaden and strengthen the understanding. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 5}
We cannot fully understand everything, because God is infinite and we are finite. We need to accept the one principle of taking God's word as it reads, and also making the service and honor of God supreme so that perplexities may vanish, and we may find a plain path before our feet! Then, as we obey God's word as it reads because Jesus lives in our hearts by a true conversion experience whereby all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing, we can be kept from the snares of Satan in the form of winds of doctrine that lead away from God's word in its true context. Let us look to Jesus in all His loveliness and realize that when met with controversy, He did not enter into controversy, but called His hearers and questioners to answer their own questions from the word of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on December 29, 2020, 05:07:14 AM
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." When this simple vital truth is finally understood and believed it brings such rejoicing to the soul. It never gets old to me for each time I meditate on it the gospel becomes more precious. God's grace is truly amazing.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on December 29, 2020, 07:45:52 AM
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel.
"The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
We Need to remember the words of the song....Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Look Full in His Wonder Face and the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Dim In the Light of His Glory and Grace. Thereby We Will Be Empowered to Live For Him and Share His Love with Others.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Philip T on December 29, 2020, 08:30:02 AM
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.
As I prayed and thought upon today's reading the following thought came to mind, When we allow the love of Jesus to flow into our lives as the first four commandments instruct us to to, and we allow the Holy Spirit to indwell in our minds and lead us this love will flow to our neighbors as the last 6 commandment direct. And who is our neighbor? As the parable or story of the good Samaritan points out all are our neighbors. So that love that we have through Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit needs to flow out of us to our neighbors as the love and grace flow out of the heavenly temple as Ezekiel says, and flows to the ocean, but along the way when it flows into the marshes with no outlet it becomes putrid and nothing grows. Just having the love of Jesus is not enough, we need to let it flow out of us or all the learning is of no avail to us. I pray that the Holy Spirit will move on my heart convicting me to pass on the truths expressed here today to my neighbors.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on March 24, 2021, 09:21:02 PM
"Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providence's, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less.. "The only key" to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God.
"Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies.. God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God..
When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves..
Let us come humbly and be filled with power that He promised us so that all of the fruits of the Spirit may be demonstrated daily in our lives.
And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
"If" we truly want to be "Like Jesus " we must remember what He said....So that we can be empowered to be His True Ambassadors.
Remember John 15:5 says "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on March 26, 2021, 07:15:31 AM
Amen brother Beacon!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 26, 2021, 10:48:33 AM
Amen, brothers!!
“And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.” {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 3}
Let us love God who first loved us and in sending Jesus came to save us from our sins!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on March 27, 2021, 03:54:08 AM
"The Sadducees rejected the teaching of Jesus; He was animated by a spirit which they would not acknowledge as manifesting itself thus; and His teaching in regard to God and the future life contradicted their theories. They believed in God as the only being superior to man; but they argued that an overruling providence and a divine foresight would deprive man of free moral agency, and degrade him to the position of a slave. It was their belief, that, having created man, God had left him to himself, independent of a higher influence. They held that man was free to control his own life and to shape the events of the world; that his destiny was in his own hands. They denied that the Spirit of God works through human efforts or natural means. Yet they still held that, through the proper employment of his natural powers, man could become elevated and enlightened; that by rigorous and austere exactions his life could be purified."
It is amazing how far astray one goes when God is not in the heart. We see it all around us today. There are theories that intelligent human beings are accepting and teaching who claim to know the bible yet have accepted the most incredulous ideas pertaining to the Godhead, flat earth, and sinning until Jesus comes among others. Once we entertain a theory that is not in scripture but sounds reasonable to us it matures into deep rooted believe and no amount of reasoning will move them. But just as Jesus worked and taught the truth we are to do the same and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. We must always remember that we are seed sowers and God gathers in the harvest.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on June 21, 2021, 04:18:01 AM
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves...
"Only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially"
Since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored"
"Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
May we all remember that by the keeping and practicing of God's Ten Commandments we are not "legalists" but only showing our love to Jesus who said..."IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" John 14:15 - Exodus 20:8-11
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 21, 2021, 05:57:53 AM
Love is from God, for God is love. We need His love in our hearts by beholding the love of Jesus who reveals the Father's love to us. As we surrender fully to Him, He imbues us with all of the attributes of His love, which includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faith and temperance! All glory to God!
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2}
Let this love flow through you and you will be a blessing to others as Jesus does a new work in and through you today to manifest the love that is infinite!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on June 21, 2021, 11:35:51 AM
Amen Pastor Sean. Why is this? Why cannot I love my neighbor if I do not love God supremely? Do we all agree with this truth?
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
James tells us the same, "If we offend in one point, we offend in all." We cannot serve two masters at the same time. The tree is either bad or good. And the fruit from the tree will reveal which tree it is. It is impossible to get good fruit from a bad tree. It is impossible to get bad fruit from a good tree. Then what must we say if we sin? And what must we say if the fruit of the Spirit is seen in the life? Why do we not see the gospel and the gospel only being preached from our pulpits and printed on our presses?
Where is Jesus when you or I sin a known sin? He does not cease to love us. He stands at the door of the heart, knocking, wanting back into the heart.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on June 21, 2021, 08:28:48 PM
"Only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially"
Since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored"
"Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
May we all remember that by the keeping and practicing of God's Ten Commandments we are not "legalists" but only showing our love to Jesus who said..."IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" John 14:15 - Exodus 20:8-11
Amen Brother Beacon! Such a simple truth that many do not understand.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on September 16, 2021, 05:51:17 AM
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
When God touches our hearts He rejoices when we accept truth with a child like faith but what He longs for is an acknowledgment and acceptance of His divinity. He wants to be our personal friend and Saviour that He may accomplish His mighty and powerful works in us, for us and through us to win a lost world to Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on September 16, 2021, 06:13:02 AM
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. "
"Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel."
"The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
We Need to remember the words of the song....Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Look Full in His Wonder Face and the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Dim In the Light of His Glory and Grace. Thereby We Will Be Empowered to Live For Him and Share His Love with Others. I want to be a living example of His Love & Grace - Don't You?.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Philip T on September 16, 2021, 07:17:34 AM
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
The only way to transformation of character is the work of the Holy Spirit when we surrender our heart to Jesus in faith. When our characters are transformed we then show forth the Love of God to those around us. Only through, prayer, study of Gods two books Scripture and nature, faith and surrender, can the Holy Spirit work in our lives.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 16, 2021, 04:46:23 PM
Amen, Sister Dorine, Brother Beacon and Brother Philip!
I am SO SO HAPPY Jesus gives us both PARDON and POWER to do His will as revealed in His law of love! I am SO SO THANKFUL that He came not to condemn, but to restore and heal! Then the heart He heals and restores will bear the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in affectionately doing His will! Glory to God forevermore!!
"In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
By looking to Jesus constantly with the eye of faith, we may be strengthened! There is no limit to the usefulness of the soul who puts self aside and makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart and lives a life fully consecrated to God! Let your life be one lived above the confusion of controversy in the joy of His will as revealed in His word and His providential leading!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on September 16, 2021, 09:05:17 PM
Amen!! It is such a blessing to see how the Spirit is leading us!!
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
Here there is an important truth that many even though sincere in what they believe do not understand the principle which is set forth. How is the law related to Christ and why is it necessary for us to look beyond the law? Many think the law brings forth salvation, but it will not unless connected to Christ. What is the purpose of the law? It reveals our duty, but does not give us power to obey. Where do we find salvation? In Christ. We are saved by grace, not by law. God wants the heart and the only way we can give Him the whole heart is to know Him and to trust Him. He is so very worthy of having our hearts.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on December 12, 2021, 08:56:17 AM
"God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit."
"He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor."
"We shall love him as ourselves."
"Only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
"If" we truly want to be "Like Jesus " we must remember what He said....So that we can be empowered to be His True Ambassadors.
Remember John 15:5 says "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1 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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on December 12, 2021, 02:43:57 PM
Amen Brother Beacon! God wants the heart. When He has our heart, then we are converted and not only love Him with all of it, but our neighbor also. Such simple truth that all might understand what it means to be converted. We cannot love God and not love our neighbor, nor could we love our neighbor and not love God with the whole heart. And if we break one of the commandments, then we break them all which means we do not love God supremely thus we are not in a converted state filled with the Holy Ghost, and if we are not filled with the Spirit, we are none of His. Such a shock to most professing Christians. Hopefully it wake some up. On the other hand many will reject what is written including Romans 8:9.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Yes, obedience to all we understand is evidence of our loving God with the whole heart. And it supports Romans 8:8-10: "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on March 08, 2022, 08:04:41 PM
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves."
"Only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
" Since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle."
"Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored."
Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Psalm 119:10-12 King James Version says...With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Are We Willing" to make that "Total" commitment to Jesus?
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. 2 All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now. 3 All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine. 4 All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. 5 All to Jesus I surrender, Now I feel the sacred flame. Oh, the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory to His name!
Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939) Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on March 09, 2022, 05:17:58 AM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God."
Each day as we come before the throne of grace and pour out our hearts to our heavenly Father in surrender, wonderful miraculous transformations take place that no human agent is capable of doing. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the follower of Christ. We are uplifted into the presence of God and dwell in the atmosphere of heaven. He strengthens us for the day and speaks to us as we meditate upon His word. He protects us from error and leads us through the day growing in grace and character. What does that look like? We read it here all the time. It is revealed through all the fruits of the spirit being present in the life. No human being can do that no matter how hard they try. They may appear to succeed in one or two but never in them all.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 09, 2022, 06:33:15 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!
If the standard of truth and morality is lowered, then the power of the gospel is also lowered. Jesus lived the law of God in a beautiful, perfect relational way to save the world, laying down His life at Calvary and coming forth from the grave to give us His victory! He calls upon us to look to the law as the great standard, see our duty and guilt inasmuch as we are sinners who have come short of His standard of relational glory, and then flee to Him for pardon and power to do His will by having Him live out His life in us. Such a converted life will bear the fruits of all the character traits of the Holy Spirit and empower affectionate obedience to all of God's Ten Commandments! What a privilege it is to not only understand but DO the will of God by His grace through faith!
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
Will we let Jesus give us this experience? And even if we are struggling, we can pray, "Lord, I am willing to be made willing"!! Let's trust God for healing and power as we go forth in the faith of Jesus that works by His love in the new heart He gives us!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on March 10, 2022, 08:18:11 AM
Amen!! The unity of Spirit and doctrine revealed in your comments will soon be seen to a greater and greater degree in God's church. Jesus is coming so very soon. We were told that the last steps will be rapid ones. Are we not in the last steps today? Soon darkness will spread over the whole earth. God is withdrawing His Spirit from the world, but at the same time is pouring clean water upon His filthy church.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Miracle of all miracles! A new creature born of the Spirit that as Brother Beacon pointed out, keep all of the commandments of God.
"Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
See 'Ezekiel 36:22-37.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on June 03, 2022, 08:59:01 PM
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith."
"Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour."
"Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands."
"In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel.
"The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt."
To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
Today Jesus is inviting us to come unto Him and find the power to Trust & Obey."
"In Matthew 11 : 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Friends, as we celebrate another precious Sabbath Day, Jesus invites us to experience His Peace & Joy as we lay every thought and action at the foot of the cross. He want to fill us with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, (As Pastor Sean always says ...( "Without One Missing ), so that we can be effective vessels of His Grace to a dying world, so soon to pass away. Are "WE" willing to say. "Here I am Lord Send Me? "
May The Words of this song be our our Prayer ============================= "Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted, Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard; Not I, but Christ in every look and action, Not I, but Christ in every thought and word. Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee, Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me. 2 Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear; Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden, Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear. 3 Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling, Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound; Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing, Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found. 4 Not I, but Christ my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be; Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. 5 Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision, Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see; Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling, Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be."
Lyrics:Mrs. Ada A. Whiddington (1891) Music:Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on June 04, 2022, 05:00:41 AM
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
I pray each day for the love that this describes. I believe the Lord allows difficult people into our lives to show us who resides in our hearts.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on June 04, 2022, 06:46:25 AM
Amen dear sister! We are indeed evil by nature and can do no good thing. God allows trials or brings them to us that we might understand our continual need of Jesus, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. When we surrender the whole heart to Him who gave all for us, we will receive the Holy Spirit and all of the fruits of the Spirit as Brother Beacon points out. Love, joy, and peace are seen in the life even love for those who despitefully use us. Such a miracle!
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
As it was then, so it is now. Anyone who lives and teaches the same truth that our Savior did, will suffer the contempt of the people. Sooner or later they will cease trying to trap us with theological questions and in earnest try to quiet what we say.
"And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Many believe we are to just live the truth, but that is not so. We are to live and share what it is that God has revealed to us (as the Spirit leads). Jesus did not walk away from those who tried to trap Him. He left them and their arguments seen to be wrong. They were never successful in teaching their error in front of Him. He was jealous of His Father's truth. They ceased asking Him any more questions.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 04, 2022, 02:29:53 PM
Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard! Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon, that you shared that, "as Pastor Sean always says, 'without one missing'" in relation to the fruits of the Spirit being seen in our lives! The reason I share it so often is that it is an inspired truth from The Desire of Ages, page 676, paragraph 4, ("When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing."), which is so helpful in understanding true conversion and the evidence of Christ abiding in the life of one who has surrender the whole heart to Christ!
Happy Sabbath! Let’s cooperate with Jesus in His miraculous plan for our lives! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in our lives as we live up to every known statute His word reveals because we love Hin who first loved us!! Praise the Lord for His grace and patience with us as He grows that experience in our lives by the Holy Spirit! “God is love” (1 John 4:16).
“By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man’s temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.” {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
God desires to bless you beyond what you can ask or think! Yield the whole heart to Him, commune with Him in His word, and walk by faith in His perfect will! 😊
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on August 29, 2022, 08:00:53 PM
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith."
"Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour."
"Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel."
"The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt."
However To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
Praise the Lord that both Pardon & Power are readily available, "IF WE" are willing to Admit Our Need of the "ONLY ONE" that can pardon and supply our great need.
Jesus says to us today....Matthew 11:28,29. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon "you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
=========================
1 I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.” Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. 2 Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots, And melt the heart of stone. 3 For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim— I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. 4 And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete, “Jesus died my soul to save,” My lips shall still repeat.
Lyrics:Elvina Mable Reynolds Hall (1822-1889) Music:John Thomas Grape (1834-1915)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on August 30, 2022, 05:05:33 PM
Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon!
Let us allow Jesus to give us true conversion!!
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2}
God is faithful to save us in His love!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on August 30, 2022, 10:04:03 PM
Amen my dear brothers! It is interesting the subject of today's reading is found in the very first statement:
The priests and rulers had listened in silence to Christ's pointed rebukes. They could not refute His charges. But they were only the more determined to entrap Him, and with this object they sent to Him spies, "which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor." They did not send the old Pharisees whom Jesus had often met, but young men, who were ardent and zealous, and whom, they thought, Christ did not know. These were accompanied by certain of the Herodians, who were to hear Christ's words, that they might testify against Him at His trial. The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies, but they were now one in enmity to Christ.
And in rebuking the Jewish leaders, He also made clear that the law is a law of love and if we violate one part of the law, we violate it all. This ought to open the eyes of professing Christians today. But, we can see that often it does not. Let us pray for revival and reformation so Jesus can come.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on November 24, 2022, 08:31:32 PM
"The Pharisees did not send the "Old Pharisees" whom Jesus had often met, but young men, who were ardent and zealous, and whom, they thought, Christ did not know."
"These were accompanied by certain of the Herodians, who were to hear Christ's words, that they might testify against Him at His trial."
"The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies!
Now they were now one in enmity to Christ."
No doubt we also will see many so called "Protestant " denominations who have abandoned there respect and support of Jesus in regards to His True Sabbath Day of rest, unite with "Roman Catholics", in an attempt to eliminate God's Remnant who are loyal to the teaching of God's Holy Word! as expressed in the Ten Commandments given at Mt.Sinai, along with the prophets of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus when came and gave His life for us at Calvary "ALL" My prayer is that we will be able to sing and commit our allegiance to Jesus the One Who Paid it ALL.
============================= 1 Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted, Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard; Not I, but Christ in every look and action, Not I, but Christ in every thought and word. Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee, Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me. 2 Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear; Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden, Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear. 3 Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling, Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound; Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing, Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found. 4 Not I, but Christ my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be; Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. 5 Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision, Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see; Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling, Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.
Lyrics:Mrs. Ada A. Whiddington (1891) Music:Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on November 25, 2022, 04:14:31 AM
Amen Brother Beacon! Not I, but Christ, my all in all! As we rest in Christ, let us grow strong in our love for Him and the truth.
Again is revealed not only how we can know we have life, but how it it is that we are converted and maintain our connection with Jesus. It is by beholding Jesus that we are converted, transformed into His image. We must "look and live." When converted, it can be seen that we love the Lord our God with all of the heart.
The wisdom of Christ's answer had convicted the scribe. He knew that the Jewish religion consisted in outward ceremonies rather than inward piety. He had some sense of the worthlessness of mere ceremonial offerings, and the faithless shedding of blood for expiation of sin. Love and obedience to God, and unselfish regard for man, appeared to him of more value than all these rites. The readiness of this man to acknowledge the correctness of Christ's reasoning, and his decided and prompt response before the people, manifested a spirit entirely different from that of the priests and rulers. The heart of Jesus went out in pity to the honest scribe who had dared to face the frowns of the priests and the threats of the rulers to speak the convictions of his heart. "And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
It is interesting to go back a few pages and read what we have been sharing. Look at the unity of not only Spirit, but doctrine! Such a blessing!! Jesus is coming so very soon. How can we know? God is succeeding in preparing a people to go through a time of trouble such as never was.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 25, 2022, 07:05:14 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!!
When we appreciate the truth as it is in Jesus, we realize that God sees the end from the beginning and already sees the fulfillment of His infinite purposes (yet future) as though they are already accomplished! Today we can behold Jesus, yield the heart to Him as motivated by His loveliness, and be truly converted so that all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in our lives as we are empowered to obey God from the new heart! Temptations and trials will come, but His word is able to keep us from falling as we abide in Him! Today by adding in Christ we get to have His resurrection power of life already at work in our lives!
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, 'But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.' God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
We can trust that God will bring the dead in Christ back to life, and we can also trust that God is able to keep us from falling into sin as we let Jesus fulfill His promises to us (2 Peter 1:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:13 are two amazing ones)! Praise the Lord!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on November 25, 2022, 07:10:42 AM
"....Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
We are all slaves to someone. Why not become a slave to Jesus the One who died for us and whose grace will transform every surrendered heart. He is the source of peace and joy that comes from knowing and serving Him. Through thick and thin He will always be with us and show us the path He wants us to tread. I trust no other.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Philip T on November 25, 2022, 07:37:02 AM
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
God's ten commandments are one, when we experience God's transforming love in our lives, when we see his love given through his coming to this world, living a life of agony, dieing of the cross for us, his resuurection and give our hearts to him in love and faith, out of this love comes obedience to him/his l law. not to earn our way to heaven but out of love to Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on February 19, 2023, 08:58:15 PM
"God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished."
The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life." "God will be their God, and they shall be His people."
"There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints."
"This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him."
This is a solid guarantee from the King of Kings - Let "US" put "Our" -- "Full Trust in HIM"
======================= 1 When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey. 2 Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, Not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3 Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love, Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey.
Lyrics:John Henry Sammis (1846-1919) Music:Daniel Brink Towner (1850-1919)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on February 20, 2023, 06:51:32 AM
"And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
We do not hear much about the keeping of the ten commandments anymore. Maybe that is why there are so many going adrift. When Christ comes into the heart all of His commandments become a joy to keep. We are no longer under condemnation but enjoy true freedom in Christ. The home, the church, the world is a better place when God's law is reverenced and kept through the power of the Holy Spirit. If only the Jewish nation had believed the word of God and lived accordingly what a different account we would have of that time. Praise God, sin will not live for ever. God's church will be triumphant and sin will never rise again.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 20, 2023, 09:33:37 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!
When God fills us with love, it heals our relationship with Him and others!
"The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 2}
Only by love is love awakened, and thankfully, God first loved us to woo us to Himself so we can experience His true character manifest in all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we gladly are empowered to obey the Ten Commandments from the new heart given us when we surrender fully to Christ!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on February 20, 2023, 09:10:58 PM
Amen my dear brothers and sister!! If we love God with the whole heart, we will keep His commandments to the degree we know them.
The lawyer approached Jesus with a direct question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The answer of Christ is direct and forcible: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." The second is like the first, said Christ; for it flows out of it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 17, 2023, 05:02:34 AM
Praise God for what is coming in the future life! Today by surrendering fully to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing, and we will be enabled to live in obedience to all of God's commandments! Such an experience is a foretaste of heaven, for we can have heaven in our hearts!
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
What a blessing it is to look forward to the future life!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on May 17, 2023, 06:02:37 PM
Amen Pastor Sean! We long to live in a world with Jesus and without sin. Let us begin to practice living without sinning here and Earth!
My first inclination was to share what is the greatest of all commandments, but instead I am going to follow the intent of the title of this chapter.
The priests and rulers had listened in silence to Christ’s pointed rebukes. They could not refute His charges. But they were only the more determined to entrap Him, and with this object they sent to Him spies, “which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor”...........And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Yes, there was much controversy in the nation caused by the uprising against the truth and the life of Jesus. The pointed rebukes brought forth much hate.
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle.
And no, we cannot leave without commenting on the love of God. If we do not love the Lord our God with all of the heart, then we cannot keep any of the commandments.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on August 12, 2023, 04:07:50 AM
Happy Sabbath! Oh, how wonderful are fresh glimpses of Jesus! When questions arose that were intended to draw Jesus into controversy, He wisely answered by asking questions, letting the questioners answer what they asked. He pointed to the law of God as a divine unity, and it is as we receive Christ into the heart as a personal Savior that we are enabled to obey the law from the heart with the supernatural accompanying witness of all of the fruits of the Spirit in the life without one missing. True conversion--the result of entire surrender of the heart, mind, will and character to God--is a far happier experience than any counterfeit path of sin that Satan has devised.
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
Trust God to work out His will in your life as you surrender fully to Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Nothing is too hard for God to do. He can save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on August 12, 2023, 05:11:55 AM
color=maroon]"Jesus sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished.'
"The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life."[/color]
"God will be their God, and they shall be His people."
"There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints."
"This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing."
"The dead live unto Him."
Praise the Lord! Yes, Jesus sees the end from the beginning and therefore is able to supply all the necessary resources needed for us to be ready to meet Him. But we must willing to ask Him to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our daily lives.
=============================== 1 Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder-working power, In the blood of the Lamb; There is power, power, wonder-working power, In the precious blood of the Lamb. 2 Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide, There’s wonderful power in the blood. 3 Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow, There’s wonderful power in the blood. 4 Would you do service for Jesus your King? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; Would you live daily His praises to sing? There’s wonderful power in the blood.
Lyrics:/Music: Lewis Ellis Jones (1865-1936)
HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL GOD'S CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD AND BEYOND.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on November 06, 2023, 08:31:33 PM
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail."
He said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished.
"The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life."
"God will be their God, and they shall be His people."
What Day that will be when our Jesus we shall see and He takes up by the hand and leads us to the promised land What a day glorious day that will be.!!
===================== 1 Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day. 2 Oh, safe and happy shelter! Oh, refuge tried and sweet! Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet. As to the holy patriarch That wondrous dream was given, So is my Savior by the cross A ladder up to heaven. 3 There lies beneath its shadow, But on the farther side, The darkness of an awful grave That gapes both deep and wide; And there between us stands the cross, Two arms outstretched to save, Like a watchman set to guard the way From that eternal grave. 4 Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One, Who suffered there for me; And from my smitten heart, with tears, Two wonders I confess, The wonders of His glorious love, And my own worthlessness. 5 I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.
Lyrics:Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1830-1869) Music:Frederick Charles Maker (1844-1927)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 07, 2023, 06:16:08 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon!!
What a blessing it is to see in Jesus a life of supernatural power that is now accessible to us by the same grace He received in relying upon the word of God to lead and guide by the Holy Spirit! As we surrender fully to Christ as a personal Savior, living by faith on Him means that we partake of the divine nature that brings the continual witness of all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as long as the soul remains in continual union and communion with God in the path of true obedience up to the light of truth God has revealed!
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
"I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me" (John 5:30). Just as surely as Jesus depended upon the Father, we are to depend on Jesus to do any good thing by receiving the Holy Spirit into our hearts and lives! What a blessing it is to go forth in His service to win souls because we are vitally connected to Christ!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on November 07, 2023, 06:33:01 AM
"The Sadducees had flattered themselves that they of all men adhered most strictly to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that they had not known their true meaning. That knowledge must be brought home to the heart by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God He declared to be the cause of their confusion of faith and darkness of mind. They were seeking to bring the mysteries of God within the compass of their finite reasoning. Christ called upon them to open their minds to those sacred truths that would broaden and strengthen the understanding. Thousands become infidels because their finite minds cannot comprehend the mysteries of God. They cannot explain the wonderful exhibition of divine power in His providences, therefore they reject the evidences of such power, attributing them to natural agencies which they can comprehend still less. The only key to the mysteries that surround us is to acknowledge in them all the presence and power of God. Men need to recognize God as the Creator of the universe, One who commands and executes all things. They need a broader view of His character, and of the mystery of His agencies."
We must take God at His word. He has given us a multitude of evidence to show that Jesus is who He says He is. We do not need to understand all things. He has proven Himself to be faithful and true. Let us be faithful in the things that are clearly revealed and trust His every word.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on November 07, 2023, 02:31:49 PM
Amen my dear friends, let God be God. Jesus' Words have now as He nears the end become more pointed.
The Saviour's words, "Render . . . unto God the things that are God's," were a severe rebuke to the intriguing Jews. Had they faithfully fulfilled their obligations to God, they would not have become a broken nation, subject to a foreign power. No Roman ensign would have waved over Jerusalem, no Roman sentinel would have stood at her gates, no Roman governor would have ruled within her walls. The Jewish nation was then paying the penalty of its apostasy from God..... By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God. This teaching the Sadducees were determined to discredit. In seeking a controversy with Jesus, they felt confident of bringing Him into disrepute, even if they could not secure His condemnation. The resurrection was the subject on which they chose to question Him. Should He agree with them, He would give still further offense to the Pharisees. Should He differ with them, they designed to hold His teaching up to ridicule..... "If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 02, 2024, 05:08:44 AM
What a joy it is to know and love a God who sees the WHOLE PICTURE of eternity! Because He sees things that way, we can start living and thinking that way, and it changes our perspective to be one of joy and gratitude that His plan to repopulate heaven with a holy, happy family of saints from this little world will be fulfilled!
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, 'But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.' God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
Praise God for the power of God to raise the dead, which is also His same power to raise us from spiritual death and make us partakers of the divine nature! When we are vitally connected to Jesus by a living faith surrender, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives and we will be enabled by His divine grace to love God from the heart and love others as ourselves!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Philip T on February 02, 2024, 08:05:18 AM
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments
When our characters become like God's character, our character is one of love, and that love reflects out of us to those around us. As the ten commandments are God's character, when transformed they become our character. Then they naturally just flow out of us. Yes, by our obedience to them we show the love of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on April 27, 2024, 08:20:09 PM
"God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'
"God counts the things that are not as though they were."
"He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished."
"The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life."
"God will be their God, and they shall be His people."
"There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints."
The invitation from God to spend eternity with Him is, however, based upon our acceptance of His Grace and Mercy "NOW" and to demonstrate that commitment on a daily basis. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot serve 2 masters. Which side will "You and I chose??
================================
1 Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 For me, You were mocked and crucified; For me, willingly You bled and died. Lord, my life and love I willingly outpour And will serve You evermore. 3 Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee. 4 Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee. 5 Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose. 6 Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne. 6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.
Lyrics:Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) Music:H.A. Cesar Malan(1787-1844)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on April 28, 2024, 03:15:19 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon! I choose to be fully surrendered to Jesus! I need Him moment-by-moment!!
Do you really believe that God is leading your life as the Good Shepherd? While you may not understand all of His providences yet, as you become acquainted with His selfless character by spending time in His word, yield the whole heart to Him in sincere prayer, and seek to discern His will each day, it is such an adventure to be where God directs! His plans are better than we can ask or think, and His timing is perfect! All He asks is that we come to Him, and in thus coming to Him in sincere surrender, we begin the life eternal by beholding Him and abiding in Him. All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing flow from a truly converted life, for Christ empowers the soul to live in true obedience to all of His commandments! What a miracle! What a gift by grace through faith!
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
Only the Holy Spirit can change a sinful, evil heart into a new one that delights to do God's will. So let us pray ever more earnestly for the Holy Spirit and let God direct us this day in the plans He has! Share your testimony of how God has led in your life, thus inspiring and encouraging others to go "all in" for Jesus!! The wisest thing to do in this brief, temporal life is to surrender it completely to the service of God and man, knowing that one's eternal life is secure as long as Christ remains on the throne of the heart!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on April 28, 2024, 01:31:37 PM
Amen my dear brothers!
The law of God is a revelation of love, it is a transcript of His character of love. But, the law can save no one. It brings conviction so that we can know we lack love.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Controversy, what is it?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on July 23, 2024, 09:12:30 PM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interest."
"He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees."
"He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
"This teaching the Sadducees were determined to discredit."
"In seeking a controversy with Jesus, they felt confident of bringing Him into disrepute, even if they could not secure His condemnation."
"The resurrection was the subject on which they chose to question Him."
"Should He agree with them, He would give still further offense to the Pharisees. Should He differ with them, they designed to hold His teaching up to ridicule.
"But Jesus said..."If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son?"
"And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
My motto is ...."If Jesus said it....Then I believe it, and that's good enough for me. How About You??
========================== 1 Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day. 2 Oh, safe and happy shelter! Oh, refuge tried and sweet! Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet. As to the holy patriarch That wondrous dream was given, So is my Savior by the cross A ladder up to heaven. 3 There lies beneath its shadow, But on the farther side, The darkness of an awful grave That gapes both deep and wide; And there between us stands the cross, Two arms outstretched to save, Like a watchman set to guard the way From that eternal grave. 4 Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One, Who suffered there for me; And from my smitten heart, with tears, Two wonders I confess, The wonders of His glorious love, And my own worthlessness. 5 I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.
Lyrics:Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1830-1869) Music:Frederick Charles Maker (1844-1927)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on July 24, 2024, 05:30:42 AM
Christ's reply was no evasion, but a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were living under the protection of the Roman power, they should render to that power the support it claimed, so long as this did not conflict with a higher duty. But while peaceably subject to the laws of the land, they should at all times give their first allegiance to God.
Again and again I see that Christ often didn't answer objections directly but instead presented truth, a lesson for us all.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 24, 2024, 04:53:44 PM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!
Only by accepting Christ as a personal, living Savior are we enabled to obey God and do what pleases Him. He fills us with the Holy Spirit without one of the fruits of the Spirit missing, imparting grace and strength to reflect Him in each trying situation. Christ's way of dealing with questions was often asking another question that presented truth in a way as to shut down the unnecessary question or leave the questioner pondering upon deeper things.
"And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments." {The Desire of Ages, page 607, paragraph 3}
True obedience is a miracle. God offers us the miracle of His abiding presence in us so we are made new and renewed in His image. What a joy it is to be consistent, conscientious Christians who follow Jesus moment-by-moment!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on July 24, 2024, 10:06:07 PM
Amen my dear brothers!
The lawyer approached Jesus with a direct question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The answer of Christ is direct and forcible: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." The second is like the first, said Christ; for it flows out of it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on October 18, 2024, 08:06:51 PM
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present."
"To God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interest."
"He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees."
"He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit."
"He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God
Are "WE" asking for the Holy Spirits power to be the guide of "OUR" lives??
======================== 1 Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted, Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard; Not I, but Christ in every look and action, Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee, Oh, that it may be no more I, But Christ that lives in me. 2 Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear; Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden, Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear. 3 Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling, Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound; Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing, Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found. 4 Not I, but Christ my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be; Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. 5 Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision, Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see; Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling, Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.
Lyrics:Mrs. Ada A. Whiddington (1891) Music:Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)
HAPPY SABBATH TO ALL
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Philip T on October 19, 2024, 04:08:17 AM
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
We need to have a one-on-one relationship with Jeus, rituals are not what God seeks. He seeks and contrite and humble heart, surrendered to Him. We must realize the 10 commandments are God's character which reflect His love to us, and that salvation only comes by faith through Jesus. God's law reflects the messages of the Gospel.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on October 20, 2024, 06:39:25 AM
Amen my dear brothers! I find it interesting that Jesus did not seek or enter into controversy with those who were out to murder Him. Many confuse controversy as entering into a conversation where evil is pointed out, that is rebuke. No. Jesus rebuked evil, but did not enter into controversy with them. Because He would not debate with them, they ceased to ask Him questions.
In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, "How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 20, 2024, 07:05:39 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Philip and Brother Richard!
Praise God for the resurrection from the dead as a key truth revealed in the word of God! God will see His purposes fulfilled in His timing, and He calls us to surrender fully to Him so all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are revealed in our lives--the witness of resurrection power at work in our characters!
"Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, 'But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.' God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him." {The Desire of Ages, page 606, paragraph 1}
Are you willing to fully trust God who has the power to raise the dead? If so, do not live in fear of death, rather fear to sin against God who gave His Son to make it possible for you to have eternal life!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on January 13, 2025, 08:36:15 PM
"God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
"God counts the things that are not as though they were."
"He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished." "The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life."
"God will be their God, and they shall be His people."
"There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints."
What a day that will be when our Jesus we will see and He takes "US" by the hand and leads us to the promised land---What a Day!! Glorious Day that will be!!
By God's Grace and Mercy "WE" can all be there if "WE" are willing to make Him " King of kings and Lord of Lords of our life today. The BIG question is ....Are "WE" willing ?? As for me and my house "WE" will serve the Lord!!.
======================= 1 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. 2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! 3 The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. 4 When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.
Lyrics:John Newton (1725-1807) Music:Traditional American melody
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on January 14, 2025, 03:20:36 AM
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
We are to be living sacrifices crucifying self each day. Then we will know the abiding presence of God in our lives; Our love for God will show in our love for others. When we understand the beauty of the 10 commandments, that they are the attributes of Christ we will delight in the keeping of them.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on January 14, 2025, 03:27:13 AM
Amen Brother Beacon! Salvation is dependent upon close and tender relationship between God and repentant sinners. Amen Sister Dorine! The commandments are a transcript of God's character. If we keep the commandments then we love God and our neighbor. If we break any one of them, we do not love either God nor our neighbor.
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that the church remains in a Laodicean condition because the gospel has been greatly perverted. Thus, many believe they have salvation when they do not. Many have been buried alive by pastors who also were buried alive. When one is truly converted because they love the Lord our God with all of the heart they will not remain quiet about the gospel message. And if the preacher does not present the gospel message, then he does not understand the gospel nor the condition of God's church. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus, especially the closing scenes where we behold the glory of God (His character). It is there that we see His stripes whereby we are healed.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on January 14, 2025, 02:11:45 PM
Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard!
Repeatedly Christ avoided being drawn into controversy. He knew that His work was to present the word of God in its clarity. When questions were asked of Him, often He required the answer from the one who asked, or He would meet others with a question, too. Wisely He kept planting truth, and thankfully, a scribe was willing to acknowledge the "correct" answer about what was most important in the law. But that man needed to also accept Christ as a personal Savior. So it is with us. A whole-heart surrender to Christ is what we need moment-by-moment. We need a living connection with Christ in order for God's love to flow in and through us to others, manifesting all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing and gladly obeying God up to the light He has given us.
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins." {The Desire of Ages, page 608, paragraph 2}
When we appreciate the pardon and power of Jesus, we experience forgiveness for our past and power for our present to do God's will! What a delight!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on April 10, 2025, 08:00:16 PM
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love."
"The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken."
"When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves." "And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
"Since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle."
"Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored." "Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments."
With Jesus it's ALL or Nothing ! Are 'WE' Willing to surrender "ALL" to Jesus??
=========================
I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. 2 All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now. 3 All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine. 4 All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. 5 All to Jesus I surrender, Now I feel the sacred flame. Oh, the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory to His name!
Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939) Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on April 11, 2025, 05:41:08 AM
And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
We may pride ourselves that we are commandment keeping people but Jesus taught that we may not outwardly break a commandment but if it is in the heart and thoughts to do so then heaven records it as done. Nothing is hid from God. When we walk with the Lord our hearts are pure and holy and we would rather die than outwardly or in thought break one of His commandments.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on April 11, 2025, 07:13:23 AM
Amen my dear sister and brother! Here are they that keep the commandments of God.....from a heart fully surrendered to God.
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 07, 2025, 03:33:27 AM
Jesus offers us the best life possible. He understands our fallen condition, has grace and strength to help us in each situation, and offers us His peace that passes all understanding. It is as we trust in Him unreservedly constantly in full surrender that we experience the miracle of the converting work of the Holy Spirit to produce within us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing with power from God to obey Him up to the light He has shown us from the pure motive of love. Let us remember that even in times of difficulty, we can turn our eyes on Jesus by faith and trust Him to provide and bless.
"By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God." {The Desire of Ages, page 605, paragraph 1}
Because the Holy Spirit prompts us to the best course of action, we need to cultivate an attitude of continual prayer and receptivity to listen to His still, small voice and cheerfully do what He leads us to do! Oh, what a wonderful God we serve that offers us each a living connection with Him in preparation for the glorious soon coming of Jesus! The Holy Spirit will lead us to boldly fulfill the mission given to us as watchmen and light bearers to give the Three Angels' Messages to the world to call precious souls to Jesus while probation's hours still linger!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: JimB on July 07, 2025, 04:40:02 AM
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness.
This is one the clearest statements that shows grace is not only forgiveness but power to obey. All His callings are enablings. He doesn't expect us to do something that we can't do without His help. He will supply whats needed. He loves us!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on July 07, 2025, 05:28:44 AM
By His words and His works, Christ testified to a divine power that produces supernatural results, to a future life beyond the present, to God as a Father of the children of men, ever watchful of their true interests. He revealed the working of divine power in benevolence and compassion that rebuked the selfish exclusiveness of the Sadducees. He taught that both for man's temporal and for his eternal good, God moves upon the heart by the Holy Spirit. He showed the error of trusting to human power for that transformation of character which can be wrought only by the Spirit of God.
The carnal nature wants to be in charge. It prides itself in all it's accomplishments. Even in the church too often the 'stage' becomes an entertainment platform instead of a sacred time and place to worship and honor our Lord and be a blessing to our brothers and sisters. God's children are standing out individually more and more as the church becomes more like the world. But it won't always be so. A revival of true godliness is coming and we will see a church committed to Jesus in full surrender with lives transformed into His character. It is being accomplished moment by moment, day by day right now by the Holy Spirit in hearts that are humble and teachable. He wants all to be saved and is doing all He can to make that happen. Sadly only a few will accept His authority.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Beacon on July 07, 2025, 06:57:38 AM
"The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices."
"But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness."
"The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt." "
"To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins."
We must spend time with Jesus every day to re-charge our spiritual batteries! Are 'WE' doing that??
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on July 08, 2025, 08:13:10 AM
Amen my dear friends! God loves us so very much. When we see that love, we will love Him supremely. And if we do, then we will love our brethren. If we break one of the commandments, then we do not abide in Christ and cannot therefore keep any of them. If we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, then we can do no good thing.
The lawyer approached Jesus with a direct question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The answer of Christ is direct and forcible: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." The second is like the first, said Christ; for it flows out of it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves. And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. And since all the commandments are summed up in love to God and man, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle. Thus Christ taught His hearers that the law of God is not so many separate precepts, some of which are of great importance, while others are of small importance and may with impunity be ignored. Our Lord presents the first four and the last six commandments as a divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Dorine on October 01, 2025, 04:34:29 AM
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God, in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ, and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness. The ritual service was of no value, unless connected with Christ by living faith. Even the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour. Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel. The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt. To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins.
May we never forget that this message is the same for us today. We may attend church, pay a faithful tithe, give out literature, give bible studies, visit the sick and all that goes along with being a follower of Christ, but if we do not have a relationship with Christ and recognize our great need of His power to work through us then the good works we do are with the wrong motive and not acceptable to God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on October 01, 2025, 07:30:25 AM
Amen my dear sister!! It is then that our righteousness is as filthy rags. But, as we submit the whole heart to our Savior, the world will see in fallen creatures the righteousness of Christ. And as we daily obey His commands we will be sanctified to higher and higher levels. The character will reveal a greater abundance of the fruits of the Spirit, not one will be missing. You, my dear sister have a great responsibility. As you remain in Christ Jesus you are assigned the work of teacher of truth. From now on your life will be one of great joy as you search out those who are seeking truth. There are multitudes of those who have left their churches and are seeking the truth you have been given. And what truth is that? It is the foundation principles of Christianity. That which Satan has perverted in churches around the world. The great deception Satan destroyed Israel with and is now found throughout the Protestant churches, is that great lie presented to Eve in the Garden. Disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit and you shall not die. Millions upon millions of professing Christians believe they are saved when they are not. They have been taught that they can sin a known sin and retain eternal life. They do not know they are miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked. They are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins.
You have proved yourself educated in the truth each day as you have shared what you have learned. Go and teach others what you have learned. A billion Catholics believe they are saved by their works. Billions of others are in false religions that have no knowledge of their need of a Savior. The message given to the Prophet Ezekiel is entrusted to you:
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Peace and love to you my dear sister. May God bless your ministry as you find those who are seeking truth. Comfort them as you have been comforted: https://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php/topic,17146.0.html
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--66--Controversy
Post by: Richard Myers on October 01, 2025, 07:54:59 AM
The Pharisees had gathered close about Jesus as He answered the question of the scribe. Now turning He put a question to them: "What think ye of Christ? whose son is He?" This question was designed to test their belief concerning the Messiah,--to show whether they regarded Him simply as a man or as the Son of God. A chorus of voices answered, "The Son of David." This was the title which prophecy had given to the Messiah. When Jesus revealed His divinity by His mighty miracles, when He healed the sick and raised the dead, the people had inquired among themselves, "Is not this the Son of David?" The Syrophoenician woman, blind Bartimaeus, and many others had cried to Him for help, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David." Matthew 15:22. While riding into Jerusalem He had been hailed with the joyful shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matthew 21:9. And the little children in the temple had that day echoed the glad ascription. But many who called Jesus the Son of David did not recognize His divinity. They did not understand that the Son of David was also the Son of God. In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, "How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
What is the lesson to be learned from this? All who have been called to teach the gospel truth are to recognize that what Jesus accomplished is what God wants from us. Present the truth in the way Jesus did and we see the same results. It does not always end this way. Many times they did not stop from attempting to make Jesus look like a false teacher. But, after awhile they understood there was no point in trying to trap Him. So they killed Him.
We have in our world a similar event. Charley Kirk did the same and we saw the same end. Those who did not like the truth finally understood that the only way to stop the truth from being preached was to kill the teacher. Let us who are called to teach the truth understand that there were many times they tried to kill Jesus, but never could because His Father was in absolute control and said "this far and not further." When Jesus had done that which He was entrusted to do, then they could murder Him. So it was with Charley and all who have been martyred. We see the results of the crucifixion of Christ, and today we see the fire that has been created by the death of Charley. Yes, Satan is using it to his benefit, but Jesus will use it to glory. Charley was loved and respected by millions, and many in high places. God will use his influence and words he spoke for His good and glory. Charley's words about the seventh day Sabbath cannot be erased. The Sabbath has been brought brightly before the world.
While we still have opportunity let us take advantage of what Charley has shared.